Austin hidden bars include the most theatrical entrance in Texas (Midnight Cowboy, tableside service, reservation-only). The 10 below show how Austin hides things.
Part of our 50 Best Hidden Gem Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best hidden gem bars in Austin
01 · Austin
6th Street
$$$
Speakeasy · Tableside
Through an unmarked door on 6th Street. Reservations only.
Order: Whatever they bring to your table
02 · Austin
Downtown
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Speakeasy · Inside a parking garage
Inside an actual parking garage downtown.
Order: An Old Fashioned, made fast
03 · Austin
East Austin
$$
Speakeasy · Through a fake repair shop
Through a fake floppy-disk-repair-shop facade.
Order: A signature cocktail with a 1980s name
04 · Austin
Downtown
$$
Cocktail temple · Speakeasy
Justin Lavenue's room. Texas's most decorated cocktail bar.
Order: Whatever's the bartender's spec for that month's spirit
05 · Austin
East Austin
$
Casual · East Side
East Austin neighbourhood favourite.
Order: A mezcal-led seasonal
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06 · Austin
South Austin
$$
Cocktail bar · East Side
East Austin cocktail bar with a smaller, more intimate scale.
Order: A small-batch Texas-distillery feature
07 · Austin
Downtown
$$
Speakeasy · Reservations
Hidden downtown speakeasy.
Order: A perfect Manhattan
08 · Austin
East Austin
$$
Restaurant + bar · Patio
Texas-ranch-themed restaurant.
Order: A Texas-spirit seasonal cocktail
09 · Austin
East Austin
$
Patio · Casual
East Side patio bar.
Order: A whiskey + a Lone Star
10 · Austin
East Austin
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Late-night · Hot dogs
East Side late-night bar.
Order: A cheap shot + a hot dog
More Austin hidden gemsThe full Austin hidden-gem-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How Austin hides its best
Midnight Cowboy is the iconic entrance. The Roosevelt Room is the technical reference. Most peak between 10 PM and midnight.
