While the downtown bar’s entrance is easy to miss, beverage expert Josh Loving’s cocktails aren’t.

This Central East Austin mainstay feels like it’s been there forever — but it’s just over two years old. The secret to the bar’s success is understanding and catering to its city — whether you’d like a thoughtful and well-priced cocktail, a boilermaker, a bottle of champagne, or just some chili-cheese fries, Nickel City has it covered. While nearly always busy, this is a good spot to nip away for an hour or two when SXSW overwhelms the senses — it’s just a perfect neighborhood bar.

Yes, it’s attached to a hostel. Yes, it’s also one of the bars where you're most likely to spot the chef or bartender who served your food and drinks the night before.

The classy, Prohibition-style bar is a great place to escape the heat of SXSW with its stylized interior, craft cocktail list and snacks served until late night.

Péché specializes in absinthe, and its interpretations of classic cocktails are some of the city's best. The long, wide bar is a real looker, too. Don't miss the all-evening happy hour every Sunday and Monday.

This upscale downtown Mexican restaurant serves some of the city's most adventurous tequila and mezcal cocktails.

The Tatsu-Ya beverage team continue their quirky and cool drink menus at Domo Alley-Gato, a convenient a casual new additional to East Sixth Street. Kirin Ichiban beers with a frozen foam cap are a specialty here, as are DIY Chu-His, a choose-your-own-adventure where drinkers pair one of five house-made tonics with their choice of spirit. There’s a selection of traditional cocktails and a sake menu, all of which compliment the Japanese curries and snacks from the food menu.

One of Rainey Street’s best bars is the tiny one from the team behind Better Half and Brew and Brew. There’s takeout coffee, cocktails, beer, cider, and neat spirit pours at night. The bar only seats eight, so get cozy and strike up a conversation. Even better: there’s an on-site burrito truck too.