Pretty good and chill bar. Each time I went in it was rather dead in there but it was mid week, I cannot imagine how it is on the weekends. The drinks are normally decently priced, they have free pool tables and very spacious back patio. read more

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It's a dive bar with free pool. Yes it may be a bit grimy. Yes the mens single washroom does not have a lock so you can risk getting witnessed dropping ordinance. But its a good enough dive bar with also an outdoor area near other spots. The staff and people that go here are historically fine. And if you're going to bars and blacking out, you should eye an eye on your drinks more. It's downtown read more

The Side Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The Side Bar is a must visit when I am downtown Austin. It has joined the small handful of acceptable bars that I could be found at when I am downtown. This is the first place I will start my evening out and end it too. Coming back here over and over just reaffirms that The Side Bar is going to take care of you. You will find a great place to meet up with your friends, chill out on the vintage couches and chairs, play some pool, or sit outside in the fresh air as you sip your cocktail or tallboy beer. The Side Bar always has great SXSW party and lineup. I always feel they are underrated when the masses hit our town for music. They keep their prices cheap, the music loud, and the cool and everyone is welcomed vibes going even when this town gets swollen with people. There is no reason for you to not be pregaming or night capping here as you are in the area. Make it a point to start your night here before your show at the other venue. No lines and fast service will be found here before any of the others in the area. Just sayin....! read more

Honestly met some great people here but the service is terrible. Bartender hates his own situation I guess. Dude with the Bieber haircut at 50 years of age read more

Main bartender is rude..no one is actually working at the bar just judgemental and mad

For the longest time I avoided this place and thought it was trash. Then I slowly found out that while it is trash-Y, it's not trash. Side Bar is one of the few holdouts of old Austin, in my opinion. Cheap drinks, strong pours, and a punk rock kind of vibe. I don't think you could make this your whole night as you'd be on the floor, but it's a great pre-gaming spot before a show at Stubbs or Mohawk, or a last call spot at the end of the night. Come to think of it, Side Bar is probably my favorite bar in the Dirty 6th area. read more

Away from the mess of Sixth Street and just off Red River, Side Bar gives a real "locals dive" vibe...and with good reason. This is the kind of place disappearing from the formerly rough and tumble East Village that I oh so love. The bar stools and sofas are torn, the pool table has seen better days, the jukebox is rockin', and the drinks are dirt cheap and stronger than a Texas heat wave. I went there both nights I was in Austin; if I lived in the city, this would be my local hang. read more

Had a friend get his drink spiked here. Apparently he wasn't the only one who had that done to him at Side bar that week. We learned that after he went to the ER and spoke to the staff there. Watch your drinks. Drinks were ok. A little pricey. Bartender rude. Felt dirty but otherwise the vibe was good. read more

I had pretty low expectations based on feedback from local friends but I think it still underwhelmed. Bartender seemed put out by pouring me a beer. Not going back. read more

I go here anytime I'm in red river. They have the cheapest drinks, they pour heavy, and you come here to get drunk FAST. Always the best rock/metal/hardcore music playing. Always old or weird or scifi movies playing. I hope this place stays in business forever read more

The Side Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Hey guys! This is absolutely crazy but about 4-5 ye ago I came with my cousin (We were visiting Austin from Vegas) to downtown Austin. We bar hopped and drank a couple beers here and there but the last thing I remember was entering this bar and the blank. I talked to my cousin about what happened last night and he told me he'd never seen me so fucked up. I told him I was fine until having 2-3 beers at sidebar. I remember thinking how odd it was and how confused I was all the next day. But I never truly knew what had unfolded until these documenteries came out. Please please please guys be careful. Not just this place but whenever you're out, always be aware of your drinks and the people around you. read more

Had an evening here with my friends last weekend. One of the group had two drinks and ended up stumbling around, unable to form sentences. A visit to the Dr's office confirmed the suspicion, my friend had been spiked with something called GHB. I wouldn't go back to this business under any circumstances. Stay safe everyone. read more

Love the sidebar come to see Alan always a joy everyone is beautiful especially Reese luv Luis luv Trey chance is the man always a good time at the sidebar beautiful beautiful crowd thanks local side bar for always assisting me in a good ol night in beautiful Austin Texas baby xoxooxox read more

The Side Bar - The man the myth the legend - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I visited this place and my drink was spiked with something that had me throwing up the entire weekend. Thankfully I was not alone so I had help getting home. I could bearly stand up after just 1 drink. If you're a woman, I suggest you avoid all drinks including water. read more

My wife and I went to kick off last night at Side Bar as usual. The Bartenders were doing an amazing job as always and we definitely felt right at home. However, the door guy was a total train wreck. Drunk, sloppy, sluring, tearful mess ( was actually in tears). I feel that this person is a total liability to the business. They really shouldn't be slurring while talking and halfway checking your ID. We love that bar and would hate to see it put in jeopardy. Just a faithful patron looking out for one of the best go to spots in Austin. read more

Have they upped the camera security system since all those people have gone missing or found floating in Ladybird lake? New here... Just asking for safety read more

The Side Bar is probably my favorite dive bar in the country, and I was so excited to visit on my first trip back to Austin in years. When I was in college here, Side Bar was our constant first choice for exceptionally strong drinks and a fun night out, and I have spent hours in their dark, grimy bar and pleasant backyard patio. I was pleased to see that, post-pandemic, they are back and better than ever. The interior has been pleasantly cleaned up and revamped, with new furniture and decor, and it has more of a grown-up vibe, without abandoning its soul as a classic Austin dive with cheap and strong pours and blasting music. The Side Bar is the perfect place to start a night in Austin, and you might find yourself staying all night long. read more

I was drunk Low prices Graffiti in the bathroom Lone star And whiskey Free pool Metal music Hip hop Rock and roll read more

Everyone's favorite place to never take a dump, drink till you're blacked out, and maybe see someone projectile vomit. You don't go to Side Bar, you wind up in Side Bar and that's A-ok. Watch out for drunk drag queens, coked up college kids, and dudes who like Danzig. read more

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. I love the hell out of The Side Bar! Been going there practically since they opened and I always feel at home there. They all know how to pour a proper drink and none of them are hard on the eyes. Always nice. read more

The Side Bar - Buy the t-shirts - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I thought this place was okay. It's a little unbalanced, too, because when I went everybody was in the back and nobody was in the front. It was kind of like hanging out in the back of someone's yard, which seems to be a going trend around here. Um, the drinks are pretty good and this is a cool place to people watch while you're drunk. That's about it. read more

The Side Bar - the outside of the building - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Jk. Side Bar is the best. I was here after a long sabbatical, but this place holds up. I recommend coming during the day, since the nights get rowdy. If you're a fan of the flavor, but reluctant to visit, just be aware that their new bar is opening right around the corner. Check out Better Days. read more

This place is awful. Easily one of the worst bars this beautiful city has to offer. Terrible drinks, terrible music, and worst of all, super mean and unprofessional bartenders. Would not recommend to anyone read more

This is easily one of the best bars in Austin! Drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is phenomenal. Ask for Louis when you come ! He is such a fabulous bartender - he makes the best drinks and is so friendly to chat wirh. You'd be amiss to not come to Side Bar on your trip to Austin! read more

Yeah. Got hit in the face by one of the staff members there and kicked out because I said I was waiting on another bartender. He hid in the back when the cops came. I'm disabled aswell. Never coming back. What a shithole. Surprised nobody has come back with a gun and shot the place up. read more

Turns out I love booze. As most of you have probably figured out, I'm totally down with a fun night of stiff drinks and good friends. But I have never asked for more mixer in my bevvie until coming to Side Bar. When they pour a drink, it's more like you get a glass of the booze and a shot of the mixer. And that's damn fine with me. Booths, pool table, outside patio, Chad doing the be your own DJ thing, nice bartenders who see you and remember what you wanted last time. It's dark, it's inexpensive, it's not full of douche nozzles and my drink is more clear than cola. When it's right, it's right. read more

Top reasons why you need to go here: 1. Location; nearest to every cool venue on this side of IH 35. 2. They pour the strongest drinks in Austin and they know this, they handle this with pride and therefore they must uphold the rep. You get much bang for your buck in liquor so don't waste your dollars by buying beer. 3. If you were wondering who has the best jukebox in Austin you have come to the right place. Nobody beats theirs (sorry Shangri-La). Done and done. read more

I have come to Austin...to go to a Mission bar. Okay, so I'm more than a little hipstered out just from taking weekly jaunts to the mission, and was expecting something completely different. That being said, I love the fact that the drinks are not Mission (or SF prices), the bartenders were super sweet, and the layout is nice. Oh and they had Adult Swim playing on the t.v., which is great since I don't have cable. The pool tables and dart boards add something to the place, but the jukebox is what takes the stars away. I may be too old, but can you turn it down just a wee bit? I flew all this way to see OOTTTPIL, and I can't even talk to him, never mind listen to the voices in my head. read more

Probably one of my favorite bars downtown. A no bullshit, no surprises, no douchebags, no cocktail menu sort of dive. What to expect: strong cheap drinks, darkness, bartenders who don't ignore you, barely do-able bathrooms, a large outdoor area, and departing hammered. What not to expect: girls in high heels/overdressed people, surging drink prices, "bros," 6th streeters, tourists, departing sober. read more

How is it we get to these situations, where, perhaps, we're sure that our experiences at places are so omnipresent as to remember things that didn't happen? In this case, I'll make that assertion concerning The Side Bar, a divey stop that hasn't changed much in the few years I've been dropping in. It's a simple formula, and they tend to breed a brand of fervent loyalty among some of their crowd. There's a solid jukebox, to be certain, and a rather gravel pit backyard set up for congregating, and usually some sort of kitschy or lo-fi horror flick unfolding on the telly. They don't particularly go out of their way to stock loads of exotic beers, but there's a well repped brew selection at hand regardless and the bar staff is easygoing (unlike a few dives I frequent). Some say the only thing constant is change, and to those folks, I say, maybe find yourself a watering hole you trust. And take some friends, or better yet, find new ones. read more

You know when you look at fashion magazines and you see celebs in really cute outfits and think, "If I wore that out in Austin, I would look like a complete jackass." Well, somehow there are girls at Side Bar who can wear those outfits and look super cool. It makes me jealous. I have only been to Side Bar a handful of times and I am thinking I need to go more often. Really laid back and cool. Check out the back patio, I didn't even know there was one the first time I went. read more

Its hard for me to not give the sidebar 5 stars! They have excellent service good drinks a nice patio almost everything you could want from bar. What they don't have however is fully functional bathroom. They have a toilette with no seat that kinda sorta works. Despite how much fun I have had at the place this is unforgivable as walking over to Creekside is hardly a solution to not having a descent bathroom in an establishment. read more

It's almost like they planned this show down. On one side of 7th Street -- the Beauty Bar, all high heels and short skirts and choppy haircuts. Across the street -- the Side Bar, all gravel-strewn backyard, divebar aspirations, and no tolerance for those high heels. This bar has ramshackle chairs, tipsy tables, and not much else. You make your own fun. But if you're downtown, I could see this being a good spot to somehow pretend you aren't ... read more

As long as I've lived in this city... It seems so many of my reviews start this way, but it's true. The longer I live here, the more I realize I haven't done half the stuff in this town there is to do. Side Bar is one of those things. Maybe it's because I don't go out as much as I used to, or maybe I'm just too old to be hip, but this was my first time at the Side Bar. It won't, however, be my last. Side Bar is the perfect bar for me. Dark, cool and not too noisy on the inside (at least that's how it was last night in the early evening). Although I didn't get to see the outside in the dark (Allison P. says it looks nice at night), I still liked the outside. I do wish they had misters and fans out there though. I can't attest to the mixed drinks...yet. But the bartender seemed to be a guy who knew how to pour so I'm looking forward to some vodka and soda the next time I get an urge. Yay to the Side Bar for being a cool place for the older set to enjoy without feeling too uncool. read more

Going to Sidebar is like vacation sex. Familiar, but a little more wild n naughty, and always a kickass time. This place reminds me a lot of Rogue Bar in Phoenix, same cavernous interior that feels uninviting until you get to know it and a clientele that is leery at first, but softens as the night progresses. Hearing good juke music in a bar is almost foreign idea these days, when the fuck did this happen? Luckily, Side Bar is on point with proper tunes ... anywhere from bluegrass to surly punk. I really like the backyard ... its like wandering into someone's cook-out only you don't have to steal someone's Stroh's from the cooler. read more

They were playing The Good, The Bad, and The Weird on the teevee while Jawbreaker was playing on the PA. Does it get any better than that? No. No it absolutely doesn't. Not for me, at least. It's centrally located to most of the music venues in downtown Austin, the drinks are cheap and strong, and the jukebox is GREAT. It's a little dark inside but that's fine. There's a hallway to another room in the back with tables if you're feeling a bit crowded in the front room. Totally worth it if you're downtown and looking for a place to grab a beer or a(n incredibly strong) mixed drink. read more

OKsohere'stheproblem: I'm very easily distracted and this place plays seriously intense movies (with the closed captioning on). I get emotionally involved. :( OTHERWISE this place is a blast. Its no Creekside, but it's still a kick. Laid back atmosphere with pool tables, etc. - the usual "cool bar" essentials. The bartenders can be a bit douchey and it can take a while to get a beer, though. It's got a good patio and a rockin' juke. It gets a good crowd. AND, ladies, the women here actually have competitions on who can get out of the restroom first. What?! I win every time, by the way. read more

the start of my Saturday night jaunt was at side bar....maybe I'm just not hipster or chill enough to really enjoy it. For me personally, Side Bar is not my typical hang out. For what it is and what it stands for--it's pretty alright. Overview: side bar is a place to go if you want to get out of your apartment, but don't feel like going "out". Problem was, I had the intention of going OUT. I think my expectations were out of line with what my group of friends had in mind. Side bar delivered beautifully for what it is--a place to go shoot some pool, play darts, be able to converse easily with friends, meet some interesting people, and enjoy a relaxing patio. I was drinking beer--so the pricing didn't seem all that stellar (again, from the other reviews--it sounds like mixed drinks are the ticket). I will probably visit again, but will go knowing what to expect and the kind of evening that patronage at side bar brings. Fun level--not overwhelming. Decent scene, yeah. read more

I dig the Side Bar. It's open, comfortable, the drinks are reasonably priced and the beer selection is fair. The outdoor patio in back is HUGE, with lots of tables and open space, as well as a back bar that's open on busy nights. There are large, well kept pool tables, dart boards, and TVs around, as well. You can hear the music from Red Eyed Fly, which can be good or bad depending on the night, when sitting outside. I think I like this bar because it is so NOT Austin. It's not Sixth Street, crowded with frattards and sorostitues. It's not Red River, crowded with punks and rockers, and it's not SoCo/Warehouse, crowded with super-trendy asshats. It's nice and well kept, spacious, and not swamped. You can walk around, even on a busy night, and actually not bump into anyone. Service times are reasonably quick, and the bartenders friendly. It's a great place to relax before or after a night downtown. read more

When you're a young lawyer practicing in Texas, it's inevitable that eventually you'll come up against some good old boy older lawyer who thinks he can walk all over you. You'll be in the middle of some deposition of a key witness, and this dude will suddenly go off on some totally irrelevant, ridiculous, ranting tangent. Generally, the best response to an outburst like this is to remain calm and simply say for the record, "I object to the sidebar." There's not a lot to object to when it comes to this Side Bar. Sure, it's kind of a dive, in kind of a dive-y location. Sure, there are stacks of broken chair pieces piled in the corner of the patio. Sure, the decor is sort of garage-sale-meets-fraternity-house. But the folks here pour a mean drink (my vodka & cranberry juices were barely tinged pink, due to the fact that they were really vodka with a shot of cranberry rather than the other way around) and it's a great place for a low-key chill session with friends. Especially if said friends are a bunch of Yelpers and DJ Fuckin' A is spinning. It doesn't get any better than that. read more