Okay is it smoky in this place? Yup And for sure. Is it a…read morefun place to meet the locals? Yes it sure is. Friendly down to earth small town folks. Good music and a dancing floor. Located in the quaint small town of smithville. I had a great time. And let me say it again, it's smoky and I don't smoke. Reminded me how all bars used to prior to the no smoking laws. It would be nice to have some ventilation of air for the non smokers, but it was still a fun time at a local hole in the wall bar. You should go and see for yourself. Parking was not a problem. Karaoke on Friday. Heard some good signers.

You get the best bartenders around always served quickly great atmosphere music is good especially…read morewhen they have karaoke with El jefe. They have the best picked eggs and cold beer!

This place has good drinks and atmosphere. The bartenders are good and the owner's well you can't…read morefind a better couple.

Everything the reviews said it would be! Great old fashions, great bartender! Thanks for the…read moreconversation! Good times!

How did Smithville get so lucky as to get themselves such a great restaurant? Fat Cat is a…read morefriendly, family-run place with a casual atmosphere, live music on weekends, and a one-page menu with apps, salads, sandwiches, burgers and a few entrees like ahi tuna steaks, along with a beer and wine selection. All that's great. But what makes it so uncommon are the amazing things they add to this formula that simply knocked our socks off. The salads are farm to table. The pork and beef are ranch to table (which makes their pork belly bhan mi and blue cheese bacon burgers absolutely outstanding). The proprietor owns the farm and ranch. Their beer selection has something for everyone and you can even buy it by the bucket. And without a doubt, they offer the best wine selection, the most wine-by-the-glass options, and the best prices on wine-by-the-bottle in the county. It's likely even better than anything you'll find in Travis County. Seriously, if you know wines, look at that wine menu and tell me I'm wrong. You can't do it! The three of us enjoyed a really nice Napa Vally Cabernet Sauvignon in the restaurant, and we got a $39 bottle of 2018 Pinot Noir from Sonoma's Russian River Valley to go that they would have been just as happy to open for us in the restaurant. Who does that at those prices? I'm seriously canceling my wine club membership and I'll just come here more often. Plus, the owner really knows her wines. She judges wine competitions in Houston and is more knowledgeable than many California sommeliers I've known (and I lived in California for 15 years). But she also knows old world wines and Texas wines very well. I'll post pictures of the food later. I'm coming back to Fat Cat for a pre fixe dinner - ribeye stake and snow crab with wine pairings included. The way they wine, dine, entertain and treat you, I feel like I'm the Fat Cat! And I can barely hear the music over the purring :-)

Food was delicious, we met the owner and manager they were both absolutely wonderful. I love the…read morehome time feel. I got the Nelson's grill cheese with bacon added, Husband got the cartintas-stated they were AMAZING but requests a Texas size portion. Lasagna was VERY GOOD according to my mom and my dad had the Blue Chicken Sandwich and was good. They were SUPER sweet to my little, he was the star of dinner. Try the Vampire Merlot very peaceful and homey.

Ambience is a bar grill feel. Service is always pretty…read moregood. Food just depends on what order but I enjoy the hamburger steak or nachos. They have a good menu, I just don't venture out too much on what I get. My in laws seem to really like their fajitas! And the draft beer is always good.

Smoking is allowed so all the food stinks of smoke! Soon as you walk in the smoke smell hits you,…read moreso for a non smoker it's over the top with the smoke! Food is not worth the stink!

Wife and I were in town for a night and FRW Bar was around the corner from the ABNB we were staying…read moreat so after a long day, a cold beer and glass of wine sounded great. Nice and big and just that old town feel. Takes you back to the late 1800's or early 1900's. Plenty of cold beer options and decent wine list. And fair prices - tip just buy the bottle of wine. It's a deal. Service was great as well. We didn't order any food but some interesting options. This place is certainly worth stopping in while you're downtown shopping.

Fantastic Gem in Downtown Smithville!…read more If you're craving tapas flair with an intimate, cozy vibe, the Front Room is a must-visit. Styled like a Scottish pub--complete with a warm fireplace and plush leather chairs--this bar-tapas hybrid delivers elevated comfort in every sip and bite. Food & Drinks: * The menu is a delightful mix of small plates and satisfying mains. We couldn't get enough of the spinach‑artichoke dip, perfectly crisp pot stickers, and their indulgent boursin cheese spread (gluten free version available). * Their wine list and artisan cocktails are both creative and robust--perfect after a long day. Bonus: their rotating craft beers round it all off nicely. Vibe & Service: * The atmosphere hits the sweet spot--not too rowdy, not too quiet. Great for conversations, group gatherings, or date night. * Staff are relaxed, but attentive--felt like old friends bringing me comfort food and thoughtful pours. Events & Extras: * They frequently host live music--from regional acts to indie favorites--bringing lovely local energy. * Pet‑friendly patio setup is a big plus for dog owners--one reviewer even mentioned the owner greeting their dachshund. Overall: A solid 4.6-4.8 star crowd-pleaser on review sites, and for good reason. The Front Room Wine Bar is the perfect blend of upscale bar meets hometown charm. Whether you're winding down after Saturday shopping, catching local tunes, or just need a cozy spot for wine and chat--this place checks every box. Highly recommended!

Not only is this an amazing venue for live music it is also a non-profit that uses music to serve…read morethe people of the surrounding area in very special and heartwarming ways.

We came here to see Guy Forsythe and were not disappointed. It's a mini concert hall that seats…read moreabout 70 people in comfy chairs. All attention is on the artist, and it maintains a nice intimacy. They have a small reception area where they check you in and made wine and beer available for purchase (including Buckethead, which I really like) at very reasonable prices. It's really not a commercial affair at all. It's a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that also does great and meaningful work in the community. They're truly musical ambassadors, fueled by passion and a firm belief in the power of live music and the role it plays in a healthy society. I will absolutely come back again! Six stars; one more than the maximum allowed!

Great quiet little bar with drinks at an excellent price and the bartender was very sweet and…read morefriendly.

Awesome employees take care of your every need. Great bar food and even though its focus is on beer…read morethey can please the wine drinker as well.

Our Monday Night at SoS (another review by an out-of-towner)…read more Following our indulgence at Friday's (see previous review), we headed to Shiner on Sixth for some delicious refreshments, originating from just about half a mile up the road. The bartender was dealing with some business so we took a look around and racked the table (75¢ a game if you can believe it). While we waited we also started talking with some locals. They were all very friendly and let us know the bartender would be back real soon. I'm an outgoing guy, so I took the opportunity to ask a ton of questions. Shiner is such an interesting place - like what I think Austin was in the actual heyday of the 60s and 70s. Genuinely weird, but in a good way, not the disingenuously exclusive conformity that parades as bizarre, and is so prevalent these days. Wandering around Shiner is surreal. It's like being in a living, breathing work of art. Some might think that, in a small Texas town like Shiner, artistry wouldn't be so prevalent. These people have never been to the hill country towns of Texas. The locals we spoke to were proud to hear our appraisals and praise. After some chitchat, the bartender arrived. We asked the bartender, Stacy, if we could bring in our gizzards from Friday's - which she readily allowed. Since there were so many gizzards provided in the order, I was able to offer some to everyone. Those that accepted did so gratefully, and immediately identified them as being from Fridays because they were of such high quality (check out my Friday's review for more info). Back to SoS: The two pool tables were very smooth with good felt. One was already open so my wife and I hit that one. We were able to easily converse together with the music being audible, but not overwhelmingly so. Speaking of music, I never heard it stop. The house sticks, of which there were many and varying in weight, were moderate - used but still playable and rolled pretty evenly on the table. Next time we might bring our McDermotts. I've definitely seen worse sticks. These were of a little less quality than you'd find at a dedicated pool hall. The beverages were delectable, with a good selection of local varieties and some more typical brands if you're wanting something more familiar. On the Monday night we were there, pours were $3.50. A helluva deal, if you ask me. I recommend a local pour because, as the adjusted saying goes: When in Shiner, do as the (Shiners? Shinerinians? Shinerites?) do. I'm gonna call em Shiners. So do as the Shiners do. On the topic of locals, Shiners were wildly accepting and even grateful for our presence. A few stand out points: The cultural representation was diverse. I like to believe it's because this place is such a great place to be. Everyone received us well and accepted us to their pool tables as we wandered back and forth. This place was so welcoming that we felt no such apprehension. Everyone more than ready to cheer us on when we did well and rub us when we placed a poor shot. Nobody was overly loud or raucous. Sure, conversations were lively but not overtly so. Some folks were a bit more reserved, but not unfriendly. The atmosphere: I'll let the pictures (mostly) speak for themselves. I like to take PoV pictures to give an idea of what a patron can expect to experience. These are mixed with some shots of some of the eye-pleasingly unique stuff you'll come across if you visit. I'm a guy, so there's no shots of the ladies' room. However, when I asked my wife if their restrooms were clean, she responded "Very." One sign in particular cracked me up. Someone used a bit of graffito to draw in a face mask, but (I believe) intentionally drew them wearing it wrong. Hilarious bit of easy social commentary! Another bit that struck me as amusing was a scratched up comedic sign about those having "short bats" standing closer. Did the vandal use their short bat to scratch it up? ;P There's an enclosed double decker porch outside, ensconced in tavern-type artistry. Be warned: there is some loud game people play out there, akin to cornhole, but with large flat washers. You can't hear it inside, but you can't miss it outside. The Upshot: If you're in the mood for some nighttime beverages (adult or otherwise) this is likely your best bet in Shiner. Evidently there's a more club type spot, but it's only open a three nights a week (as of March 2024). All that said, if you're the discerning snooty type that doesn't like dive bars then you probably won't be happy here. If you're into kitschy, country, hippy, friendly places with good prices, you'll fit right in. Pro tip: Bring some chicken gizzards and a jovial attitude. You'll be welcomed with open arms.