Midnight Cowboy – Austin’s premier private speakeasy. Reservations are a must and can be made online at their website. They have a giant menu of utterly unique drinks, each better than the next. Their presentation is exceptional as well. If you have a small group, book a private room when you make your reservation. Midnight Cowboy is built in an old 6th street strip club. The private lap dance rooms have been converted into private drinking rooms where your own personal bartender will wheel a cart up to the room, open the drape and make the drinks for you right there.
Whisler’s – Rusic, chilled out cocktail spot with one of the coolest atmospheres around. The drink menu is fantastic and well thought out, spanning from the super unique Bidi Bidi Bom Bom (mezcal, Aperol, tamarind, strawberry, citrus, pepper, worm salt) to a stunningly delicious classic like on of the best Old Fashions in town. Upstairs is a hidden mezcal spot called Mezcaleria Tobala, with a nice selection of mezcal varietals served in tiny copitas with orange slices and chapulin (grasshopper) salt. The bar features multiple different indoor rooms, an upstairs and a large outdoor patio. This is a can’t miss bar on your trip to Austin.
Lucille’s – A Rainey Street staple, Lucille’s features a relaxed open concept atmosphere inside with plenty of open seats and games to play and a large outdoor seating area to enjoy your cocktails. Lucille’s cucumbertini with a spicy salt rim is the perfect way to cool down on a hot Austin, TX summer day.
Half Step – Another Rainey Street staple. This low key bungalow features old fashioned craft cocktails and live music. The type of spot where you’ll want to drink a whiskey based cocktail like an Old Fashioned and listen to 1930’s era rhythm and blues.
Vigilante Bar & Gastropub – The perfect spot for a group of friends to hang out on a rainy day. This bar specializes in games. They have every board and card game imaginable and their bar is set up with video games so you and your friend can play Mario Kart or a host of other games while enjoying drinks at the bar. They have the best selection of sliders in town as well.
Firehouse Lounge – Housed in a former firehouse with it’s entrance found behind a bookcase in a hostel, this is definitely one of the coolest bars you can go to in Austin. To find this bar, you’ll need to go to Firehouse Hostel, enter the lobby and slide the bookcase out of the way.
Buckshot – This classic 6th street bar is known for their crazy selection of unique shots. They literally make 100s of unique shots with crazy names, each one more delicious than the next. If you want the true Austin experience though, ask for the Ray Charles Shot. This interactive shot experience will have you building your own personal drink in the funnest way possible. My favorite shot of theirs is the XXX Latte. If you like chocolatey, coffee flavored drinks check this out. Also, ask them about their unique rim selections for your glass.
The Roosevelt Room – For a classy relaxed lounge to enjoy a nice classic cocktail, look no further than the Roosevelt Room. They have the most extensive drink menu in Austin, making 100s of classic cocktails, organized by era starting in the pre-1880 era and moving forward to modern day. Upstairs you’ll find a mezzanine lounge area with a pool table.
Mean Eyed Cat – An Austin classic. Weird. Eclectic. Total dive bar. The perfect spot for midday beers with a group of friends.
Floppy Disk Repair Company – Another Austin speakeasy. This bar requires you enter an ever changing pin code into the keypad next to the unassuming Floppy Disk Repair Company store. The key code changes regularly so you’ll need to either hunt it down on social media or, if you’re nice, the bartenders at The Handle Bar next door will usually hook you up. Grab a seat at one of their barside swing chairs. For more information click here.
Seven Grand – An absolutely insane whiskey collection in one of Austin’s classiest looking bars…oh and there’s a pool table…what else do you need to know.
Garage – A unique concept and honestly the only bar you’re ever going to find inside a parking garage. This entirely cement bar is more than just a novelty though as they make excellent drinks as well.
Lala’s Little Nugget – A Christmas themed dive bar that keeps up an absurd amount of Christmas decorations all year long.
Peche – Austin’s first Absinthe bar. The restaurant serves classic French fare in a dark New Orleans style prohibition era bar. If you want to taste from a large selection of absinthe and experience a handful of cocktails featuring the unique alcohol, make sure to stop in at Peche.
For more information on Austin’s secret bars click here.