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Gourmands.
Gourmands.
Photo: Raymond Thompson/EATX

Cocktail Confidential: Austin's Most Underrated Bars

by Meghan McCarron
11 comments / new
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Gourmands.
| Photo: Raymond Thompson/EATX
by Meghan McCarron
11 comments / new

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."

11715 Bee Cave Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-2320
(512) 263-2320

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."

207 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 614-6683
(512) 614-6683

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."

2905 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 474-3027
(512) 474-3027

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."

2324 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 795-8888
(512) 795-8888

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."

100 W North Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 600-3232
(512) 600-3232

Vino Vino

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[Photo: Jay B.S./Yelp]

4119 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 465-9282
(512) 465-9282

Cloak Room

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[Photo: Meredith D./Yelp]

1300 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-9808
(512) 472-9808

Also featured in:

TAPASITAS Tapas & Bar

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[Photo: Tapasitas/Yelp]

800 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 436-9633
(512) 436-9633

Dirty Bill's

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[Photo: Jourdan A./Yelp]

511 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-3789
(512) 477-3789

The Elephant Room

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[Photo: Allison J/Yelp]

315 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 473-2279
(512) 473-2279

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."

605 Brazos St, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 201-2522
(512) 201-2522

Also featured in:

Whisler's

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

1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 480-0781
(512) 480-0781

Also featured in:

The Sahara

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[Photo: Ashwini K./Yelp]

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 927-0700
(512) 927-0700

Also featured in:

QUI Restaurant

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

1600 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 436-9626
(512) 436-9626

Also featured in:

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."

2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 610-2031
(512) 610-2031

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The Grackle

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[Photo: Catherine T./Yelp]

1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-0133
(512) 524-0133

Also featured in:

Casino Southside Lounge

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

1502 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

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Los Pinos

11715 Bee Cave Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738

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

11715 Bee Cave Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-2320
(512) 263-2320

drink.well.

207 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751

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."

207 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 614-6683
(512) 614-6683

FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar

2905 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705

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."

2905 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 474-3027
(512) 474-3027

Austin's Pizza

2324 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

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

2324 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 795-8888
(512) 795-8888

The Tigress

100 W North Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

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."

100 W North Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 600-3232
(512) 600-3232

Vino Vino

4119 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751

[Photo: Jay B.S./Yelp]

4119 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 465-9282
(512) 465-9282

Cloak Room

1300 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701

[Photo: Meredith D./Yelp]

1300 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-9808
(512) 472-9808

TAPASITAS Tapas & Bar

800 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

[Photo: Tapasitas/Yelp]

800 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 436-9633
(512) 436-9633

Dirty Bill's

511 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701

[Photo: Jourdan A./Yelp]

511 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-3789
(512) 477-3789

The Elephant Room

315 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

[Photo: Allison J/Yelp]

315 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 473-2279
(512) 473-2279

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge

605 Brazos St, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78701

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

605 Brazos St, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 201-2522
(512) 201-2522

Whisler's

1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

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

1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 480-0781
(512) 480-0781

The Sahara

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721

[Photo: Ashwini K./Yelp]

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 927-0700
(512) 927-0700

QUI Restaurant

1600 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

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

1600 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 436-9626
(512) 436-9626

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702

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

2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 610-2031
(512) 610-2031

Related Maps

The Grackle

1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

[Photo: Catherine T./Yelp]

1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-0133
(512) 524-0133

Casino Southside Lounge

1502 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

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

1502 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Related Maps