Austin's Best College Bar

A fun dive bar chain serving drafts and bottles to all walks of life.

Reviews:

• “best porch ever”
• “A Slice of Old School Texas, “Best Dive Bar” in Austin!"
• “Still A Real Gem”
• “The Showdown Rocks”
• “Love this place”

Tips: Smoking is only allowed in the large beer garden, which is open rain or shine.

Texas Showdown Saloon

It’s a bit of a boys’ club, but girls are always welcome at this clubby downtown bar.

Reviews:

• “Snobby bouncers”
• “Great bar for tossing back a few”
• “My choice”

Tips: Drink specials include domestic beer and well drinks on Monday and Tuesday nights.

The Library Austin

A Tex-Mex destination restaurant in the shadow of the University of Texas campus.

Reviews:

• “Best Guacamole, I’ve EVER had in a resturant”
• “Margarita deals on Mondays "
• “Worst Margaritas in Austin”
• “Best Margaritas!”
• “You must have the stuffed avocado!”

Tips: Shiner Bock drafts are $2.75 and Lone Star drafts and bottles go for $2 all the time. There are also daily specials like Monday’s all-day happy hour and Top Shelf Tuesdays.

Trudy’s Texas Star Restaurant & Bar

Resurrecting the fundamental idea of cold ones and camaraderie on Sixth Street.

Reviews:

• “diz sooster”
• “Great DJ!”
• “danced non stop”
• “You couldn’t ask for a better time”
• “AM I IN HEAVEN????”

Tips: Most weekdays feature live music from Austin’s up-and-coming artists. Be sure to call ahead or drop by for specific musicians and times.

The Dizzy Rooster

This aquatic-themed nightspot is a popular destination for singles on the prowl.

Reviews:

• “Great time”
• “A place for Us”
• “yo its all there”
• “probaby fun for undergrads…”
• “The Bomb”

Tips: Private and semiprivate party areas are available to accommodate between 50 and 450 guests.

The Aquarium on 6th

This Fifth Street flagship of the popular Austin chain has locals coming for the sign and staying for the Tex-Mex.

Reviews:

• “Far West—Great place for Families!”
• “Try the Patio!”
• “Good Mexican Food, Great Happy Hour!”
• “NEVER eat their Tacos”
• “An Austin Original”

Tips: Owner Clay McPhail added Atkins-friendly, low-carb menu choices, including Ditch chicken and ranchero pescado.

El Arroyo

Spacious, relaxed neighborhood bar is close to Sixth Street.

Reviews:

• “Searching for a better atmosphere”
• “My favorite bar”
• “Maybe the most underated bar…”

Tips: Need a meal before your drinks? Get popular burgers at nearby Casino El Camino; though be prepared for a 20-minute wait during early evenings and an hour otherwise.

MugShots

Chain wallets, emo-core and old-school punk abound at this alt-rock institution.

Reviews:

• “great underground music scene”
• “a total blast!!!”
• “Tattoos”
• “Emo’s really rocks”
• “Best live music in Austin”

Tips: The under-21 crowd may have to pay a higher cover, but Emo’s is all ages all the time.

Emo’s

A bar straight out of “Animal House” serving the UT campus.

Reviews:

• “Not a fair review”

Tips: The casual feel warrants patrons wearing sports jerseys. Frat/sorority threads and khaki pants are about as dressy as anyone ever gets.

Cain and Abel’s

Cheap food, cold draft beer and a spacious deck make this a great post-college hangout.

Reviews:

• “Great Place with Great History , Great Owner, Great Beer and Burgers, What else do you want? "
• “Nice and Relaxing”
• “Best beer selection in Hyde Park”
• “Best pub”
• “Best 6 dollar burger and fries in town”

Tips: The bar is at that spot where San Jacinto curves past 29th. Its North Campus sister, Posse East, is just a hundred yards away.

Crown and Anchor Pub or email Crown and Anchor Pub