A Number of Austin Bars Have Reopened

Texas bars were allowed to reopen on Friday, May 22, as part of the state’s reopening program. Bars can now operate at 50 percent indoor capacity and full outdoor capacity while also adhering to novel coronavirus mitigation and social distancing requirements and recommendations. This includes sticking to table service (rather than have customers order at the bar), using disposable glassware, and discouraging dancing. Masks are recommended for guests and staffers, but not required.

It should be noted that the number of positive cases in the state have been steadily increasing, since the reopening of non-essential businesses and services in the state in May. Now, Austin is facing record-high hospitalizations (the current seven-day average is over 20) to the point where the city has escalated into stage four of the Austin Public Health’s risk-based guideline chart this week. Currently, there are 4,664 cases in Travis County.

Despite the allowances of the state orders, Austin and Travis County bars are asked to roll back their indoor capacity limits to at most 25 percent in order to continue to mitigate the virus even further. Restaurants are also allowed to reopen for dine-in service and Eater has been tracking those as well.

Here, Eater Austin is listing bars that have reopened as of May 22, with later opening dates noted as well. Eater is also tracking bars and brewery taprooms that are choosing to not reopen just yet.

Austin Bars and Brewery Taprooms/Patios Reopening

• 77 Degrees: The rooftop bar reopened on May 22. (11500 Rock Rose Avenue, Domain Northside)
• The Alibi: The downtown bar reopened its patio. (96 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Apt 115: The wine bar reopened its patio for drink-in service as of June 1 through reservations only via Resy, phone call, or text message. The wine list will be accessible through QR codes and there’s contactless payment through the Rooam app. This also means that its delivery service will end on Saturday, June 13, but its online store will remain open for pickups. (2025 East Seventh Street, East Austin)
• Augustine: The downtown bar reopened. (86 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Austin Beerworks: The brewery reopened its patio as of June 8 through table reservations only. Guests are required to wear masks when not seated at their tables; have to remain seated unless they’re placing orders or using restrooms; smoking is banned; and the food truck will remain closed. (3001 Industrial Terrace, North Burnet)
• Austin Winery: The South Austin winery reopened its tasting room through reservations only for one-hour slots as of June 2. (440 East St Elmo Road, A1, South Austin)
• Back Lot Bar: The bar reopened for service as of June 2. (606 Maiden Lane, Heritage)
• Barking Armadillo Brewery: The Georgetown brewery reopened its patio and taproom for drink-in service, plus there’s on-site taco truck Takavron. It will offer single-use cups. (507 River Bend, Georgetown)
• Barton Springs Saloon: The South Austin dive bar reopened on May 22. (424 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker)
• B.D. Riley’s: The Mueller location of the Irish pub reopened its indoor space and patio on May 22. There’s what is referred to as a “full time health captain,” and employees will wear masks. The downtown location, which had reopened from May 22 to June 14, is now closed temporarily.(1905 Aldrich Street, Mueller)
• Beerburg Brewing: The brewery reopened its beer garden as of June 13. Reservations are required, tables are spaced at least ten feet apart, groups are limited to eight people, the dog park is available, but the play area is not, employees are required to wear face masks, and guests are required to wear face masks when going to the restroom. The brewery is still offering to-go service too. (13476 Fitzhugh Road, Far West Austin)
• Blue Owl Brewery: The sour brewery reopened its tasting room and patio for drink-in service, as of June 3, while maintaining a separate area dedicated to to-go orders. Masks are required for guests when anywhere besides their table, and there’s table service. Disposable cups will be used, people are asked to throw away their garbage, and dogs have to stay on their leashes. (2400 East Cesar Chavez Street, East Austin)
• Broken Spoke: Now that the honky-tonk is able to legally reopen because of its license type, it reopened its doors May 22, per Austin 360. Staffers will wear masks and owner James M. White will wear one, but will take it off if a guest wants to take a photo with him. (3201 South Lamar Boulevard, South Lamar)
• Butterfly Bar: The bar reopened its outdoor spaces with table-service only as of June 15. Face masks are required for guests when they’re not seated at their tables. (2307 Manor Road, Cherrywood)
• Celis Brewery: The North Austin brewery is reopened its taproom on May 22. (10001 Metric Boulevard, North Burnet)
• Central Machine Works: The East Austin brewery is reopening its tap room on Monday, June 1 with table reservations. (4824 East Cesar Chavez Street, Govalle)
• Chupacabra Cantina: The downtown bar reopened in May, though its kitchen is closed for now because it shares that space with Jackalope, which had to close though its kitchen is closed for now after a staffer tested positive for the virus on June 8 (but the bar reopened on June 10). (400 East Sixth Street, Downtown)
• Circle Brewery: The brewery reopened its taproom as of June 10, while still selling curbside pickup/to-go beers. (2340 West Braker Lane, North Burnet)
• Coconut Club: The downtown bar reopened its rooftop only because it’s “in a position where we have no choice but to reopen as the only other option would be rto close our doors for good,” according to the Instagram post. Masks are required. (310B Colorado Street, Downtown)
• Container Bar: The downtown bar has reopened. (90 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Crow Bar: The South Austin bar reopened onMay 22. (3116 South Congress Avenue, Dawson)
• Dogwood: Both locations of the bar have reopened.
• Draught House: The beer bar has reopened its beer garden for drink-in service while still selling growlers to-go. (4112 Medical Parkway, Rosedale)
• DuMont’s Down Low: The basement whiskey bar reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. (214 West Fourth Street, Downtown)
• The Far Out: The far South Austin bar has reopened its patio for drink orders, as well as food from new on-site truck Fowl Mouth and relocated truck Austin Rotisserie. Guests will have to wear masks while ordering and standing in line to order. The indoor bar is closed, but people will be able to enter the building one at a time to use the restroom. (8504 South Congress Avenue, Far South Austin)
• Friends and Allies Brewery: The East Austin brewery reopened its indoor (max of 25 people at a time) and patio space on May 22. It’ll use disposable cups and accept contactless payments, while still selling to-go beers. (979 Springdale Road, Govalle)
• Full Circle Bar: The skee-ball bar reopened as of June 9 for six-person groups playing the game. Three-hour reservations must be booked in advanced for $100, with an open bar. Masks are required when not drinking, groups must use their assigned lanes and sit in their designated areas. (1810 East 12th Street, Central East Austin)
• Gibson Street Bar: The South Austin bar reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. (1109 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker)
• Green Light Social: The West Sixth bar reopened on May 22 and reservations are recommended. (720 West Sixth Street, Downtown)
• Half Step: The downtown bar reopened just its patio on May 25 with table service and a special cocktail menu. (75 1/2 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• HandleBar: The West Fifth bar reopened. (121 East Fifth Street, Downtown)
• Haymaker: While the Cherrywood sports bar could’ve reopened its space earlier this month because of its license, it waited until phase two to reopen on May 22 at half-capacity. There’s no bar service, but drinks will be served in glasses unless disposable cups are requested. Menus will be available through QR codes and physical disposable versions are available by request. (2310 Manor Road, Cherrywood)
• Hi Sign Brewing: The brewery reopened its taproom on June 13 while still offering beer-to-go. (1201 Bastrop Highway, Far South East Austin)
• Hold Out Brewing: The new Austin brewery opened its patio via online reservations with table service as of May 30, while continuing its to-go program. (1208 West Fourth Street, Near Clarksville)
• Hops & Grain: The East Austin brewery is maintaining its to-go service while also reopening its patio right now for people who want to drink on the premises. Orders can be placed through its website or the in-person counter, drinks will be served in disposable cups, and there will be hand sanitizer stations. The taproom reopened on May 22 through reservations only via the website or email. The brewery plans on only seating 25 people in total in the indoor space at a time. (507 Calles Street, East Austin)
• Hop Squad Brewing: The brewery reopened its outdoor patio (aka its parking lot) for drink-in service. People will have to order to-go pints for self-service, but seats are still first-come, first-serve. Guests will have to wear masks when not seated. People are also recommended to stay no longer than two hours. (2307 Kramer Lane, North Burnet)
• Icenhauer’s: The downtown bar reopened on May 22. (83 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery: The East Austin winery has reopened its tasting room. (702 Shady Lane, Govalle)
• Iron Bear: The relocated gay bar reopened for dine- and drink-in service on May 22. Masks are required for guests (and masks will be available for people who don’t have one) and cash isn’t being accepted. The pool table and dart areas will remain closed. (301 West Sixth Street, Downtown)
• Jack & Ginger’s: The Rock Rose Irish bar reopened on May 22. (11500 Rock Rose Avenue, Domain Northside)
• Jackalope: Both locations of the bar (the other in South Shore) reopened as of May 22 but a staffer at the downtown location tested positive for COVID-19 and the bar closed from June 8 to 9, reopening on the 10th. That bar’s kitchen (which is shares with Chupacabra and Moose Bar) remains closed. The bar menus are accessible on Instagram (as opposed to physical menus at the bar).
• Jester King Brewery: The Hill Country brewery reopened its outdoor space for dine- and drink-in service as of May 29, with a whole plan. Seating in designated areas are available through online reservations only within two time blocks Thursday through Sunday. Orders are still placed online through phones and guests will pick up their food from the pickup-area. Customers are required to wear masks (except while eating and drinking), and staffers are, too. Takeout service continues too. The brewer’s nature trail is also open, with an expansion come June. (13005 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs)
• Kitty Cohen’s: The East Austin bar reopened its patio for drink-in service as of May 28. There’s only table service, groups are limited to four people, people can’t step into the pool, cash isn’t being accepted, and people will have to war masks to enter the building in order to use the restrooms. (2211 Webberville Road, East Austin)
• Kung Fu Saloon: Kung Fu Saloon: Both locations of Kung Fu Saloon — downtown and Rock Rose — reopened immediately on May 22 as of midnight.
• Lala’s Little Nugget: The holiday-themed bar has reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. Employees will also have their temperatures checked before shifts and are required to wear masks. (2207 Justin Lane, Crestview)
• Lavaca Street Bar: All locations of the bar have reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. Employees will also have their temperatures checked before shifts and are required to wear masks.
• The Liberty: The East Austin bar reopened as of June 3 with table service only. (1618 East Sixth Street, East Austin)
• The Little Darlin’: The South Austin bar reopened its indoor and wide outdoor spaces for dine- and drink-in service as of this week. (6507 Circle South Road, Far South Austin)
• Little Woodrow’s: All locations of the bar have reopened.
• Long Play Lounge: The bar reopened as of May 28. (704 West St. Johns Avenue, Highland)
• Lucky Duck: The East Austin bar reopened, and it’s serving boozy frozen pops for dine-in and takeout. (1300 East Sixth Street, East Austin)
• Lucille: The downtown bar reopened. (77 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Lustre Pearl: The downtown location of the bar has reopened. (94 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Mean Eyed Cat: The Clarksville bar reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. Employees will also have their temperatures checked before shifts and are required to wear masks. (1621 West Fifth Street, Clarksville)
• Midnight Cowboy: The downtown bar has reopened for drink-in service as of June 4 through reservations only with $10 non-refundable booking fees and 20 percent service charges tacked onto bills. Reservations are required and its private rooms aren’t holding more than six people. The temperatures of guests and staffers will be checked before entering the building. Staffers will also wear masks and gloves. Guests can keep the bar’s fancy bar menu. (313 East Sixth Street, Downtown)
• Mort Subite: The Belgian beer bar reopened its indoor space. (308 Congress Avenue, Downtown)
• Nickel City: The popular bar reopened for indoor and outdoor table service drinks as of June 2. Face masks are required for guests and reservations are recommended. The bar is continuing its curbside drinks and food program too. (1133 East 11th Street, Central East Austin)
• Nightcap: The Clarksville bar and restaurant reopened its patio for dine-in service as of May 26 through reservations only. (1401 West Sixth Street, Clarksville)
• Oilcan Harry’s: The gay bar reopened as of June 12, requiring temperature checks for guests, implementing table-service, requiring face masks when not sitting down, and not accepting cash. Two-hour reservations are recommended too. (211 West Fourth Street, Downtown)
• P6: The rooftop bar at the Line Hotel reopened on May 22. (111 East Cesar Chavez Street, Downtown)
• Parker Jazz Club: The downtown bar and music venue reopened on May 22 through reservations only, with performances by its house band. The band will play for 90 minutes, and the club will be cleared after each set for cleaning purposes. (117 West Fourth Street, Downtown)
• Posse East: The campus-area bar reopened its outdoor space for dine- and drink-in service, while still offering to-go food. (2900 Duval Street, Central Austin)
• Radio Coffee: The beer bar and cafe reopened its outdoor seating area. Orders still need to be placed online for drink-in and curbside pickups. (4204 Menchaca Road, South Lamar)
• Rain on 4th: The gay bar reopened as of June 12, requiring temperature checks for guests, implementing table-service, requiring face masks when not sitting down, and not accepting cash. Two-hour reservations are recommended too. (217 West Fourth Street, Downtown)
• Red Horn Coffee & Brewing Co.: The Cedar Park brewery and cafe reopened its outdoor area for dine-/drink-in service. (13010 West Parmer Lane, Suite 800, Cedar Park)
• Rustic Tap: The West Sixth beer garden reopened its patio in mid-May. (613 West Sixth Street, Downtown)
• School House Pub: The bar reopened its patio while offering to-go food and drinks as of May 27. (2207 Manor Road, Cherrywood)
• Sellers Underground: The downtown bar reopened on May 22. Masks will be required for guests (except when seating and for drinking purposes). (213 West Fourth Street, Downtown)
• Seven Grand and Las Perlas: The downtown whiskey and mezcal bars reopened on May 25 with table service. On-site taco truck Asador will serve food from the shared patio. (405 East Seventh Street, Downtown)
• Shooters Billiards & Sports Bar: Both locations of the bar reopened for drink-in service. (11416 North Farm-to-Market 620, Anderson Mill; 601 East Whitestone Boulevard, Cedar Park)
• Skull Mechanix Brewing: The brewery reopened its tasting room through table reservations as of May 26. Masks are required for guests when not seated at their table, and the brewery is still selling beer to-go. (1005 East St. Elmo Road, South Austin)
• South Austin Beer Garden: The beer garden and dive bar is reopened on May 22. (10700 Menchaca Road, Far South Austin)
• Southern Heights Brewing: The brewery is reopening its patio on June 19, while still selling beer-to-go. (6014 Techni Center Drive, Far East Austin)
• Speakeasy: The downtown bar reopened on May 22 with live music. The bar is also opening its terrace. Staffers are required to wear masks. (412 Congress Avenue, Downtown)
• St. Elmo Brewing Co.: The South Austin brewery reopened its beer garden as of June 4 through reservations only and groups are limited to eight people. Guests are required to wear masks when entering the brewery building and while placing orders. (440 East Saint Elmo Road, South Austin)
• Stagger Lee: The bar reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. Employees will also have their temperatures checked before shifts and are required to wear masks. (87 Rainey Street, Downtown)
• Star Bar: The West Sixth bar, which now includes pizza truck Via 313, has reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. Employees will also have their temperatures checked before shifts and are required to wear masks. (600 West Sixth Street, Downtown)
• Stephen F.’s Bar: The InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel reopened its bar as of June 4. (701 Congress Avenue, Downtown)
• Stereotype: The West Sixth bar reopened May 22. (510 Rio Grande Street, Downtown)
• Treaty Oak Distilling: The distillery and its on-site restaurant Alice’s reopened for dine- and drink-in service. (16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs)
• The Tigress Pub: The bar reopened as of June 17 and masks are required. (100 West North Loop Boulevard, North Loop)
• Turnstile Coffee, Beer, and Spirits: The coffee shop and bar reopened as of May 22. (10025 Burnet Road, North Burnet)
• Vista Brewing: The Hill Country brewery reopened its beer garden on May 22 through required reservations, while still offering takeout/curbside service and operating its market. Everything will be served in disposable packaging, and flights and pitchers aren’t being sold. Children are welcomed and included in party numbers (six or less), but the playground is closed. Masks are required when guests aren’t sitting down. (13551 Ranch to Market Road 150, Driftwood)
• Warehouse Billiard Bar: The South Austin bar reopened on May 26, and the temperatures of both staffers and guests will be checked. (509 East Ben White Boulevard, East Congress)
• The Wheel: The whiskey bar reopened. Guests’ temperatures will be taken and are required to wear masks when not seated or eating/drinking. (1902 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, near Central East Austin)
• Whisler’s: The East Austin bar reopened its patio as of May 28. (1816 East Sixth Street, East Austin)
• Wonder Bar: The Instagram-geared Rock Rose bar reopened on May 22. (11500 Rock Rose Avenue, Domain Northside)
• Austin bar owner Bob Woody’s downtown bars — Shakespeare’s Pub, The Ranch, Buford’s Beer Garden, and Buck Shot — reopened on May 22, per Austin 360.
• Workhorse Bar: The North Loop bar reopened its dining room as of June 8, while still offering to-go orders. (100 North Loop Boulevard, North Loop)
• Yellow Jacket Social Club: The East Austin bar reopened as of June 10

Austin Bars and Brewery Taprooms That Aren’t Reopening Yet

• Cheer Up Charlie’s (the bar is expecting to reopen sometime in early July)
• The Continental Club
• Drink.Well (the bar has been selling to-go food and cocktail kits)
• Firehouse Hostel (the bar launched to-go and delivery cocktail and food services)
• Frazier’s
• Real Ale Brewing Co. (the brewery has been selling its beer to-go)
• The Roosevelt Room & The Eleanor
• Shangri-La (the bar was going to reopen last week, but decided to delay it for a little bit)
• Stay Gold
• The White Horse

Know of other Austin bars reopening or not reopening ? Let Eater know through the tipline or email at austin@eater.com.

Update, June 17, 4:22 p.m. This article, originally published on Tuesday, May 19, has been updated to include additional bars.