Rated as one of the top restaurants in Texas, Uchi is a very romantic restaurant with dimly lit lanterns. If you want some privacy, then the sushi bar is for you. For an appetizer, try the Yokai Berry, Sakana Carpaccio and Machi Cure. Make sure you leave some room for desserts, the creme caramel, gelato and panna cotta are delectable. As for the selection of sakes, it is wise to come in for the daily Sake Social to sample small bites and sakes that pair perfectly.
This venue, south of the river, is a throwback to the 1950s. Roots rock and country reign supreme in this bar, where one can often find men in leather jackets and classic Cadillacs out front. With live music nightly, tributes to Elvis, and celebrations of Hank William's birthday, this place is great for dancing, drinking and kicking back on the high stools. Happy hours feature some of Austin's favorite songwriters. The venue has broadened its range of live music to include occasional indie rock.
Mohawk is a unique nightclub in Austin. Its aim is to bring independent and upcoming acts — local and otherwise — through its doors. Fostering an inclusive community of artists, Mohawk welcomes musicians from a wide variety of genres and styles. It's hard to stand out in a town so inundated with music clubs as Austin, but with its fresh acts, tasty drinks and friendly crowd vibe, Mohawk shows how it's done.
The Butterfly Bar is widely hailed as serving some of the best cocktail mixes in town. Get seated on their large outdoor patio and sip on an exotic list of cocktails prepared by friendly and experienced bartenders. It also has an impressive wine and beer collection. The light snacks and the yummy cheesecakes make for good accompaniments with drinks. All in all, this intimate space meets high standards, while also having reasonably priced drinks.
With its menu of Italian bistro cuisine and charming interior, Enoteca Vespaio offers a less expensive but still fresh and high-quality alternative to Vespaio, its sister restaurant next door. Enoteca boasts offerings like the mozzarella panino stuffed with housemade mozzarella cheese and roasted tomatoes, flat-crust pizzas, and rich pastas. Fresh ingredients are in abundance. The dessert case at the entrance offers a glimpse at their tarts, cookies and cannoli. Sunday brunch offers a selection of egg dishes and sweet breakfasts like pancakes and freshly made bread. The interior is small but welcoming, and the outdoor patio at Enoteca Vespaio allows diners to gaze at passers-by strolling down South Congress.
A bit off the beaten path, Draught House Pub & Brewery provides welcome relief from downtown's Sixth Street. The European pub atmosphere and exhaustive selection of imported drafts make this bar a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The seating is excellent, with high-backed wooden seats and very thick wooden tables. Come visit on Wednesday for pitcher night with free pizza or on Saturday with free bratwurst.
This is an intimate outdoor venue with a pleasant courtyard feel. Live jazz music is played nightly to a sophisticated crowd. The martinis are a definite must, and there is also an excellent cigar selection to choose from inside. This is a great place to sit under the oak trees and enjoy the breeze while watching some of Austin's best dancers dance up front. Better yet, why not join in?
Located on the corner of Colorado Street and West 4th Street in the trendy Warehouse District, the Hangar Lounge has a cosmopolitan aviation theme, just as its name would suggest. Clocks show the time in cities around the world, and the furniture and decor are likewise streamlined and retro chic. The second floor contains more lounging areas and a TV, but the gem of this venue would definitely be the rooftop, where patrons will find themselves lounging on deck chairs and gazing at a breathtaking view of the city.
Serving chef-prepared cuisine inspired by the La Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City, La Condesa offers upscale street food and tweaked home-style dishes in an energetic, airy atmosphere designed by acclaimed architect Michael Hsu. The menu contains street favorites like tacos and elotes, whole corn cobs served on a stick with cotija cheese and chili powder, as well as composed dishes like a Sunday Chicken with potato gratin and a butternut squash-stuffed chile relleno. La Condesa focuses on using local ingredients whenever possible for the best flavor. At the bar, award-winning cocktails are mixed, and a selection of over 80 tequilas is available.
This is an intimate venue for those with sophisticated taste. From jazz to house, from acid rock to rap, from shoegaze to dub, the Parish Room runs the musical gamut. Touring acts such as Smog, Guided By Voices, Autechre and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have graced the stage here. Texas artists Sub Oslo, Lift To Experience, Explosions in the Sky, the Swells and more have also played here. This is the ultimate haven for music lovers and party animals.
Besides its great name, this bar is a fabulous place to grab a beer. Casino El Camino also features one of the largest burgers this side of the Mississippi. The jukebox is always crammed with your favorite rock 'n' roll hits, and the staff is very friendly. The lighting inside is subdued, and patrons enjoy the outdoor patio featuring its own birdbath.
Elysium Nightclub plays some of the best music to dance to that you could ask for. Whether it's '80s, goth, Euro dance or underground retro, it's all played to make you move like you've never moved before. One of the best entertainment venues in Austin, this nightclub will rock your world all night. The warehouse building that the club is located in is hundreds of years old, making for a unique atmosphere.