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    Nickel City

    4.4 (234 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Nickel City Photos

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    NICKEL CITY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Loud
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Nickel City

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    Delores L.

    Once the kitchen closed at the Rosewood Social Club, we went over to Nickel City for some food. Fortunately, most bars in Austin don't require a cover charge. My Yelp friend struck up an energetic conversation about Australia and New Zealand with two out of town guests. It turns out Nickel City is considered a must-do activity when visiting Austin, and I've even seen it listed as a tourist attraction. My friend's boyfriend and I talked about various Texas cities, the bar itself, and details about East Austin. The bartender was making faces at the fur baby, causing its ears to perk up...there seems to be a playful love-hate dynamic between them, especially since the bartender gave the pet some treats. Although the bar was busy, it wasn't too loud; it was easy to hear people talk without any trouble. I've now experienced Nickel City both during the day and at night.

    Justin C.

    I have to say, I did not have insane expectations for this place, but i'd heard good things. And, well, it was better than expected. I had a solo evening while on vacation with family, as my parents had dinner with friends. I had just walked over from Cuantos Tacos (which, go there, delicious), and planned on being here for maybe two drinks. Welp, lets just say I ended up sitting at the bar drinking and taking in the environment for 3-4 hours. As you'll see in the photos, I got suckered into a frozen drink (whip-it-good) and the Miami Vice. I also had a beer and some whiskey (not photographed). I had a great time, some people ended up talking to me throughout the time sitting at the bar, bartenders were nice even as the shift changed (or one bartender went on break for a long time). Either way, when i'm back in Austin, this will be in my rotation. I can see this place becoming insanely hectic on a friday or saturday evening, but that wouldnt be my jam. On a weds at 6pm-10pm, it was great.

    LaNitria T.

    Visited the pop up in Austin Halloween 2025 and enjoyed every minute. The space is smaller than FW, but even though we patrons were shoulder to shoulder everyone was acknowledged and received proper service. I didn't have food, but I suspect that it's like at home. Anywhere I am that there's a Nickel City I'll likely be there!

    Paloma Daze
    Paul R.

    Spoiler Alert: If we lived closer to Nickel City everyone there would know our names. As others have mentioned this an elevated local dive bar with excellent strong cocktails, weekly drink and food specials, and elevated pub grub. We cozied up to the bar on a sleepy Sunday afternoon and within minutes we were drinking one of the best darn Palomas this side of Licha's Cantina. We did order food from the Delray food truck and our most excellent visit continued. My patty melt was a smashed cheeseburger on toast with pickles and was wonderful. Plus one ordered the spicy chicken fingers (yes I know chickens do not have fingers) they were huge, crispy, and spiced perfectly. NC has a full bar and some interesting combo meals that include shots and beers. I finished my NC experience with a Meanwhile Pilsner and Irish whiskey back. Service was excellent and beyond friendly. By the time we left we felt like regulars. We do anticipate returning with our Sunday Funday gang. What an easy 5 star review!

    Rachel T.

    Fun bar with great drinks! Reminds us of the divey bars where we are from in Pittsburgh. Friendly staff and really good drinks! We visited mid day on Saturday in the Summer not expecting it to be busy. It was packed! The atmosphere was fun and we could still grab a small table. My fiance enjoyed their tiki drinks, and I had an aperol spritz that was on tap. Prices are right! They have a food truck outside and we shared tater tots with our drinks. 10/10 experience. We will be back!

    Holiday pop up drinks
    Stacey A.

    Cheese curds and amazing drinks regardless if you're visiting during one of their pop-ups or their regular menu! Their bartenders are great, friendly, and patient! The crowd and energy is fun with great music!

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

    We have had a more than couple of disappointing experiences before with holiday pop ups, decor being cheap, drinks being super cheap but crazy expensive, so we stopped going to such places, but after seeing a instagram post about nickel bar by someone who's reviews and posts are good (theatxdrinker), decided to give this place a try, and totally loved it. Place is tiny, and on Saturday evening people standing were way more than seated, it was shoulder to shoulder, but luckily we saw someone getting ready to leave and were able to get a table, we ordered holiday on ice and nui nui newyear, I like tropical drinks with rum, and was expecting I would like nui nui newyear, both the drinks were good, but holiday on ice blew my mind, it was perfect, kind of a dessert drink but still good amount of alcohol, orderd loaded fries with impossible meat, fries were crispy and the whole dish was good, that's a plus when you find a place with solid drinks and good food, liked the holiday decor and vibes too, definitely give them a try.

    If you're thinking about ordering this, just order it
    Brittney G.

    Sucker for a dive bar, and this one absolutely slaps, or whatever the kids are saying these days. Still thinking about the frozen coffee with my favorite whiskey of course (Tullamore) and easily lives up to the best frozen coffee drink in Austin. The tiki drinks are awesome too. Staff can be borderline unfriendly but are attentive, which somehow fits perfectly with the dive bar vibe. Gotta go y'all

    July Menu
    Lauren D.

    I really like this spot! We finally came here with some friends and it did not let us down! the bartenders were upbeat and friendly and if you had any questions they were more than happy to help! the ambiance is really cool and has a vintage touch! I will definitely com back here to try the food and other drinks! I got the Whip it Good drink and it was really good! i would likely get it again after trying a few others! I did try my friends drink that had a dragonfruit garnish and it was also delightful! I already cannot wait to come back!

    Vibes
    Michael M.

    My wife and I enjoyed our time at Nickel City. It's a small venue, but it feels nice and intimate. There's an outdoor patio as well if there's nice weather. We liked how they decorated the bar for the holidays. The drinks were delicious and we appreciate the holiday themed cocktails. The cups and shot glasses were nice too. You can also purchase them if you want to bring them home. And I'm a sports fan so I appreciate the TVs playing games while I enjoyed the vibes.

    Meg F.

    The Moe's experience was so spot on! As a Simpsons fan, it was exciting to see every nook and cranny packed with references. The low lighting and nostalgic feel really set the scene. The drinks were awesome, and of course, all themed. The menu was what you'd want from a dive bar... bar food! The only vegetarian option was a grilled cheese, which was pretty delicious and came with a ton of curly fries. I'll definitely go back next year for the event, and next time in Austin I'll visit just for the regular bar.

    Lily M.

    Stopped by for a quick drink and to use the bathroom. Bartenders were all very friendly and dressed up like Simpson characters. People of all ages come here. I have to say for the bathrooms to be coed, they were the cleanest bar bathrooms I have encountered. I didn't have any food but my Michelob was nice and cold.

    It was a Friday night and standing room only!
    Kirby W.

    Ok, I made a return visit and it is still just as advertised: a dive bar! Four dollar draft Coors and five dollar shots of Jim Beam. You come here for the drinks. They have some higher priced cocktails, but you can stay on the low end if you watch the menu. I got out with a bar tab of less than $24, counting the tip, which is pretty damn good. No dance floor, thank God, but they do play the music loud. Whenever I'm back in Austin, I will return.

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    4 months ago

    Great cocktails for a decent price. Ambiance is spot on too. Bartender was a little brusque but that's just what you get.

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    Amazing staff, classic spot with great seasonal changes, delicious food specials. Always worth a visit

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    Page 1 of 6

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    Review Highlights - Nickel City

    The food from the food truck outside, Delray Cafe, is comforting and goes exceptionally well with the whole experience.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Low Down Lounge - Inside

    Low Down Lounge

    4.3(27 reviews)
    0.3 miEast Austin

    Low Down Lounge is one of those East Austin bars that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto…read moresomething cool--but not in a try-hard way. The vibe is effortlessly retro, with warm lighting, vintage stripes, cozy booths, and a playlist full of R&B and soul that sets the tone for a laid-back night. I came in for happy hour (which goes until 8pm--major win) and had the Tropical Depression, a passion fruit hurricane-style cocktail that was way better than its name implies. Their frozen drinks are also a hit--flavorful, strong, and dangerously easy to sip. They also do Jell‑O shots if you're feeling nostalgic (or just want something cheap and fun). The bar is small but super welcoming, with a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is shaded and breezy, perfect for summer nights. There's even a pool table and a big screen outside if you're into low-key games or catching part of the game. Staff was friendly and efficient--shout out to the bartenders who kept the drinks flowing without any attitude. That said, it's a small space, so depending on the night, it can feel either perfectly mellow or a little too quiet. Not a party bar, but a great pre-game or chill hangout spot. If you're looking for a low-key lounge with strong drinks, good tunes, and an easygoing crowd, Low Down Lounge should definitely be on your East Side rotation.

    Here's the Down Low on the Low Down. This lounge is not…read moreactually "low down." It's actually up high. You've got to climb one of the staircases to get up here to this bar that's perched above the street level. My gripe is that, as far as I can tell, there's no accessible way in for a wheelchair. There's only lots of stairs. Inside, you'll often find cool bands playing out on the back patio, or a DJ spinning on the inside. The place is a chill vibe with a Phil Collins drink special. (Insert drum solo here). The staff was attentive and kept the drinks flowing. The place is clean, and it's nice to be able to literally look down upon the barflies outside of Hotel Vegas. As far as I can tell, this bar doesn't have any air conditioning to speak of. It's hot. But, the beers are cold. The back patio that's covered will give a breeze.

    Photos
    Low Down Lounge
    Low Down Lounge - "Fun Collins / Peter Gabriel"

    "Fun Collins / Peter Gabriel"

    Low Down Lounge - Outside mural

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    Outside mural

    Dirty Bill's - ipa beer fire eagle $1

    Dirty Bill's

    3.8(159 reviews)
    1.3 miMarket District, Warehouse District, Downtown
    $

    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.

    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...

    Photos
    Dirty Bill's - Cold beer and Dirty Bills Hat!

    Cold beer and Dirty Bills Hat!

    Dirty Bill's
    Dirty Bill's - Lots of beer

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    Lots of beer

    Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

    Whisler's

    4.3(675 reviews)
    0.6 miEast Austin
    $$

    These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

    I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

    Photos
    Whisler's - Side bar

    Side bar

    Whisler's - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Whisler's - Main bar

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    Main bar

    Nickel City - divebars - Updated June 2026

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