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Azul at Westin Austin Downtown
Azul at Westin Austin Downtown
Mark Knight

Where to Sip Cocktails Poolside in Austin

Swimming with drinks

by Erin Russell Updated
2 comments / new
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Azul at Westin Austin Downtown
| Mark Knight
by Erin Russell Updated
2 comments / new

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. This update adds retro spot East Austin Hotel and Geraldine’s, which is now open to the public. 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.

Did Eater miss a favorite poolside drinking spot? If so, let us know on the tipline or within the comments.

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Hotel Ella

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This historic hotel adjacent to the UT campus has quite a modern setup at the pool. A $25 day pass, available seven days a week, includes valet parking, a dedicated chair, and towels, and can be reserved in advance by calling the hotel. Drinks, like the green tea mojito, are provided by Goodall’s Kitchen.

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 495-1800
(512) 495-1800
Hotel Ella’s pool
Hotel Ella’s pool
Jake Holt

Also featured in:

Wet Deck at the W

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The trendy, sleek Wet Deck definitely attracts a crowd during the summer. The hotel hosts activities like workout classes and drinks and frozen cocktails to cool down. Non-hotel guests can access the pool after 5 p.m. on Thursdays, otherwise there’s a $15 day pass, $30 Sunday party pass, cabanas (except Saturdays, when the pool is guest-only), or the option to go for a dip after booking a spa service.

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX
(512) 567-9801
(512) 567-9801
Wet Deck at the W
Wet Deck at the W
W Austin/Facebook

East Austin Hotel

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The East Side’s newest hotel has a ‘60s retro vibe, and the aptly named Pool Bar (one of three on-site restaurants) specializes in frozen cocktails. Day passes are $25 ($15 for children) and $30 during the Sunday party.

1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 205-8888
(737) 205-8888
Pool at the East Austin Hotel
Pool at the East Austin Hotel
East Austin Hotel/Facebook

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JW Marriott Austin

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With an outline of the great state of Texas gracing the 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 snacks and cocktails to beat the heat, with frozen options and libations with fresh juice. Non-guests can rent one of the recently remodeled cabanas (Sunday to Wednesday at $200, and then Thursday through Saturday at $500), which has seating for eight to ten people and comes with a variety of amenities. 

110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX
(512) 474-4777
(512) 474-4777
Drinks at the pool at the JW Marriott Austin
Drinks at the pool at the JW Marriott Austin
JW Marriott Austin/Facebook

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Fairmont Austin

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Access the Vegas-style pool at the Fairmont (complete with rooftop palm trees!) with a resort pass ($35). Order drinks (including options for pitcher service) from pool-adjacent bar Rules & Regs.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
(512) 600-2000
Fairmont’s pool
Fairmont’s pool
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Also featured in:

Kitty Cohen's

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Think a hotel pool is too bougie? No need for a swimsuit — head to Kitty Cohen’s on the east side 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 proper frozen daiquiri.

2211 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX
Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s/Yelp

Also featured in:

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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A $60 pool pass may seem steep, but it does include access to the hotel’s eucalyptus steam room. Though only available during the week, it’s an elegant spot to play hooky, and mini cocktail popsicles are passed throughout the day. The pool pass drops to $25 if booking a spa service.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500
Sangría de la Rosa from the Four Seasons
Sangría de la Rosa from the Four Seasons
Four Seasons Hotel Austin/Facebook

Also featured in:

Geraldine's

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The pool at the top of Hotel Van Zandt is now open to the public, which means rooftop views from Rainey and drinks and snacks from Geraldine’s enjoyed on a lounge chair. Passes start at $35 during the week ($15 for kids).

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4755
(512) 476-4755
Geraldine’s pool deck
Geraldine’s pool deck
Geraldine’s [Official]

Also featured in:

South Congress Hotel

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The poolside bar at the ultra-modern South Congress Hotel is stocked with snacks and sips from the hotel’s popular eatery Café No Sé. Admire the views of South Congress and the downtown skyline with a glass of rosé — after all, it’s discounted all day. A limited number of day passes, which are $30, are available from the concierge Monday through Thursday. 

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX
South Congress Hotel’s pool
South Congress Hotel’s pool
South Congress Hotel/Facebook

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Hotel Ella

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705

This historic hotel adjacent to the UT campus has quite a modern setup at the pool. A $25 day pass, available seven days a week, includes valet parking, a dedicated chair, and towels, and can be reserved in advance by calling the hotel. Drinks, like the green tea mojito, are provided by Goodall’s Kitchen.

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 495-1800
(512) 495-1800
Hotel Ella’s pool
Hotel Ella’s pool
Jake Holt

Wet Deck at the W

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX

The trendy, sleek Wet Deck definitely attracts a crowd during the summer. The hotel hosts activities like workout classes and drinks and frozen cocktails to cool down. Non-hotel guests can access the pool after 5 p.m. on Thursdays, otherwise there’s a $15 day pass, $30 Sunday party pass, cabanas (except Saturdays, when the pool is guest-only), or the option to go for a dip after booking a spa service.

200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX
(512) 567-9801
(512) 567-9801
Wet Deck at the W
Wet Deck at the W
W Austin/Facebook

East Austin Hotel

1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The East Side’s newest hotel has a ‘60s retro vibe, and the aptly named Pool Bar (one of three on-site restaurants) specializes in frozen cocktails. Day passes are $25 ($15 for children) and $30 during the Sunday party.

1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 205-8888
(737) 205-8888
Pool at the East Austin Hotel
Pool at the East Austin Hotel
East Austin Hotel/Facebook

JW Marriott Austin

110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX

With an outline of the great state of Texas gracing the 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 snacks and cocktails to beat the heat, with frozen options and libations with fresh juice. Non-guests can rent one of the recently remodeled cabanas (Sunday to Wednesday at $200, and then Thursday through Saturday at $500), which has seating for eight to ten people and comes with a variety of amenities. 

110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX
(512) 474-4777
(512) 474-4777
Drinks at the pool at the JW Marriott Austin
Drinks at the pool at the JW Marriott Austin
JW Marriott Austin/Facebook

Fairmont Austin

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Access the Vegas-style pool at the Fairmont (complete with rooftop palm trees!) with a resort pass ($35). Order drinks (including options for pitcher service) from pool-adjacent bar Rules & Regs.

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 600-2000
(512) 600-2000
Fairmont’s pool
Fairmont’s pool
Courtney Pierce/EATX

Kitty Cohen's

2211 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX

Think a hotel pool is too bougie? No need for a swimsuit — head to Kitty Cohen’s on the east side 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 proper frozen daiquiri.

2211 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX
Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s
Kitty Cohen’s/Yelp

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

A $60 pool pass may seem steep, but it does include access to the hotel’s eucalyptus steam room. Though only available during the week, it’s an elegant spot to play hooky, and mini cocktail popsicles are passed throughout the day. The pool pass drops to $25 if booking a spa service.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500
Sangría de la Rosa from the Four Seasons
Sangría de la Rosa from the Four Seasons
Four Seasons Hotel Austin/Facebook

Geraldine's

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701

The pool at the top of Hotel Van Zandt is now open to the public, which means rooftop views from Rainey and drinks and snacks from Geraldine’s enjoyed on a lounge chair. Passes start at $35 during the week ($15 for kids).

605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4755
(512) 476-4755
Geraldine’s pool deck
Geraldine’s pool deck
Geraldine’s [Official]

South Congress Hotel

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX

The poolside bar at the ultra-modern South Congress Hotel is stocked with snacks and sips from the hotel’s popular eatery Café No Sé. Admire the views of South Congress and the downtown skyline with a glass of rosé — after all, it’s discounted all day. A limited number of day passes, which are $30, are available from the concierge Monday through Thursday. 

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX
South Congress Hotel’s pool
South Congress Hotel’s pool
South Congress Hotel/Facebook

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