My friend suggested trying Latchkey, so off we went. This place was vibe but with popular music…read more It had deceptive looking space as well. You walked in turned right and then left while making your way to the back of the bar. Folks were dancing in this open spaced dance hall. A DJ was spinning tunes in lighted enclosure...almost like a home porch. In fact, there several women literally dancing on a table. Interestingly, one may man was dancing by himself with a pole as his dance partner. Perhaps he had too much to drink at this point. We stayed there for a short while and we were off to another one of my friend's favorite places. She ran into a couple of folks she knew while we were at Latchkey. So we chatted for a bit. This place is a whole vibe and then some.

I came into Latchkey early in the evening with a friend and I couldn't figure out why, in just a…read morefew hours, there's reportedly a line out the door. It seems like a great bar, but there isn't much going on. I like its signage and logo plus the decor inside is pretty sick, but the place to me really just didn't seem special. I'll have to come here on a busy night and hang to see if I understand the hype. For now, it's just another fun bar on East Sixth. RIYL: good branding

This place continues to rock and continues to be one of my favorite places…read more The staff and bar vibe are so chill & welcoming. Super friendly. The back patio is a perfect area for hanging with friends and sipping drinks. Nothing beats ice cold drinks on a hot summer day or night in Austin. They embrace the dive bar scene with cool swagger & flair.

They had a free crawl fish boil event here and the line was so long it went out the door. People…read morepreparing the boil were late on cooking and not prepared. The line was very slow and they let people cut in. Perhaps not entirely the bars fault. The drinks itself were kind of above average price compared to its neighbors. Beer selection was kind of basic and limited. Lots of better bars in the street i would rather return to than this one.

We came to lowdown lounge for the World Cup. We were hoping that they were going to be showing both…read moregames of the World Cup since Mexico and South Africa were playing at the exact same time and we were sure that all the bars on East. We're going to be playing Mexico instead of South Africa so we went there and it was so much fun and they were playing both games and we got a bunch of beers and we ended up playing the buzzer game that I had to videotape for my work and it ended up being just so much fun where every other bar was so unbelievably packed that you could barely walk, low down lounge was so chill and such a vibe we took a table. We ordered drinks and it was just a relaxed, relaxed vibes.

Low Down Lounge is one of those East Austin bars that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto…read moresomething cool--but not in a try-hard way. The vibe is effortlessly retro, with warm lighting, vintage stripes, cozy booths, and a playlist full of R&B and soul that sets the tone for a laid-back night. I came in for happy hour (which goes until 8pm--major win) and had the Tropical Depression, a passion fruit hurricane-style cocktail that was way better than its name implies. Their frozen drinks are also a hit--flavorful, strong, and dangerously easy to sip. They also do Jell‑O shots if you're feeling nostalgic (or just want something cheap and fun). The bar is small but super welcoming, with a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is shaded and breezy, perfect for summer nights. There's even a pool table and a big screen outside if you're into low-key games or catching part of the game. Staff was friendly and efficient--shout out to the bartenders who kept the drinks flowing without any attitude. That said, it's a small space, so depending on the night, it can feel either perfectly mellow or a little too quiet. Not a party bar, but a great pre-game or chill hangout spot. If you're looking for a low-key lounge with strong drinks, good tunes, and an easygoing crowd, Low Down Lounge should definitely be on your East Side rotation.

The White Horse is the best East Side spot to do some country dancing or just listen to some good…read morecountry music. They have the bands who play the latest, so if you go somewhere else first, you can always finish your night at WH. My only gripes at the WH are the stuffy dancers who are sometimes jerks to people who don't dance the exact same way they do and that tables are so close tor he dance floor that it gets so crowded. There could be more of a dance floor if those tables were scooted back and people didn't have to stand in front of them to try to get a dance. Fun spot though and definitely somewhere I take/send out of town guests for an Austin experience.

We had such an amazing time at White Horse in Austin! I went with my husband and my best friend,…read moreand it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We all took turns leading during the lesson. The class itself was super encouraging and easy to follow, even for beginners like us. The instructor created such a positive, welcoming environment that made learning the two-step feel effortless. After class, watching the pros hit the dance floor was incredible--so much spinning and energy, it was honestly mesmerizing! The whole place just comes alive. We had an absolute blast and made such great memories. I'd love to go back next time--and honestly, every time--we're in Austin!

After spending the day floating the river south of Austin, we were looking for a place to grab a…read moredrink that felt like Austin, and Mama Dearest absolutely delivered. The first thing you'll notice is that this place fully commits to its weird, offbeat personality. The chopped-up baby dolls inside the Airstream lounge were delightfully creepy and fit the vibe perfectly. Between the vintage Christmas lights, bizarre decorations, and over-the-top hunting lodge aesthetic, there's something new to notice everywhere you look. Unsettling for some inviting for others at the same time. The main bar is exactly what I want from a neighborhood dive. Dollar bills stapled to the walls, dim lighting, and a crowd that looked like a mix of regulars and first-timers just hanging out. The backyard patio is much bigger than it looks from the front, with plenty of seating if you want to take your drinks outside. I kept it simple with a Lone Star and then tried the frozen Vietnamese coffee, which was a great way to cool off after a long day in the Texas heat. Both hit the spot. If you appreciate dive bars that don't take themselves too seriously but still create a memorable atmosphere, this is worth adding to your Austin list. It's weird in all the right ways.

Updating to increase from three stars to four. Each time we…read morego the service is increasingly better. Still love the vibe too!

Just visited High Noon for the first time, and this bar is seriously one of the cutest Austin dive…read morebars I'd easily return to! The vibe inside is dark, a little edgy, and effortlessly cool. Basic cocktails-- bleh. Craft cocktails--incredible. You're already spending the double digits, why not try one of High Noon's signature cocktails? My favorite: the espresso martini. I promise it's not basic, it's got coconut foam that makes this drink SO perfect!

Loved how they set up the space for SXSW Illegal Mezcal showcase of bands and speakers. There were…read more3 stages. Outside front, inside, outside back. Great weather on the day I went. I enjoyed the mezcal samplers on the porch after which I went to the bar and bought a Mezcal negroni which was yummy! Loved being able to walk around and see the different bands. I wasn't quite sure what the panel topic was in the backyard so I just stayed for a few minutes before wandering back to the front until the bands started. I was only able to drop by for a couple hours yesterday but was glad I did! They were giving away free vinyls so I grabbed a few for my friends because I don't have a player. They even had a little tattoo station set up for those who felt like getting a last minute tattoo. It was a chill vibe and good music. Great place to have indoor/outdoor events and gatherings. I was also able to find street parking just a couple blocks down, which is a rare find in Austin these days.

The Cavalier is one of those spots that just hits every time, especially if you catch them on a…read moreMonday. Buy one get one burgers is already a win, but the fact that the burgers are actually that good makes it even better. The vibe is laid-back and a little bit neighborhood bar meets casual hangout. It's an easy place to meet up with friends, grab a drink, and not feel rushed. The burgers are solid, satisfying, and definitely worth going out of your way for, especially when you're essentially getting two for one (even if you don'tsplit with a friend!

I've been to the Cavalier like twice. Once in 2019 when I first moved to Austin, and again last…read moreweek. As a bar itself, I really like it. It's just nowhere near where I live so I never make it out. We tried their 2 for 1 Monday burger special and honestly we were a bit disappointed. The bun wasn't that good and the patty itself was very salty. Still gonna give the place a solid 4* cuz it's a cool neighborhood bar. Would go more if I lived in the neighborhood!

What Five Stars? because this place is exactly the kind of dive bar that makes Austin weird in the…read morebest possible way. Dirty Bill's is gloriously unapologetic. You walk in and immediately know you are not in some polished Instagram cocktail lounge. It is loud, a little gritty, and full of people who are clearly there to have a good time and not pretend otherwise. The beer is cold, the Lone Star flows like Texas water, and the vibe is pure old school Austin. And yes, the legendary bathroom situation deserves its own paragraph. The men's room features a giant ice filled trough for a urinal, which feels like something out of a 1970s roadside saloon documentary. Somehow it is both ridiculous and perfectly on brand. It actually becomes a conversation starter because you walk out laughing and immediately tell your friends they have to see it and go pee. The crowd was friendly, the bartenders were quick with the beers, and nobody was taking themselves too seriously. I ended up staying longer than planned, drinking Lone Stars and talking to random people like we had known each other for years. If you want craft cocktails served with a rosemary sprig this is not your place. If you want a hilarious, slightly chaotic, authentically divey night in Austin with cheap beer and great stories, Dirty Bill's absolutely delivers. Five stars and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Dirty Bill's (gotta love the name) is literally right next door to J. Carvers where we had dinner…read more Dirty Bill's was on and popping!!! We were drawn in by the music. They were spinning some popular tunes. The place was packed with a very fun crowd. It appears to be a bar you come to have drinks and chat. There was a small area where dancing could take place, but no one was dancing at the time. The staff including the general manager was super friendly. It felt like a wedding reception as you came into the club where you were greeted...very warm and welcoming. We had a drink and stayed a short while. It looked like a place you could come for a girls or guys night out or celebrating a fun occasion. Will definitely consider Dirty Bill's for a future fun evening...