No frills, low tech, Austin institution that's still fighting gentrification by not giving in. You walk in and you're taking a step back to the late early 70s. Here, you'll find cheap, no frills beer and limited seating. For a change, try their Arm-Modelo: tabasco, lime and salt on the rim. Open, mix and kick back. This is a place where you go can have actual conversations with persons sitting next to you without music blasting in your ear. It's so small, it's hard not to make friends. Dont expect fancy drinks, just a good time. read more

La Perla - Armodello - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

If you're looking for a welcoming hole in the wall dive bar, La Perla has you covered! Drink prices were commensurate with the plastic cups they are served in, so that's a huge positive. Selection is limited but appropriate and varied. Small bar, but room for a pool table and some small tables in addition to the bar seating. The bar stools are really comfortable, so you can chill here for a while and enjoy the friendly crowd. read more

La Perla Austin never disappoints so to enjoy our family Christmas Eve dinner there was a delight! We loved sitting in the outdoor area and requested this to enjoy a beautiful evening with conversation and twinkling lights. The food, most especially the sea bass and cheese dish (with lobster) were the standouts. Service was attentive but not hovering which we appreciated to enjoy our family. read more

See all

Definitely a unique spot to grab a drink in East Austin. I love taking tourists here as it's just not what the Austin bar scene has become. La Perla is one of those portals into "old Austin." I was shocked here to get charged $10 for an Espolon and soda this past weekend, though, as I thought this was the cheapest bar in town. That said, lots of beers are under $5 here. It's a vibe this spot. read more

I would like to consider La Perla my new local. Walking distance from my apartment, this old-school dive is clean and well maintained. There is so much history with this place and it's amazing to see it still holding strong amongst all the gentrification literally next door. Super cheap prices. Crazy friendly staff and patrons. Everyone makes you feel like family. read more

See all

I was warned about heading over to the Dirty 6th because it was filled with college kids, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and the most likely place to get your wallet stolen. I actually ended up having a great time down in the dirty and ran into this great dive bar, which as fate would have it, is one of my type of places to be. It's a very small spot, and really one of the few that are still standing against all the construction happening all around the city. But what I discovered through my intrepid investigative work and the nice young couple next to me is that I must try a drink called the Ar-Modelo. What is that you ask? It is like a Modelo margarita. Modelo, fresh lime juice, salt, and hot sauce. Holy yum!!! Great service and great atmosphere. This was a great time! read more

Cruised on over to La Perla food truck, wasn't sure what to expect but I was pumped b/c the La Perla in San Diego is so I had to give it a go, what'd ya know - they had a Cali-B! Definitely not the traditional California burrito that I'm used to but I'll know where to go whenever I'm craving another! read more

Despite that I was a customer still towed my car!! Is that how you treat paying customer's? Apparently this is how La Perla treats paying customers. Total ripoff. Not customer obsessed don't go unless you want your car towed. read more

Great bar. They welcomed in the El Blanco aka Lobo Loco and I had a pleasant time. Drink the Ar-Modelo and be happy that a real bar still exists in Austin. No real doofuses to speak of in here, just real locals as I imagine Austin used to be full of. read more

A great dive bar ... Try the Armodelo... Great jukebox you can connect to Touch tunes ap.

Best bar in town! Somehow this place is holding out against the insane level of gentrification that's happening on the east side. Its been exactly the same for as long as I can remember. Its cozy and their specialty the Armodellos is fantastic. If you like classic little hole in the wall dives you will love La Perla. read more

Drinks: 5/5 La Perla might have the best bang for your buck beers in the whole city. Truly hard to beat! Service: 5/5 Absolutely amazing bar staff who are some of the most welcoming people we've come across yet. Environment: 3/5 This place has an iconic Eastside look but comes with some interesting choices inside. Inventory in the bar area and food all over the place without much room. read more

Long live "La Perla." It may not seem like much but this establishment is the last stronghold of what this neighborhood was before it was gentrified and cleaned up. Places like this are historical and need to be preserved. Go in there. Get a beer. Talk to one of its many regulars who always have a good story to share. Take care of its friendly bartenders. If this place scares you then it wasn't ever meant for you. read more

Great Tequila Cocktails and super Bartenders. Not conducive for conversation but if you get there early and before the Gen Z crowd it's fantastic. read more

This place took us by surprise! Coming from North Carolina and seen this small little place that didn't look like much. We had an amazing time with very welcoming company. Beer was cold and the hospitality was a breath of fresh air. Looking at opening something similar here on the East Coast. Salud mi gente read more

See all

I experienced La Perla for the 1st time over the weekend on Saturday, 3/30/2019 while bar/club hopping in the area around La Perla & I would say my experience was "ok". The 1st thing that stuck out to me was how SMALL the inside of La Perla is so that is the reason for 3 stars only. There was a DJ, a few small tables to sit at, and a pool table but the inside area is so small that people were having to stand all around the pool table so even if someone wanted to play pool there really wasn't any room to do so w/out poking people with the pool sticks. There was a Dj playing some really great music BUT with La Perla being so freakin' small inside there really wasn't a lot of open space to dance so people just danced in the little open space that was available. FYI-There is only 1 women's restroom and no cover charge. We had no issues with the bartender & the bartender was super fast at getting us our drinks. For sure I would say La Perla was a good place stop at when bar hopping to grab a drink. -Rebecca out read more

A local Austin dive bar that stays true to the Old Austin. When you walk in this place you will be treated like family. You'll immediately notice most people in there are regulars, which says a lot about a place. You have to try the ARMODELLOS, which is what they are known for... SO GOOD!! read more

La Perla - ARMODELLOS - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Holy shit, this venue looks scary from the outside! Especially at night!! I went in last night and within seconds I felt unsafe in this venue. Super small, and the vibe is somewhere between a prison cell and a scetchy alley. As soon as you walk in the bar is 4ft away. To the left is a 7x7 room with a pool table and an old juke box. This is definitely a dive bar, or a veteran serrano bar. The guests there last night were not friendly and didnt give off a friendly vibe. read more

I wish I could leave a no star rating. A hole in the wall bar with no customer service. This place claims to have a parking lot for customers only but if you have a nice new Mercedes C250 coupe they will have you towed and claim you were never at their bar. They are contracted with Reliant Towing and call them to tow select vehicles. Oh and don't walk out to eat at their food truck because that's considered leaving Perla...this place is a trap! read more

La Perla is a gem! My friends and I have had many good times here and have never once had a problem with our cars getting towed because when park in their lot, we actually go inside and then move them when we leave--¡imagínate! read more

My new favorite place. The only thing you need to get here are Armodellos. $3 for a bit of heaven in your mouth. 1 unopened ice cold Modello A few shakes of beer salt A squirt of lime juice A few shakes of Tabasco Open, let everything drop into the beer, then guzzle it down. Throw on some Mexican jams in the jukebox, sit back and soak it all in. read more

La Perla - Armodellos! Best beer cocktail in town. Ice cold modello, beer salt, lime juice, Tabasco. Taste the rainbow, beeches! - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Holy dive bar Batman! If you blink you'll miss out... So don't blink. Great little find tucked away in E. 5th. Tiny place that looks like a bar inside a living room. The bartender is super friendly and all the patrons to boot. Make sure you have cash in hand cause they don't take credit cards, but they do have an ATM in case you forget. A must try is their signature Arm-modelo. A very interesting drink that the bartender whips up on the spot. They do have a pretty good sized parking lot for all of their paying customers. Don't go here if you're looking for classy, but definitely go here if you are looking for unique! read more

La Perla - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

La Perla is a legit east Austin, local bar that is truely standing the test of time and gentrification. If you are looking to get away from the hipster "cool" kid crowd please step into La Perla. This is just what we did during SXSW. The local crowd in the bar at first looked at us wondering if we had stepped into the wrong bar, but once they realized we had not they welcomed us with open arms. The bar is cash only and beer only, so be prepared. The bartender lady working was super awesome. They also serve a few snacks in case you are hungry too. We also made some friends and chatted it up with some of the regulars. There were a couple of older gentleman that gave us some free advice on life, marriage, friendship and other important things. It was truly a time I would not forget hanging with these guys and conversing with them. Remember La Perla is a dive, hole in the wall place serving cold beer and holding it's stake in the ground while everything else around it is being redone. This is one of many factors that make literally as good as it gets on my list. Until next time La Perla! read more

See all

It's really unfortunate that people are not allowed to go out and have a good time, considering the circumstances. Not only did you take from babies mouths (towing fees) you ruined the holidays. This isn't how you treat people and this is not how you thrive in a business. Furthermore Fuck you kindly!!! Do not park here they will tow your car. They watch you and tow you. Even after 5 minutes. Also they do NOT wear masks nor gloves!!! read more

I was introduced to this bar on a bike and brews tour. We were waiting for the food trucks across the street to open, so we had a drink here. The bar is pretty small and such a fun atmosphere. Everyone is so friendly and a patron even offered us a slice of his pizza. The Ar-modelo is a unique experience that everyone must try. You can't go wrong with beer, lime, salt, and hot sauce. The kick in the hot sauce makes you wanting more and more of your beer. Can't go wrong with one! read more

La Perla - Ar-modelo - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

We knew some people who knew some people who are somehow involved with this place, so I guess you could say we had the inside track. La Perla definitely has it's own kind of charm. It's a small space (although it's got plenty of parking!) with a short bar and a pool table. Most everyone seemed to know each other inside and there was a nice homey feel. We ended up buying some tickets to a bbq fundraiser for a local softball team which is something I haven't done since I left my hometown. It was cash only and they didn't have hard liquor when we went, but I branched out and tried a Smirnoff Raw Tea Green Tea beverage. It was ICE cold and extremely refreshing. The bartender even lent me one of the coozies she had hidden behind the bar. All in all a pretty chill, cheap hangout. I probably wouldn't have ventured out unless we knew someone there but it turned out to be a great time. read more

We heard about this place and the food trucks around. So parked, went in for drinks. Left to get food from the cross the street...food truck. And they had us towed. Yup towed their paying customers. They didn't say anything. The three employees of theirs sitting outside waiting to call the tow company. If we knew we would have moved, or let them know what we doing. They could have said something. We found out they get money from the towing company Reliant. Which told us it would be $119. When we came up, they then changed the price to $193! Our advice is to report them and the towing company to 311. They said the more we report them, the faster they will have to stop. Eventually they will stop taking kick backs and hurting paying customers. read more

This was absolutely the worst experience I have ever had in Austin. Supposedly the husband and wife owners were present through all of this and the wife was the aggressor. My friends and I had been there for a couple of hours enjoying ourselves and we spent over $100 dollars there. The nightmare began when I had to use the restroom. I came up and jingled the restroom door and yes, it was occupied. There is a pool table in the tiny bar and I did not realize I "cut" in front of someone when I jingled the door. It happens to be the wife of the owner. No big deal as I can wait and get behind this woman but she was for some reason furious. She made it known that she was furious to everyone in the tiny room with the pool table. Then it was preceded by absolutely everyone trying to intimidate me. This ranged from multiple men and women. I was completely appalled at this disgusting behavior as the supposed owners were present. And other point to be made is this random older woman stated she wanted to fight me. By this point I can't even believe this was happening to me. This woman was literally in her 50s trying to fight? After that the owners wife was trying to kick me out because she was so angry. Then she preceded to hurl insult after insult at me and tried to prevent me from using the restroom. She went in the restroom and literally stayed there for around ten to fifteen minutes while I had people glaring at me and just stating outright rude things. They had some weird mob, intimidation mentality. They were trying very hard to make me leave before I used the restroom. I absolutely needed to use the restroom and my goal was to leave this horrible place immediately after. I also can't believe the husband was present for this entire ordeal and did nothing. He asked the bartender if my tab was open and asked to close it for me to leave. For him to allow this behavior is astounding and this man and women clearly do not need to be in the service industry. I finally was able to use the restroom as this angel lady who I believe was a regular helped me out. That was the only saving grace in this story. After I got of the restroom the owners wife made sure she was at the entrance of the door to tell me breath stank. Who does this? This is complete unacceptable behavior. This place is truly terrible and in my opinion if you're not a regular they will treat you like the trash they are. Terrible, terrible place! read more

La Perla is a unique dive bar, with a great atmosphere. I went with a friend on a Saturday night, they only serve beer and ciders and it is pretty bare bones. There is a pool table, and some seating. The bar feels like you are in someones house, which is a cool spin on a normal dive. I took off a star because of the limited drink options. Service was great, we got a beer within minutes of walking in the door even though the bar was crowded. There is a wide range of ages who hang out here which I like, people seem to come from all walks of earth. Overall I would go back, I probably wouldn't spend a lot of time here but it was a chill place to close out a Saturday night! read more

Armodelo is where it's at. Friendly bartender greeted us as we walked in and Walter White is the mascot of this Dive bar. Whenever I'm in the neighborhood, I'll definitely always stop by for the coldest beer in Austin. read more

Awesome dive bar that is one of the only remaining of a dying breed in Austin. Highly recommend the Armodelo. The owner is also very nice and provided great service! read more

Had the best experience here tonight! Suchhhhh friendly people- we were welcomed in immediately and felt like we had entered someone's living room. The tiniest bar I've been in- all 6 people there seemed to know each other and the bartender really well, but everyone talked to us and told us to order the armodelo! Soooo good- it's a can of Modelo topped with tobasco and lime and something else? Not sure but it's spicy and delicious! Like a Michelada. Cash only and beer only, one pool table, and only a couple small tables- this place rocks. Jukebox playing tejano- one of the only east side places that's stayed true to their roots! read more

La Perla - Armodelo! - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

La Perla has a parking lot to the side of the establishment that is unlit and unmarked. There are two small signs that tell you the lot is for La Perla but after dark these are difficult to see. I had been at Hotel Vegas, on the other side of the parking lot, about 45 minutes when my car was towed. This was a $200 tow for me. Normally I'm neither for or against gentrification but I really can't wait until someone buys La Perla, levels it, and turns it into a parking garage. read more

One of the old school east side cantinas still standing their ground. The locals who drink here have their own permament spot at the bar. I like to stop here every once in a while and have a drink and listen to Chente on the jukebox. That's right. You wont find no Coldplay in this jukebox. Puro Chente, rancheras, and pop en español. I hadn't been here in a few years, but I noticed they still have that half-naked lady poster by the restroom. Nice, don't ever change. La Perla is certainly a bright pearl in the middle of this zombie hipster apocalypse. read more

See all

The definition of a dive bar. It's a house converted to a bar, but still 60% house. Don't be surprised if there are cases of their stocked beer in the lounge area because where else are they gonna put em!? This place is tiny. The 'bartenders' are nice enough and drinks are dirt cheap. Lots of Hispanics hang out here. read more

La Perla - a car parked in front of a restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I'm just going to say this: order an Armodelo. The bartender takes an unopened can of Modelo, sprinkles the top with coarse salt, squirts lime juice until the top of the can is almost full to the brim, then puts a healthy dose of hot sauce on top. WTF, right? The can is cracked open, the lime mixes with the salt mixes with the beer mixes with the hot sauce, you'll wonder why in the hell this tastes so good, and then you'll resolve to do this with every single light American lager that's sent your way from now on. And it'll cost you about $3.50. Trust me on this one. read more

Absolutely terrible place with rude ownership. We had one of our worst experiences in Austin here and plan to never go back. Stay far away from this place. As many people have mentioned, if I could leave a negative review for this place, I would. read more

Austin staple and a must go to to say you've been. Stopped in for a drink last Saturday afternoon and ended up staying for two and watching the world cup. Quick service, cheap beer and a seedy atmosphere which is part of its charm. It's good to see places like this not changing like the rest of Austin. It feels like you're getting a glimpse into the old city before all of us came in and changed it. Thanks for that. read more

Was suggested to come here from a local. It's not much to look at. But if you want to have good beer w a local come here. Ask for Finn.

Ice cold cheap beer on E. 6th!! I've been in this place probably 10 times and this past Saturday was the first time I've ever heard the phrase "We are out of Tecate" come out of the mouth of the owner "Ribs." Why?? Because we had our 1st Annual E. 6th Street Pub Crawl and it had to be one of his busiest nights ever. Over 200 Foodies gals in and out of the establishment on a Saturday night on the Eastside and everyone loved it. My only complaint, it was freakin' hot inside, I don't think it was the weather, I think it was the small place hot with excitement. Ha! Tell him Debbie sent ya. Don't be scared, it's very friendly inside. Shhh, they close at Midnight. read more

La Perla - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all