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Gourmands.
Gourmands.
Photo: Raymond Thompson/EATX

Cocktail Confidential: Austin's Most Underrated Bars

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Gourmands.
| Photo: Raymond Thompson/EATX

Cocktail Week 2013 is not just about giving readers an excuse to drink more - Eater wants you to drink more widely, too. Bartenders from top Austin bars like Bar Congress, Midnight Cowboy, the W Austin, and Weather Up, as well as folks from some of Austin's best restaurants, share the city's hidden drinking gems.

From the divey goodness of Dirty Bill's to darkened whiskey drinking at the Cloak Room, not to mention the underrated cocktail programs at places like Vino Vino and The Tigress, let this map be your guide to the underground stars of Austin's bar scene.

Don't see a favorite hangout of yours on the map? Chime in in the comments or hit the tipline.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Los Pinos

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James Holmes of Olivia and Lucy's Fried Chicken says this West Austin spot "has damn fine margaritas."

drink.well.

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Several bartenders around town love it here. They have W libationist Joyce Garrison's vote, and Tyler Naumann of Searsucker says, "No place has my respect more than Drink.Well. Mike and Jessica, they do so much for the community and the bar world in Austin. Drink.Well is highly regarded, but they win my vote for support, talent, execution, and range."

FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar

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Rachel DelRocco, one of Qui's barkeeps, says, "I may be a little biased having started my restaurant work in Austin at Fino Restaurant but the bartenders that have been in and out of there and are still there have always been and are incredibly talented. I learned wine, cocktails, and everything bar from that program and it's still being curated thoughtfully and executed with a lot of care. Whatever you are in the mood for be it a cocktail, beer, aperitif, sherry, wine, amari, brandy, agave, and on and on, they have an incredibly precise selection where every spirit chosen and cocktail made has a purpose and is just enjoyable and easy."

Austin's Pizza

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David Voss, Operations Manager at Craft Pride says, “Austin Pizza on the Drag is pretty legit for a campus bar."

The Tigress

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All sorts of bartenders around town love the Tigress. Brian Dressel of the Midnight Cowboy says "They consistently put out solid cocktails with one of the simplest back bars in town. Nice bartenders and interesting regulars always make for a good conversation."

Vino Vino

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[Photo: Jay B.S./Yelp]

Cloak Room

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[Photo: Meredith D./Yelp]

TAPASITAS Tapas & Bar

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[Photo: Tapasitas/Yelp]

Dirty Bill's

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[Photo: Jourdan A./Yelp]

The Elephant Room

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[Photo: Allison J/Yelp]

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge

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Tyler Naumann, the bar manager at Searsucker, says, "I believe that Firehouse has a unique style that is consistent, that I fully respect."

Whisler's

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Joyce Garrison of the W says, "Whisler's. That is all."

The Sahara

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[Photo: Ashwini K./Yelp]

QUI Restaurant

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Rob Pate of Peche likes to visit former Peche barman Justin Elliott behind the bar.

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

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Weather Up bartender Fidel Campbell wanted to give a shout out to Gourmands as "a great local hang."

The Grackle

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[Photo: Catherine T./Yelp]

Casino Southside Lounge

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David Voss, Operations Manager at Craft Pride, calls this "a great dive bar down south."

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Los Pinos

James Holmes of Olivia and Lucy's Fried Chicken says this West Austin spot "has damn fine margaritas."

drink.well.

Several bartenders around town love it here. They have W libationist Joyce Garrison's vote, and Tyler Naumann of Searsucker says, "No place has my respect more than Drink.Well. Mike and Jessica, they do so much for the community and the bar world in Austin. Drink.Well is highly regarded, but they win my vote for support, talent, execution, and range."

FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar

Rachel DelRocco, one of Qui's barkeeps, says, "I may be a little biased having started my restaurant work in Austin at Fino Restaurant but the bartenders that have been in and out of there and are still there have always been and are incredibly talented. I learned wine, cocktails, and everything bar from that program and it's still being curated thoughtfully and executed with a lot of care. Whatever you are in the mood for be it a cocktail, beer, aperitif, sherry, wine, amari, brandy, agave, and on and on, they have an incredibly precise selection where every spirit chosen and cocktail made has a purpose and is just enjoyable and easy."

Austin's Pizza

David Voss, Operations Manager at Craft Pride says, “Austin Pizza on the Drag is pretty legit for a campus bar."

The Tigress

All sorts of bartenders around town love the Tigress. Brian Dressel of the Midnight Cowboy says "They consistently put out solid cocktails with one of the simplest back bars in town. Nice bartenders and interesting regulars always make for a good conversation."

Vino Vino

[Photo: Jay B.S./Yelp]

Cloak Room

[Photo: Meredith D./Yelp]

TAPASITAS Tapas & Bar

[Photo: Tapasitas/Yelp]

Dirty Bill's

[Photo: Jourdan A./Yelp]

The Elephant Room

[Photo: Allison J/Yelp]

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge

Tyler Naumann, the bar manager at Searsucker, says, "I believe that Firehouse has a unique style that is consistent, that I fully respect."

Whisler's

Joyce Garrison of the W says, "Whisler's. That is all."

The Sahara

[Photo: Ashwini K./Yelp]

QUI Restaurant

Rob Pate of Peche likes to visit former Peche barman Justin Elliott behind the bar.

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

Weather Up bartender Fidel Campbell wanted to give a shout out to Gourmands as "a great local hang."

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The Grackle

[Photo: Catherine T./Yelp]

Casino Southside Lounge

David Voss, Operations Manager at Craft Pride, calls this "a great dive bar down south."

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