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.
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.
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.
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.
At Gloria's Latin Cuisine, delicious Latin-American cuisine is served in a warm, cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Here you get to taste a little of everything from tamales, plantains, papas to fajitas, enchiladas and more, everything is served with salsa and warm black bean dip, which is heavenly. The menu is dominated by Latin-American specials with few Mexican dishes. They are also known to serve some of the best margaritas in town and they also house a full bar. Their waiters and staff are really friendly, warm and welcoming, known to make you feel as ease as soon as you enter. On Saturday nights, the place turns into a dancing hub as they push aside the tables to make room for you to welcome you weekends.
Set in a functional parking garage is this speakeasy vibe, cocktail bar called Garage. Look out for a large sign that screams cocktails and is nestled in a dimly-lit parking lot and you will have found the bar. This is a great place to enjoy inventive and perfectly crafted cocktails in an intimate and cozy setting. Make sure to eat a hearty meal before you visit this bar as they so not serve any food!
Summit is a premier rooftop lounge located in the heart of downtown Austin offering panoramic views of Austin skyline. A popular nightspot, Summit Rooftop is equipped with a state-of-art lighting and sound. They have a huge dance floor where one can let their hair down and dance the night away. Further one can enjoy an unmatched nightlife experience in the company of friends. The venue is an ideal place to enjoy a happy hour, birthday party, corporate events etc.
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?
Oilcan Harry's is a gay bar which has been in business for many years. The ambiance is very relaxing, with high chairs, comfy couches and more. The staff is one of the best aspects of this night spot. OUT Magazine has named Oilcan Harry's one of the "50 Greatest Gay Bars in the World." They have great music with a huge dance floor, where all the people have fun dancing to the sounds churned by the DJ.
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.