Editorial
Austin's bar scene grew up alongside its food scene over the past decade. The Roosevelt Room set the technical reference; the East Side rooms (Whisler's, Nickel City) brought the neighbourhood warmth. The 10 below cover Rainey Street, the East Side, and one essential South Austin entry. Most are within a short drive of downtown.
Aussie's Grill and Beach Bar runs sand volleyball courts and a screen-lined patio on Barton Springs Road near Lady Bird Lake. The room fills for big games and league nights, and the kitchen leans on burgers and grilled plates between matches.
Kung Fu Saloon mixes arcade cabinets with sports screens at its downtown Austin room near West 5th Street. The Domain outpost closed in early 2026, but the original keeps the retro-game-and-game-day formula that built the brand.
Shakespeare's Pub holds a Sixth Street corner with a rooftop deck that looks toward the Frost Tower. The bar runs sports across its screens, books live music, and pours from roughly 45 beer taps until 2am daily.
The Dogwood anchors Rock Rose in the Domain with a downstairs bar and an open-air rooftop over the strip. Game days bring college-football crowds to the screens, and the Southern kitchen sends out wings and sliders between matches.
Austin drinks Texas-warm — the patios are part of the room, the music programming is genuine, the staff actually want to talk. The Roosevelt Room and Whisler's are the technical bookends. The Liberty and Nickel City are the no-bullshit neighbourhood places. Live-music bars (The Continental Club, The Saxon) are essential context if you're in town for a few days.
Senior US Editor — drinks his way through New York and writes about which bars actually deserve their reputations.