The Hole In the Wall is an amazing bar. Cheap beers, friendly staff and some of the best live music in Austin. There is a great Taco trailer out back for the late night munchies as well. Don't let the name fool you about it's size. There are two areas for live music and a total of three bars in the place. There is outdoor patio seating with REAL darts, a shuffle board table and foosball tables. This is a must see joint if you're coming through Austin or a place to frequent often if you live in town read more

This is such an Austin staple! They have live music more often than not and it feels like a dive bar but it has so much more to offer. They have a great draught list, a lot of local stuff. That's pretty ideal. Also, they have this drink called the Shitty Lemonade. Its amazing!! They press the lemons each time they make the drink. Its phenomenal. Also, the bartenders are always pretty nice which is great. They are connected to East Side King so you can enjoy that awesome food while you are there. Anyways, I love this place and wish I went there more often. read more

I love the Auatin vibe that y'all have at your bar. It's always my go to spot when I'm off Guadelupe read more

Truly the perfect neighborhood bar. It's dark, affordable, and charmingly creepy...the way hole in the wall bars should be. Although it's on campus, it's not packed with frat boys. The crowd is laid back and there is a great vibe. The main bartender is really friendly and he makes DELICIOUS fresh lime margaritas. You can catch a great live show or choose your own tunes on the juke box outside. It's the ideal bar to grab a couple drinks with friends. You don't have to worry about what other people think...just kick back and have a good time. read more

This place is grungy and dirty. And it's a fun night out of you get off your high horse and make it about channeling your college self. I haven't gone many times and it's not on my top bar list. But each time I've gone, it's always been one of "those nights." The kind where you suddenly get together with an old friend and just say "yes" to the fun. "Yes to the fun" always brought us back here. And now, it's got some Austin pop culture history with the opening sequence of The Tonight Show being filmed here. 3 bars in one. read more

Looks like crap from outside but the real deal is inside. One of the better joints for quality live music. Not many places give you Dale Watson for $5. The food is so-so, but the beer is good and plenty. I'm not into 2 step dancing. It's rout when the locals get going. Kick it or leave it. So we left. read more

I like Hole In The Wall a lot. I like the overall atmosphere. From the bright yellow sign, exterior looks, the 1970's wood paneled interior, to the punk-graffiti restrooms. HITW is really the only concert dive on the Guadalupe St/ UT drag. On a street that seems to be rapidly changing with small businesses giving way to rising rent & corporate chains with more financial backing, it's great to see HITW hold their own. They have a total of 3 bars in various spots throughout the venue, which results in a great craft & domestic beer selection. 2 indoor stages plus plenty of outdoor seating makes HITW a great place to check out a band or 3. There's something going on every night. East Side King has a kitchen behind the back bar & churns out some great gourmet ramen that'll blow your mind! I'm not sure exactly how long HITW has been around per se, but I hope to see them around for years to come! A worthy spot to check out if your in the West Campus area. read more

The name almost says it all, but the people and drinks inside are great. This cozy little dive bar is my friend's favorite so we stopped in for happy hour last week. I decided to try one of the bartender's tasty concoctions: the Shitty Lemonade. I think it was only $4 and it was whiskey, fresh lemon juice squeezed right into the glass, agave syrup, and I guess a splash of club soda? Very tangy and refreshing on those hot Texas afternoons! The place is actually quite larger than it looks from the street, with a back patio and second bar area. They also had live music in the front bar. My friend is also a huge fan of their tacos. For casual, inexpensive drinks and friendly service from people who really know their regulars, give them a try. read more

I have been going to the Hole in the Wall since the mid 80's. I have great memories and love the live music and still get to go enjoy occasionally. read more

Review for the bar. TLDR: Verbally assaulted by bartender for no reason, then charged for beer I said I didn't want from the manager we had complained to. So we walk into the bar on the food side to start the night, my girlfriend and I are sober, have had a long day, and it's valentines day. We order some food and go to the bar. The bartender (Rod) is bantering with friends as we wait for a few minutes. Some customers buy him a shot and as he leans over to cheers he makes eye contact with me but doesn't say anything. He keeps making weird eye contact so I ask for an unfiltered sake (which is in a green bottle). He still doesn't say anything but walks to the back after taking his shot and my girlfriend and I are wondering if we should go to the other side to order drinks. He comes back after about four minutes with a blue bottle and rings someone else up (still hasn't said a word to us or looked my way again) so we start going to the other side of the bar to order drinks from someone who isn't as busy. As we reach the door he YELLS ACROSS THE BAR "Ya'll order drinks from me then fuckin leave!?" then proceeds to yell at us that if he had opened the bottle (that I didn't order and didn't know was mine) that he would have to pay for it, saying he his livid but "I'm calm right guys look at me I'm calm but I am so fucking angry right now" As someone who has worked for years in the service industry I was shocked that anyone would ever behave like this to a customer. I replied genuinely "If I didn't order it why would you open it, I had no Idea you were taking care of us". He has clearly had enough to drink to be unreasonable and keeps yelling at us. Everyone at the bar looks shocked. We end up walking to the other side to order a drink from someone else because we have friends here as he yells "yeah yall leave go talk to my fucking manager tell her it was Rod the only back guy in here" (REALLY?). On the other side my girlfriend talks to the manager (short blonde haired woman) who sort of apologizes and sort of defends the bartender but tells us to have a round on her. We play a game of pool and have a round. The bartender then comes back and says he said hes sorry and that she told him that not everybody knows him like she does (WTF?). I go back to the bar to order a pearlsnap and ask about another beer. The manager is now serving me and offers a taster so I try It, then she asks if I want one and say no thanks I'm good. She pours me the other beer and says that'll be ten dollars. I'm so done at this point I just buy the extra beer. As we leave we hear another customer telling her that he was being charged for drinks that he didn't order. It is sad because Hole in the wall was a true Austin establishment. As someone who has lived here all my life, I cherish these few places. However I will never go back here at least until the manager and bartender are no longer there. As a side note the other bartenders were totally fine. read more

The staff is always friendly, the drinks are average price, but because of the location and vibe it's one of my favorite bars in Austin.

My favorite dive bar in Austin! I always have a great time dancing, having drinks, and playing pool.

This is just one of those places where you have to drink beer and listen to live music. It doesn't matter who is playing. It doesn't matter what beer you drink. Just check it out because it is a little slice of what Austin is all about. read more

I was slightly confused by this bar's set-up, but whatever I'll go with it. When you walk in there is dark bar, then a few steps down to another dark bar and then outside to a patio area with a pool table and then another indoor area with food. I didn't try the food so back to the bar. My drinks were cheap and yummy (loving the deep eddy ruby red everywhere in Austin) and the music was amazing! This place is awesome, because there is everyone from college kids to your adorable grandma there; people watching at it's best! Last note, the girls bathroom is one room with two toilets; I think it's made for best friends. I wasn't with my best friend so I was terrified each time I went to the bathroom the person behind me was going to try to go in there with me. read more

Got to give it 5 stars for living history. Just a great little bar as welcoming to step into today as it was the first time I did when I was 18. I wouldn't call it a home, but it feels very homey. I love what they've done with the old Aztec Screenprinting shop in the back, though I miss the old bare bones of the back room where even on the most crowded nights, you could find relative peace and quiet or listen to some Mojo Nixon on the jukebox. Hole In the Wall is home of one of the most famous bathrooms in Austin, the men's room where Courtney Love allegedly passed out or shot up for half a night during SXSW. Never been in there myself, but the ladies room is lovely with the old scrawl of Les Amis and Quackenbushes. It's like stepping into a time capsule in there. read more

Hello! I'm new on Yelp, and this is my first review. I felt it's necessary to share my experience at this establishment. The Hole in the Wall, Austin, TX. Ah, yes. First, allow me to say that this isn't going to be a good review, in fact, quite the opposite. If I could leave ZERO stars for the rating, I would. Allow me to begin with some good ole' sarcasm. LADIES OF AUSTIN; .... DO YOU FIND THAT YOUR LOCAL BAR OR PUB IS JUST TOO TAME, AND THAT YOU'RE NOT RECEIVING THE BRUTE PHYSICAL ABUSE BY ITS STAFF MEMBERS THAT YOU SO DESIRE? ...INSTEAD OF ENJOYING SOME MUSIC AND DRINK WITH YOUR FRIENDS, WOULDN'T YOU INSTEAD RATHER BE THROWN AROUND LIKE A RAG DOLL BY YOUR BAR'S MANAGER TO THE POINT OF HAVING YOUR BLOOD DRAWN? THEN HEAD ON DOWN TO THE HOLE IN THE WALL, Austin, TX & you're sure to encounter at least one bar manager there that will do just those things for you!! HERE'S MY STORY: Last fall, myself (30 something Y.O. female) & 2 of my male friends entered The Hole in the Wall with nothing but good intentions to have some drinks & hear live music. After I waited at the bar for over 10 minutes to get a drink, not because there was a line, but because the people behind the bar were too busy doing shots together, I finally got my beverage. My friends & I had a smoke on the patio & when we re-entered, the band had stopped playing. (it was about 12am). So, 1 of my friends & I went to check out the jukebox, while my other friend went to put some quarters on the pool table so we could get in line to shoot some pool. Then we all rejoined together at a table. We talked & laughed while we waited for the pool table to open up. At one point, my friend, Gary, got up to ask the 1 of the players if they might allow us to play doubles. Well, apparently, this question upset one of the already intoxicated & volatile players, so my friend just came back & sat back down with us. HERE'S WHERE THIS STORY TAKES A TURN FOR THE WORSE. Moments later, a medium build younger white male approached our table & began speaking to Gary in very poor terms. He began insulting & cursing at him. We were all rather baffled. THIS GUY SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE WAS EMPLOYED THERE. We all thought that he was just some obnoxious frat boy. Now, perhaps I never should have, but I spoke up and said, "Hey, you can't speak to us like that! Who do you think you are?" Then, at the blink of an eye, he bodily removed Gary from his seated position, & THREW HIM ACROSS THE ROOM, where Gary landed into a large, industrial metal fan that was on the floor to circulate air. Now, mind you, Gary is a very small framed, & somewhat frail, hippy guy in his late 50s. Stunned from the impact of being thrown into a metal object, Gary laid there, while this guy then stood over him & began pummeling him with fists! Of course, this caused a scene, & though everyone was gawking, no one was doing anything to stop it. I simply refused to stand by & watch my little friend get beat up, so I walked over to where they were, & began yelling at this guy to "Get off my friend", and to "STOP IT!" This man ignored me, & continued to hit Gary. So, with adrenaline already pumping, I reached down and attempted to pull this guy off of my friend by his T-shirt. That is when this guy picks me up, (I'm a small framed woman) by my shoulders, and PUSHED ME DOWN BACKWARDS ONTO THE FLOOR SO HARD, MY HEAD THOROUGHLY HIT THE CONCRETE! Obviously, I, too, was stunned. I passed out for a second. When I "came-to", this guy was on top of me!! Then, an unknown male patron stopped this and helped me up from the floor, & I THEN FELT A STEADY FLOW OF BLOOD BEGIN TO RUN FROM MY HEAD, ONTO MY NECK & SHOULDERS!! My other friend was then assisting me to have a seat on a chair, & as I held my head, wondering what in the H*LL just happened, I noticed that practically the entire "bouncer" crew had Gary pinned down in a choke hold, to the point of him not even being able to breath! I gathered my bearings for a moment, and then I again shouted at the man who had just physically assaulted me saying, "What's your name? You just assaulted me! I'm going to press charges!" Upon a few more inquiries, this very guy finally replied to me, "You don't need to know my name. I'm the manager here, and I'll do what I want.". Then, within moments, the entire crew ejected us from the club and that was that. Though the thought did cross my mind to call the police, I had already had enough drama for 1 night, & I just wanted to go home & tend to my wounds. I took photos of my bleeding head, I washed the blood out of my hair, & bandaged my head. The following morning, I sent Gary to the E.R. where they revealed that the impact had DISLOCATED HIS SHOULDER. Not to mention his multiple bruises. I then made a police report. NEVER IN MY LIFE have I had any altercation like this. It was completely unprovoked, not to mention egregious & unnecessary! But I guess it takes a real "big man" to beat up a woman. read more

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide No escape from reality Open your eyes Look up to the skies and see I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy Because I'm easy come, easy go A little high, little low Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me, to me Mama, just killed a man Put a gun against his head Pulled my trigger, now he's dead Mama, life had just begun But now I've gone and thrown it all away Mama, ooo Didn't mean to make you cry If I'm not back again this time tomorrow Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters Hole in the wall is a depressing bar, but still a great place nonetheless. If you are still a student, this review does not really matter to be honest. Hole in the Wall is depressing because I wonder why the hell am I at a college bar. I check my bank account and then I realize why. The most depressing aspect are the old people that are there. As someone that has a higher chance of failure than others, I wonder if that will be me in 40 years. Drinking whisky, looking scraggly, and realizing that my only real relationship with a woman is the lady bartender, who if I am lucky, will come across the bar and give me a hug. I woke up the next day hungover with a gun at the table and a cup of coffee. I had to decide to pick one. I chose the coffee. Thank you Hole In The Wall you have saved my life. I now only apply to corporate jobs, exclusively date white women ( not the hippy ones, the ones white guys get mad when they see them with a brother) and shop at Brooks Brothers. I rather die at the Country Club then at Hole-In- The- Wall Upside.... Super cheap, great music and if you are into girls with tattoos plenty of those around. I can't date those, I will lose my trust fund read more

Pretty much the best bar in the world. Trust me ive been to a few. Local dive with great singer songwriters playing every night. Could use a fussball table and some new pool sticks. Staff is top notch. read more

I stopped in here on a Friday night around . There was a band either coming on or breaking down, really couldn't tell. The bartender made me a decent cosmo. Other than that this bar is true to it's name. Kinda nothingish, a hole in the wall. read more

The Hole has been a mainstay bar forever, but the lunch deal is really good and well-priced. Had the chicken and sausage jambalaya, which was quite good. Served with garlic bread and garlic spread which was half fresh garlic (lil' burn). Steve Chaney is the head lunch dude, of Big Mamou fame (S. Congress cajun food in the past). Real good prices. the burger is served on a french roll, the tortilla chips and fries are handmade there. The food area is on the side, outdoors. Well shaded and covered, it's a nice spot. They sometimes have gumbo, also have deli sandwiches. read more

Sweet place! Bartenders were friendly and the drinks were not watered down. The live bands playing were dope and local Austinites. Win/Win

Whether for a quick drink or a few pitchers, Hole in the Wall is a great bar! It's so close to campus but keeps out a lot of barely-21ers. It's mostly filled with regulars young and old and a range of professors and graduate students. The bartender Dennis IS great and you can even get the UT wireless signal outside. read more

Dangerously hot redheaded female bartenders and I got Blasted on 20 bucks with 5-6 Jameson's and 2 fireman's 4's. Also watched 4 bluegrass bands for free 3 of which were actually really good. Nice to be able to drink somewhere without a sorrostitute yelling "Oh my god you are so baller!" in my ear. Worth checking out if 6th street has jaded your expectations for a good night out in both the price and people department read more

It's not what it was, but who of us is? So far I'm liking the new owner. Don R., however, gets a wet trout slap for not mentioning his Saturday game day margarita making bartender G. I'll get you for that, you know. read more

Another great venue that has cheap/stiff drinks. I saw the great David Dondero here with hardly anyone around as well as some buddies. I also posted my first and only "shot in the dark" for a bartender here. Yeah, i'm a dork......don't you judge me! It's a cool and HUGE place to go. You can seriously get lost in the back part. The staff is usually friendly and the crowd is a nice mix as well. Can't beat it...other than the parking. read more

Good place for a cheap drink, staff is cool. local bands play here often. there's one pool table in the back that's always fun to play if the place isn't too busy. read more

Three cheers for The Hole in the Wall. I'm in Northern Virginia these days, and missing Austin fierce. Anyone I run into out here who went to UT usually lights up when I mention the place. I loved the joint even before it became the only interesting place on The Drag to go on a Friday night. I saw in the new millennium at this establishment, perhaps one tier lower on the endorsement scale than a tattoo (which I am also considering). Butchie B., you sound like you're allergic to life after 1965. Sort it out, man. read more

This place is awesome, very cool, down to earth bartenders. It's a very good place to pre-game and hangout, play pool, and listen to awesome music. It's a lot of fun. read more

Have you been to the new restaurant in the back of the bar? It's shockingly good. It smells like fresh lumber and bacon, in a very good way. The menu is fantastic (redneck benedict? bacon-pecan pancakes? cheese grits? YES) and the prices are great. I was very skeptical of a restaurant at the Hole, after having patronized the bar for years. It's hard to stomach the idea of house-made sausage after seeing some of the things I've seen in the ladies' bathroom. BUT. I'm so glad I took the chance. It's like a whole other Hole back there. It's well-lit, comfortable seating, laid-back, great service. And truly, the food is SO GOOD. I'm still just amazed. Oh! And get a bloody mary while you're there. They use this terrific bacon salt. Plenty of parking and you could even take your kids for brunch. I never thought I'd be saying that. Sheesh. read more

Coldest beer in town. The only other place besides Antone's that I can make friends with strangers. read more

Lynn is the best bartender I've ever had. Aaron and Campbell are pretty dope. I don't go anywhere but here. Thanks guys!!

I want to give this place 3.8 stars. I like it here. The bartenders are all really cool (except that one blond girl), there's more than enough room to sit outside, they serve food until late-ish, there is live music that you can or don't have to listen to because it's in the front room, and... I guess that's it really. It's just a bar. Better than most and my boyfriend loves it here because I guess it's an old Austin locals haunt. And they still haunt. Pretty much the same crowd every time I go. And I'm fine with that a few times a month. read more

Decent beer prices and a cool new food menu that serves till 2 are always pros in my book. However the best thing about this place is that it is a music venue with little or no cover that showcases great local and visiting bands. I don't know that its keeping Austin weird, but its certainly keeping Austin real. read more

Ah, Hole in the Wall, I'm sad I'm writing this. Let's start with the positives, the sound guy Ky (I don't know if the spelling is correct) is badass and a cool dude. Takes care of the bands and I liked him a lot. The sound at this venue is fantastic, make no mistake about it. The lady bartender with short blonde hair, piercings, and glasses was sweet and very chill. The dude bartender with glasses by the back stage where the TV is was chill as well. The first doorman who begins the negative part of this story was a genuinely nice man. Unfortunately, after all this being said, I really have no desire to be in this establishment again. I was ID'd by the doorman at the front of the venue, explained that I was playing that night, w/e w/e, he starts writing X's on my hands. That's weird I think, I'm above age, who am I to tell this man how to do his job? Yeah, I should have said something. He realized his mistake, being that I'm of age. Apologizes and says "It's been a long day." I get it man, no problem. I've been there, we all have. He seemed like a nice dude. So he puts the drinking stamps above the X's, tells me if I explain what happened to the bartenders it will be cool. Sweet. My mistake here was that I should have got this dude's name in case it was necessary, and maybe I did ask, but I didn't recall it when it mattered. Anyways, I ordered a drink at the bar in the back, explain what happened and showed my ID, all is good. Nice. Play my set and go to the bar at the front to get my drink tickets and order a Shiner. She sees my hands and is confused but I explain and show my ID, and all is good. Not so fast...I go outside and a broish dude with sideburns comes at me from behind, places his hand on my shoulder (not cool) and grabs my drink (not cool x2) and tells me I'm being kicked out. Okay, this is weird. I'm uncomfortable and irritated this guy is touching me. I'm underage he says, I carded you earlier! Not true, this man definitely did not card me at all. I explain as I did to the two bartenders, I show him my ID, guy tells me it's a fake and I'm out of there. I ask him how I got the stamps if I was underage, he doesn't buy it. We go to the doorman at the front and he explains what happened to this bouncer bro. the bouncer apologizes saying he was just trying to protect the bar and offers his hand, I take it (I'm annoyed but not a dick) and that's that. I leave shortly thereafter to go to Moontower for a chiller vibe. Which is a bummer, because the sound here was awesome and I wanted to catch the rest of the bands. I just didn't feel right sticking around there. The odd aggressiveness from the bouncer felt really out of place with the ideals of the venue. TLDR: Guy was doing his job, but did it poorly and aggressively and killed the night. Moral of the story is, when an employee makes a mistake, get their name so they can vouch for you right away and maybe, just maybe, you can skip all this bullshit. I would give them one star, but I'll add an extra star for the great sound, nice bartenders, the old school ATX vibe, and I know most people won't have the same kind of experience that I unfortunately had. read more

I went here last night to watch my man's band. I had only been once before on a Monday night years ago for cheap beers with friends. I avoided this place when I lived in the neighborhood, foolishly thinking that it would be filled with the coeds and frat boys that dwell all around it. I was way off. Hole in the Wall is such a cool place. When you first walk in, it really does seem like a hole in the wall, but if you keep walking back and back and back, you will find that it is enormous. There are 2 stages and three bars. The staff is friendly and good-looking and the patrons are a mix of everything, from the tattooed skinny jean-wearing crowd to the khaki-clad yuppies. The decor is just as eclectic, with artwork and band posters all over. The drinks were cheap and the music was awesome. I wanted to eat some of their food, which I hear is amazing. Hole in the Wall got me out of my box. It's a great alternative to downtown, especially if you want to catch some good music with good people. read more

Not my favorite place to see music because of the cramped seating, but otherwise a decent place to have some beer. A few days ago I went there for lunch and was surprised that they serve a pretty good hamburger too. read more

Last Saturday was the first time I have been to this bar. When we first walked in, it was fine. Decent beer prices, shuffleboard, darts and a band that was ok even though I'm not a fan of that music. Everything was fine until we went to close out. We were playing shuffleboard that night, so we had to give an ID to use the pucks. My friend was told he needed to go get them before he got the ID back, so he set his beer on the bar and went and got them. The bar tender who told him that threw his beer out while he was doing this, which caused an arguement at the bar. My friend believed he should get his beer back since it was tossed out without a warning. Well this difference of opinion started as an argument and turned into something really bad. Three bartenders/bouncers, one was skinny, the other two looked like they could play offensive line for the cowboys, came from behind the bar and instead of just escorting him out like they should have done, the three tackled him onto their stage and proceeded to punch and knee him in the headwhile they held his arms back also. When they tackled him, he still had the shuffleboard pucks in his arms, so he was defenseless. When my buddies and I tried to help him by getting the bouncers off of him, we were pulled off, and forced out of the bar by more bouncers. My buddy came out a minute or two later with his face really messed up and could barely see out of his left eye. Many people saw this happen and were disgusted by it. While we were walking away, many people said they have seen the bar staff there very rude and aggressive like this. We will never be back to this place. Like I said, they should have just thrown my buddy out of the bar if he was that big of a problem, not tackle him and beat him while other staff held us back. This is by far the WORST bar staff I have ever been around. They do not handle situations responsibly and should be reprimanded for it. Paying customers should never be treated in this manner. read more

Total rubbish. Went in on a Wednesday afternoon which was supposed to be happy hour. Waited five minutes for the guy behind the bar to acknowledge us while he messed around with his friends, another ten minutes while he slowly made the two worst margaritas I've ever tasted (If it wasn't for the fact they were about the right colour, I'd have said they consisted completely of Lemonade). Then he charged us full price. I was too tired to bother arguing. Suppose it could be better depending on who's behind the bar, but given that EVERYWHERE else I went in Austin was pretty much amazing in terms of service and great Margaritas, and this place was unfiltered crap, I wouldn't suggest anyone even bother finding out. Manager/Owner? Feel free to thank the guy working the bar at around 6 on 20th March for making your place seem like an unrecommendable den of assholes, and providing the only negative experience I had in a wonderful city. read more

I went from never having been here after 3 years of living in Austin to visiting often, at all hours. Starting with happy hour, visiting Rio (a very charming bartender) and seeping into evening with Sam and the bands. Love it! read more

This place isn't as bad as it looks, and now that East Side Kings is attached to it, its even better! I like their selection of beers on tap, even though it isn't extensive. The brown ale my roommate had was really good, and I love Live Oak Hef, so I was content. The prices aren't as cheap as I imagined, $5 for a pint of nicer beer, but I like the benches outside or the live music inside. Really good place to come after working on campus. read more