Top 4 Happy Hour Hideouts in East Austin

Reason number 8,693 that we love Austin: Our ever changing landscape of gastronomic and cocktail excursions.

I recently moved to a new neighborhood and have since found my way into a wonderland of neighborhood jaunts I can’t seem to get enough of. Take a gander at my short list of East Austin happy hour favorites and you may find a new refuge of your own.

Salty Sow

Piled high, truffled deviled eggs from Salty Sow (Credit: Jane Baudouin)

This order by number happy hour menu features sips and bites that encapsulate the essence of Salty Sow’s kitchen. This East Austin location brings swine and wine together, opening the door to salacious meat centric shared plates that”ll keep your taste buds busy with salty, crispy delight.

Highlights of Salty Sow’s happy hour foods are tacos, chicken and veggies. However, the creative vessel in which those flavors are served sets the menu apart from common bar fare.

A few of my favorites to prepare yourself for include:

The Mini Blanche: tequila, triple sec and sweet and sour with blood orange puree (Credit: Jane Baudouin)

• Pork belly taco – Crispy helping accompanied by a delicate fried egg, adding richness to the arugula and feta topping.
• Honey rosemary dipped fried chicken – Seasoned, crumbly coat of crunchiness surrounding the juicy chicken makes for an easy introduction for those less adventurous. Don’t hesitate to follow up the chicken with the truffled deviled eggs!
• Duck fat fries – The description says it all…A heap of fries which have been triple fried in duck fat, then topped with a 110 minute egg and a béarnaise sauce for additional richness and good measure.

At 1917 Manor Rd, enjoy happy hour every day from 4:30– 6:30 PM. $2 off signature sips and beer. $4 craft drafts and $5 happy hour cocktails.

Whisler’s

Whisler’s artistic exterior sets the perfect stage for your expectations (Credit: Jodi Bart via Flickr CC)

I’d consider Whisler’s the most obvious hideout on my list, with the most culture. Located at 1816 East 6th St, you can duck in for cocktails, bubbles, expertise in crafting cocktails and the spirits that fashion your happy hour.

Upstairs, you”ll find Mezcaleria Tobala, where the experts are paying homage to Oaxacan traditions and introducing Austin to the art of consuming mezcal. Find the silver trailer nearby and you’ll score handmade Chinese dumplings among other Asian street foods, at Dumpling Happiness.

Drink menu at Whisler’s in East Austin (Credit: Jodi Bart via Flickr CC)

As variety is a luxury at Whisler’s, so are their happy hours. You can select from the following options:

• 4–7 PM daily – $6 Whisler’s cocktails including: Moscow Mule, Old Fashioned, Aviation, High Plains Drifter, Hemingway Daquiri and Brown Derby
• Monday – $6 old fashioned craft cocktails all night
• Wednesday – Bubbles & Booze Happy Hour ($6 champagne cocktails) from 7–10 PM
• Happy hour 4-7  PM daily

School House Pub

One of my favorite down played, neighborhood pubs hosts 20 craft beers on tap, and has enlightened the hum drum pub food menu and mastered the balance of crafting a well-rounded cocktail.

Credit: Cherrywood Neighborhood Association via Flickr CC

Monday–Saturday from 3–7 PM, you can try the School House Fish & Chips for $5 or one of the daily drink specials, which vary depending upon the night of the week:

• Monday – $4 pints
• Tuesday – $2 off all special cocktails
• Wednesday – $4 ciders
• Thursday – $5 off all bottles of wine
• Friday – $3 beer and booze
• Saturday – $3 all bottles

Try the School of Hard Knocks specials Monday–Friday from 3-7 PM: $2 PBR and Lonestar and $3 Wells.

Don’t miss out on the sharable portions of savory pub cuisine. You can start with my top picks:

• Montreal Fries – Crisp pile of fries loaded with a gravy sauced, slow braised pork, served rustically atop a butcher’s block cutting board with cheese cubes and garlic
• Mac N’ Cheese – Bubbly skillet of mac swimming in aged cheddar, comte and parmesan cheeses, plated with a generous portion of pancetta bits and kissed with sprigs of watercress.

Jacoby’s Restaurant and Mercantile

Jacoby’s $10 burger and fries (Credit: Natalie Seebooth)

Following his business lineage, Adam Jacoby created his ranch to table restaurant concept by expanding his family’s Feed and Seed business. Overlooking the Colorado River Wildlife Sanctuary, Jacoby’s is the perfect spot in the sun for happy hour.

Although the happy hour menu changes weekly, the $10 Jacoby Cheeseburger with Fries and the $3 Live Oak Hefe Weizen are staples and a favorite pairing of mine.

Melvin Mule served outdoors at Jacoby’s (Credit: Natalie Seebooth)

Additional features you may find on the Tuesday–Saturday happy hour menu include:

• Drinks – Seasonal Red or White Wine Selection for $6, Melvin Mule for $5
• Food – All $5 – Pimento Cheese Onion Rings, Pickled Veggies, Seasonal Cheese Plate

@Cris Mueller wants to know:

Have I left out your favorite eastside happy hour hideout? Share the wealth in a comment!