Cooper’s Barbecue Continues Slow Roll Out in Austin

Longtime Llano barbecue mainstay Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is in the midst of slow rolling debut, from last month’s soft opening of the upstairs Llano Lounge to full space on Tuesday, January 5. Both bar areas are now open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight with the same limited menu. Full barbecue will be served starting sometime before February.

Managing partner Bruce Evans said that when the restaurant is fully open, "hopefully before the end of the month," operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for barbecue, while the bars will stay open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant has bar areas both upstairs and downstairs; the upstairs seating area will also be available for private parties.

Nearly two years in the works, the downtown Cooper’s is the barbecue institution’s first Austin outpost, and the sleek interior and full bars reflect an appropriately urban ethos. The original location on the main square in tiny Llano opened in 1963 and is a constant presence on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 list, and at the publication’s annual barbecue festival.