Bars and breweries in Austin, TX: 10 local spots to know
A guide to 10 bars, breweries and cocktail lounges in Austin, Texas, with what each one is known for and what to expect when you visit.
10 local businesses · Updated November 2026 · From Our Local Spotlight
These bars and breweries offer very different evenings, from a cocktail lounge with a record shop to a three-story nightclub with drag shows. Each note below describes what a place is known for, so the right choice depends on what you want from the night. Before you go, check whether a place takes reservations, since some do not need them, and whether it has a cover charge or live music on the night you plan to visit. If you are bringing a dog or a group, confirm patio seating and private event details ahead of time.
1
Augustine Austin
Bar Austin, TXAugustine Austin is a cocktail bar on Rainey Street in a bungalow built in 1889. Its menu includes the Augustine Espresso Martini, the Paloma Perfecta and the Rainey Blossom, and the garden and outdoor patio offer more than one place to sit.
2
Central District Brewing
Bar Austin, TXCentral District Brewing combines a downtown brewery, coffee shop and event space under one roof. The brewery says it is the smallest in Austin, and its Kayaker's German-style Kolsch is a signature beer. Coffee beans come from local Austin roasters.
3
Central Machine Works Brewery
Bar Austin, TXCentral Machine Works Brewery brews its own German pils, hazy IPA and American lager in a former metal fabrication shop. Original machine parts remain throughout the beer hall, and the menu includes wood-fired-style pizza, loaded nachos and hummus.
4
Codependent Coffee + Cocktails
Bar Austin, TXCodependent Coffee + Cocktails is a coffee house and cocktail lounge sharing one room at the base of The Independent in downtown Austin. It serves espresso and breakfast tacos in the morning, then a cocktail menu grouped by how each drink feels, plus a zero proof section.
5
Crow Bar Austin
Bar Austin, TXCrow Bar Austin is an East Austin dive bar with craft cocktails and live punk, rock and metal shows. It has been open since 2010 and has two pool tables, and its kitchen serves thin-crust pizza, sub sandwiches and fried chicken from a trailer in the lot.
6
Domo Alley-Gato
Bar Austin, TXDomo Alley-Gato is an outdoor patio bar on East 6th Street modeled on the standing bars and narrow alleyways of Japan. It pours craft cocktails, sake and Kirin Ichiban, and guests order ramen and small bites from the kitchen next door at Ramen Tatsu-Ya.
7
Drinks Lounge & Records
Bar Austin, TXDrinks Lounge & Records is a neighborhood bar on East Cesar Chavez Street with a vinyl record shop. Guests can shoot pool, sit in booths and shop for records, and the wings are a regular Wednesday draw. No reservations are needed, and it is 21 and up.
8
Friends Bar
Bar Austin, TXFriends Bar is a live music bar on East Sixth Street with no cover charge for the music. Jazz, Texas blues, R&B, rock, country, soul and Americana play most nights, and the Texas menu includes brisket tacos, fish tacos and Texas poutine with green chili queso.
9
Highland Lounge
Bar Austin, TXHighland Lounge is a three-story nightclub on Colorado Street with six bars. It is known for drag shows and go-go dancers, and it offers bottle service in private seating areas, from small VIP tables to large group gatherings.
10
Jackalope South Shore
Bar Austin, TXJackalope South Shore is a locally owned dive bar known for smash burgers and smoked wings. It has been open since 2004, serves daily from 11 AM to 2 AM, and has a dog-friendly patio, a sweepstakes room and a karaoke lounge.
Details come from each business’s own listing in Austin Local Directory. Businesses don’t pay to be in our guides.