Dive Bar and Lounge

Dirty Bill's (gotta love the name) is literally right next door to J. Carvers where we had dinner…read more Dirty Bill's was on and popping!!! We were drawn in by the music. They were spinning some popular tunes. The place was packed with a very fun crowd. It appears to be a bar you come to have drinks and chat. There was a small area where dancing could take place, but no one was dancing at the time. The staff including the general manager was super friendly. It felt like a wedding reception as you came into the club where you were greeted...very warm and welcoming. We had a drink and stayed a short while. It looked like a place you could come for a girls or guys night out or celebrating a fun occasion. Will definitely consider Dirty Bill's for a future fun evening...

What Five Stars? because this place is exactly the kind of dive bar that makes Austin weird in the…read morebest possible way. Dirty Bill's is gloriously unapologetic. You walk in and immediately know you are not in some polished Instagram cocktail lounge. It is loud, a little gritty, and full of people who are clearly there to have a good time and not pretend otherwise. The beer is cold, the Lone Star flows like Texas water, and the vibe is pure old school Austin. And yes, the legendary bathroom situation deserves its own paragraph. The men's room features a giant ice filled trough for a urinal, which feels like something out of a 1970s roadside saloon documentary. Somehow it is both ridiculous and perfectly on brand. It actually becomes a conversation starter because you walk out laughing and immediately tell your friends they have to see it and go pee. The crowd was friendly, the bartenders were quick with the beers, and nobody was taking themselves too seriously. I ended up staying longer than planned, drinking Lone Stars and talking to random people like we had known each other for years. If you want craft cocktails served with a rosemary sprig this is not your place. If you want a hilarious, slightly chaotic, authentically divey night in Austin with cheap beer and great stories, Dirty Bill's absolutely delivers. Five stars and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Cold beer and Dirty Bills Hat!

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The Little Longhorn Saloon

4.3(272 reviews)

3.4 mi•Allandale

We were in town for the Texas vs OSU football game and decided to spend Sunday afternoon at The…read moreLittle Longhorn Saloon. Came for the Chicken Shit Bingo but stayed because of the fun atmosphere, friendly service, and old school country band led by Brandon Rosage. If you are a fun outgoing person, go here! Bet a few bucks on the bingo, have a few cold beers, and meet cool locals and out-of-towners. Owner is super cool. Bartenders are friendly and responsive. Young lady running the bingo is well organized and kept the games moving along. No cover (but the band will earn your tip, they are really good!) Food varies weekly (chili dogs when we were there). Go here if you are looking to have a great experience!

This is definitely a place that keeps Austin weird! It's a fun place to spend a Sunday afternoon -…read moreespecially if you are hosting out of town friends or family. Don't buy too many tickets for just one round - sometimes the chicken poops right away. The bar is real hole in the wall which makes it all the more fun!

4.5 mi•Allandale, Brentwood

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Lala’s Little Nugget

4.1(326 reviews)

The hole in the wall is like a time capsule back to Old Austin. Affordable. Quirky. Eclectic…read more Friendly. If you wanna go where everyone is welcome and will eventually know your name--this is it. NOTE TO THE OWNERS: Please continue to pump up the AC. One of the things I love most about this gem is that no matter how hot, it stays cool.

A place for just all year Christmas vibes. The indoor and outdoor space is a bit limited. Mostly…read morecause it does get packed on weekends. Theres a pool table inside that takes quarters. Cocktails are a bit pricey for basic items like old fashions and White Russians. But it's a place to check out after browsing through records next door

LaLa Love

Only 26,103 hours 'til Christmas!

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The countdown is on.

Barfly's

4.3(291 reviews)

3.0 mi

Just popped in here for a couple visits while I was passing through town and it was exactly as…read moreadvertised. Super dark bar, friendly locals and bartenders. There's a few pool tables and everyone's open to a pick up game. I just had beer and the prices were very reasonable.. Parking was a little scarce, but probably because there's also a restaurant right downstairs. But, on the second visit, a Lyft solved that problem.

I go to bar regularly, and for the most part keep to myself play pool.. I prefer too alone if I'm…read morebeing honest, and all is good, everywhere.. but here I got harassed by a weirdo middle aged man at how bad I am at pool. Idk wasn't a vibe, it was actually hella weird. That combined with the pool tables sucked... quality wise so I'm forever good on this place. Bartender was a dude and super coool, with me at least so all love there. But overall the experience I had there was nothing short of trash (Bartender is the only reason for 3 stars btw)

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Nickel City

4.4(235 reviews)

1.1 mi•East Austin

One of my favorite bars in Austin. Some people might see it as a little divey, but that's honestly…read morepart of the charm. The atmosphere is always friendly, relaxed, and easy to settle into whether you're there for a quick drink or hanging out for the night. The drinks are consistently great, and they also have really solid weekday food specials. The sliders and tots are definitely the go-to items on the menu and always hit the spot after a few drinks. One thing I especially appreciate is how much effort they put into the themed décor during Christmas and Halloween. It really adds personality to the space and makes coming back during the holidays feel fun and memorable every year. Just an overall great neighborhood bar with good vibes and a lot of character.

I realize I haven't updated this review since relocating to Austin two years ago. As you may have…read morenoted from my previous review, I'd come here twice a year when visiting from the east coast. One of my stipulations for relocation was to be within walking distance of my beloved Nickel City. Guess what? I am! Less than a five-minute walk. I love this place so much. It's not always about drinking. In fact, quite often I'll do mocktails, water, or soda. It's about community and friendship. The vibe at NC can't fully be expressed in words. It has to be experienced. The staff treat locals and tourists like friends. And, if you're lucky enough, you actually become friends. They're like a family. Same can be said about patrons, whether regulars, sometimers, or tourists, everyone feels the love. Everyone just gets it! They have some of the best cocktails around. The frozen Irish coffee is incredible. Espresso martinis on tap? Yes, please! And if you want the best bar/comfort food ever then order from their food truck, Delray Cafe. Crinkle cut fries A+ Smashburgers A+ Hot Dogs A+ Grilled Cheese A+ Pizza Logs A+ Tater Tots A+ Everything on the menu A+ Be sure to give the gang in the kitchen (food truck) some love! They're putting out the real deal. Oh and let's not forget Steak Night! Much love to my fave neighbor, Nickel City!

0.7 mi•The Drag, West Campus, University of Texas

Frozen Irish Coffee

From left Nui nui new year and holiday on ice, loved both, but holiday on ice was my fav.

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Hole in the Wall

4.0(212 reviews)

Neighborhood campus old dive bar. Good music. Awesome pricing. Friendly staff. Parking is sub par…read more. because it's on campus on the drag so you have to find what you can nearby.

Went to a live concert for a friend of mine. This place is so iconic and I can't believe I have…read morenot been here. Very Austin, good old Austin vibe all around. Drinks are good. Love it.

1.5 mi•University of Texas

Porch stage

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Back Lot

4.4(40 reviews)

This is a cute little dive bar right off of Guadalupe. It's very dark inside and cool which is the…read moregreatest escape from the heat. There's a pool table and darts, as well as several booths to sit at in addition to the bar. The bartenders are friendly and they have a large selection of beers on tap. They also have a covered patio area if you want to sit outside.

Decades ago, I used to live in this neighborhood, but this bar was not here at the time. This is…read morewhat can be considered a local neighborhood dive bar. After reading through all the reviews, I noticed there were hardly any photos so I added 10. Parking can be an issue and you need to be careful because you could get towed or booted in this neck of the woods. They do have about a dozen or so spots behind the bar. The interior reminds me of a burned out home with a dirty concrete floor below and scorched, black exposed rafters above. Plenty of old car license plates on the wall and a jukebox off to the side. Bring a picture of your dog, because they have a large corkboard for customers and their pooches. They have plenty of good craft beers on tap and a decent full bar. This is a great place to bring your own darts or pool cue and since there are two dartboards and a pool table here. There's plenty of four top tables, seating at the bar or five booths to sit at. There's also an outdoor seating area that allows smoking. If you are hungry, they do have a food truck out back that serves up tacos, ramen, nachos, etc. On our visit, the truck was not open after 4:30pm. As a result, we just had one beer and left. It's your overall decent local neighborhood dive that has its regulars, but not worth driving across town for.

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The Mean Eyed Cat

4.2(345 reviews)

1.4 mi

Please, may I give it six stars? Pretty please?…read more As an avid chaser of dive bar culture, this place is a true gem. Johnny Cash theme? Chain saws repping its former identity? Dive bar pricing? Rustic location? ...and while all of the above are notable, what makes this Cat purr is the people. If you never witnessed six bartenders handling an island bar three-deep with thirsty patrons on a Friday night...it's the best show on earth without a cover. My five day, four night Austin experience was good by day and excellent by night because of the Mean Eyed Cat. Tip those bartenders folks as they are some of the best I've ever met in my 34 years in this industry.

Johnny Cash themed dive bar with friendly service. Full bar and drafts available…read more There is plenty of inside seating and an outdoor patio with many picnic tables. Dog friendly as well.

BBQ, anyone?

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Dive bar

Deep Eddy Cabaret

4.2(134 reviews)

1.8 mi

Great dive bar in a fun area of Austin. Don't live there anymore, but it was great in the old days…read moreof Austin.

Rude as fuck staff, terrible drinks, no AC, no music, bad vibes, have to wait over an hour to play…read moreone game of pool, the tables are rigged and this place stinks, only one bathroom per gender, this place is awful I will never return. The staff yelled at me for no reason, never come here

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Bar

Here Nor There

4.6(408 reviews)

0.8 mi•Downtown

•$$$

Here Nor There was a fantastic experience. The interior vibe is quite lovely. My partner and I sat…read morein one of the side velvet booths. I loved how personal that area felt. We were able to have a conversation without feeling like others were listening. The music is very different than the vibe of the actual area. They were playing different rap & hip-hop artists. It was loud, but I enjoyed it. It felt very Austin-y. Loved the drinks. There was one that had something to do with Bob's Lake, or something like that. That drink was absolutely delicious. We also got the caviar service, and I really enjoyed that. Was not crazy about the blinis, I believe they were made with black corn flour. The crème fraîche was very nice. Very nice night out. This place also doesn't feel overly expensive. It's expensive, but in a similar price range to other cocktail bars in the area.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this was one of the worst experiences I've had at a bar…read morecharging premium prices. We waited 15 minutes just to be acknowledged, the server wasn't knowledgeable about cocktails, and then things got totally unprofessional. Our server repeatedly mocked us with 'Horns Down' gestures, even after we politely asked her to stop, and another server chimed in with 'Boomer Sooner.' We had clients with us who were big Longhorn fans. That kind of behavior is downright disrespectful. For what they charge, this level of service and attitude is unacceptable. I had to apologize to my clients and I will never return to this place. These servers moved to Austin...act like you want to be here!

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We in it!

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Amaretto Sour

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17 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Carl A.

11 years ago

This pub is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stagnant region. The staff are all super friendly. The owners certainly place lots of work and thought into the pub unlike lots of new pubs popping up where they throw it together in a month. A lot of hand built touches and screen printing on the wall supporting the bar. It is straightforward with those subtle touches which make it a truly fine and enjoyable place to be. Draft choice is in the works seemingly but it seems like it'll be strong. Quite great wine collection and some inexpensive tall boys. read more

Rawhide W.

783

691

3403

9 years ago

If your caught down near UT and in the mood for great cocktails, this is the place. It's a small venue but there is an outdoor patio located in back. Excellent poured cocktails.....ranging from French 75 to a basic Gin dry martini. For all you with bellies, there are also a few beers on tap. Only down fall, drinks are slightly on the small side and priced on the higher side. But worth it if your not penny pinching. read more

Chris P.

122

10 years ago

Don't let the name fool you - this is far from a dive bar. Colin and Lea were more than helpful giving me local sites to see and all around were nice as fuck - pardon my French - but seriously they're awesome. If you're in town for a bit and just looking to grab a drink you should go here. Patio to drink and smoke, awesome tunes - for real this is a must see in Austin. read more

Charlie M.

10 years ago

This was among the trendiest cocktail bars I Have ever been to. The drinks were affordable and the bartenders were wonderful! They certainly took pride in the cocktails and needed to ensure that we were loving them. I tried 5 distinct drinks and I believe my favorite was the Killer Bees Knees. All were tasty! read more

Jeremiah H.

137

4 years ago

This place had an awesome atmosphere and very unique and technical drinks, but you do pay for it. If you are looking for one or two unique cocktails, then this is your place. But if you are looking for a cheap drink, keep looking. My Friend and I both enjoyed our drinks and the bartender was friendly. read more

Theresa P.

14 years ago

Went for the scond time this past weekend. I enjoyed the company here, and the bartenders. Nice atmosphere. Never really bothered to order one the drinks, seeing I'm a beer girl. But they sure do have plently of options for me to choose from. I will be back since it a conveinent location for me. read more

Julayne W.

11 years ago

Great drinks, fantastic bartenders, and a fun vibe. I loved my drinks, and I can't wait to go back to try more! read more

Bobby J.

13 years ago

What a heartthrob that bartender Jeremy is! That knob on his neck just turns me on! Nicki Swanye read more

W. L.

167

13 years ago

$$ bar with Saturday night karaoke - correction, emo karaoke! (Think dashboard confessional)

Kip W.

4 years ago

Everything was great about this place. The drinks, the atmosphere and the conversation.

Nataliya K.

4 years ago

I had the best time and service ever!!!! Thank you for your hospitality and kindness! read more

Amanda S.

3 years ago

Cool place, great service, awesome cocktails! Great place to unwind after court, too!

Christoph Z.

12 years ago

I'm from cologne, Germany and this is the best Place in Austin!

Aaron S.

14 years ago

Hands down, the best bar for classic drinks in Austin!

Bianca A.

4 years ago

Izzy is the best! great service and clean environment

Patrick J.

14 years ago

Yes. That's about all I have to say about that.

Steve H.

13 years ago

Not bad

Dive Bar and Lounge - divebars - Updated September 2026

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Revenge

4.7

(31 reviews)

We stopped in on a quiet Wednesday about 7:00. Revenge is an elegant cocktail lounge that feels a…read morelittle like a neighborhood bar. It's a perfect place to stop after dinner to extend the evening with a couple of drinks. Service (James ) was perfect and the cocktails were tasty, elegant and just the right amount of liquor. As for the venue itself: The inside is spacious and elegant. The bar stools are extremely comfortable. In fact, I'd describe them as elevated loungers. The main area is a good size and shape for larger groups. I appreciated that the music was not too loud to chat with your date. The restrooms are very clean and nice. The outdoor area in back was the biggest surprise. They have a nice, covered area with new outdoor furniture that is equipped with a pool table. Revenge is a hidden treasure. I recommend it for a relaxed, elegant evening.

Decent place for a drink. The drinks were good, vibes were good but we just went a little too early…read moreso it was kind of empty. I also wish they had some basic bar snacks, even mixed nuts would be fine.

Marlow

4.7

(34 reviews)

A great reprieve from the sun and their drink the known traveler is 5 star Its made with allspice…read morewhich the flavor pops Our bartender was sweet and gave us lots of tips for the weekend

In search of a bar that wasn't packed on a Friday night, we were lucky to stumble across Marlow…read more The atmosphere is dark and cozy. There's enough of a vibe for this place to feel lively even when it's mostly empty, yet it also avoids the earsplitting noise that may come with a more crowded venue. The bartenders are amicable, and the menu showcases some creative - and creatively named - cocktails. Lara went with a Moon Song (rum, blackberry, lime, and honey with lavender cold foam) and an espresso martini and enjoyed both. I opted for a zero proof drink: the high and mighty (agave, nonalcoholic ginger and floral liqueurs, jasmine tea, and spiced salt). It was refreshing but didn't quite hit the mark for me. What should have been complex and balanced came across as overly floral. All told, Marlow is worth a visit even if it is unlikely to wow you.

The Wheel

4.4

(135 reviews)

Limited indoor seating, but there is a cute and spacious covered patio. We tried the Layla drinks…read moreand they were just okay, but a $7 happy hour on a Friday is about as good as it gets! We can't wait to go back!

Hands down one of the best patios in all of Austin. Spacious and enclosed! The decor is brilliant…read more I love the beer tap water feature and the floral patio ceiling. I feel really lucky to have a place like this in the neighborhood. Dog-friendly, yay. Great prices. Good cocktails. Nice folks (employees and patrons). It's the perfect little neighborhood spot.

In Plain Sight

4.9

(65 reviews)

O M G! I usually avoid DT Austin but In Plain Sight will be the reason I venture back!…read more I generally drink wine and champagne but I found a new love for craft cocktails again. They were so delicious and unique. We had several of them and were perfectly balanced. This place is incredibly small. We got there at 5pm when it opened and luckily were the only ones there so we got our awesome Irish bartenders full attention. It was awesome watching him create each of our drinks. We even had him create some off menu drinks that we A++++!! Not sure when I'll be back in DT ATX (even though I live here) but this place will be my 1st stop!

I've been back a few times and I'm happy to report it's still a five-star rating in my book…read more That frozen limoncello margarita is everything. They're only five bucks during happy hour! Service is sublime.

Little Drinks Lounge

4.6

(38 reviews)

Cool little dive bar. Good and friendly bar service with a mix of different xmas themed cocktails…read moreand Christmas decor. We appreciated the $5 special which includes a small high life and a shot of whiskey. I'm pretty sure the pepperoni pizza we got there was digiorno though which I find a bit unusual.

We visited this cool bar initially because we had a coupon for a free cocktail from one of the…read moreapartment buildings we toured. We went on scooters on a hot day, and it was a great place to cool down and have a tiki drink! Our bartender was so nice and welcoming, and we had the whole place to ourselves. Very cute interior - loved the record wall and sign near the restrooms. There is a fun photobooth with hilarious photos people have taken too. They had just released a new drink menu, and I tried one that was made with vegan cream of coconut and tequila. It was SO good and refreshing. Prices are reasonable and they have a great happy hour too! We will be back at night time!

Augustine Cocktail Lounge

3.9

(47 reviews)

Spent the day visiting some popular areas in Austin and came to Rainey St. We stopped in Augustine…read morebecause we were greeted while walking by. Bartender was friendly and his drinks were good. We sat on the front patio to watch the Ryder Cup on the big screen.

My wife and I stopped by Augustine for a quick peek, and tiara was very friendly and helpful. Her…read moreBloody Mary was 10/10 add the spice.

Garage

4.2

(454 reviews)

Came here for dinner on a Saturday evening. We made a reservation and I'd definitely recommend…read moregoing that route, as they were pretty busy and had a decent wait for walk ins. We came primarily for pizza, but the experience was great overall and I highly recommend giving them a try I had a paradise speedway to start, which was a banana and almondy cocktail that tasted really good! My partner had the aero lift which she liked, mostly watermelony with a little bit of salt and coconut. Were usually not cocktail people, so a strong sign that we came away happy going for cocktails in this process range As for the pizza, we went for the flight and were totally blown away. Really takes the best of Sicilian and Detroit style and combines them into one. A great level of crisp, especially on the crust. If I had to pick a favorite I'd go with the hog pen, the little dollops of ricotta are always a favorite, but they were all fantastic. Clear best pizza I've had in Austin. Overall we had a great experience and I'd say it's a must visit for locals on the pizza alone

Hidden in a garage fr. The whole place smells like a temple, pretty strong incense. It's dark,…read moremoody, intimate, and overall aesthetic HH is from 5-6:30 and they have two apps on it including the garlic bread and the meatball. Meatball was very soft and crumbled under the fork without much pressure. The tomato sauce packed a punch. Garlicky, tangy, a perfect sauce really The garlic bread was okay! Sourdough? Lots of air pockets and super crispy. Also very garlicky. Just too loud to have a conversation without screaming.

The Golden Goose

3.7

(117 reviews)