Austin is the live music capital of the world – but it’s likely equally well known for 6th Street. East Sixth, located in the heart of downtown, is home of seemingly endless bars and restaurants, most of which offer discount beers and shots to get college kids in the door. But where do you go if you want a great cocktail downtown? On our last trip, we made it our mission to find the best cocktail bars in downtown Austin.
A few things make a great cocktail bar, in my eyes. Creative, booze-forward drinks from bartenders who can also make the classics. Full, but not too crowded (I don’t want to swim through crowds or fight for a seat), which often comes from an off-the-beaten path location. An interesting ambiance. The ability to carry on a conversation with the people I’m there with.
We’re breaking this list into two parts: Our top 3 cocktail bars in downtown Austin, and a few others that are worth checking out but didn’t make it onto our list of favorites.
THE TOP 3 COCKTAIL BARS IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
1 // FLOPPY DISK REPAIR CO.
Floppy Disk Repair Co. is the quintessential speakeasy. It’s hidden in plain sight, strong cocktails, strange decor, and requires a password to get into.
The drink menu is broken into three sections: Pinky Down, Pinky Up, and Stepdad’s Classics. The Pinky Down drinks are sweeter cocktails served in highball glasses, styrofoam cups, or milk jugs (yes, they have a few twists on cereal milk cocktails, served with a side of cereal). Pinky Up drinks are more booze-forward, and served in lowball glasses or coupes. Stepdad’s Classics are your old school favorites.
We opted for a Life in San Antonio from the Pinky Up section and a Sazerac from the Stepdad’s Classics because we’re both bourbon lovers. The Sazerac was solid – a perfect amount of absinthe to give the hint of licorice without overwhelming the rest of the drink – and the Life in San Antonio was pleasantly tart with a hint of nuttiness from the chicory bitters – we ended up ordering a second to share before we left.
Their website is pretty blank; check out images of the drink menu on Yelp.
I got about a dozen messages upon leaving about the passcode. I don’t know what it is! This isn’t one of those silly faux-speakeasy’s that posts the code on Facebook – it’s held to a pretty tight circle. We were friendly with the doorman and he allowed us in without it. The bar caters heavily to the service industry, and rumor is, if you’re nice to the bartenders next door at Handlebar, one of them will give you the code to use another night.
2 // SWIFT’S ATTIC
This spot is a tapas-style restaurant with an amazing bar program. The cocktails edge on what we would call “crowd pleasers” – fairly standard combinations, not too boozy, bordering on a little too sweet. Still, they were solid and now that we know to request the New Fashioned with less syrup, no water, we’ll definitely be back. They’re well known for their ice ball cocktails – the cocktail base is frozen in a ball, and then the booze is poured over it. The drink forms as the liquor melts the ice. Interesting concept that I’m sure brings people in, but the options were all too high on the sugar scale for us.
Check out Swift’s Attic’s bar menu here.
What makes this place really stand out is the food and the whiskey selection. The portions (for small plates) are large and everything we had was delicious. I’d definitely recommend the squid fries, sweet pot (our favorite on the menu), and the flank steak. Whiskey pours can be a little pricey, however they have a list of flights with some harder-to-find bourbons that were much more reasonable.
3 // FIREHOUSE LOUNGE
I’ll admit it – we waited in a line outside to get into this bar (something I swore off after turning 25).
Firehouse Lounge is located behind a bookshelf in the Firehouse Hostel, which is built in – you guessed it – a fire station built in 1885. Enter at the lobby doors for this cocktail bar that features an amazing happy hour ($2 off cocktails from 5-8) and live music or DJs.
The bartenders specialize in classic cocktails and a few modern takes. We tried out the Brown Derby (bourbon, grapefruit, and honey) and the Baptist (bourbon, lime, and ginger bitters) and both were excellent!
OTHER COCKTAIL BARS TO CHECK OUT IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM: A former event space, the Roosevelt Room when it’s not crowded can feel cavernous – but it’s always filled with people. Their house cocktails are upscale and delicious. Make sure you’re in a blazer or cocktail dress when you stop by this spot – it’s fancier than most Austin bars.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY: Reservations are required at this hidden bar right off East Sixth. The whole spot has a 1920’s vibe, with black leather tufted sofas and brass hardware. Ring the buzzer marked “Harry Craddock” (they’re all marked with the names of famous bartenders) for entry.
SECOND BAR + GRILL: This dinner-and-drinks spot accepts walk-ins only, and is very well reviewed. We had already picked Swift’s Attic for dinner; we’ll try this one next time we’re in town.
SMALL VICTORY: This place is a winner in ambiance and creativity of cocktails however in execution, they fell short (it might have been what we ordered…?). They were too boozy – not in a “pleasantly booze-forward, I can taste the nuances of the bourbon” way, but in a “this tastes like smokey lighter fluid” way. We tried a mezcal, bourbon, and gin cocktail, and had the same issue with them all. Again, really hoping it was just the drinks we picked, because everyone else seems to rave about this place!
GARAGE: We had heard so many great things about the drinks at Garage, which is literally in a parking garage. Unfortunately, we had also heard that it’s so loud you can’t hear the person next to you and since we were meeting up with friends, decided to skip this one. We’ve been told it’s better at non-peak hours and on weekdays.
PIN THIS POST so you can reference the list when you’re in Austin
