17 Bars That Are Open on Thanksgiving in Austin

Ah, Thanksgiving: It’s a time to gather with friends and family while eating really great food. If you’re sticking around Austin — which occupies the ancestral lands of the Coahuiltecan, Comanche, Jumano, Tonkawa, and Lipan Apache tribes — or returning home or visiting the city for the holidays, you might be in search of an excuse to get out for a drink by yourself or with friends and family.

With that in mind, here are 17 bars that will be open on Thanksgiving day without any or at least much Thanksgiving hoopla on Thursday, November 23, all listed in alphabetical order.

For related Thanksgiving guidance, there are Eater Austin’s Thanksgiving takeout guide, Thanksgiving takeout pie guide, and Thanksgiving dine-in meals map.

Armadillo Den
10106 Menchaca Road, Far South Austin
The mostly-patio bar will be open on Thanksgiving from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Barfly’s
5420 Airport Boulevard, North Loop
A dive bar that is open for every holiday, including Thanksgiving.

Bender Bar
321 West Ben White Boulevard, South Austin
The sports bar will be open on Thanksgiving from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. only for drinks (the kitchen is closed for the day).

Cedar Door
201 Brazos Street, Downtown
The downtown pub will be open on Thanksgiving with football, board games, and themed cocktails, all from 3 p.m. to midnight. Plus it’s accepting caned food donations for the Central Texas Food Bank and people can get a dollar off their drinks.

Drinks Backyard
6328 South US-183 Highway, Pilot Knobs Acres
The new Southeast Austin bar from Drinks Lounge/Little Drinks will be open on Thanksgiving with a pie party, hot buttered rum, and football.

Ego’s Lounge
510 South Congress Avenue, Bouldin Creek
The karaoke bar will open for Thanksgiving day with singing and drinks, and food from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Kelly’s Irish Pub
519 West Oltorf Street, Dawson
The Irish bar will be open on Thanksgiving from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Lala’s
2207 Justin Lane, Brentwood
Another early Christmas spot, the very festive holiday-every-day bar is open for Thanksgiving, open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Miracle on Fifth Street
The Eleanor, 307 West Fifth Street, Downtown
Get a head start on winter holiday vibes with the Austin location of the national Christmas pop-up. Expect festive lights and seasonal drinks from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are available online.

The Driskill Bar
604 Brazos Street, Downtown
It’s always a guarantee that the hotel bar will be open for the holiday. Sit back and enjoy Texas-themed drinks in a classy space.

The Cavalier
2400 Webberville Road, East Austin
The bar and restaurant will be open for Thanksgiving day, with the full bar serving from 6 to 10 p.m. The kitchen will be operating with a limited menu of gumbos.

The Grackle
1700 East Sixth Street, East Austin
The whiskey dive is open from noon to midnight on Thanksgiving, with Wild Turkey bourbon whiskey specials all day.

The Hideout Pub
12164 North Mopac, near Walnut Crossing
While the bar’s kitchen will be closed on Thanksgiving, it’s still pouring drinks starting at 7 p.m.

The Little Darlin’
6507 Circle South Road, Far South Austin
The patio bar with indoor space and a pool table will be open for the holiday starting at 4 p.m.

Wiggle Room
612 Nueces Street, downtown
The cocktail bar will be open on Thanksgiving starting at 8 p.m.

Workhorse Bar
100 East North Loop Boulevard, North Loop
Another dive-ish bar that is open for every single holiday, which includes Thanksgiving, from 11 a.m. to midnight for drinks, burgers, and the jukebox. (keep in mind the kitchen closes at 11:45 p.m.).

Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 East Fifth Street, East Austin
The bar will be open for regular hours of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.