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Hole in the Wall
Hole in the Wall
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Austin’s 10 Best All-Around Bars

Bars that work for any occasion, from dives to cocktail spots, with drinks, beers, wine, and more

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Hole in the Wall
| Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Austin’s drinking scene has never been better, with numerous bars offering absolutely great boozy beverages, from cocktails to beer to wine. With that in mind, Eater is highlighting the city’s best all-around bars, those establishments that serve stellar mixed drinks, as well as excellent beer and/or wine selections, so there’s something for every taste.

Austin’s most versatile bars include King Bee with its varied choices, wine bar and more Vino Vino, campus hang Hole in the Wall, among others. This update adds Nickel City to the mix.

Elsewhere, Eater breaks down the city’s best alcoholic offerings: essential cocktail bars, new cocktail bars, beer spots, dive bars, wine lists, and sports bars.

Missing a versatile bar? Let Eater know through the tipline or within the comments.

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Workhorse Bar

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The easygoing North Loop dive is open every day (including holidays), offering up a lot of local beers, takes on classic drinks like margaritas, and citrus-tinged shots.

Workhorse Bar
Workhorse Bar
Tina M./Yelp

Nomad Bar

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Up in Windsor Park, Nomad has it all: seasonal cocktails (think margaritas and shandies for the summer heat), plenty of beer via taps, bottles, and cans, wines (including bubbles), and an extensive liquor inventory.

Nomad Bar
Nomad Bar
Nickie B./Yelp

Vino Vino

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While known primarily as a wine bar, Vino Vino also has a strong liquor program along with a small yet varying beer and sake roundup.

The back dining room at Vino Vino
Vino Vino
Vino Vino [Official]

Hole In The Wall

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Hole in the Wall is the place to nurse a beer or mixed drink (including mezcal Mules) while watching a live show while on campus.

A bar’s beer taps.
Hole in the Wall
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

King Bee Lounge

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Along with frozen cocktails (that flower-topped Bee’s Knees is potent), the East 12th Street dive bar has a great mezcal and rose selection, along with Austin beers.

King Bee
King Bee
Colette D./Yelp

Small Victory

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While somewhat difficult to find, the intimate downtown bar pays equal amount attention to its cocktails (i.e. that choose-your-own-adventure martini) as it does to its modest wine list.

Small Victory
Small Victory
Darren B./Yelp

Nickel City

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The central east Austin neighborhood bar has something for everyone: wines by the glass, frozen drinks, cocktails, beers, shots, and boilermakers.

A bar.
Nickel City
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Easy Tiger

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Easy Tiger checks off all of those essential Austin bar needs: great outdoor space, wide-ranging beer lineup, curated whiskey list, cocktails, and sausages and pretzels to boot. It’s just the place for an easy hang indoors or out right on Dirty Sixth.

Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger
Gloria J./Yelp

The White Horse

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The East Side honky tonk serves up excellent people-watching, two-stepping, whiskey on tap, and cheap beer.

White Horse
White Horse
Kathryne B./Yelp

The Little Darlin'

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Far South Austin’s bar paradise can be found with Little Darlin’. There are rotating frozen cocktails, well drinks, and plenty of beers, including the locally focused draft list.

The Little Darlin’
The Little Darlin’
Sandra S./Yelp

Workhorse Bar

The easygoing North Loop dive is open every day (including holidays), offering up a lot of local beers, takes on classic drinks like margaritas, and citrus-tinged shots.

Workhorse Bar
Workhorse Bar
Tina M./Yelp

Nomad Bar

Up in Windsor Park, Nomad has it all: seasonal cocktails (think margaritas and shandies for the summer heat), plenty of beer via taps, bottles, and cans, wines (including bubbles), and an extensive liquor inventory.

Nomad Bar
Nomad Bar
Nickie B./Yelp

Vino Vino

While known primarily as a wine bar, Vino Vino also has a strong liquor program along with a small yet varying beer and sake roundup.

The back dining room at Vino Vino
Vino Vino
Vino Vino [Official]

Hole In The Wall

Hole in the Wall is the place to nurse a beer or mixed drink (including mezcal Mules) while watching a live show while on campus.

A bar’s beer taps.
Hole in the Wall
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

King Bee Lounge

Along with frozen cocktails (that flower-topped Bee’s Knees is potent), the East 12th Street dive bar has a great mezcal and rose selection, along with Austin beers.

King Bee
King Bee
Colette D./Yelp

Small Victory

While somewhat difficult to find, the intimate downtown bar pays equal amount attention to its cocktails (i.e. that choose-your-own-adventure martini) as it does to its modest wine list.

Small Victory
Small Victory
Darren B./Yelp

Nickel City

The central east Austin neighborhood bar has something for everyone: wines by the glass, frozen drinks, cocktails, beers, shots, and boilermakers.

A bar.
Nickel City
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Easy Tiger

Easy Tiger checks off all of those essential Austin bar needs: great outdoor space, wide-ranging beer lineup, curated whiskey list, cocktails, and sausages and pretzels to boot. It’s just the place for an easy hang indoors or out right on Dirty Sixth.

Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger
Gloria J./Yelp

The White Horse

The East Side honky tonk serves up excellent people-watching, two-stepping, whiskey on tap, and cheap beer.

White Horse
White Horse
Kathryne B./Yelp

The Little Darlin'

Far South Austin’s bar paradise can be found with Little Darlin’. There are rotating frozen cocktails, well drinks, and plenty of beers, including the locally focused draft list.

The Little Darlin’
The Little Darlin’
Sandra S./Yelp

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