50 Best Cocktail Bars in Austin

“Food was excellent!! our waitress, Claudia, was super friendly.“

“Thanks!! We’ll miss your delicious food and presence in the neighborhood“

“Nice chill spot to kick it“

“Great mix of cocktails. I tried a variety of their cocktails and each was perfectly balanced.“

“Amazing potential and a great location. The space is classy, polished, and has a solid foundation, but it sometimes feels like it thinks it's better than it actually is. If you've traveled extensively and experienced truly world-class cocktail bars—including several of the World's 50 Best—the gap becomes noticeable. The local community clearly appreciates the place, and rightly so, but there are still meaningful opportunities to elevate the drinks, service, atmosphere, and overall experience. A very good bar with the potential to become exceptional—just not quite at that level yet.“

“A great spot and fun atmosphere.“

“Great Food and awesome ambiance.“

“So good !!! Highly recommend!!!“

“Amazing. Service, vibe, menu, HnT has got it all. Specialty cocktails were fantastic. Perfectly balanced with layers of complexity. While the ingredients of the builds can be intimidating, Parker is able to explain the tasting notes both simply and candidly for plebeians like me. Unlike many speakeasy style jaunts, HnT is able to provide high quality service as well as speed. 5/5 would come again.“

“We visited Moonshine Bar & Grill this weekend, and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation. From the moment the food arrived, it was clear we were in for something special—chef’s kiss doesn’t even begin to cover it! Every dish was perfectly prepared, full of flavor, and clearly made with care and excellence. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was attentive, and the overall experience was simply top-tier. This is the kind of place that reminds you why great food and great hospitality matter. 10 out of 10— We will absolutely be recommending Moonshine Bar & Grill and can’t wait to return! 🍽️✨“

“Definitely worth a visit at least once! Soulful meal and service experience.“

“We love to eat, and love food. Simply put, our anniversary dinner at Ember was absolutely a Top 3 dining experience in our 26 years of marriage! The only thing that topped it was a one-off dinner at The James Beard House we were lucky enough to be a part of...and that is saying a LOT to just barely be runner-up to that! Not only was the food simply incredible (we had filet skewers, the seafood plate, and the mole pork chop...with roasted carrots and the potatoes as sides, and the flan for dessert) but it was the best service we've ever received. Not just from our server but the entire staff from chefs to managers to bartenders. Not only do you get an incredibly attentive server, the entire restaurant staff seems attentive to your needs. To go deeper on what makes Ember so special, they cook nearly everything in a Mesquite coal Josper oven which is unique to ATX. It gives a distinct smoke to everything, but in no way overpowering. The culinary team at Ember then highlights the Josper with both incredibly complex dishes (pork chop with handmade mole that is as deep, rich, complex, and paired with sweetness via a sweet potato with honey drizzle and brightness of fresh citrus and absolute umami bombs via picked / brined tomatoes) and the most "simple" of dishes (crispy roasted yukon and red bliss potatoes with garlic, shallot, tossed in tallow...simply amazing and must have) everything is constructed and executed perfectly. Whether a special occasion or just a random Wednesday, this is one of the best restaurant experiences anywhere. Huge thanks to the staff at Ember for making our special night super memorable.“

“Amazing is the only way to describe it.“

“This is the best steakhouse in Austin. The service was delightful, drinks were fantastic, and everything we ate was amazing. We even got to enjoy some A5 wagyu. Our server was very personable and thoughtful throughout the evening. This place is worth every penny spent.“

“Supercool spot 🖤🤘😎🎶🤪👏 July 23rd, Saturday night with friends and bands: Stuck on 45, Morocco, Cruel Summer TX. KilLRrr night…“

“Duran was amazing from the moment I walked in. I told him my favorite preferences and let him craft me some cocktails. Each cocktail he made for me was perfectly balanced and delicious. More importantly, as a solo guest he ensured I felt welcome and included. This was my first time but I will be back and will be sending friends to see Duran, he was the best!“

“Wow! What a cool hotel! AND noon checkout?!!! Sweet! I’ll be back!“

“We just had one of the best culinary experiences in Austin. My husband and I checked out The Guest House on a Monday evening and the vibe was awesome. They had a great DJ playing upbeat lounge music. Our server Vaden was so friendly and made some great recommendations for our meals. The salmon and braised short ribs were absolutely delicious. The Humachi was incredible as well. Overall an excellent date night!“

“One of the more unique views of Austin, this is a great rooftop option. Melissa & Summer were very attentive, and both the food and the drinks here were great. The cooked fish taco was amazing (they have sushi tacos as well that were great), as were the sliders.“

“Great selection and Service“

“My husband loved the crudo dish, had the smashed cucumber (smoked labne, nigella, amba, aleppo). Frena - this was delicious! (mediterranean wheat, za'atar, lamb butter, beet horseradish. Chicken Shawarma - laffa, carraway cabbage, green tahini and fixins Favorite was the falafel - tahini, amba, green shug..... yum! Cocktails of course! Our waitress was Sophie she was very gracious and attentive. Definitely going back.“

“Honestly just fantastic, my girlfriend & her parents came all the way down here for the Ariana grande concert.
We were looking for a nice place to stop in, get a nice drink & relax a moment to get out of the weather. Chase was behind the bar & let me just say, the man knows how to have a good conversation & make one hell of a stiff drink. Chase is a good man to have behind that counter serving folks. Great dude, great place, great atmosphere, from the bartender all the way to the beautiful atmosphere. Would recommend this place to anyone, especially new comers to Austin who want some welcoming arms to start there ventures here. 20/10“

“Went for the first time on a Friday morning. Definitely won’t be the last time. The migas in green sauce had a great flavor, flour tortillas were fresh, my friends’ huevos rancheros were on point. On top the cinnamon roll -huge size, looks like a cake- was delicious. Service was great. Lately I’ve been feeling everything in Austin tastes the same, can’t wait to go back to this great spot!“

“If you're looking for a venue that goes above and beyond in terms of hospitality and service, look no further. The staff here are simply incredible - they are always on hand to help, and nothing is too much trouble for them. I recently had the pleasure of performing, and I have to say that I was blown away by the level of support that the staff provided. As a DJ, it can be stressful trying to set up and sound check your equipment, but the staff made the whole process a breeze. They were so helpful and accommodating, and they went out of their way to ensure that my performance went smoothly. But it's not just the music guests who receive exceptional treatment. The staff are attentive and friendly with everyone, making sure that each and every guest feels welcome and valued. All in all, I can't recommend them highly enough. If you're looking for a venue with an outstanding team of staff who will go above and beyond to make your experience unforgettable, then look no further.“

“We had a great experience at Kalimotxo! Alex is so knowledgeable about Spanish wine and cuisine; at his recommendation we tried new things, learned a lot, and loved every minute of it! The revamped Spanish tortilla is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and the Vermouth flight is so interesting - loved our dinner at Kalimotxo! Will definitely be back for more.“

“Brought a friend in for the smash burger hour hour and thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved our server! She was so informative, attentive, kind. (*only issue that the AC was full blast as to where it was almost too chilly! ha (how could this be in Austin during the heat?! :-) Overall, a great time, yummy dishes! ***the Baba Ghanoush is a must!“

“I love the small intimate atmosphere. I love the vibe of walking into this secret room through the back alley. So cool. I do wish they had appetizers to go along with the drinks. It’s just a sip and chill place. So eat before you enter.“

“You can’t come to Texas and not have the chicken fried steak at Ranch 616. But everything on the menu is so good!! Including the Frito pie, the queso, the steaks, tostadas at happy hour, and Trungale ceviche is one you will remember. Pair any of those with a Ranch Water — it’s where the drink originated and you’re in for a real treat! Save room for banana pudding for dessert. Tell them I sent you! 🤠“

“El Naranjo is one of the best restaurants we have been in. We had the pork shank and the braised beef-they were prepared perfectly and paired with sides that were complementary to their distinct flavors. Spices local to the Oaxaca region of Mexico were blended in way that were flavorful without being overpowering. The wait staff was excellent, explaining each dish and answering questions. We highly recommend this restaurant. Yes, it’s pricier than other restaurants but is a fine dining experience that you won’t find in many other restaurants.“

“This is a great place to get great service and delicious food. Review by Gabriel Culiat“

“Absolutely love the vibes here. Small, quaint, and intimate space. They have a wide selection of cocktails, and light bites that are satisfying and not overwhelming in terms of size. The service is always top notch as well. This place is perfect for date night or a gathering with a couple of friends.“

“Amazing staff. They made one of my favorite go to drinks. Colorado Bulldog. I had the Loaded Italian sandwich and the bread to meat to cheese to vegetable ratio was perfect.“

“This place is amazing it’s a breath of fresh air“

“My new favorite restaurant for fancy dates with my husband 😍🥰“

“Fun place to have a drink and start the night for some east austin fun!!“

“Good views, good service. I highly recommend this place. 😊“

“Staff - especially Nikki at the front was extremely helpful! Game was also super fun!“

“Great staff, beautiful lounge and very clean. Great date spot“

“We had an absolutely amazing evening. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and the food is fantastic.“

“De nada is amazing!!!!! If you are looking for a Mexican place look no further and come to de nada. The queso, the salsa trio, and the Barbacoa taco… I would sell my first born for the barbacoa taco. The margs are very fresh and strong. Our server Jorge is the best server in the game. I would 10/10 recommend this fine establishment!“

“Good food and drinks. Friendly service“

“Don’t tell anyone about this place because I want it all to myself. Happy hour every day of the week. Great cocktails and wine options. Oyster specials. Fried olives. Mushroom lasagna and lamb cavatelli, of which you can get half orders so you can share and don’t have to choose. Lovely atmosphere, exceptionally friendly and diligent service. We always bring visiting guests here and it never disappoints. I’ve said too much. Don’t tell anyone!“

“I really recommend Juicy Claws 🦞 they have excellent food a lot of options it’s delicious 🤤 and the great thing about it it’s that even they’re a seafood restaurant it’s not fishy smelly 😅 so am glad 😃“

“Delicious brunch. Every dish we ordered was beyond my expectations!“

“I visited arriba abajo last min on a Sunday l evening and let me tell you !! , the food amazing , the views to die for . The only thing better was the service provided by Statin B . He was courteous, knowledgeable and a pleasure to talk to .“

“My wife took me here yesterday for mt birthday dinner. The atmosphere is Beautiful, sexy, romantic. Food was amazing. Great size portions. Easy shareable. We each ordered a plate from each section of the menu and did not have one complaint. We loved it so much we came back tonight before we left town. We will definitely be back.“

“everything in life will be muted and dull until I return to Olamaie it is exceptional to the point that I have lost sense of punctuation and capitalization truly“

“Great place to eat watch games or and chill all around great ppl in and outside“

“We visited Moonshine Bar & Grill this weekend, and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation. From the moment the food arrived, it was clear we were in for something special—chef’s kiss doesn’t even begin to cover it! Every dish was perfectly prepared, full of flavor, and clearly made with care and excellence. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was attentive, and the overall experience was simply top-tier. This is the kind of place that reminds you why great food and great hospitality matter. 10 out of 10— We will absolutely be recommending Moonshine Bar & Grill and can’t wait to return! 🍽️✨“

“Great drinks with low key atmosphere“