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A tall blue cocktail in a glass with a pink flower in front of a swimming pool.
A poolside cocktail from East Austin Hotel.
East Austin Hotel

Where to Dip in Pools and Sip Cocktails in Austin

Swimming with drinks

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A poolside cocktail from East Austin Hotel.
| East Austin Hotel

Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to enjoy your adult beverage of choice next to a body of water. For those of us who prefer this experience chlorinated and free of slimy fish, there are lots of options around Austin with sparkling pools.

Looking for a party? The Wet Deck at the W Austin offers a rowdy weekend place. If a mellow, feel-good vibe is what you seek, check out Kitty Cohen’s. Whatever your pool style, grab a lounge chair, put a tiny umbrella in that drink, and kick back to celebrate the season.

For more drinking ideas, check out Eater’s day-drinking guide, along with our cocktail heatmap and essential list, frozen drinks, margaritas, frosé, and beer. Then there’s also our guide to the best restaurants and bars near Austin’s public pools.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

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For a luxurious pool experience, head to the Barton Creek resort, where day passes gives you access to a variety of water experiences, such as the infinity pool, the hot tub (both of which are for adults only), and the family-friendly heated pools. There are a la carte food and drink services from the on-site Tex-Mex restaurant Nopales. Day passes are $75 for adults and children, and free for babies. There are also bookable cabanas with a free fruit tray, a mini-fridge with non-boozy drinks, and more for $300 or $400 for adults only. Book everything online. Pool hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Hotel Ella

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This historic hotel adjacent to the University of Texas at Austin campus has quite a modern setup at the pool. The $35 day pass — available Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays — includes pool access from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., valet parking (until 6 p.m.), a reserved table/seat, and the a la carte food and drink menu from noon to 5 p.m. The latter comes from the on-site restaurant Goodall’s Kitchen. Passes can be booked online.

A long pool with lawn chairs and a green grass backdrop.
Hotel Ella’s pool.
Jake Holt

Otopia Rooftop Lounge

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Campus-area hotel the Otis’s pool and lounge features a great city view as well as a la carte food and drinks. Day passes are $45 and four-people cabanas are $200 with your own server. Book everything online. Pool hours are from noon to 5 p.m. daily.

Azul Rooftop

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The way-high-up-there pool at the Westin Austin Downtown offers gorgeous views plus a la carte food and drinks. The day pass allows access from 1 to 5 p.m. with discounted valet parking for $50. Then there’s the cabana for up to six people from 2 to 6 p.m. with a firepit and free bottle of sparking wine plus food and drink minimums, all for $300. Book everything online. The pool is open daily.

Wet Deck at the W

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The trendy, sleek Wet Deck at the downtown W Hotel definitely attracts a crowd during the summer. There are several swim pass options, including the day and night passes starting at $25, and the zodiac-themed night swims starting at $25 and come with a free frozen cocktail. Passes can be booked online. People can also rent cabanas and bungalows for pool access, ranging from $200 to $250, which come with food and drink purchasing minimums on site. Pool access is available Sunday through Friday.

East Austin Hotel

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The East Side hotel has a ’60s retro vibe with a pool bar called Pool Bar right next to the — you’ve guessed it — pool, with plenty of drinks and frozen cocktails. Day passes are $25 ($15 for children) and $30 during the Sunday party. There are two timed day pass options, the noon and then the 4 p.m. one, both available for $40 each.

JW Marriott Austin

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With an outline of the great state of Texas gracing its bottom and views of Lady Bird Lake and the Texas Capitol, the JW Marriott’s heated rooftop pool is quite the sensory experience. The pool bar serves up simple a la carte snacks and cocktails to beat the heat, with frozen options and libations with fresh juice. There are $50 day passes available with access from noon to 9 p.m. Then there are also daytime and evening cabanas (with food and drink minimums) and daybed rentals available for $150 to $300, all with various food and drink minimums. Everything can be booked online. Pool hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Austin Marriott Downtown

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Yes, another downtown hotel, and this one has access to on-site tiki bar Zanzibar for a la carte drinks and foods. The $40 day pass comes with a server who will bring your food/drinks wherever you are. And then there are cabanas that come with bottled water and mixers for bottled spirits for $25 or the VIP for $1,000. Keep in mind that the pool is for people 21 years or older. Book everything online. Pool hours are from noon to 8 p.m. daily.

The Line Austin

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One of the biggest benefits of pooling at this downtown hotel is access to one of the city’s best taco spots Veracruz All Natural, which operates a walk-up window right at the pool. Also the views of the lake and Congress Avenue bridge are fun. There are also a carte drinks available. Day passes are $30 for adults, $25 for children, and free for babies from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. And then there are half-day versions available from 2 to 10 p.m. for $40. Both come with free valet parking. Book everything online.

Carpenter Hotel

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The Zilker hotel’s pool includes access to its pool bar and food menus, including sandwiches, cashew dips, and many cocktails, beers, and wines. The $40 day passes are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Fairmont Austin

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Access the Vegas-style pool at the downtown hotel (complete with rooftop palm trees) through day passes or daybed or cabana reservations. The former are $35 for adults and $20 for children; daybeds range are $150 or $200 depending on the style; and cabanas are $275 to $900 for varying group sizes and amenities. A la carte food and drinks are available from the on-site pool bar Rules & Regs. Book everything online. Pool hours are from 11 a.m. to sunset. Sunday through Thursday.

A hotel swimming pool.
Fairmont’s pool.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Kitty Cohen's

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Think a hotel pool is too bougie? No need for a swimsuit — head to the east side bar for ’70s nostalgia and a shallow wading pool. The bar does provide towels in case you want to get your feet wet, otherwise, sun yourself on the huge patio and sip on classic cocktails like a frozen dreamsicle.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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The fancier downtown hotel’s day pass comes with a free frozen drink, hourly specials including sorbets, access to the a la carte menu from the pool bar/restaurant, and more, available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The $75 pass can be made by calling (512) 685-8160. The pool pass drops to $40 if booking a spa service.

Hotel Van Zandt

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The pool at the top of the downtown hotel features rooftop views from Rainey and drinks and snacks from on-site restaurant Geraldine’s. Day passes are $34 for adults and $25 for children (babies are free) with valet parking available for $14, and then there are various day beds and cabana options ranging from $100 to $400. Book everything online. Pool hours are from 11 a.m. to sunset daily.

A hotel pool.
Geraldine’s pool deck
Geraldine’s

Hotel Magdalena

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The trendy newer off-South Congress hotel’s pool is available via day passes in Travis Heights, which come with a 15 percent discount to the retail shop, plus a la carte drinks and food for $30/adults and $15/children. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, but keep in mind children aren’t allowed after 6 p.m.

South Congress Hotel

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The poolside bar at the ultra-modern South Congress Hotel in Travis Heights is stocked with a la carte foods and sips from its popular restaurant Café No Sé. Admire the views of South Congress and the downtown skyline with a glass of rosé. Pool passes include parking; weekday ones are $40 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; weekend passes are $75 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday; and then there are special summer Sunday ones available for $20 from 1 to 7 p.m. There are also cabanas for up to four people with a bottle of champagne or bucket of beer for $300 on weekdays or $400 on weekends. Book everything online.

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Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

For a luxurious pool experience, head to the Barton Creek resort, where day passes gives you access to a variety of water experiences, such as the infinity pool, the hot tub (both of which are for adults only), and the family-friendly heated pools. There are a la carte food and drink services from the on-site Tex-Mex restaurant Nopales. Day passes are $75 for adults and children, and free for babies. There are also bookable cabanas with a free fruit tray, a mini-fridge with non-boozy drinks, and more for $300 or $400 for adults only. Book everything online. Pool hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Hotel Ella

This historic hotel adjacent to the University of Texas at Austin campus has quite a modern setup at the pool. The $35 day pass — available Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays — includes pool access from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., valet parking (until 6 p.m.), a reserved table/seat, and the a la carte food and drink menu from noon to 5 p.m. The latter comes from the on-site restaurant Goodall’s Kitchen. Passes can be booked online.

A long pool with lawn chairs and a green grass backdrop.
Hotel Ella’s pool.
Jake Holt

Otopia Rooftop Lounge

Campus-area hotel the Otis’s pool and lounge features a great city view as well as a la carte food and drinks. Day passes are $45 and four-people cabanas are $200 with your own server. Book everything online. Pool hours are from noon to 5 p.m. daily.

Azul Rooftop

The way-high-up-there pool at the Westin Austin Downtown offers gorgeous views plus a la carte food and drinks. The day pass allows access from 1 to 5 p.m. with discounted valet parking for $50. Then there’s the cabana for up to six people from 2 to 6 p.m. with a firepit and free bottle of sparking wine plus food and drink minimums, all for $300. Book everything online. The pool is open daily.

Wet Deck at the W

The trendy, sleek Wet Deck at the downtown W Hotel definitely attracts a crowd during the summer. There are several swim pass options, including the day and night passes starting at $25, and the zodiac-themed night swims starting at $25 and come with a free frozen cocktail. Passes can be booked online. People can also rent cabanas and bungalows for pool access, ranging from $200 to $250, which come with food and drink purchasing minimums on site. Pool access is available Sunday through Friday.

East Austin Hotel

The East Side hotel has a ’60s retro vibe with a pool bar called Pool Bar right next to the — you’ve guessed it — pool, with plenty of drinks and frozen cocktails. Day passes are $25 ($15 for children) and $30 during the Sunday party. There are two timed day pass options, the noon and then the 4 p.m. one, both available for $40 each.

JW Marriott Austin

With an outline of the great state of Texas gracing its bottom and views of Lady Bird Lake and the Texas Capitol, the JW Marriott’s heated rooftop pool is quite the sensory experience. The pool bar serves up simple a la carte snacks and cocktails to beat the heat, with frozen options and libations with fresh juice. There are $50 day passes available with access from noon to 9 p.m. Then there are also daytime and evening cabanas (with food and drink minimums) and daybed rentals available for $150 to $300, all with various food and drink minimums. Everything can be booked online. Pool hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Austin Marriott Downtown

Yes, another downtown hotel, and this one has access to on-site tiki bar Zanzibar for a la carte drinks and foods. The $40 day pass comes with a server who will bring your food/drinks wherever you are. And then there are cabanas that come with bottled water and mixers for bottled spirits for $25 or the VIP for $1,000. Keep in mind that the pool is for people 21 years or older. Book everything online. Pool hours are from noon to 8 p.m. daily.

The Line Austin

One of the biggest benefits of pooling at this downtown hotel is access to one of the city’s best taco spots Veracruz All Natural, which operates a walk-up window right at the pool. Also the views of the lake and Congress Avenue bridge are fun. There are also a carte drinks available. Day passes are $30 for adults, $25 for children, and free for babies from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. And then there are half-day versions available from 2 to 10 p.m. for $40. Both come with free valet parking. Book everything online.

Carpenter Hotel

The Zilker hotel’s pool includes access to its pool bar and food menus, including sandwiches, cashew dips, and many cocktails, beers, and wines. The $40 day passes are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Fairmont Austin

Access the Vegas-style pool at the downtown hotel (complete with rooftop palm trees) through day passes or daybed or cabana reservations. The former are $35 for adults and $20 for children; daybeds range are $150 or $200 depending on the style; and cabanas are $275 to $900 for varying group sizes and amenities. A la carte food and drinks are available from the on-site pool bar Rules & Regs. Book everything online. Pool hours are from 11 a.m. to sunset. Sunday through Thursday.

A hotel swimming pool.
Fairmont’s pool.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Kitty Cohen's

Think a hotel pool is too bougie? No need for a swimsuit — head to the east side bar for ’70s nostalgia and a shallow wading pool. The bar does provide towels in case you want to get your feet wet, otherwise, sun yourself on the huge patio and sip on classic cocktails like a frozen dreamsicle.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

The fancier downtown hotel’s day pass comes with a free frozen drink, hourly specials including sorbets, access to the a la carte menu from the pool bar/restaurant, and more, available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The $75 pass can be made by calling (512) 685-8160. The pool pass drops to $40 if booking a spa service.

Hotel Van Zandt

The pool at the top of the downtown hotel features rooftop views from Rainey and drinks and snacks from on-site restaurant Geraldine’s. Day passes are $34 for adults and $25 for children (babies are free) with valet parking available for $14, and then there are various day beds and cabana options ranging from $100 to $400. Book everything online. Pool hours are from 11 a.m. to sunset daily.

A hotel pool.
Geraldine’s pool deck
Geraldine’s

Hotel Magdalena

The trendy newer off-South Congress hotel’s pool is available via day passes in Travis Heights, which come with a 15 percent discount to the retail shop, plus a la carte drinks and food for $30/adults and $15/children. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, but keep in mind children aren’t allowed after 6 p.m.

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South Congress Hotel

The poolside bar at the ultra-modern South Congress Hotel in Travis Heights is stocked with a la carte foods and sips from its popular restaurant Café No Sé. Admire the views of South Congress and the downtown skyline with a glass of rosé. Pool passes include parking; weekday ones are $40 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; weekend passes are $75 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday; and then there are special summer Sunday ones available for $20 from 1 to 7 p.m. There are also cabanas for up to four people with a bottle of champagne or bucket of beer for $300 on weekdays or $400 on weekends. Book everything online.

Related Maps