Watering Holes
February 22nd, 2006
That bar on 6th Street too loud? You want to have a quiet drink away from the minions at the Hilton? Need to discuss that venture capital deal over some quiet drinks? Here are a few places to invest in some social lubricants.
Austin offers more than hotel bars and raucous music venues.
Other folks have already mentioned two favorites of mine: Casino El Camino and Club de Ville. Both make a good, cheap drink.
Cedar Door (Second & Brazos)
Though Austin margarita favorite Trudy’s has three locations, the Cedar Door has had at least 3 locations in the 14 years I’ve lived in Austin. A little rustic and laid back—it’s a nice bar with a local feel Downtown. Very close to the Convention Center!
Roaring Forks/Stephen F. Austin (7th and Congress)
Chill hotel bar drinking. Popular with business types and politicians. A bad ass happy hour menu from 4-7 with gourmet burgers, Tex-Mex, and even foccacia!
Side Bar (602 E. Seventh St.; 7th and Red River)
Even during the peak of SXSW, this place wasn’t packed despite the throngs of people on Red River. Rest your feet. Get a drink. Hang with Romulan Hipsters.
Cockpit (113 San Jacinto)
A new gay bar that has been getting steady and favorable buzz. Just blocks from the Convention Center, perhaps a nice alternative to 4th Streetbars. Rain, Fabric, and Oil Can Harry’s are all still in the Warehouse District between Lavaca and Colorado on 4th and 5th streets.
Lovejoy’s (604 Neches St)
Have a drink at the coffin. In my 20s, my buddies and I would hit Casino for burgers and a cocktail and then head to Lovejoy’s for some beers.
Bull McCabes (714 Red River)
Irish Pub. Just in case you need a St. Patty’s day outpost and want to avoid the crowds at Fado.
Elephant Room (315 Congress)
Located in the basement, this subdued jazz club has plenty of atmosphere, even after Austin decided to go smoke free.
How is the beer selection at these places? I’m a nut for odd, local, foreign, and otherwise very good beers. I love a place with good atmosphere, but I love even more a place with fantastic beer selection and good atmosphere.
I’ve added these to the CommunityWalk map for the conference:
http://www.communitywalk.com/map/2539
Thanks for the recommendations!
Of the places I listed, I think Bull McCabes, Side Bar, and Lovejoys would be the best places for brews. Casino and Club de Ville always seem to be more about the mixed drinks. For a more extensive beer selection, try the Gingerman on 4th between Guadalupe and Lavaca. They have like 70 beers on tap. If you need a Leffe or Fuller’s ESB or Imperial, this is the place to go. Also, a longtime favorite near Downtown, but closer to UT—Dog and Duck Pub-18th and Guadalupe.
Thanks for the tips, that’s handy stuff. I hope to check at least a couple of those out.
I would have to give a thumbs down to LoveJoy’s. Since the announcement of their ultimate closing, the quality of the beer they brew has suffered, noticably.
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