Bars Archives - The Austinot

Guide to Austin’s East Sixth Street

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Jessica Pino

There are three sections of Sixth Street in Austin: West, East, and what locals refer to as Dirty. West Sixth is the section of Sixth Street that runs west from Congress Avenue. For the most part, the nightlife scene ends at North Lamar Boulevard.

For locals, Dirty Sixth runs from Congress to I-35 even though technically, and according to street signs, East Sixth Street starts at Congress Avenue and runs east. But when you hear locals talk about East Sixth, we are referencing anything east of I-35. Don’t get confused by the street signs; you’ll be talking like a local in no time.

East Sixth as we know and love it today is an eclectic blend of shops, restaurants, dives, and cocktail bars. It’s also quite new–in relation to Dirty or West Sixth–with the gentrification of east Austin surging in the past 10 years.

Here are 15 of my favorite East Sixth Street establishments you won’t want to miss.

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Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): J. Stephens

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Jonas White

Kansas City Shuffle Cocktail at J. Stephens — Fiery Kansas City Shuffle cocktail (Credit: J. Stephens)

Speakeasies tend to latch on to the creepy and salacious. During the course of my speakeasy series, I’ve visited horror film-themed bars, heard multiple stories of ghosts haunting the premises, and learned that brothels existed in the heart of Austin not long ago. When I found out Austin’s newest speakeasy is named after J. Stephens, who came to his end in the late 1920s via suicide, due to drinking the equivalent of Lysol, it felt rather on-brand.

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Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): Midnight Cowboy

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Jonas White

You can’t just walk into Midnight Cowboy on a Saturday night and expect to get the experience, or the cocktails, everyone raves about. Certain steps are necessary. This may be why it took me three years to visit what is perhaps Austin’s most well-known speakeasy. Planning ahead has never been my strong suit.

When I made my reservation, found the hidden door, rang the bell, and sat in a booth for the first time, it didn’t take long to figure out why so many people recommended Midnight Cowboy over the years. For the sixth installment of The Austinot’s Speakeasy Secrets series, I’ll teach you how you too can have this same experience, and why you should make it a priority to do so.

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10 Austin Mocktails for Bar Crawl Without the Booze

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Bill Tucker

Best Austin Mocktails — Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger

Mocktails. The mere mention of the word conjures up images of boring nights at the bar sipping cranberry-splashed tonic water, while your friends knock back whiskey, gin, and beer. Three years ago, when my wife was pregnant, we were literally laughed out of bars and restaurants for uttering the word. Those were dark times.

But now, there’s a revolution brewing. Many of Austin’s finest drinkeries and eateries are no longer embarrassed of the non-alcoholic cocktail. In fact, they’re treating mocktails with the respect and craft given to their boozy counterparts.

So whether you’re ditching alcohol for health, lifestyle, or recovery reasons, here are 10 local spots to snag outrageous mocktails in Austin.

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Cheer Your Favorite Team at These 5 Sports Bars in Central Austin

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Jonas White

Outside at 8 Track on Manor Road

We’re entering the few cold(ish) months of the year here in Austin. So what are we to do when it’s too chilly to kayak on Lady Bird Lake and we’ll only jump into frigid Barton Springs after losing a bet?

Here’s one guy’s solution: Grab a friend or 10 and head to your favorite sports bar. Below is a list of my five central Austin recommendations.

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Be Transported to Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in Downtown Austin

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan

Build the stage, bring the bands, and your audience will follow (Credit: Parker Jazz Club)

Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in downtown Austin. Situated underground like all the coolest clubs, Parker Jazz Club acts as an incubator for the music and the sensibility of another era. Set your sights on a whole new music experience, complemented by classic cocktails and a sultry aura.

Despite Austin’s outspoken love for live music, we are somewhat lacking in world-class, traditional jazz. Parker Jazz Club intends to change that. Jazz music evokes a host of strong feelings for many, calling to mind a different time and place. Walking down the staircase into the dark, elegant club, I felt as though I could be in Chicago, New York, or Paris in the ’20s or ’50s. By design, Parker Jazz Club stands apart from the typical downtown Austin bar. [Read more…]

Where Are the Best Bloody Marys in Austin?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Samantha Saenz

Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle in Austin

Get haunted by the Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Whether you want to sip a socially acceptable cocktail with breakfast or nurse a brooding hangover, the Bloody Mary has become the standard go-to. The drink that has been around since approximately 1921 has incredible diversity, and it seems as though just about every restaurant has their own version–with our city being no exception. So whether you’re looking for the classic version, a peacock of garnishes, or something more exotic, here’s our guide to the best Bloody Marys in Austin. [Read more…]

5 East Austin Patio Bars for Happy Hour Bliss

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Overlooking the Colorado River on Tillery’s East Austin patio (Credit: Joleen Jernigan)

If you live in Austin, you likely have a hankering for the outdoors, whether that means hiking the Greenbelt, taking the dog or the kids for a walk, riding your bike, or swimming at one of our outstanding swimming holes. After all that brisk exercise, it’s time to head for a patio and enjoy a cold drink. Patio culture is Austin culture. Here are a few of my favorite patios for happy hour on the east side. [Read more…]

Guide to Manor Road’s Best Bars and Restaurants

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Caitlin Johnson

School House Pub

It’s a shame that more people aren’t talking about Manor Road. Located in northeast Austin, across I-35 from The University of Texas, these few blocks are packed with shops, bars, bakeries, and restaurants.

Actually, there are over a dozen spots to grab a cold local beer or unique cocktail. Some are classic Austin dive bars, while others are funky joints where you can bring the whole crew. High-end dining options are also available for extraordinary happy hours.

Starting at the 1800 block and heading east, the bars and restaurants below come one after another on Manor Road. It really is a perfect spot for a bar crawl or night out, and it’s easy to tailor your adventure to what you want to eat, drink, or do! [Read more…]

Kick Back at These 4 Bars in the Expanding Mueller Community

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Caitlin Johnson

Mueller Lake Park

Mueller in Northeast Austin started 10 years ago as a 700-acre community. It has grown into a thriving, developed neighborhood. With public parks, farmers’ markets, and some of Austin’s hottest businesses, Mueller has it all.

It’s about time someone created a bar crawl guide for the expanding Mueller neighborhood. The Austin spots on this list are nestled within a small, walkable area on the east side of I-35, in the main Mueller development. [Read more…]

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