Where to Drink

Where to drink in Austin right now: 15 sexiest bars in the city

Love is in the air, so treat your sweetheart, crush, date, or best friend to a night out at one of the sexiest bars in Austin. And remember: There are different kinds of sexy, so we're highlighting everything from secret to sultry to playful.

Ah Sing Den
East Side Show Room's replacement offers a mix of unique and classic cocktails alongside beer, wine, sake, and an Asian-influenced food lineup. The interior is eclectic and lush — all of the velvet, fringe, and tropical plants you could dream of in one place.

C-Boy's Heart and Soul
The sister venue to nearby Continental Club is decked out in the finest red. Above the bar you will find a heart-shaped mirror, and that's just the beginning. C-Boy's also boasts live tunes, soul food, and a sweet little lounge called The Jade Room.

Cedar Tavern
The star of Cedar Tavern, the classy bar inside newcomer Eberly on South Lamar Boulevard, is the legendary mahogany bar straight from the historic Cedar Tavern in New York City. A midcentury theme permeates the space, complemented by a curated list of tasty drinks.

Garage
Named after its hidden location in a parking garage downtown, this unique lounge has garnered quite the reputation due to its iconic circular bar, cozy seats, and clever cocktails — one of which was named the Official Drink of Austin in 2015.

Geraldine's
The fifth-floor restaurant at Hotel Van Zandt on Rainey Street dishes up unique cocktails and live music in a swanky setting. Settle in for an evening of live music inside under the warm lights or enjoy a beautiful view of downtown Austin on the pool patio.

Justine's Brasserie
One look at Justine's will have you saying "oui oui." The East Austin restaurant oozes an incredible French ambience with chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Late-night offerings range from snacks — can you say oysters? — to wine, apertifs, and cocktails.

Kitty Cohen's
This sexy little number on Webberville Road broke the east side dive bar mold when it opened with refreshing cocktails, funky 1970s vibes, and a gorgeous patio and pool. In addition to beer, wine, and sake, the beverage program includes sweet concoctions designed to be sipped throughout the day.

Midnight Cowboy
A popular speakeasy in the heart of Dirty Sixth, Midnight Cowboy specializes in Prohibition-era libations and vibes. Make a reservation, ring the buzzer marked "Harry Craddock," and enter a world of hidden drinkable delights. Belly up to the bar or opt for table-side cocktail service, a perk that is sure to make you feel glamorous.

Milonga Room
Underneath Buenos Aires Cafe on East Sixth Street is Milonga Room, a sultry speakeasy specializing in Argentinean wines and tapas. A cocktail selection relies heavily on bitters and Fernet, both popular in the home country. Reservations — with accompanying passwords — are highly recommended.

The Roosevelt Room
The friendly and educated staff at this downtown lounge are more than happy to walk you through the options on the massive menu of unusual and popular cocktails throughout history. Large, red velvet booths are big enough to fit a group and cozy enough for a couple.

Sellers
This sumptuous space from the team behind Rainey Street bar Icenhauer's just opened in the Warehouse District. The atmosphere and the drinks take inspiration from the '70s, which means funky designs and craft cocktails named after iconic films of the decade. The only thing missing is the shag carpet.

St. Genevieve
Situated on the Rock Rose strip in the burgeoning Domain Northside development is St. Genevieve, an upscale lounge with an impressive lineup of cocktails and globally-inspired cuisine. The 21-and-older only space, decorated in a deep blue, can easily be utilized for intimate meetups or lively mingling. Check out rooftop bar 77 Degrees and weekend nightclub Rose Room above St. Genevieve.

Stay Gold
While we love Stay Gold's awesome patio, the interior booths were made for snuggling. Grab a beer or a cocktail with your boo and settle in for a night of live music at this east side hot spot.

The Townsend
The Townsend is a high-end cocktail lounge and live performance venue (and 2016 CultureMap Tastemaker winner) in the middle of downtown. The food and drink menu is the crowning jewel, but the space is equally impressive with its dark wood and towering ceilings.

Vinyl
Vinyl is the final speakeasy on this list. Downstairs from Tellers in the Dirty Sixth district is a sexy escape filled with a more grownup kind of debauchery. Dance the night away in the "Red Light District" to the tunes from the thousands of records onsite.

Vinyl is tucked away under Tellers on Trinity Street.

Vinyl/Facebook

Vinyl is tucked away under Tellers on Trinity Street.

nightlife drinks where-drink cocktails

Cat's Out of the Bag

Classic Austin dive bar Mean Eyed Cat opens new Driftwood outpost

Photo courtesy of the Mean Eyed Cat

There ain't no grave can hold Austinites down when it's time to break in this new dive bar.

An Austin bar with a lot of personality has its eye on a new location. The Mean Eyed Cat is opening in Driftwood on Thursday, November 21.

This Johnny Cash-inspired bar has certainly always had the country aesthetic: the weathered wood, the live oak-shaded picnic tables, the black-and-white photos on the wall, and even the occasional taxidermy specimen. The same rustic vibes continue in Driftwood at 8750 W RR 150, Bldg. 100, according to a short press release.

Mean Eyed Cat Bar Driftwood interior This new bar already looks like it's been collecting antiques for decades.Photo courtesy of the Mean Eyed Cat

Good luck getting there on Google Maps. Right now, it drops a pin at the intersection of Ranch to Market Road 150 and Elder Hill Road. However, it appears to be next to Mad Rooster's Liquor Store — we can see the side of the building through the window and the same road signs. We've reached out to a spokesperson to get the proper directions.

The Austin original has been around since 2004, and this offshoot is only its second location. The promises "the same laid-back, offbeat charm that made the original bar an icon."

Mean Eyed Cat Bar Driftwood interior What's a dive bar without a pool table?Photo courtesy of the Mean Eyed Cat

Before the Austin location was a bar, it was a chainsaw repair shop that was aptly featured in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Chris Marsh was who converted it to a watering hole and Christened it the Mean Eyed Cat, and he later sold it to current owners Matt Luckie, Max Moreland, and Jed Thompson, placing it in a lineage that also includes Lavaca Street Bar & Grill, Sign Bar, Lala’s Little Nugget, and more locally beloved staples and oddities.

All the proper references are there in Driftwood, including several saw blades on the wall, Johnny Cash memorabilia, and lyrics on every available surface, including a picnic table that ominously says "HURT." First and foremost on the menu are whiskeys and classic cocktails, keeping things as simple as anyone would expect at a dive bar.

Mean Eyed Cat Bar Driftwood patio A spacious patio takes advantage of the Hill Country surroundings.Photo courtesy of the Mean Eyed Cat

Despite the relatively remote location, commenters on Instagram have already spotted people inside and started chomping at the bit. It sounds like opening day will be a lively affair.

The Mean Eyed Cat in Driftwood will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 2 pm to 2 am, and Fridays through Sundays from noon to 2 am. Happy hour will be weekdays from 4-7 pm.

dive bars whiskey cocktails openings driftwood

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Cat's Out of the Bag

Classic Austin dive bar Mean Eyed Cat opens new Driftwood outpost