These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just live here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate read more

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I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had. I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back. read more

Stopped by Whislers and was really impressed. It's a great looking bar with great music. We entered through a tented area with space heaters, which was a nice touch and made it comfortable right away. There's also an outdoor area if you prefer open air. The main indoor bar had a way different vibe. Ngl, it was a bit spooky...but I was there for it! The smell of palo santo was noticeable upon entry and added to the ambiance in a subtle, welcoming way. The cocktail menu is thoughtfully curated with plenty of appealing options, and there's lots of seating, so it doesn't feel cramped even when it's busy. Overall, a really nice spot to grab a drink and hang out. Definitely one I'd come back to! read more

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Great drinks, great atmosphere (inside), a bit loud and crowded, and the service leans slow.

Always a winner...solid cocktails, solid happy hour...solid scene. You can't go wrong here. read more

Whisler's - Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cool cocktail bar in east Austin. Gives rustic speakeasy vibes inside. The cocktails had lots of variety and fun ingredients. Mine had yogurt infused vodka and was delicious. Tasted exactly like tropical trident gum and made me so nostalgic. Fun place to stop in for drinks after dinner. read more

Whisler's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Next stop Whisler's...surprisingly this bar was much larger inside than it appeared from the outside. The music drew you in...hard to describe...somewhere between rock, Caribbean and soul music. We listened to a few tunes and headed to our final destination. Because we new their would be adult beverages at our final destination, we decided to have a Cherry Bomb (vodka, amaretto, cherry, marjoram, lime, Peychaud bitters) and Upside Down (bourbon, dark pineapple rum, sherry, Angostura bitters). Both were refreshing and atypical drinks. One and done...then off to our final destination. Service was fast and friendly. We were carded again. For someone who should not be carded, it was rather flattering. The murals inside the club was quite striking and different. read more

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So cute, went out with a few people everything is decorated and adorable. We got this cute kitten fishbowl, the bartenders were nice, the vibe as usual is always so chic. I honestly love it in there, you can always get some kind of mixed cocktail this time I got an Oaxacan hot chocolate as well. read more

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This is such a cute bar for a night cap! The atmosphere is so amazing and so are the drinks! The bartenders are so charismatic! If the weather is nice there is a great patio outside as well! read more

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Great local east side spot! Perfect for day drinking. I don't recommend it as much for evenings/nighttime, as it does get packed. However, if you get there earlier, it's really quite pleasant! Happy hour has some great deals, as well. I didn't get a picture of the inside bar area, but it is absolutely stunning. Definitely worth checking out just for the interior vibes! However, know that the majority of seating is outdoors. That's fine during the fall/winter months, but not as much during the summertime. Definitely worth checking out during more chill hours! I always bring visitors and guests here and it's a hit every time! read more

Whisler's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a fun bar! We have pre-dinner drinks here last night - smokey old fashioned for him and you promised forever for me. On a weeknight, we had no problem getting out drinks at the bar and then moved to the outside area to enjoy. read more

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Rating: 4.4/5 [dine in] Our friends wouldn't stop talking about Whisler's $0.75 martini summer special on Wednesdays from 4-7 PM, so we finally made time to check it out. We got there around 5:30 PM and luckily didn't have to wait in line to get in. They handed us two white drink tickets for the martinis when we walked in. The bar inside was packed, and the three bartenders were cranking out flights of martinis nonstop. We had to wait a bit to order and get our drinks, but everyone was chill and patient, so it wasn't bad. After we got our drinks, we headed outside to find a spot. All the tables were full, so sharing was pretty common. We noticed there was also an outdoor bar, which is where we grabbed our second round. The space outside is bigger, but the line moved a lot slower. The martini glasses were on the smaller side, but for $0.75, we weren't expecting much. Surprisingly, the drinks were not watered down so I can see why Martini Wednesdays is such a hit! Cosmo Martini: Not bad--just a little too syrupy and sweet for us. Espresso Martini: Tasty, strong but not overpowering, with a well-balanced flavor. Our friend liked it so much, he ended up ordering four in total that night! read more

Whisler's - Espresso and Cosmo Martinis - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I love this place, and I would have to say it's my favorite in Austin thus far. I came here every day I was in Austin. It's open every day until the morning and it's conveniently right across from where I'm staying. Right when you walk in, to the left is a moody, dim lit bar area where the creative cocktails will quench your thirst. Bring a pen with you to make your mark. If there isn't enough seating inside or that quite isn't your vibe, step outside where it's brighter with plenty of tables and can actually see your dates face. The bar outside has not quite a fancy cocktail list but it does the job. If neither of those areas fit your fancy, then head on upstairs to a very intimate bar, say a can of 10 sardines. Can't go wrong with three different bars in one place. With a photo booth and food truck, it's an all-around great bar. read more

Whisler's - Outdoor seating area at Whisler's bar features a mural with artistic portraits and string lights overhead. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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They have a food truck on the property, which is pretty neat. The ambiance is a dark romantic interior and a really spacious patio. There's a random bathtub outside, which I think is funny. And a Photo Booth. The bar tenders are super nice and make stellar drinks, very skilled! All drinks I got tasted phenomenal. Would highly recommended and go again ! read more

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This is a great Gothic-inspired cocktail bar--spacious, stylish, and full of atmosphere. The menu is inspired by the work of David Lynch, which was perfect since my fiancé is a huge fan. So I had to bring him here! Interestingly, most people seemed to prefer the outdoor patio, but I really enjoyed the bar area. There's so much to look at, though it can get warm. With all the candles, the bar needs better A/C--something to consider if you're planning to stay inside. The place is ideal for a date night or a night out with a group. Our bartender (Kevin) was friendly and kind, which stood out compared to others who came off a bit arrogant. The drinks were amazing--definitely pricey, but thoughtfully crafted. I loved their Lynch-themed cocktails. But I prefer my second drink, an espresso martini, and it was excellent: strong, lightly creamy, and well-balanced. read more

Everything. Drinks are consistently on point. Innovative. No matter how busy you always get service or acknowledgement . The vibes and ambiance is unmatched . The candles , palo santo and the history of the space makes the place. Love you! Been a patron as a local for over a decade! (Especially as a local and a film industry crew member) read more

Came across this bar on a visit to Austin and loved the vibes here. The indoor area gives you dark lounge vibes while outside is a whole different scene. If you get bored with one then you can always make your way to the other side. Drink selection was intriguing but gave me batched vibes? Would definitely be curious to try more though. Definitely worth a stop in if you are in the hood. read more

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This place was POpPIN. Even for a rainy evening in Austin. We popped in here after dinner at Canje. Found ourselves in the cool under worldly indoor bar section. Ordering was easy as it hadn't filled up yet. My chosen drink was a tad sweet and strong and not for me but we did a 3-way switch and all ended up happy campers! I will say this had some very unique craft cocktails and a cool vibe. read more

Whisler's - Yogurt mango strained tea drink. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I love that this bar is thriving as I've seen it from its beginnings when I used to wear sweatpants and not care here ;) Drinks are great, but service can depend on who is there that day (ex: sometimes you can be overlooked, sometimes you can be overcharged, but all of that comes with it being a busy bar). Not docking any stars bc this is still my fav in Austin. read more

I have a hard time reviewing my absolute favorite spots, there's so much good to say and I don't ever think my reviews can do my favorite spots justice. Whisler's is an excellent cocktail bar that I frequent and never get bored of. Their revolving menu always has a story, and the chill space is cozy and welcoming, day and night. Whenever Whisler's introduces a new menu, I'm there. I've enjoyed their Jazz nights, their craw fish broils, and of course their 75 cent Martinis ('SCUSE ME?!), but mostly I just love grabbing a 5PM drink before the rush, opening my laptop outside and finishing a few e-mails under the sun. The bartenders as Whislers know what they're doing. They're pretty knowledgeable and I particularly enjoy sitting at the bar during the week when it's quite. It's cool to them create their "version" of the cocktail... I honestly sometimes find the cocktails inconsistent but actually appreciate the variations. The music is mostly chill, it gets pretty packed on the weekends, the Mezcal tasting room upstairs is an absolute must. Whislers will always be one of my favorite neighborhood bars. read more

I'm on a whirlwind tour of Austin and my friend said I couldn't miss this spot before leaving. We stopped in for their holiday cocktails, and received quick and sassy service. The Oaxacan hot chocolate (served hot, yes we asked) was perfect for a chilly night out and we sat in the tent picnic area. I love the building's character, and all the themed decorations, extra cozy and makes for a great meetup spot for big groups or an intimate date (if you pick the right table). Street parking was a bit of a struggle on a Wednesday night, but plenty to walk by and explore on your way to and from Whisler's. read more

Whisler's - Oaxacan Hot Chocolate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Just about a ten-minute walk from my apartment to get to this glorious neighborhood bar. Glorious because of the seventy-five cent martinis during happy hour. $10 gets ya buzzed up AND a nice tip for your server. Sometimes it's super packed and other times not so much. Either way, service is always spot on. read more

Whisler's - A colorful mural on a stone wall depicts a rabbit with a halo, holding a mezcal bottle, surrounded by green foliage and a bright background, with "Whisler's" written above. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is such a great place for craft, specialty cocktails. I've only come here during late afternoons/early evenings so it's easy to enter and not crowded to come into with a group of friends. Inside, it's dark and intimate and unique. I love the ambiance here. If you can find a sharpie, make sure to sign your name on the walls! There is also plenty of outdoor seating, with fans, in the oppressive Texas heat. The bartenders are super helpful and will give you great recommendations. Their cocktails are well-made, strong, and also exquisitely presented. read more

Whisler's - A ceramic duck-shaped container with colorful straws, garnished with flowers and lemon slices, sits on a wooden bar counter with a bar and bottles in the background. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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My friend and I visited on a Thursday afternoon after dinner. We went in for a couple drinks and an overdue friend's night out. Service was quick and friendly, even as they were pretty busy inside. We sat outside and enjoyed the patio for the gorgeous passionflower vines and the relaxed ambiance. My friend got the tepache, 8/10 I wish the tepache taste was a little more prominent 8.5/10 for the espresso tini Also tried the Tiger Tears - VERY gingery, be warned lol 8/10 read more

Whisler's - Tepache and Espresso Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

We came Friday night during their happy hour from 4-7! We tried the cosmo martinis since they had a happy hour special for $.75 martinis!! Insane special! We got 4 martinis for less than $4!! ~ Make sure to tip your bartender at least twice the tab if you get these martinis!! ~ They have an outdoor bar and patio as well!! Plenty of outdoor seating and they also have golden tiger food truck (Asian fusion) The cosmo martinis are delicious - we had two each and were basically set for the rest of the night lol Super cute spot but be warned the $.75 martini special will have you waiting a bit at the bar with everyone else to order! The rest of the cocktail menu looks really curated and has some interesting options! Super cute date night spot! read more

Whisler's - Outdoor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Inside and outside of this place is very unique. Different vibes for each room. Huge space. Really like the outside area. Awesome cocktail. read more

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Whisler's is such a neat place! I came in on a trip to Austin after having dinner just down the street. The ambiance inside is so neat with candles lit everywhere and a stone interior. It is quite dark inside so could be hard for some people to see the menu or so there's if you're sitting in a bad spot. The drinks were great and the bartenders were very attentive as well! Would go back for sure. read more

Whisler's - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Had my first and Last Word (the actual drink name) but the bar is a vibe for sure ! The Last Word is a classic Prohibition-era cocktail made with equal parts of four ingredients:Gin, Green Chartreuse , Maraschino liqueur and Fresh lime juice. A drink for the brave soul ... stay thirsty my friends. read more

Whisler's - Last Word - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I have a love/relationship with this spot. While I like the ambiance and location, the service is always terrible. Gave it another try tonight and was very disappointed. The bartenders pick and choose who they serve, will make eye contact with you and then turn to serve another part of the bar. We went tonight to celebrate a special occasion and were passed over multiple times so we eventually left. read more

Cool and busy bar on E 7th. This part of town is nice as its close to a bunch of restaurants and bars but not as raunchy like dirty 6th or Rainey. Whisler made some mean cocktails - I got the policy of truth and enjoyed it. Bf liked his old fashioned. The bars area look very cool - they have good lighting and cool interior design. They have a photo booth too. There is a burger food truck on the side of Whisler for when the midnight hunger hits. The upstairs Mezcal bar has a really nice intimate and cozy vibe (as long as it quiet down a bit). Overall solid bar experience read more

Whisler's - Dog-Friendly Vibes & Solid Happy Hour Love how dog-friendly Whisler's is--it's always a great spot to unwind with a cocktail in hand while hanging out with the pup. Their happy hour offerings for cocktails are decent, though as a wine drinker, I wish there were more HH options for me. That said, there's usually a wine or two in rotation, so not a total loss! Their bartenders are friendly, efficient and always charming! We were craving burgers and fried chicken, so having Golden Tiger in the back was a huge win--solid options that hit the spot. Parking can be tricky, but we went early on a Thursday night, and street parking was easy breezy. Overall, a fantastic spot in E. 6th, especially if you're looking for great cocktails, good bites, and a welcoming space for your pup. Will definitely be back! read more

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Amazing cocktails and unique atmosphere. The coconut silk cocktail was so smooth and easy to crush on a hot summer day! The bartenders were so nice and knowledgeable. Great spot on the east side! For two first timers in Austin we loved it. read more

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Really cool bar! Love the vibe with all of the candles and dark setting. The bar looks historic. Also loved the food truck when we were there, the chicken twnders were fire and everyone loved the bartender! read more

Whisler's - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

While exploring Austin we came across this spot close to our hotel. I loved that there were different areas to hang out in from the cozy and dark inside space where the bar was to the large outdoor space, there is a spot for everyone! We came on a Thursday night so it wasn't too busy but still lively. The music there was great and not too loud. They definitely have some awesome craft cocktails that I saw coming out as well! read more

Cocktails are good, and a little more elevated than some others on E 6th. Outdoor patio area is where you'll end up. Golden Tiger Food truck is very good. read more

Whisler's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I went tonight for the 3rd time for their Mardi Gras event. Great time, organized, and amazing drinks. The food truck in the back has a great selection of food that's actually delicious. We got the fries and a friend got the burger- both great. Staff was also on top of keeping things clean and the energy was perfect with music and lighting. Will be coming back! read more

Whisler's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Whiiissslerrrrssssssss. My top contender for an amazing night out and the perfect starting point for a whole street of fun if you're into bar hopping. Whisler's always brings the heat with a rotating cocktail menu that has an eccentric twist on spicy or tropical drinks. If you're someone who loves a unique flavor profile, this place will be your jam. The setup is ideal--plenty of seating, so you can roll in with a crowd and still find space to chill without feeling cramped. The patio has an incredible fried chicken food truck that's perfect for soaking up the drinks after a few rounds. I highly recommend grabbing some tendies--they're seriously sooooo good. I'm personally obsessed with their coconut milk-inspired cocktails. They're creamy, smooth, and totally hit the spot. And the bartenders? They're absolute pros--knowledgeable, efficient, and super speedy even when the bar is packed. Inside, the space is a gothic architectural dream, with moody vibes that make it stand out from the typical bar scene. Whisler's is not just a place; it's an experience. If you're looking for craft drinks, great food, and a killer atmosphere, you can't go wrong here. read more

Whisler's - blurry photos are the only kind i can capture here - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

We stopped in for a drink during our walk and loved the grunge look and artwork inside this dark bar! I'm sure it could be party central at night but our food place recommended them for drinks and they were spot on! I had an extra dirty martini I liked that the bartender asked how dirty I wanted. Cool place overall and the bouncer was super cool. We had a good conversation about the area and where to explore. read more

Whisler's - Rockstars - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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THE standard for an Old Fashioned can only be had at one place in Austin and it is Whislers. When I moved to Austin I chose my location to be not only on the east side but to be close to Whislers. Their drinks are amazing and the location and history only adds to the ambiance. Bring a marker! You can immortalize yourself and your friends on the walls of this amazing establishment. The food truck out back and the large patio make this place a local hangout while managing the travelers who have heard about the drinks. The bartenders are top notch and the standards they hold are very high. There are no such titles like drink magician or any other nonsense some places use to sell you. This is because they are true makers of the finest cocktails and don't need the gimmicks. Come one come all and watch as they keep the East Side Chill. read more

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I came here on a first date. It was quite busy for Wednesday night, but it was also going into a holiday so it kind of made sense. It was kind of loud inside so it didn't make well for a first date inside. However, we ended up sitting outside so we could hear each other talk. They do have fans outside which was much appreciated in this heat. The cocktail menu is pretty decent with a variety of different cocktail to choose from. I ordered the whispering clandestina. It was good, but it wasn't what I exactly expected. Overall, I would try to come here on a different non-holiday related week and see how it is. One thing to know parking kind of sucks, so either Uber it or park far away. read more