A bad place for animals. This place is dog friendly, however due to the extremely loud music- it is horrible for pets. Perfect example, I went to this bar and the music was going and drinks flowing. An owner brought his dog and tied him to the bench Inside the bar while he and his friends played darts. I happened to be sitting next to the dog and noticed that as the loud live music played, the poor dog retreated to sit under one of the tables next to me immediately. He seemed scared. Although it is the dog's owner that is the inconsiderate idiot for bring his dog in the first place, I believe that the bar should also take note of this and make a note " no pets allowed"rule. Why would you have a pet friendly bar where you as the owner know that it is loud and obviously not a good place for the dogs or their sensitive ears? If the No pets rule applied, then I would gladly return to this bar... read more

This is a kitschy place. I agree with other yelper's though when it comes to friendliness of the bartender. Her personality matched the overall ambience - Dark. We had one drink and left. In the scheme of dark, dank, and dirty bars, the Grackle is a contender. I'm thinking that public health in Austin doesn't inspect businesses that don't serve food. The Grackle isn't alone in the shithole bar, pub, concept. It wasn't the worst I've seen but it's close. We were expecting a dive bar vibe but this was not even fun. read more

The bartender was friendly and helpful, he offered us a variety of drinks. I love whiskey sours and his house sour was perfect. I would recommend this place to anyone loving for a chill spot to enjoy a drink, and not feel as though Austin is over ran with douchey fucking self-righteous kids. read more

If you love a great dive bar, then you should consider Grackle as your east side destination. A few of many reasons: -- An enormous whiskey selection -- Buffalo Trace and Tullamore Dew on the rail -- interesting variety of beers on tap -- best Bloody Mary in Austin -- a commitment to inclusiveness (see the sign out front that prohibits sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or any general hatefulness when at the bar) -- patrons who are welcoming and interesting and diverse -- amazing curated jukebox (you won't hear most of this stuff at any other bar) -- darts, pool table, covered and uncovered patio seating -- the best weekend doorman since Roadhouse, except more philosophical and less prone to violence I have made several amazing friends at this place. It's one of those places that simply feels right. It's not for everyone, I guess -- but visit and see if you feel the same! read more

Hello Yelpers. I've never written a review for a place before so please bear with me. Here is my review: Friendly staff, good selection of draft beers and great selection of liquor all for a reasonable price ~$4/$5. Clean bathrooms, 3 free dart boards, a new pool table, and a great jukebox. It has a covered patio where one can smoke or just lounge during a nice day. Great tacos or asian fusion food trailers on site that deliver to you while you drink inside with your friends. They even have a 60" TV outside for the big game. SO Darin T. and Jackie T. THAT'S how you write a review. I don't use yelp much because of reviews like yours. How is a place horrible for not letting you break their rules or even TABC laws? Oh so you couldn't bring a baby...TO A BAR. What a shock!! People smoke on that patio, do you really want to subject your newborn to that? Plus, as a smoker, I care about your baby even if you don't. I don't want to smoke near a baby! Geez! Oh, and because you couldn't get your way you're going to insult the person upholding the rules because IT'S THEIR JOB? Way to go you big baby! Waaah! I didn't get my way so you're a big dummy! How old are you? And Jackie T. So they wouldn't let you finish a beer AFTER 2am? Wow, that's surprising too! You do realize like most bar patrons that closing time is at 2am. So the fact you even had a beer in your hand till 2:10 should make you THANK the bartenders. Being able to drink even close to 2am is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. Bars can and do sometimes stop serving at 1:45 so that you don't have the option of having a half full glass of beer at 2am, let alone 2:10. Would you want to be stuck dealing with drunk people for 6 hours while completely sober only to have someone keeping you from going home on time because they want to finish half a pint of Blue Moon? So do you really think his reaction was out of line? Would you want to be kept from going home due to someone else's whim? People like you are the reason why establishments hate Yelp. Review the place on it's service, and selection, NOT on the fact they didn't let you break the rules like you wanted. I wish I could say "Stay at Lustre Pearl or Malaga!" But people like you shouldn't even be in Austin. So, go back to Dallas! We don't need spoiled brats like you here. read more

These satan spawn mock my every move, and then go back to their little as... Wait... This isn't the "Grackles" business listing? Oh. Well, then... The Sunday bartender has turned making bloody marys into a skillful art. Earlier when I asked for a bourbon and ginger ale, he asked which bourbon cause 'we have about 50 of them'. Me not being an expert, he simply said "Is $6 ok?". That was easy! I also agree with his idea to put a garage door between the inside and the patio. Sunday is fun, cause all the foodie turistas stop by, probably fresh from a stop at Franklin, to snap pics of the ESK trailer, and then storm away all annoyed when they realize ESK is closed Sunday. (though between the two trailers, I prefer the Go Bites trailer here, or a different ESK location, but I digress) And parking is pretty easy. Other than that, instead of bird watching, The Grackle is fun for tattoo watching. For a lightly crowded, but awesome, patio, there were plenty of beautiful people around. That Blair sure is dreamy.... Oh wait. I digress again. The Grackle: Come for the bar, stay for the show. read more

To the dude below: so you admit you took a baby to a bar that wasn't really an appropriate place for a baby AND ignored the sign stating the bar's policy of no children, then took offense and resorted to personal insults when an employee came out to enforce their (totally reasonable) policy? Cool story, bro. I'm sure they're really broken up about losing all your lucrative water-drinking business. Maybe you should stick to staying home and watching Star Wars until you get a little better at behaving like an adult. My review: this is an awesome place serving a great selection of booze, staffed by some of the friendliest bartenders I've ever encountered. Behave yourself like a grown-up and be considerate toward others and they'll treat you very well indeed. read more

The bar tender was snooty and wasn't apologetic about messing up my drink. Won't go back! read more

The Grackle - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Tony B was raving about the bloody Marys here so when he posted a UYE I wasn't going to miss it. He was spot on, good spicy bloody with some not to secret ingredients of sriracha and a splash of beer. I loved that the place is dog friendly and it was great meeting my friends' pups. In addition to the bloody the Grackle has a lot going on for them. Count them two food trailers, a killer patio with shade, decent happy hour, an impressive selection of taps and about 8 wines. This is smack in the middle of the land of liquor drinks and beer so I was more than happy with the wines served. A few of the taps include Austin Beer Works Sputnik, Abita Turbo Dog, Rahr & Sons IPA, Brooklyn Brewery, Live Oak Hefeweizen. I tasted Darla's prosecco and for my second round I had the malbec, both were good. I'll be back with dog in tow and an empty belly to try the ESK trailer. read more

It is ironic that one of my favorite Eastside bars is named after one of my greatest nemesis. What's good: 1. Dog-friendly patio offering dual misters and shade! 2. A juke box, pool table and AC inside. 3. Texas tap beers often at happy hour pricing all night. 4. Two food trailers to choose from: Eastside King and Go Bites. (If you think a pita sandwich isn't special, GoBites will change your mind). And now, for you, my Grackle haiku: Glossy winged brash rat Snatching morsels from my plate! Opportunist plague read more

I definitely laughed to myself when I first heard the name of this new East side bar. Hasn't everyone reviewed grackles on yelp? The reviews are the exact opposite of this charming, hipsterrific new bar. The grand opening last night featured free Brooklyn lager and food from two delicious trailers in the parking lot, East Side King and Tacos Seline. The patio was packed since it was a beautiful night but I did happen to notice that it was covered which will be super convenient for Texas summers. Inside is dark and intimate but also has a good amount of space and a pool table! I'll be interested to see how this bar progresses in time. Last night was definitely unusually crowded due to the free beer and food. read more

Lervely pub with a gentleman behind the bar. Designer cocktails upon request and fancy brews, one of which is unpronounceable and richly delicious. Like the Prince of beers, I'm supposing. read more

Sunday, Bloody Mary Sunday at the Grackle, y'all. Perfect spot for a liquid brunch. I was never much of a Bloody Mary fan, but these are on a whole other level. Flavor explosion - spicy, salty, a gentle, enjoyable kick in the pants. Can't recommend them enough. They have a nice, big porch with picnic tables, a large and very dark bar inside, a crazy liquor selection, and no nonsense bartender inside. A friend who doesn't drink asked for a virgin BM, and the bartender said "wouldn't you rather a water?" The jury is still out on whether that was just straight up honesty that there's no point in enjoying the Mary without the booze (or maybe unwillingness to sacrifice quality/taste) or a little rude/unaccommodating. Those who don't drink are people, too...I guess. For now I won't knock off a star for that, because as a person who does drink, I really liked this place and their bevvies. A bartender that's friendly and accommodating is a plus, but not necessary. A couple food trailers sit in the parking lot, and one is kind of a big deal, or so I've heard. Lots of tattoo watching(TM, Joe C. 2013) to be done and porch is doggie friendly, If you're scared of those people that so many blanketly label "hipsters" you may not like it here, but if I lived close by, I think nearly everyday I'd be Gracklin', Gracklin'. read more

Perhaps I'm making an ass out of you and me (read: assuming), but the way I see it, Yelpers fall into four categories: one, you work for Yelp and therefore have to review every bar, restaurant and everything else. You give out as many 2 and 3 star reviews as you do 1 and 5 star reviews. Two, you really just love reviewing things, so you give out a variety of ratings. Three and four, you either really love a spot or really think a place sucks ass. I fall into the latter categories. I come here to tell y'all a place is the bomb, or that the place should be bombed. I walked up to the Grackle on a Sunday late afternoon after enjoying one hell of a time at Lustre Pearl's crawfish boil. Some friends were auditioning east side bars for a potential engagement party pub crawl. So, instead of heading directly home with our 6-week old nugget, Camille, we decided to pit stop at Grackle and see our friends who weren't able to find parking for the LP event. We were on their spacious-enough patio for about 30-45 minutes, enjoying the cold water they'd provided in an orange Home Depot cooler out on the deck. Our friends all had adult beverages. Now, mind you, we pretty much ignored the "21 and up, we check IDs, no children" sign that was prominently affixed above the entrance. Honestly, I thought it was some kind of east side hipster joke or something. Apparently not, 'cuz after those 45 serene minutes on the patio, a tatted-up hipster bartender came out to tell us we had to leave. No, not because we had some bratty 5-year old running amok on the patio. Not because we had a screaming toddler. No, because we had a sleeping 6-week old in a car seat hangin' out with us. Fair enough, I guess. No kids. I could see how this would be in effect on a Friday/Saturday night or if your kid was a pain in the ass. But a 6-week old making zero noise? On a Sunday at 5:30pm? And the dude's reasoning is the reason I'm here typing to you this evening. He said "people come here to get away from kids". LOL. Just because you look like a Gamorrean Guard from Star Wars and can't find a hog to procreate with doesn't mean you should be anti-kid. Google the image, folks. This is what dude looks like. Ouch. And before I get the obligatory "well, you should just go to Freddie's or another kid-friendly bar" statement... I realize Austin is a kid-friendly town and there are plenty of options for us. I realize one of the last spots a newborn should be is an east side "dive bar". But again, it was 5:30 on a nice Sunday evening and the kiddo wasn't bothering anyone. Really, rules can be bent, jackass. I'll never step foot in your wannabe hipster joint again. Oh, and grackles are fuckin' disgusting ass rats with wings. Great job on naming your joint. Might as well call it "Flyin' Rabies". Thumbs down. Can I give negative 5 stars? Hipster toolbag. read more

Don't believe the hype, or the anti-hype as it were. The bathrooms in this place are immaculate. Just went in today and noticed they got Maudite, Unibroue's double Belgian ale which is delicious, and at six bucks for a ten ounce pour is actually a steal. Love the Arrogant Bastard on tap as well. If you like whiskey, which I do, they got Corner Creek for like four bucks! Not to mention the twenty other varieties of bourbon staring you in the face at the bar. And to make this place even better, they're now open for lunch and the east side kings cart out front is out of this world if you dig on pork belly smothered in tasty sauce. I guess this place is too awesome for obviously stuck up drunk chicks who are too insecure not to think everyone is talking about them all the time. On second thought, don't go here, cause then I won't have to deal with your bullshit and I can drink and eat in peace on the covered patio which is probably too good for you anyways. read more

I have long thought that salsa was a perfect food. Unable to be improved, at the top of its evolutionary cycle. Then I tried Grackle's spicy drinkable salsa they like to call a Bloody Mary and realized I'm just a Puritan who lives in the dark and has a whole new world to discover. Amazeballs. I shall return to order my own and not pilfer those of others... so stay tuned for my future, updated, most likely 5 star review of Le Grackle. read more

The Grackle - Sarah P and I wore hime down....7 years, 12 days, 5 hours and 4 minutes down the drain - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Somewhere between a dive and a lounge, the Grackle is thinly lit east side bar and patio brought to you by the same folks behind Shangri-La. Like it's sister locale, The Grackle's easy - there's a fine selection of cold ones to be had (both on tap and bottled), and on the night I perched myself at the bar they were running Mighty Boosh episodes on their DVD player. For the uninitiated, this may explain lots about Britain. Hilarious shows aside, this spot was an accessible and amiable choice to make - the bartenders were present but didn't hover, I actually got to try a brew I'd never had before, and the atmosphere was super relaxed. I can't necessarily speak to the elegance promised by naming your venue after the sketchiest bird in Austin, but then again, maybe that just means there's no place for pretentiousness to roost here. At least that was the case this night. read more

This place isn't shiny and new, not overpriced, not over run by hipsters and is a shot and a beer kind of place. If you don't like any of those things than you probably won't like this place. For me I am so happy when I can find a place on the East Side that is still just a hole in the wall but, with a beer selection, parking in a lot and you can also find dog friendly patio space. The inside isn't anything special, with the pool table in the background, good tunes, friendly bartender and patrons and some tv's on the patio. The bathrooms are clean and I just love coming here on a nice day to sit outside and chat with friends. There are food trucks and some additional picnic tables around them in front just in case you need a bite before you head home. read more

The balding, red headed, moustachioed bar back is a dick. Ignored me for a couple minutes while he checked his phone only to come over and nod to see what I'd like. When I asked, "What do y'all have in the ways of cider?" He replied, "bottle, draught, or can?" I replied, "that doesn't matter." He then gruffly says, "we got dry and not dry." I repeated giving him his own gruff tone, "What do you have?" He rolled his eyes, gave a cute little sigh and finally listed the ciders. I ordered the Leprechaun and asked for a glass of ice. Dude makes some sort of cutesy quip about The Grackle being a man's bar as he serves me my order. As if having gluten issues were a measure of one's manliness. Shouldn't have tipped but I did, dude needs an attitude adjustment. I won't patron this hole again because of him. 2-stars cuz at least they've got leprechaun, I'd rather hit container bar since they have it on draught though. read more

Came in with a group on 09/15, bald bartender was completely rude to several in our group. We just took our drinks to the patio and enjoyed ourselves. Did not order another and will not be going back. Don't be in a service industry with a surly attitude, go find something to do that you enjoy! read more

This is definitely a new favorite. I LOVE the east side, but exhausted my bar options long ago. The other night, some coworkers and I visited Grackle for a short happy hour - and ended up staying around until midnight before venturing elsewhere. We even took a dinner break at the taco cart outside, Tacos Seline. It has a comfortable, spacious (& covered) patio paired with an inside where you don't feel cramped. There are pool tables, dart boards, and plenty of standing room, not to mention a women's bathroom with more than one stall. :) The cocktails/beer were pretty reasonably priced; if anything maybe a bit more than others in the area, but soo worth it. read more

Really lively atmosphere, great selection of beers on tap, and 2 very high quality food carts that will both deliver food to wherever you are seated. To be able to have a pint of guinness with legit tacos de lengua, AND some japanese style grilled pork belly and spare ribs all at the same time... is a dream come true. read more

Love this bar. No other way to put it. Love, love, love. It has an outside patio that you can hang on with your dog. And, no kids allowed. So you can hang on a afternoon and talk with your pals without children. Not that I don't like kids, I do, just not at a bar. A bar is where you go to drink and curse. Two things best done when the kiddos aren't around. Indoors there is no smoking so you don't leave smelling like an ashtray. There is a pool table and dart boards (3) to play with your friends. The beer selection is excellent. And does change. The food comes from the trailers outside. Have the tacos. They are good. They have a TV that they will play funky foreign movies on. I happen to like funky foreign movies so that works for me. Best of all, it's just a good atmosphere to sit and do what a bar is for...have a conversation with people you enjoy. That and good beer is all I really need in a bar. read more

This is literally the worst experience I have had in over 10 years in any state. The doorman literally had ZERO professionalism for his position. First, he insisted I was inebriated when I had in fact only had 3 beers over a 6 hour period (while eating). I thought he was joking and said ok and walked away from him but when I turned back I was shocked to see he was serious. I walked back and said are you serious, and told the bartender I was willing to take any sobriety test he wanted to administer expect stating the ABCs backwards because I can't do that sober (seriously). Today's date is November 2nd and it is 7:00 PM. Whoever the doorman is there had ZERO professionalism and was smoking outside in the public area while making these assertions (not sure if this is an issue here or not for the laws in Texas). I would rather PayPal you $3 to go to anywhere else in the state than this establishment that thinks this poor level of professionalism is acceptable. read more

Easy street parking. Great. Plenty of seating. Even better. Organic hard cider. Awesome. This one bar back though? Lame-ass. I was sitting with a group of 8 or so friends, drinking, eating from the Vegan Yacht, and laughing my ass off. Sometimes when I laugh, I put my head down for a second or two because I can laugh pretty loud. But when I did this at The Grackle, an incredibly lame bar back put his hand on my back and said "You need to put your head up." It was maybe 10pm and I was drinking cider while eating. The chance that I was so drunk that I couldn't hold my head up was very very low. What's the lesson for Grackle bar backs? Don't assume. You know what they say happens when you assume, right? You make an ASS out of U and ME. read more

The Grackle. What a name! My friends and I ended up here after a round of karaoke. I'm not sure who suggested it but I'm glad they did. The Grackle has a massive outdoor patio which make me giddy because in Seattle patios are few and far between and the fact that it was 11:00pm and winter yet it was comfortable enough to have a brew outside. Needless to say the patio was full so we moved our way inside. The ceiling is low so you overly tall people keep your head in mind. It was pretty sparse inside in regards to people and furniture. It almost felt like a basement of a frat house. Pool tables are in the corner and I believe there was a juke box. My encounter with the bartender was underwhelming. He was busy and politely albeit rushed took my order and that was that. I was happy to learn there was a milky beer available on tap. No food is served here but there are two food trucks outside. The Grackle reminded me of a few hipster happy bars here in Seattle but with less pretension. It was dark with lots of people in plaid and knitted hats but no one looked down at you. I liked this bar because it was a great place for a group to hang out and drink some beers. read more

Whiskey selection is dope af, over 100 bottles, they got malort too. The bartender an OG there named Andy has badass written all over him. Great experience and I'm stoked to be there. Can't wait to go back. read more

Friendly staff and a good selection of draft beers. When I went a couple of days ago, they no longer had the Maudite. But they had Blanche Bruxelles which is excellent. The East Side Kings food trailer is good but the quality is erratic. Sometimes the yakitori is a religious experience, and sometimes it's just your basic hacked-up grilled chicken. To the guy with the baby: get over your "Baby On Board" sense of entitlement. I have kids and I like bringing them places too. But they have a clearly posted sign saying no kids, and it didn't say "no kids except yours". How can you possibly complain about being asked to leave? read more

I honestly don't like the crowd here. Pretentious and hipster. This is coming from a girl who lives in the park slope, Brooklyn. I'm fully accustomed to the young artsy "I put in a few hours at a coffee shop" set. The staff was friendly and jokey but, not feeling the crowd at all. For a bar it was very stiff but, maybe it's a cheers type place and, I'm not a local. Anyway, if you go with a group of your own hipster friends you might like it. Me and my peeps didn't, both times we went. I found the Brixton a lot more sociable and inviting. The food trucks tho...oh LAWD. I only went to the Mexican food one but, loved it. This lil bonita/mamacita always clad in sexy attire(cause she's clearly going clubbing when her shift is up) bitchily takes your order(but she's fucking hot so its okay). I got a shit load of quesadillas and tacos. Bangin. The meat is so so flavorful and delicious. Probably some of the best quesadillas I've had in a long time. Definitely worth checking out, even if the bar ain't. read more

DO NOT GO HERE. This place has the WORST customer service I've ever seen. Whoever is running this establishment needs to make some serious changes if they want to survive. There are far better options out there with much better service you are not special and that's why we are taking our business literally anywhere else. To the lady in the glasses, bad day or not, you need to learn to not let that interfere with how you're treating people. We take our hard earned money for you to serve us (we were very friendly to you so there's not reason for you to have treated us so terribly) fuck you lady. read more

Second time here and just as good as I remember from last year. Good sized covered patio when you reach the bar. Pool table, darts and a table top pac man/galaga combo to play. Not a ton of seating inside but enough outside if it's not too hot. About 10ish beers on tap, typically a couple sours which I like! Worth going to. read more

Cool casual place with game options. We saw they had darts and pool and a table that was actually a video game you could sit at. Check it out sometime and grab you a drink! read more

I've been to the grackle a couple of times and I really enjoyed it. The drinks are cheap and the food at both trailers out front are great! I didn't really have long conversations with the bartenders but they were really nice. I will go back to this bar again and probably make it a regular hang out spot. I do have to say something to the darin t guy (the guy bitching about getting kicked out for bringing a 6 week old baby to the bar), you probably wrote this review thinking you were doing the yelpers a favor by telling them how bad this bar is for not breaking the rules they have. Well, Darin... you sound like an idiot, a bad parent, and a brat. WHO BRINGS A BABY TO A BAR?! I bet if some random customer there said something to you, you would probably try and fight them with your 6 WEEK OLD BABY there. Wow what a parent. They are called rules and you should try and follow them. Rules are there for a reason and i'm sure that you will teach your little nugget that she is supposed to follow the rules as she grows up as well. Anyways sorry, the grackle is a great bar and I highly recommend you check it out. I normally wouldn't call someone out on yelp but this person of course has the right to express how they felt about their experience, but i also have the right to call them a douche bag who will disrespect someone who is just doing their job. you should have the respect to ask if it is okay to bring in your baby. when they tell you no, don't call them a hipster douche bag and tell them to do a google image search just to insult them further. you saw the big no children sign and you should've respected this business and not brought your baby in to a BAR. you never know what could've happened. there is a no children policy to protect your child and if you're not going to do it then i'm sorry that a tattooed "hipster douche bag" has to be a protective of your child. read more

I like this place. I once went in when it was still its former creepy bar to use the restroom. It appears to be the same but with less lights on, the walls painted black and another trailer eatery out front. But thats all this bar really needed. Its nice to have a location to drink with another patio as my other favorite bar Liberty appears to fill up fast when it comes to patio sitting. I wish they would get another cider besides the organic one as it appears to accomplish the vomiting when I get home. Overall the staff seems friendly, the bar is a nice location to chill and have a chat with friends. Its a good addition to the east 6th family. read more

Amazing bourbon and whisky collection--except that the bartenders have not a clue about them! Went there on 2 separate evenings, and in both cases they couldn't even give me a good rundown on Texan bourbon/whisky. During the first evening at least the guy didn't mind looking things up and checking prices on the computer (there's no list). But the second time the gal working at the bar got quickly irritated when I asked a few more questions and hoped to discover some high-end gems to cap off the night. It was clear that she doesn't know the stuff and doesn't care to know. And when I inquired about a local bourbon from Austin that was mentioned to me on that first night, she didn't even bother to look it up and downright turned me down. We settled on a drinkable but low-shelf bourbon (7$ a shot) that was fine but unremarkable. I would not have hesitate to spend up to 30$ a shot on something nice and interesting, but all I got was ignorance and attitude and quite nicely ruined my mood and last night in town. I would have walked away had I not been with my friends and we decided beforehand that this was to be the last stop of the night. Needless to say, I won't be back. I understand most people come here for beers and cheap drinks, and I liked the vibe of the establishment. But what's the point of having this awesome selection of whisky and bourbon without a list and a semi-knowledgable bartender? Especially when someone who is willing to pay you for it but was instead treated like a bother? read more

Great watering hole in East Austin with a nice patio, adjacent food truck, and bar games (pool, darts, etc.) Close to breweries, food options, if you want to hop around. read more

The Grackle... with a name like that you know this is going to be a interesting joint, and having East Side Kings in the parking lot does not hurt either. I have to say the interior surprised me. This place has the feel of a dirty East Texas beer joint with a better beer selection. This is not a knock on the Grackle, as I grew up in dirty East Texas beer joints. You walk in and take about 10 sec for your eyes to adjust to the darkness and you are immediately welcomed by pool tables, a solid jukebox, and multiple dart boards. Also, it wouldn't be an Austin establishment without a patio. The patio seemed like a nice spot but it was 105 degrees outside so I was having none of that. I like the simple setup, in a city that has so many gimmick bars the Grackle is just a place to enjoy a cold beer. The prices for beer were actually better than most in the area. I didn't have anything but beer so I cannot comment on the mixed drink or shot prices. Bonus to them for the East Side Kings hookup and even the little Mexican guy who came through selling homemade tamales. ESK will even bring your food in so you don't have to wait in the deadly Texas heat. This place is a solid spot on the East Side if for nothing more than to have a cold beer while waiting on your food. read more

I don't come here as often as I should, which is sad because they make a mean martini, they have excellent beers on tap, and a fantastic -- almost incredible -- selection of liquor to keep any barfly happy. There are also a couple food trucks parked out front that will bring your order right to you at the bar, so you barely have to leave for hours. So, this bar SHOULD be everything I want in a drinking establishment, yet I have no good excuse why I'm not here every day, save that hundreds of people apparently agree with me, as more often than not, if this isn't the first bar I hit after work, the full parking lot and cars lining the streets scare me off. Generally, the barstaff are pleasant enough. I've had folks tell me otherwise, but I've never had a problem and find them knowledgable about the beers on tap and about the liquor selection (I've had a couple new vodka and scotch experiences here, thanks to the bartender saying "try this new one"). I don't usually come to bars to make friends with the folks behind the counter, and I'll take general knowledge and skill over how good they make me feel anyway. When I do come here, it's usually early, and I can sit at the bar in the dark and watch whatever they've got on the tv screen in peace. I've met a few friends here for happy hour, and we've either sat inside, or outside on the patio, and have enjoyed ourselves. Other times, it's nearly standing room only, and my spidey senses tingle under such circumstances so I jet to a less crowded place or head on home. About the drinks -- depending on the bartender, there is a bit of difference in how they prepare my martinis (vodka, dirty, at least 2 olives, the more the better, on ice, in either an old fashioned, rocks, or short tumbler glass). While they all chill my glass and ring it with vermouth, a couple shake, a couple stir. Maybe it's my imagination, but the stirred martini is superior in taste. That being said, they take more time fixing my drink here than other bars do, and that's a sign of the care and attention they give, and why I keep coming back. Anyhow, I'm getting off track here. Drinks are good but can be somewhat pricey if you lose track of what you've had. I've liked the Sunday bloody maries here (cheap, tasty and powerfully-strong), the outside patio is covered and shady, and overall, I've not had a bad experience here. Again, I'd come here more often if it wasn't so popular, but that's my own general aversion to crowds and nothing against the bar. If anything, it shows they're doing something right. The beer selection on tap is above par compared to the other East Side bars I hit in my rotation -- I've had a number of excellent beers here, and they've also got the usual requisite swill to appeal to those who have images to uphold. Patrons run the gamut -- hipsters, oldsters, beardos, loners, couples, lost tourists, service industry folks. Peak times it's hipster-heavy, so if that's your kryptonite, plan ahead. read more

Came here to visit during my road trip from Atlanta and was let down by a rude bartender!! Being a bartender myself I asked if they had any "house cocktails," which he replied to, "all of our drinks are made in house." Well no shit!! Then recommended a Moscow mule, at a whiskey bar. Nah, go visit another bar, don't waste your time here. Arlos food is great though!!!!! read more

Not going to lie, as a 40 year old I was nervous about going to this place. As soon as I went past the bouncer the wonderful sounds of the jukebox hit me. Instantly, I knew it was my kind of place. The liquor and beer selection is like no other. I got to talking to the bartender, William, about Japanese whiskey and he quickly put a bottle of the Nikka Coffey Whisky that I had mentioned moments ago. It was great! The prices were right and the vibe was more my pace then dirty 6th. read more