Our "Best of" Lists for Austin
Let us tell you a little something about the Austin we know and love. File it under "Stuff to do in Austin" or "Things to see in Austin" or "How to spend a perfect weekend in Austin" or "What to eat in Austin" or "Where to drink in Austin" or… ok you get the picture. We narrowed it down to a hand-full of our absolute favorites in each category, and then threw in some others options. There's plenty more than we show you here, trust us, this is just our own concise but experienced list.
Best Music Clubs and Honky Tonks
Austin is said to be “The live music capitol of the world”. So let’s start here. You will encounter live music at every turn in Austin. The airport, the grocery store, the sidewalk, the cafe and the club. Indoor, outdoor, every type, everywhere. It’s not always good! But there’s plenty of it. Everything on this list has great music. Or great atmosphere. Most have both.
Continental Club
There’s a bar and a stage. Simple and perfect. The music is always good. Full of locals and visitors alike. Top national/international acts and talented local performers. The occasional superstar!
White Horse
Honky tonk and whiskey on tap! Great dive in a great location.
Donn's Depot
Piano bar and saloon. Rail cars and beer soaked carpet. As real as it gets.
Broken Spoke
Two stepping Texas dance hall since the 60’s. This is THE place.
C Boys Heart and Soul
Small but mighty. Hosts Dale Watson’s - Chicken Shit Bingo, Sundays on the patio. Yep, chickens shit, bingo numbers are called. It’s fun.
Scoot Inn
Established in 1871. High end production for well known acts, outside on a nailed together western stage. Our favorite place to see a band.
Also Worth Checking Out
Best Places to Eat
The food scene is as diverse as the music scene. A lot of good places. Lots of so so. All of these below are good for one reason or another.
Pecan Square
Dreamy, light filled space. The food is locally sourced where possible. It’s well considered, simply prepared and tasty.
Gueros
Find something that’s “ok” on the Tex-mex menu, enjoy the atmosphere and the Oak Garden local music.
Suerte
Very good high end Mexican cuisine with seasonal ingredients. Known for their masa dishes. Great cocktails and mezcal selection. It’s so good you will need a resy!
Justine's
East of the east side. Indoor/outdoor French bistro. It’s a cool place to hang. Can get crowded and it’s difficult to park close by. Get an Uber.
Buffalina
Very good wood fired pizza in an airy casual space. Good happy hour.
Junes
Euro style bistro. Lots of corner windows and a few outdoor tables. Small menu with some great dishes. It’s a couple of doors down from Heritage Boot.
Also Worth Checking Out
Best Tacos and Taquerias
Where do we start, there’s just so many. Everyone has their favorite. There’s places you go just for the breakfast tacos. There’s tacos you eat only late at night. Tacos you eat on the run, tacos you sit and savor. Traditional. Old school. New school. Creative. Some are spicy and some are spicier. If a local tells you they are good - they probably are. Most of these are trucks, there are great tacos in a multitude of brick and mortar Mexican joints around town too. Try them all - if you have time - and stomach space.
El Primo
Our personal favorite on South First Street. Authentic deep flavors that make you not ask what they are cooked in. The family owners and servers are so nice.
Veracruz
Always good, there’s a few locations around town. Homemade tortillas and straightforward ingredients.
El Tacorido
You go because it’s close then you remember how good it is.
Granny's
Street tacos, just off the street. Load up and get plenty of napkins.
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Best Drinking Spots
If there’s one thing Austin does really well it’s drinking! Beer halls and breweries. Dive bars and distilleries. Sports bars and bar sports. Some you go to voluntarily, some you get dragged to. Locals will tell you they don’t go to 6th Street or Rainey Street, we don’t, but most of us have crazy stories of good times in both places. Most of these spots below have live music or great jukeboxes, dancing or something - like chicken shit bingo. A whole bunch have food trucks outside. Choose your poison, take lots of pictures!
Nickel City
Very good cocktails and a lively colorful crowd. Good drinks program in general.
Kelly's
Authentic Irish pub next to a gas station. Guinness and a good chat watching the footy. Food is good too.
Casino South Side Lounge
Dark and chill. Pool table and a great jukebox. Next to car mechanics, vintage shops and a vinyl record store.
Kitty Cohen's
Love this place. 50’s style cocktail bar with a kidney shaped pool outside to dangle your feet in. Hot day, head here.
Garage Bar
A dark hidden cocktail bar in a parking structure. Yep, love it.
Whistler's
Good location, New Orleans style room and patio with a tiny mezcal bar upstairs. Local’s hang.
Also Worth Checking Out
Best Comedy Clubs
As you have all probably heard by now, Austin has become a thriving hub of comedy clubs and comedians. We relied on Connor Nutt our experienced employee and local comedian to provide this list. He has performed in most of these places. There’s dozens of comedians every night in all these places with celebrity drop ins (Joe Rogan, Ron white etc.) being very common.
The Comedy Mothership
Two intimate rooms; Fat man; Little man. Lots of acts. Tons of celebrity drop ins. Can be a bit of a wait in line to get in. Shows sell out quick so buy in advance. Good energy in the room.
The Creek and The Cave
Cozy. - Small venue. Grab some bites, grab a drink, get up close. Produces great local show and national headlining acts. Friendly lot. The back patio is the hangout spot for comics.
Rozco's Comedy Club
Great value and great location on the east side. You can walk to popular night hangs before or after the show., the perfect club to attach to your night out on East 6th.
Esther's Follies
Little bit of everything with a talented cast of characters. A fun night. Musical comedy, political comedy, improv, sketches and maybe some magic. Quirky venue that’s been around for years.
The Velveeta Room
Small room right next door to Esters Follies. Mostly local and developing acts. You might catch the next “it” comedian. If you see the Follies you can get in free, sounds like a deal. Austin’s oldest club!
Vulcan Gas Company
This hybrid club hosts a number of comedy shows and EDM music. Great two story seating and a mix of local shows and world class headliners.
Also Worth Checking Out
Best Local Shopping
There are very few dedicated shopping areas in Austin. South Congress, 2nd Street and the Domain are three good mentions. Heritage Boot Co. sits on South Congress Avenue, we may be biased but it really is the best shopping area in Austin. It does depend on what you are looking for of course, but if it’s cowboy boots then it’s definitely the best. Below is our selection of stores close by us. Mostly locally owned. All on South Congress. All have interesting stock.
Heritage Boot Co
Small batch, own brand Cowboy boots. Made to the highest of traditional boot-making standards. Old school customer service. Exclusive and unique. Founded in Austin. Locally owned.
Stag Provisions for Men
Well curated menswear store founded in Austin. Heavy on work wear. Some well known brands like RRL. A modern day general store for men.
Big Top Candy
Think retro circus memorabilia. Old fashioned soda fountain and icecream case. Happy shoppers, happy kids and happy staff members. And bins. And wooden crates. And jars. And more jars. Of CANDY!
Maufrais
Beautifully appointed designer space. The very best western hats, shaped and customized for you right there by their friendly staff.
Prototype Vintage
Vintage clothing. Lots of it. Really well sourced and curated. You might find a gem just your size.
Feathers Boutique Vintage
Hand selected vintage clothing for women. Racks of dresses, shirts, trousers, accessories and such. Lots of good finds.
Also Worth Checking Out
Best Cafes and Coffee Shops
If you are anything like us you can’t get moving in the morning without your caffeine. Here’s a few places to get your fix.
Mañana
Attached to South Congress Hotel. A few tables inside and outside in the courtyard. Great people watching.
Proud Mary
Very good espresso and pour-overs in a mid century style building. Good food selection. Can get a bit loud inside.
Once Over
Austin made art on the walls. Female owned and run, a local’s coffee stop. Drop by and say hi. Great tacos at El Primo truck outside.
Radio Coffee and Beer
Another local’s coffee and food truck hang. Casual large outdoor space. Indoor service counter with alcohol drinks bar and seating.
The Meteor Cafe
All day bicycle friendly cafe with natural wine selection, pizzas and lunch items. Good cappuccinos.
Also Worth Checking Out
Other Things to do in Austin
We describe Austin as a “Land Cruise!” - There’s always something to eat, drink or do. Some of these you can do while also eating and drinking - bonus points.
Go for a run, a walk or a bike ride on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. See the bats fly out at dusk from the Congress Bridge or a “bat cruise”. Rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or retro boat on Ladybird Lake. See all the great murals about town, there’s lots, start at Roadhouse Relics. Go swim at Deep Eddy or Barton Springs Pool, or get a pool pass for The Austin Motel or South Congress Hotel. Check out the view from Mount Bonnel. Catch a soccer game at Austin FC. See the Formula One race at COTA. Get a lesson in Texas history at the Bullock Museum. See a movie at Alamo Drafthouse. Catch a ballet or the symphony at The Long Center. Tour the State Capital building. See contemporary art at Blanton Art Museum…
…and, eat some BBQ for crying out loud. There’s lots of choice. La Barbecue, Franklin’s, Micklethwait, InterStellar, Brown’s, LeRoy and Lewis, KG BBQ, Terry Black’s, lots more - it really depends on your pain threshold for lining up.
