Editorial
The best bars in East Austin are not the ones with the longest queues on Sixth Street. East Austin has always done things differently — and the best bars in east austin are proof that the neighbourhood's drinking culture runs deeper than any tourist strip. We have spent years tracking this side of town, and the list below is where our editors actually go when they want a good drink in Austin.
East Austin's bar scene is anchored by a handful of spots that have survived every wave of gentrification without losing their edge. These are the bars where regulars still get their tab run without being asked, where the bartender knows your order, and where the music is chosen by someone with actual taste.
Tucked behind murals, inside converted houses, and down alleys that do not show up on Google Maps until you already know what you are looking for — these are the bars that East Austin keeps for itself.
The craft beer culture in East Austin is more developed than most visitors realise. Several world-class taprooms have anchored this part of town, making it the natural starting point for anyone who takes beer seriously.
East Austin remains the most interesting part of the city for drinking, even as the rents have climbed and the storefronts have changed. The bars above represent the neighbourhood at its best — specific, unpretentious, and worth crossing town for. We recommend starting at Whisler's for mezcal, moving to Lazarus for beer and pizza, and finishing wherever the night takes you on East 6th.
The hidden gems section — Palomino, Vinaigrette, Skylark — rewards return visits more than first ones. Go once to understand them. Go back to appreciate them properly. Book the Skylark in advance on weekends if you want a booth; the jazz fills the room fast.
James has been covering the US bar scene since 2010. He has strong opinions about mezcal, a deep affection for proper dive bars, and a running tab at three establishments in Austin that he refuses to settle.