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A whiskey flight at Seven Grand
A whiskey flight at Seven Grand
Seven Grand/Facebook

Where to Sip Whiskey Right Now in Austin

16 destinations for the brown spirit

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A whiskey flight at Seven Grand
| Seven Grand/Facebook

Winter calls for warming brown spirits, and look no further than whiskey. With that spirit, Austin’s bars and restaurants are stirring up classic libations, all while adding a personal twist to each drink. Bring out that inner Ron Swanson.

Here is Eater’s guide to the best whiskey bars the city has to offer. This list includes cocktail bars (Weather Up, Garage), restaurants with an emphasis on whiskey (The Peached Tortilla), and dive bars (The Grackle) alike. There's even a barbecue and whiskey destination (hello, Freedmen's) and others even make whiskey in-house. Throughout the map, there are spots with extensive whiskey programs with domestic and international sourcing, and others with a few standout whiskey cocktails. This update adds Nickel City and Seven Grand to the lineup.

For more drinking needs, there are essential cocktail bars, hot new ones, and versatile bars.

Everything below is listed in an unranked. Any favorite whiskey bars or restaurants missing below? Let Eater know in the comments or through the tipline.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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The Grackle

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The Grackle is exactly what you’re looking for in a dive bar. Its laid-back atmosphere and spacious patio is perfect for hanging out with good friends and enjoying a whiskey beverage of course. With more than 100 types of whiskeys and bourbons to choose from, The Grackle is a no brainer.

Swift's Attic

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This downtown gem emphasizes the creative, whimsical, and delicious elements of food, which extends over to its cocktails. Find various infused whiskeys, like ginger-infused bourbon for the New Fashioned. For a quicker drink, try the Newgroni with honey bourbon

Weather Up

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Weather Up is no stranger to a standout whiskey cocktail. The current favorite is the Stay Down, a spirit-forward cocktail that’s served up, including ingredients like Old Grand-Dad bonded bourbon, Hamilton rum, and crème de cacao for a touch of sweetness.

Freedmen's

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With 180 different whiskeys to choose from, ranging from Japanese rye to all-American, Freedmen’s is a no-brainer for whiskey lovers. Order the Ol’ Schmokey, the extremely smoky cocktail with bourbon whiskey, smoked with the same wood used for Freedmen’s barbecue. The restaurant and bar also features a whiskey of the month.

Nickel City

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The neighborhood bar loves whiskey, so much so that it has its own select bottles at next door liquor shop J&J Spirits.

Péché

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Péché believes in old classics with a twist. Take the Old Fashioned, for example. The bar mixes this cocktail with a single-barrel bourbon.

Seven Grand

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The Los Angeles-based whiskey bar extended its reach to Austin with its latest location in downtown. Members of the bar's Whiskey Society get to indulge in tastings and educational sessions.

Seven Grand Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Whisler's

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This East Sixth Street favorite is considered ground zero for Old Fashioneds, mostly due to its choice of sugar. The American whiskey-forward bar stays away from granulated sugars, opting in favor of raw sugar instead for its cocktails.

Drink.Well

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The cocktail menu at Drink.Well includes several creative whiskey cocktails. Paper Boat Sailor is made with Japanese whisky, while the others are mixed with bourbons and whiskeys.

Half Step

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From the extensive ice program to the high-quality liquor, Half Step prides itself on serving creative and elegant cocktails. Cozy up indoors while the temperatures are low, and choose from a selection of whiskey-based cocktails this Rainey Street staple has to offer.

Easy Tiger

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Easy Tiger might be known for its delicious freshly baked bread, but did you know the beer garden has a killer whiskey program? The bar boasts a wide selection of national and international whiskey selections. Order classics like Old Fashioneds or Manhattans during happy hour or opt for a signature cocktail on Whiskey Wednesdays.

Easy Tiger/Official

Contigo

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Whether you choose to lounge al fresco (with heat lamps of course), or take cover inside, you’ll want to order one of Contigo’s signature whiskey-forward cocktails. For those colder weather outings, opt for the Contigo Coffee. The rye whiskey and coffee combo will warm you up in no time. For a classic with a punch, order the bacon fat Old Fashioned.

The parking garage cocktail bar has a strong whiskey collection including an emphasis on Japanese whisky.

The Peached Tortilla

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If you’re partial to international whiskeys (or whisky), look no further than The Peached Tortilla. The impressive whiskey menu includes a range of options from household names like Jack Daniels to local Texas bourbons to Irish whiskies to a number of Japanese whiskies as well. Stop in on Whiskey Wednesdays to sample the restaurant’s featured pour.

The Grackle

The Grackle is exactly what you’re looking for in a dive bar. Its laid-back atmosphere and spacious patio is perfect for hanging out with good friends and enjoying a whiskey beverage of course. With more than 100 types of whiskeys and bourbons to choose from, The Grackle is a no brainer.

Swift's Attic

This downtown gem emphasizes the creative, whimsical, and delicious elements of food, which extends over to its cocktails. Find various infused whiskeys, like ginger-infused bourbon for the New Fashioned. For a quicker drink, try the Newgroni with honey bourbon

Weather Up

Weather Up is no stranger to a standout whiskey cocktail. The current favorite is the Stay Down, a spirit-forward cocktail that’s served up, including ingredients like Old Grand-Dad bonded bourbon, Hamilton rum, and crème de cacao for a touch of sweetness.

Freedmen's

With 180 different whiskeys to choose from, ranging from Japanese rye to all-American, Freedmen’s is a no-brainer for whiskey lovers. Order the Ol’ Schmokey, the extremely smoky cocktail with bourbon whiskey, smoked with the same wood used for Freedmen’s barbecue. The restaurant and bar also features a whiskey of the month.

Nickel City

The neighborhood bar loves whiskey, so much so that it has its own select bottles at next door liquor shop J&J Spirits.

Péché

Péché believes in old classics with a twist. Take the Old Fashioned, for example. The bar mixes this cocktail with a single-barrel bourbon.

Seven Grand

The Los Angeles-based whiskey bar extended its reach to Austin with its latest location in downtown. Members of the bar's Whiskey Society get to indulge in tastings and educational sessions.

Seven Grand Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Whisler's

This East Sixth Street favorite is considered ground zero for Old Fashioneds, mostly due to its choice of sugar. The American whiskey-forward bar stays away from granulated sugars, opting in favor of raw sugar instead for its cocktails.

Drink.Well

The cocktail menu at Drink.Well includes several creative whiskey cocktails. Paper Boat Sailor is made with Japanese whisky, while the others are mixed with bourbons and whiskeys.

Half Step

From the extensive ice program to the high-quality liquor, Half Step prides itself on serving creative and elegant cocktails. Cozy up indoors while the temperatures are low, and choose from a selection of whiskey-based cocktails this Rainey Street staple has to offer.

Easy Tiger

Easy Tiger might be known for its delicious freshly baked bread, but did you know the beer garden has a killer whiskey program? The bar boasts a wide selection of national and international whiskey selections. Order classics like Old Fashioneds or Manhattans during happy hour or opt for a signature cocktail on Whiskey Wednesdays.

Easy Tiger/Official

Contigo

Whether you choose to lounge al fresco (with heat lamps of course), or take cover inside, you’ll want to order one of Contigo’s signature whiskey-forward cocktails. For those colder weather outings, opt for the Contigo Coffee. The rye whiskey and coffee combo will warm you up in no time. For a classic with a punch, order the bacon fat Old Fashioned.

Garage

The parking garage cocktail bar has a strong whiskey collection including an emphasis on Japanese whisky.

The Peached Tortilla

If you’re partial to international whiskeys (or whisky), look no further than The Peached Tortilla. The impressive whiskey menu includes a range of options from household names like Jack Daniels to local Texas bourbons to Irish whiskies to a number of Japanese whiskies as well. Stop in on Whiskey Wednesdays to sample the restaurant’s featured pour.

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