Perfectly fine but not the wow factor I expected. The actual bar reminds me a bit of a late 80s hotel bar. Drinks are overpriced. Bartender was nice. read more

A little pricey but overall a fun experience in a beautiful environment. Would definitely recommend to visiting tourists. Get the the giant pretzel too! read more

I've been coming to this bar for years, at Christmastime. It's a tradition my girlfriends and I have. We have bubbles at the Driskill and then go see Love Actually at the Ritz. Normally, the service is good and the snacks are delicious and we have a great time. This year, the snacks were good and the service was meh and there were no bubbles of any kind to be had. You read that right. THEY WERE OUT OF CHAMPAGNE! They were also out of Prosecco and cava. How does a bar run out of these items at this time of year! The server was unsympathetic and we were disappointed. We decided to have beer and my friend asked for a stout, guess what! No stout beer of any kind. She had to settle for a Shiner. Not sure how stout isn't even an option here, but after that, we left and headed over to italic for $5 bubbles and delicious pizza. I'm so disappointed in you, Driskill. read more

Definitely a solid 4 in my book. This place has an incredible ambiance reminiscent of the "Old West" era. The bartenders definitely understand their drinks. In fact, they possess a lot of knowledge of not only the Driskill Hotel, but also the history of Texas. I was quite impressed with the information I was given every time I came to visit. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: This is NOT an entrance fee type of bar full of drunk ravers or blasting club music with smoke machines. This is a bar within a very nice hotel rich with history. The weekend nights might get a tiny bit crowded but during the lunch hour during the week, it's a cozy place to unwind. The Driskill Bar is awesome. It's a relaxed environment with the occasional soloist or performers on a small stage with cocktail service at its many couches and stools. I can't wait to go back again. read more

The bar is large and was packed with a ton of people on a Saturday night. Tons of people strolled in half drunk off the street to have a sit on the saddles that clearly advise you not resting your hiney on them - however it was still funny to watch people pose for their facebook photos. Giddy up! We sampled quite a few beverages here and the gin gingers were a flowing. The waitress was attentive and worked her way through the loud crowd. We wanted to rest for a while on the cowskin couch, but they were never left vacant. Oh well, c'est la vie! Come on down for some drinks with friends to relax and unwind. Totally a great atmosphere for it! read more

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Was one of my favorite pre COVID bars when I visited Austin. It is goofy now with the way they do the ordering and seating. Too complicated compared to other bars in the immediate area. read more

Wow. Driskill Bar definitely exceeded all my expectations given its location and clientelle I usually see there. In reality, this is one of the best locations to grab a couple of drinks and a bit in Downtown. It's affordable, inventive, and service is great. We came for Happy Hour and were blown away by the great deals. You see "Drink specials and 1/2 price apps" advertised a lot, but the Driskill has over 1/2 off over half of their menu. Everything from apps to burgers to flatbreads are ridiculously good and a great portion too. We loved the dates with bacon, and their fries were great as well. The flatbread was just okay. What was really surprisingly excellent was the house smoked ketchup - I'd get a side of this with whatever you're eating, it's just crazy good. The food was definitely some of the best bar food I've ever had, and an excellent deal (way better than the good, but overly priced, 1886) Their drinks specials and specialty cocktails were wonderful too. Good selection of beer, and specialty cocktails that rock. The Orange Blossom was just crazy good, and highly recommended. If you're looking for a great spot downtown to get some drinks and grub without having to wait in line or deal with tons of drunk people falling over you, Driskill Bar is the place for you. read more

The Driskill Bar - Bacon wrapped dates - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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One of the must visits in Austin! The 1886 Driskill is "the" iconic Texas Hotel and the bar screams over the top Texas baby...overstuffed leather and cowhide furniture, stuffed cow heads on the walls. Great little nooks and seating areas to share with friends or sit at the piano or historic bar. We had several different tasty drinks...my favorite was the very exotic batini with hibiscus and agave nectar. Our group had chicken nachos, cheese fries & calamari buscheta...all were delicious and perfectly presented. We also had excellent service and our server was extremely patience with some of the group's indecisiveness I could remember our servers name. Everyone should visit this very special place...especially great for a small group of friends. read more

The Driskill Bar - Batini! - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Been here twice now, and still really enjoy the food here. It did seem like the Quinoa wasnt quite as good this time as last, a little to "soy"ee... I assume they soak the mushroom in it. Otherwise the waiter that we had both times is a really jovial guy and makes the experience fun. Didn't do a dessert this time, and apparently they don't comp desserts for bdays either... lol... we tried, but thats probably good, because I didn't need anymore sweets and their stuff is really good. The Clam Chowder was amazing... couldnt get enough of that! Give it a try. read more

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Very cool place to crab a drink and learn the history about the Driskill Hotel. Located in downtown Austin. Easy to find and visit while you are out in the downtown area. read more

The Driskill Bar - The bar at the Driskell Hotel. - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Standard drinks tastes slightly above average, the rattle cattle sliders were very tasty and since I was starving placed higher on the palette. Juicy premium meat with zesty sauce made for quick eats. The place was congested because of Austin Film Festival so getting a drink and ordering took a bit of finesse, but the servers genuinely try their best to get the service with a smile out quick. The bar gets clogged and is tiny so good luck on any significant communication with a bartender when it's busy during an event. The whole bar/lounge area is expansive with multiple gigantic flat screen tv. In the evening, there might even be a band playing. There is enough rustic decor that makes you feel right in the heart of the Lone Star State and plenty of places to park a seat. Overall this is a great experience and highly recommend as I was able to watch the 18 inning game of the Dodgers/Red Sox, network with other writer, get tasty apps and drink and lounge in their very artful and even historical lounge with a center mantle piece that captured horse shooting action that holds some historical significance. read more

The Driskill Bar - Driskill bar/lounge - Austin Film Festival, Writers Conference 2018 - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Would be a 5-star review, just for the queso alone. I would never think that a fancy-pants hotel in Austin would have some of the best queso (I wish it was a bit spicier, but that is just me) but every time I go, it is delicious. The pretzels with pimento cheese are also delicious. The drinks are decent, but I am a Bloody Mary kind of girl, and both times I've ordered one here, I have just left it sitting on the table. Recipes can vary so I guess they just aren't made the way *I* like them, but I wish theirs were better. read more

This is my favorite place in downtown Austin for a sublime live music experience. The people, staff, musicians are friendly, drinks good and prices reasonable considering the location. Bar snacks are good too, popcorn, Brussel sprouts and jerky will surprise you. read more

Had the Texas Turtle Cheesecake & it was AMAZING!!! Perfect size for 1!! The pecan base added the extra "umph" of delicious!

One of my favorite place for a drink! Wonderful bar and amazing classic cocktails! If you check the schedule you can go there and enjoy a live music concert at the same time. Really cool place! read more

What could be more truly Austin than the Driskill Bar? Don't miss it when you come to town. It's tasteful Texas--very upscale and absolutely beautiful in the classic Western style. Of course they have all the drinks and snacks, but what you want to go here for it the wonderful atmosphere. read more

Really swanky old school bar. Amazing service and reasonable prices! Really happy with the 5-7 happy hour and LIVE music! Older crowd but everyone is so nice and fun! read more

Terrific bar in a beautiful hotel. We came in for drinks on Friday 5/25/18 and loved the classy atmosphere. Very good malbec. There was live music, but not so loud that conversation was difficult, and the bar was full, but not crowded. We enjoyed some of their truffle popcorn while sipping our drinks. Great spot! read more

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Came here for happy hour and an early dinner. We had the truffle popcorn, bacon wrapped dates, sliders and a few cocktails including the batini. Everything was delicious! Great atmosphere, live music, friendly waiters, we can't complain. read more

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Beautiful building with ornate decorations and a classic Western feel. Upscale lounge with excellent service. The Driskill is a fantastic place to lounge and try from a range of cocktails while enjoying the eclectic crowd and beautiful decorations. read more

Superior in ambience, old carved dark woods, dark room, dark comfy furniture, ornamental tin ceiling tiles and happy hour every day from 4-7pm. Tables to sit at desk height, sofas, large many rooms and a place for whatever your need, meeting, meeting friends or business. Ordered the chips and queso (cheese) - yum and then the sliders with a "batini"- an Austin fave like a margarita with a twist of hibiscus. read more

The Driskill Bar - Happy hour drinks menu - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place has style and flair and I'd been told it was a great place to hang and snack. As a hotel guest in town for the week, I found myself craving popcorn on Friday night, and was excited to remember seeing it in the bar as I had passed through. For a late night snack, I asked for 2 to go containers of plain popcorn with salt, and I also ordered a mini pecan pie, a soft pretzel, and a beer to take to my room for two of us. It was a pricey late night snack, coming in over $30, but my hope was that it was totally worth it to satisfy our away from home late night craving. The popcorn - the whole reason for stopping down - was an instant affront to our noses when we opened the paper boxes in our room. It was swimming in what could only be identified as truffle oil. That stuff is pungent, and a little goes a looooong way. We actually couldn't eat it, as the smell was so strong we needed it out of our room. The pecan pie made up for the stink, as it was a great balance of gooey goodness and tender crust. The pretzel was warm and soft, though whatever it was stuffed with - I think some soft of cream cheese something - was a little too much. I'd have loved it with half the stuffing. What I didn't enjoy about this experience, aside from the over-truffled popcorn, was that I went back down from my room to see if we could get some plain popcorn with salt, and it seemed a hassle that the bar team was disinterested in helping me with. After a lot more discussion than was necessary, he returned to the bar with two boxes that were half the size of the originals, saying he'd "really crammed a lot in" and that it was basically the same amount. Hmm...popcorn crammed and crushed into a container half the size just seems poorly thought out at best. He didn't indicate why I got half as much - out of larger containers? out of plain corn and didn't want to make a batch? All I got was two smaller boxes of popcorn than I'd paid $13 for, and a bit of attitude. Back up in our room, we were excited to have what we'd originally hoped for, as the popcorn was plain and salted. Ahhhh..until we got about a third of the way down into the first box, and found truffle soaked popcorn. Ugh. The upside - we spoke with Brynn, a manager this morning, and she was a spectacular listener who acknowledged the challenge. She was fantastic - personable, empathetic, and professional. Exactly what we'd expect at a place like the Driskill. read more

The Driskill Bar is a little pricey typically for my tastes but then I'm cheap. So if we can move past that, and I can, then let's get down to the reasons this spot is now on my Austin must do list. So I would be remiss if I didn't mention all of the history associated. It's the oldest operating hotel in Austin and well known all over the great state. It's also haunted. More importantly (har, har) the beverages are deliciousssssssss. True mixmasters, whether you're having a dreamsicle-esque Orange Blossom or a Pimm's Cup. Sink into a deep couch in a shaded corner and savor the glory of a well mixed cocktail. Once it's snack time (or after you've had a couple of said cocktails) their big soft pretzel sticks, truffle popcorn and bacon wrapped dates are like crack to an addict. As in, be prepared to want more, more, more. Sit in Vanessa's section since she's a most fantastic server -- she brought us more drinks really efficiently than we were prepared to handle. And that's saying something. I'd call it a special occasion place but really it's more like anytime you go there it's a special occasion. Whether that's an anniversary or a regular old Tuesday night, there's just something about a drink at the Driskill that feels oh so right. read more

It's cute. It reminds me of an old saloon. I kept expecting to hear slot machines and smell cigars. You gotta love the cowhide chairs and the general ambience. Doing an Austin/Texas trip you have to come here at least once. But after you've had the truffle popcorn you may come back. My date is a sucker for truffle and I'm a sucker for popcorn. ..then our lives collided. I only had one drink here: the batini. Taste wise nothing special, but the presentation was cute. ..When in Austin.. read more

Do not come here for the bloody Mary. They charged me $13 for a standard bloody Mary. The garnish was an olive, a lime and a wedge of cucumber. NOTHING like the pictures. Shame. read more

I *heart* the Driskill Bar. It is one of the most gorgeous bars in Austin and I adore the western-styled theme mixed with the Victorian bones of this grand hotel. It remains the perfect respite from the madness of 6th street, with its upscale ambience, carousel bar and inviting seating arrangements. I've discovered several musicians I like by hearing them first in the Driskill bar. Happy hour is great with half-priced "bar snacks" including my favorite item, the truffle popcorn.....mmmm, I am quite fond of that popcorn. Goes great with Blackberry Smash, a boozy bourbon based cocktail featuring orange bitters and muddles blackberries. read more

The Driskill Bar - Truffle popcorn and Blackberry Smash - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Beautiful hotel , friendly bar , solid cocktails . Admire the surroundings while the bartender makes your drinks . We enjoyed the dates , sliders . Very good wine list . Would recommend to begin the evening . read more

When you work for Yelp, everyone and your sister's neighbor's cousin's best friend looks to you for recommendations*. So it was no surprise that a new friend who's a recent transplant to Austin (via Zagreb and London) should ask moi for a suggestion on a happening happy hour spot. I quickly sized him up - whip smart with a conservative lean and probably owns a portfolio of cuff links - and knew I'd have to take him to the bar at the Driskill Hotel. Did he love it? Well, he did say 'this is THE spot' not once but twice (a small win for my aim-to-please ego) but I didn't know I'd be just as smitten with the digs. The bar and surrounding lounge is outfitted in mahogany woods and buttery leather but its library-esque clime is subdued by a warm blanket of low lighting. It's old-fashioned and opulent, sexy without being smarmy, and just as spot-on for the first drink of the night as it is for a closing nightcap. Top-shelf scotch lives here. The bartenders are attentive and know how to make anything from the classic to the trendy. And the people-watching may be the most grand amenity of them all. Even though all this luxe would feel just as rich in Manhattan, Moscow or Zurich, somehow the Driskill formats it to feel decidedly Texas. The finishing local touch? An acoustic country singer and his twangy guitar. *My ultimate dream date would be one that required no research on my end... much more romantic than flowers, a fancy dinner or La Perla lingerie. I think I may marry the first guy that gets this right! read more

Zach Galifinakis' doppleganger, I'm looking squarely at you, dude. Your commentary during the Olympic figure skating competition was solid gold...and I quote "here's where they always have to do a triple axle...or salchow...damnit!" One glance in the direction of the chatter might have proved that this fellow didn't really know figure skating that well. Not that this fact kept him from constantly speculating on it. That's the snowglobe where genius happens. Things were delightfully askew late night last night at the Driskill Bar, and I was happy we were able to catch a little of the chaos: impassioned onlookers gesturing and chattering with every twist, costume reveal and slip-up, and the bar seemed for its part to be echoing the same. You can't really do the Driskill Bar without bumping into Sean, the omnipresent Dubliner who's been behind the mahogany here for ages, seems like. Last night there was a little dessert confusion, but he was only ultimately too happy to point us downstairs and make suggestions as to which desserts we should sample when we got there. And that was precisely what we ended up doing. 'Cause sometimes a cigar might just be a cigar: but a decadent dessert with Olympic mishaps in the background? Those, my friends, are the nights you seldom forget. read more

Last week I found myself sitting at a piano sipping Prosecco while the man playing it took requests from us like we were on some sort of drunken cruise ship. He would offer up three songs he was willing to play and Melody L, Farrah A, Tess H, and I would shout out our choices. Don't be fooled though. This bar is way more classy than our shenanigans would have you believe. The thing is they are classy without being hoity and that's something I can fall in love with. Because at this bar there are people dressed in their finest cocktail attire sitting right next to a bachelorette group all dressed up in cowboy boots, daisy dukes and flannel shirts. Overlooking them? The head of a longhorn, of course. The menu also has truffle oil popcorn. And hell yes I ordered it. Melody said if we didn't we could never face Andrea R again. We also ordered a grilled cheese made with some sort of port cheese. Delicious! This is definitely a break from the rest of what you'll find on 6th street - classy, potentially romantic, and a hell of a lot of fun. read more

Beautiful architecture, history and the blues make for a relaxing cocktail hour. A great place to cool off in the afternoon heat. read more

The Driskill Bar - You can't see them in this shot, but Antones is playing great blues! - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Some friends of mine came in town this weekend for a big party and stayed at the Driskill. Before we headed to the party, we decided to bring back cocktail hour at the Driskill Bar. This really is the perfect place to bring back cocktail hour. For some reason, the bar at this place reminds me of the movie Giant. You know at the end when they all fly to Dallas? It reminds me of that. Old School Texas and rich oil men. In keeping with the old school theme, I ordered an old school drink, a vodka gimlet. I had forgotten how much I love a gimlet. Two of those and I was ready to take on the night. The piano player is a really nice touch to this dark and swanky bar. They also have great bathrooms. I really like bathrooms that have full doors and aren't stalls. It adds to the ambiance, you know? Makes you feel all special and shit. Nice paper towels too. Seriously. You can't take me anywhere. But if you're paying, I'll fake it real nice and you can take me to the Driskill Bar. read more

I could give more than five stars I totally would, I came to the Driskill with some friends and was promptly greeted by John. He asked us a bunch of questions about what we wanted to drink and was extremely knowledgeable about everything. I would suggest ordering an Old Fashion from John. He puts a certain twist in it that I've never had before! Best bartender I've had in a long time. I strongly suggest this Bar for a nice night out. Happy hour is great too!! Fantastic job John and the Bar staff! I will be back for sure!!!! read more

This might sound weird, but if you are ever looking for a bar you can take your kids to, the Driskill Bar is the place. Just so you know, I'm not normally looking for bars to take children to. Let me clarify . . . My sister and I live on opposite ends of Austin, so when we have family in town and we are always looking for a central places to hang out after dinner, we need to find a place that is family friendly. The great thing about the Driskill is the adults can hang out on the couches in the lounge and have a drink while the kids get some dessert at the bakery. It's really nice and cozy, with good music without being too loud. Its a great place for the family to gather and visit. It can also be a romantic place to get an after-dinner drink while on a date. Also, they are open on Christmas, so my friends who are in town will gather here after spending time with the family to unwind and get caught up. Overall it's a really nice hotel lounge without being as expensive as the Four Seasons. read more

Awesome bar Saturday nite Good country western band and cold beer We lived the cool atmosphere read more

Loved the atmosphere but disappointed at the staff. Did a bit of research and happily discovered a Happy Hour offering on line. At bar there was no listing of the discount options so 1st bartender quickly rattled them off. Had trouble hearing due to loudness so waited for him to return. Five mins later another bartender asks for my order so I order three drinks with one from the happy hour menu as I deciphered a cocktail as a happy hour option . I am then told no happy hour. 1st bartender says, "just give it to her". Drink is made, tab is given to me with no discount. I paid and left a meager tip. Truly regret leaving anything due to unprofessional attitude by the second bartender. Name begins with a G. For some reason he told me twice that he was from south Texas. Sensed some sarcasm so bartender G should work on his manners and management should double check their website Oh and drink was mediocre so one and done read more

The hotel and it's bar are beautiful parts of downtown Austin. I felt so grown up in a nice, plush, sweet smelling bar...with a piano! I love a good dive bar, but sometimes I want to drink in a medium lit lounge with nice seating and attentive bartenders. I have a sensitive nose and this place was heavenly, it smelled so fresh and so clean. The bartenders were super attentive and friendly. Their cocktail list is exciting and tasty. I ventured out and tried my first side car, delicious! The bar bites are tasty too, try the truffle popcorn. I also had an Irish Coffee. It wasn't the best I had, but it was still pretty tasty. There is plenty of room in the bar and the decor if very Texan. After checking out this lovely bar I definitely want to stay at the hotel. Check out the Driskill for a different experience outside the usual bars in downtown Austin. read more

Eh, it's famous; it's classy, but there are many other options within a couple of blocks. Drinks here are standard hotel pricing (~$14 for a glass of wine). The music on Saturday night was from 9pm to 11pm only. Maybe I was expecting too much from The Driskill. I would've rather spent more time at one of the smaller bars on 6th Street. The piano and performers were in the middle of this very long bar and it was hard to get a full view of them from most of the seats. I did enjoy the people watching; there were some lovely formal dresses. read more

The rich-Texan kitsch is prevalent and absolutely charming, pistol lamps, mounted longhorn head, piano that doubles as a table, and great lighting. It's all about the lighting. Great cocktails, they make a mean Manhattan, and decent scotch selection. A pretty typical hotel bar, which is awesome. My one quip would be the low ceilings. Low ceilings make me nervous, total neurosis of mine. *It should be noted, that I love Hotel Bars. They are the only places in any city where you can get consistenly good cocktails in a big, comfy chair. Even when I stayed at the Narita Hotel in Japan, which sucked, but the bar was grrrrreat! Also the awesome thing is the service, which is a total crap shoot. You will either get the server that loves people and is crazy friendly, or the embittered server that wants you to die. Rock! read more

One word: Disappointment. Food: 1.) Angus Sliders: Dry beef sandwiched between two large pieces of bread and accompanied with lukewarm fries. At $5, I really can't complain. I just didn't think the Driskill would serve something so...bleh. 2.) Spicy Chicken Nachos: Home chefs can do better than this. Queso and (obviously) store bought salsa poured on to some tortilla chips with a glob of browned guacamole on the side. Again, for $5, I can't really say much more. Service: Typically I don't criticize businesses for their poor service, but I expected a lot better at the Driskill Bar. For such an upscale and reputable establishment, we received awful service. The waitress would disappear for long amounts of time, so we were left waiting 20 minutes each time we needed something. I would understand if it were extremely busy, but all the tables around us were empty. We saw her visit her other tables several times. Sheer disappointment. Drinks: Saving grace during this meal. Definitely needed to knock back a few drinks with that level of food and service. Honestly, I got exactly what I paid for. Decent quality food for cheap happy hour prices. However, the service is what really got stars taken off here. read more