We'll Save You
Escape the madness at these 6 Austin bars open on Christmas Day
When the gifts have been unwrapped, the carols have been sung and Pop Pop is snoozing away in his easy chair, it's time to get out of the house. Rally the family (or the friends that are like family) and head to some of Austin's finest watering holes for a post-Christmas cocktail.
The Liberty
Everyone's favorite bar (okay, my favorite bar), is slinging drinks at happy hour prices all day. The Liberty Christmas Jam kicks off at 8 pm and a host of DJs start spinning at 10 pm. Look forward to a festive musical cocktail from the likes of Rerun (Breakaway Records), Secondliner (Sock Hop Deejays & Cold Lampin Crew) and Shorty Stump (Sock Hop/Cold Lampin).
Black Sheep Lodge
Though this South Austin sports mecca will be closed on Christmas Eve, they will be reopening at 3 pm on Christmas Day to fulfill all our booze and tater tot needs. Plenty of screens means plenty of games, giving everyone in your crew something to focus on (so they stop asking so manyquestions).
Workhorse Bar
Though the temperature on Thursday is only supposed to only hit the low 60s, it's forecasted to be sunny and clear, so why not grab the family for a post-presents drink on the Workhorse patio? The bar is open from 3 pm until midnight and will be serving up one of the finest beer selections in town. For a holiday no one will forget, forgo the traditional Christmas dinner and nosh on the Buffalo Bastrop Burger and an order of white wings — to share, of course.
Ego's
Get that incessant Mariah Carey version of "All I Want For Christmas is You" out of your head for good with a karaoke jam sesh. Ego's annual Christmas pot luck begins at 3 pm and runs until the food is gone (it's unclear if the UTZ Cheese Balls at the bar are also a part of this deal). Karaoke from 9 pm-2 am.
C-Boy's Heart & Soul
After all this family togetherness, why not plan a Christmas night activity that doesn't involve talking? Enjoy great cocktails and live music from Mike Buck & Friends featuring The Tailgators and Eve & The Exiles. There's no cover all night, so you can give your credit card a much needed Christmas break.
Crown & Anchor Pub
"We don't close on any day!" said the Crown & Anchor employee when we called to check that this campus-area pub was going to open on Christmas. Watch the San Antonio Spurs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 pm or just grab a burger and a table on the outdoor patio. Bonus? You can always challenge your dad to a friendly game of darts. If you've got vegetarians in your crowd, Crown & Anchor serves up one of the best veggie burgers in town.