Reid’s Guide to Austin
Up to 10 Min Walk
Convenience store, closest spot to get the essentials. They're open 24/7 -- only place I know of anywhere close by that does that -- and they offer FREE COFFEE all day every day.
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Orange Market
910 W 25th StConvenience store, closest spot to get the essentials. They're open 24/7 -- only place I know of anywhere close by that does that -- and they offer FREE COFFEE all day every day.
Not just cookies! Amazing selection of cookies, ice cream, and other sweets, and you can get it all mixed in whatever way you like. Basically the best way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Cold Cookie Company
2512 Rio Grande StNot just cookies! Amazing selection of cookies, ice cream, and other sweets, and you can get it all mixed in whatever way you like. Basically the best way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Rowdy, raucous, vibrant, spirited... Basically the quintessential college pub, especially good for sports. This is the kind of place that has, on some nights, a "bucket of Buds" you can carry around for the same price you'd pay at the convenience store. Large but cozy, thanks mostly to the warm wood interior. Outdoor patio as well. Expect it to be busy!
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Cain & Abel's
907 Rio Grande StRowdy, raucous, vibrant, spirited... Basically the quintessential college pub, especially good for sports. This is the kind of place that has, on some nights, a "bucket of Buds" you can carry around for the same price you'd pay at the convenience store. Large but cozy, thanks mostly to the warm wood interior. Outdoor patio as well. Expect it to be busy!
Great place for breakfast or brunch, definitely going to be a line on the weekends.
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Kerbey Lane Cafe - University
2606 Guadalupe StGreat place for breakfast or brunch, definitely going to be a line on the weekends.
Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StLocal coffee shop. Two floors, calm atmosphere, good coffee.
10 Min or Less by Uber
These places are 20 or more minutes walking distance, so you can choose a number of ways to get there. Because they're outside the neighborhood, this list is focused on just the most interesting spots.
Belgian/French cuisine. Amazing beer selection. Calm, sophisticated atmosphere. There's a BBQ spot next door and you can bring that with you to the Hopfields patio to accompany one of their drinks!
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Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe StBelgian/French cuisine. Amazing beer selection. Calm, sophisticated atmosphere. There's a BBQ spot next door and you can bring that with you to the Hopfields patio to accompany one of their drinks!
One of the best BBQ spots in Austin, no exaggeration.
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Black's Barbecue Austin
3110 Guadalupe StOne of the best BBQ spots in Austin, no exaggeration.
My favorite grocery chain in Austin. The way Whole Foods ought to be.
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdMy favorite grocery chain in Austin. The way Whole Foods ought to be.
One of the top Indian restaurants in Austin. Whether you do the lunch buffet or order off the menu, it's going to be delicious!
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The Clay Pit
1601 Guadalupe StOne of the top Indian restaurants in Austin. Whether you do the lunch buffet or order off the menu, it's going to be delicious!
This place has been here since 1976. Authentic experience. Very casual, dive bar atmosphere. Also very small, and you can expect a ~10 min wait at lunch. Like other places downtown, finding parking won't be easy. But if that's not an issue, this is definitely a good place to get a very satisfying lunch.
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Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca StThis place has been here since 1976. Authentic experience. Very casual, dive bar atmosphere. Also very small, and you can expect a ~10 min wait at lunch. Like other places downtown, finding parking won't be easy. But if that's not an issue, this is definitely a good place to get a very satisfying lunch.
Obviously a great place to check out! Absolutely gorgeous building and grounds. I would especially recommend seeing this at night when it's lit up.
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Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveObviously a great place to check out! Absolutely gorgeous building and grounds. I would especially recommend seeing this at night when it's lit up.
The official State of Texas history museum. If you want a rich overview of the state's history but also want to keep yourself to a tight schedule, they do a great job being thorough while also keeping things succinct, easily digestible, and entertaining. Definitely one of the best museums in Austin, enjoyable for everyone.
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Μουσείο Ιστορίας της Πολιτείας του Τέξας Bullock
1800 Congress AveThe official State of Texas history museum. If you want a rich overview of the state's history but also want to keep yourself to a tight schedule, they do a great job being thorough while also keeping things succinct, easily digestible, and entertaining. Definitely one of the best museums in Austin, enjoyable for everyone.
One of the top two or three art museums in Austin. Focus on 20th Century and Latin American art.
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Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardOne of the top two or three art museums in Austin. Focus on 20th Century and Latin American art.
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StIn case you didn't know this was here!
West Sixth
West Sixth is a more recently developed area, catering to the affluent communities concentrated in this area. It has a more upscale feel than Sixth Street (also called "Dirty Sixth") as well as East Sixth (east of I-35).
Great for wine tasting and tasty dinner food. Not casual but don't need to wear very formal clothing, either.
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The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen - Downtown
800 W 6th StGreat for wine tasting and tasty dinner food. Not casual but don't need to wear very formal clothing, either.
Irene's has something for everyone, at every time of day. Great for brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. Good food and drinks in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Definitely recommended.
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Irene’s
506 West AveIrene's has something for everyone, at every time of day. Great for brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. Good food and drinks in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Definitely recommended.
Open, energetic, large bar, one of the most popular spots on West Sixth, good destination on weekends.
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Green Light Social
720 W 6th StOpen, energetic, large bar, one of the most popular spots on West Sixth, good destination on weekends.
Good for dancing on the weekends. Large dancehall upstairs with views of the outside.
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The Ranch
710 W 6th StGood for dancing on the weekends. Large dancehall upstairs with views of the outside.
Fun but relaxed, cozy place, good for starting or ending the night.
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Dirty Bill's
511 Rio Grande StFun but relaxed, cozy place, good for starting or ending the night.
There's a really nice variety of spaces at this place. Massive open area where they've hosted some amazing live music acts. Large bar on the inside, plenty of seating on the outside, and they've got several billiard tables as well.
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Buford's
700 W 6th StThere's a really nice variety of spaces at this place. Massive open area where they've hosted some amazing live music acts. Large bar on the inside, plenty of seating on the outside, and they've got several billiard tables as well.
Sixth Street
Known locally as "Dirty Sixth," this is the part of Sixth Street east of Congress Ave but west of I-35. Well-deserved nickname. Similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans. All the bars on Sixth Street have a very similar vibe, but some are more well-known and hospitable places, and those are the ones I list here.
Shakespeare's
314 E 6th StMaggie Mae's
323 E 6th StDarwin's Piano Bar
223 E 6th StThe Library Bar-Austin, TX
407 E 6th StRed River
Fun area just off of Sixth Street, more space to walk around, more food trucks, greater variety of music, more local acts.
If you want to dance away from Dirty Sixth, this is the place. It also stays open to between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., as long as you're in the door by 2:00 a.m. Popular with college students, but there's a really diverse crowd here every weekend. It also connects to Swan Dive, a bar next door that specializes in showing live local rock bands. Pro tip: if the line is longer at Barbarella, just get in the line at Swan Dive and you'll pay the exact same cover to get the exact same access. Also, there's no cover before 11 p.m. Cover after 11 p.m. is always $5 -- cash only.
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Barbarella
611 Red River StIf you want to dance away from Dirty Sixth, this is the place. It also stays open to between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., as long as you're in the door by 2:00 a.m. Popular with college students, but there's a really diverse crowd here every weekend. It also connects to Swan Dive, a bar next door that specializes in showing live local rock bands. Pro tip: if the line is longer at Barbarella, just get in the line at Swan Dive and you'll pay the exact same cover to get the exact same access. Also, there's no cover before 11 p.m. Cover after 11 p.m. is always $5 -- cash only.
My #1 favorite bar/venue in Austin. Two stages, one inside and one outside, featuring local bands of every imaginable genre, as well as some unique events, like screenings by local indie film clubs. On the weekends it can be super crowded, but they have a large outdoor space with a good amount of laid-back seating. They have a small but high-quality beer selection and serve specialty cocktails with house-made kombucha if you like. There's a vegan food truck on site with some of the most satisfying vegan food in town -- big helpings of 100% plant-based, house-made proteins that you could swear were the real thing. Take your pick of spicy tacos, chicken sandwiches, burgers, BBQ, tater tots, sweet potato fries, etc. Google will tell you it's a "gay bar," but they call themselves an "ambiguous everybody space." It's difficult to imagine anyone being uncomfortable here. Good vibes any day of the week.
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Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StMy #1 favorite bar/venue in Austin. Two stages, one inside and one outside, featuring local bands of every imaginable genre, as well as some unique events, like screenings by local indie film clubs. On the weekends it can be super crowded, but they have a large outdoor space with a good amount of laid-back seating. They have a small but high-quality beer selection and serve specialty cocktails with house-made kombucha if you like. There's a vegan food truck on site with some of the most satisfying vegan food in town -- big helpings of 100% plant-based, house-made proteins that you could swear were the real thing. Take your pick of spicy tacos, chicken sandwiches, burgers, BBQ, tater tots, sweet potato fries, etc. Google will tell you it's a "gay bar," but they call themselves an "ambiguous everybody space." It's difficult to imagine anyone being uncomfortable here. Good vibes any day of the week.
East Sixth
Sixth Street east of I-35. Don't be confused by local terminology. Technically "East" addresses start at Congress Ave, which is in the middle of downtown. But places on East Sixth west of I-35 are never called "East Sixth." It's just "Sixth Street" or "Dirty Sixth." The area called "East Sixth" is a long stretch of Sixth Street east of I-35 that has some of the best bars/venues/restaurants on the eastside that are just as popular with locals as with visitors. This is also where I live.
This is my go-to neighborhood bar. Chill, friendly vibe even when it's packed. Wide U-shaped bar and plenty of space inside and out makes it easy to meet people. Huge patio outside with a Cajun creole food truck that serves 100% plant-based (vegan) food. The beignets and hush puppies are especially good. This spot is midway between Dirty Sixth and East Sixth, so there's always a health movement of groups in and out on their way from one place to another.
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Shangri-La
1016 E 6th StThis is my go-to neighborhood bar. Chill, friendly vibe even when it's packed. Wide U-shaped bar and plenty of space inside and out makes it easy to meet people. Huge patio outside with a Cajun creole food truck that serves 100% plant-based (vegan) food. The beignets and hush puppies are especially good. This spot is midway between Dirty Sixth and East Sixth, so there's always a health movement of groups in and out on their way from one place to another.
Pros: cheap drinks, great beer selection, popular with locals, very chill, good place to take a break, new chicken/burger food truck, jukebox with cool selection handpicked by bar staff. Cons: no live music, never that busy.
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Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StPros: cheap drinks, great beer selection, popular with locals, very chill, good place to take a break, new chicken/burger food truck, jukebox with cool selection handpicked by bar staff. Cons: no live music, never that busy.
This place is named for a famous former London opium den that was visited by the likes of Aldous Huxley. Decor is on point (pseudo-East/Southeast Asian style, with peacocks, bold accents, jewel/gold colors, and lots of velvet). Pros: friendly bar staff, high quality cocktails, creative menu, lively crowd, best regular house music offering in the entire city every Thursday night -- called "Secret Garden" -- for real, if you like house music and you need something to do on Thursday night, check this out. Cons: expensive.
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Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StThis place is named for a famous former London opium den that was visited by the likes of Aldous Huxley. Decor is on point (pseudo-East/Southeast Asian style, with peacocks, bold accents, jewel/gold colors, and lots of velvet). Pros: friendly bar staff, high quality cocktails, creative menu, lively crowd, best regular house music offering in the entire city every Thursday night -- called "Secret Garden" -- for real, if you like house music and you need something to do on Thursday night, check this out. Cons: expensive.
Good spot for dance music with Latin vibe on the weekends, including the weekly Sunday "La Cruda" ("hangover") party, where the DJ serves up 400 free tacos while playing lots of Latin music. Best thing about this place is the outdoor patio, probably the biggest in Austin, which connects it to Hotel Vegas next door, another place on this list you should check out if you're into live music. Cons: no live music at Volstead, but you can get your fill of rock/punk next door.
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The Volstead Lounge
1500 E 6th StGood spot for dance music with Latin vibe on the weekends, including the weekly Sunday "La Cruda" ("hangover") party, where the DJ serves up 400 free tacos while playing lots of Latin music. Best thing about this place is the outdoor patio, probably the biggest in Austin, which connects it to Hotel Vegas next door, another place on this list you should check out if you're into live music. Cons: no live music at Volstead, but you can get your fill of rock/punk next door.
Sister bar to Volstead Lounge (also on this list). Definitely worth checking out if you want to see live music. One of the best venues for that in Austin.
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HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th StSister bar to Volstead Lounge (also on this list). Definitely worth checking out if you want to see live music. One of the best venues for that in Austin.
For serious Texas Two-Stepping, whether as participant or spectator.
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The White Horse
500 Comal StFor serious Texas Two-Stepping, whether as participant or spectator.
Pros: cheap drinks, popular with locals, chill atmosphere, large patio out back with creative food truck, focus on rice-based dishes but not necessarily Asian. Vegans will enjoy the brussel sprouts, imo.
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetPros: cheap drinks, popular with locals, chill atmosphere, large patio out back with creative food truck, focus on rice-based dishes but not necessarily Asian. Vegans will enjoy the brussel sprouts, imo.
Pros: kind of weird yet chic decor, chill but sophisticated atmosphere, quintessential East Austin, creative and tasty cocktails, pizza food truck, and a special Mezcaleria sort of shack/bar you get to by going up an exterior set of stairs. Cons: expensive.
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Whisler's
1816 E 6th StPros: kind of weird yet chic decor, chill but sophisticated atmosphere, quintessential East Austin, creative and tasty cocktails, pizza food truck, and a special Mezcaleria sort of shack/bar you get to by going up an exterior set of stairs. Cons: expensive.
Must see for beer aficionados! This brewery is one of if not the best in town, and because they don't distribute, they get much less credit than they should. As a fan of good craft beer, I haven't seen a place in Texas yet that is able to make really excellent versions of so many different styles. Very relaxed atmosphere and outdoor area. Chill enough that bar tenders may not even ask for your ID -- according to Texas law, they can just ask you to confirm you're 21, and given the maturity of their clientele, apparently they feel comfortable doing that.
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Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StMust see for beer aficionados! This brewery is one of if not the best in town, and because they don't distribute, they get much less credit than they should. As a fan of good craft beer, I haven't seen a place in Texas yet that is able to make really excellent versions of so many different styles. Very relaxed atmosphere and outdoor area. Chill enough that bar tenders may not even ask for your ID -- according to Texas law, they can just ask you to confirm you're 21, and given the maturity of their clientele, apparently they feel comfortable doing that.
Not on East Sixth, but this is the best bar to go to if you're visiting the E 11th/12th area, which is popular with an early-thirties crowd .
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Nickel City
1133 E 11th StNot on East Sixth, but this is the best bar to go to if you're visiting the E 11th/12th area, which is popular with an early-thirties crowd .