123 Best Bars in Texas, USA

The truly honky-tonk 11th Street Cowboy Bar, with its outdoor patio and music stage, is always crammed with locals. Be ready to look the part in some Wranglers and boots, and perhaps be prepared to get pulled onto the dance floor for a little boot scootin'.

Originally known as The Fox Hole, Arkey Blue's is the oldest continually operating honky-tonk in Texas. And like any historic, divey honky-tonk, there are pieces of history hanging all over the walls. An excellent jukebox provides the soundtrack for pool tables, pinball machines, and ice-cold beer—and even ice and mixers, if you'd rather bring your own bottle of whiskey.

A community beer garden of sorts—locals call it The ABGB—this collaboration of five friends operates as both a full-scale brewery and a beer grub restaurant and music venue. Throughout the year, they offer a rotating selection of craft beers in a wide variety of styles, including lagers, ales, IPAs, and pilsners. The outdoor backyard is shaded by oak and elm trees and is a perfect backdrop for evening rockabilly gigs featuring local artists. Enjoy crisp pizzas, an assortment of super-stuffed sandwiches, and salads while you sip a few suds.

Once a delightful home-style shop by day and wine bar by night, the former Aviary Lounge's multipurpose design concept now focuses exclusively on wining and dining. The contemporary decor is still a lovely backdrop here, but the main star is the international wine list. There's rooftop space, too, for when the weather is nice, especially during the weekday happy hour.

On Friday and Saturday night, come to Azúca to put some salsa or merengue in your step. When you aren't dancing, you'll be sipping on a Latin or specialty cocktail. A full dinner menu and more than 15 types of mojitos are available, too.

It's three places all wrapped up in one—including Pelóns restaurant and Zorro bar—but this is where you’ll find much of the action later in the evening. It’s also a great spot to grab a preshow drink before heading over to Stubb's across the street or the Mohawk just two blocks down. The chic Mexican-inspired lounge has a mirrored ceiling, a cozy fireplace, and a classic bar menu of cocktails and beers, but you also have the luxury of ordering from the full dinner menu from Pelóns without having to leave your seat. Happy hour (5–7 pm) is one of the best in the city, featuring $2 Lone Stars/PBRs, $3 well drinks, $4 wine, and $5 house sangria and margaritas.

This quiet, cozy neighborhood bar is a favorite go-to for area locals. You'll get a greeting from pleasant bartenders and, on certain days, from a very sweet dog. The space has a chill, intimate atmosphere that's dimly lit and perfect for conversation. Experienced bartenders serve craft cocktails, wine, and beer. They don't serve food, but there is a restaurant next door.

Locals love the view of Downtown Dallas from the outdoor patio at the Belmont Hotel's BarBelmont.

One of Red River's hotbeds of music, Beerland serves the punk music scene and brings an eclectic mix of artist to the forefront. Expect a thrashing of sounds and sights most nights of the week, and stay tuned to their lineup for SXSW.

If you're staying near the Alamo, this is a must-see LGBTQ club for the open-minded and those who aspire to be. Housed in the 20,000-square-foot classic 1892 Turner Hall, the Bonham Exchange is a testament to the tenacity of legendary downtown developer Arthur P. "Hap" Veltman, who scouted the area in 1980 to replace his previous gay nightclub, the San Antonio Country. After a costly renovation, the club opened in 1981, and this amazing place has been going strong ever since. There are three levels of lively dance floors plus a bar area off the entrance. Multiple DJs spin every music genre you can imagine. Every year they throw an impossible-to-describe Halloween bash, and the club has a float in the Battle of Flowers parade during the annual Fiesta Week. Touring companies of Broadway shows have held their cast parties here, and at least one ghost hunter has scoured top to bottom for anybody who might have forgotten to (or didn't want to) leave the party. It has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and great drink specials. Cover charges vary from nothing to $5 depending on days and times. 

Enjoy wine by the bottle or glass and a variety of authentic Spanish tapas and paella at this adorable wine bar with a cozy patio. Do mind the hours, as it closes at 9 pm most nights (and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday).

This happy haven of food and fun, a "restaurant and drinkery" as it calls itself, has kept up a steady buzz since opening in 2020. There's a fun but fratty vibe here, complete with full-size pickleball courts and lawn games, an area for kids and dogs, a rotating selection of food trucks, and a full bar. Guests can order from the picnic tables on the outdoor Astroturf courtyard via a QR code. Gam-day watch parties attract crowds during UT football season.

Built in 1935, this fun, casual place has been a staple of the Alamo Heights community for so long that most people can't remember when it wasn't there. The crowd is eclectic, although it skews younger, and it's a great place to hang out, have a cold adult beverage, listen to live music or karaoke, and watch sports. There's also a lunch and dinner menu—the burgers alone have their own devout following. The weekend brunch serves breakfast plates, sandwiches, tacos, French toast, and omelets.

If you're looking for the perfect place to sink an eight ball in the corner pocket, visit this lively 6th Street favorite among the UT college crowd. With a floor full of pool tables, the only thing you'll have to worry about is waiting for one to open up. Even when there's a wait, the foosball and air hockey tables can keep you occupied while you sip a cold brew. Being right in the mix on "dirty 6th," this popular bar should host a variety of music over SXSW.

Things are always distinctly "fratty" at this wildly popular local haunt for college students and alumni alike right in the heart of the University of Texas campus. The crowds here on game day aren't for the faint of heart.

Opened in 1963, this north Austin haunt is one of the most adored, longest-running bars in the city. The unassuming dive looks like a gritty hole-in-the-wall from the parking lot, but it's a surreal circus inside. You'll find no-frills service amidst all the frills of the decor straight out of a Twin Peaks episode, from pink elephants and clowns to circus tents and fire-breathers. The decor is wild, the drinks are cheap, and the live music is classic honky-tonk. 

This unique wine bar feels like hanging out at the house of a very cool friend. Browse all the art for sale inside, go on a wine-tasting adventure, or relax outside at one of the umbrella-shaded tables. 

This place serves up a good time every night of the week, with live music from national and local bands. People love to catch the Spazmatics—a local '80s cover band—on Wednesday night as the courtyard becomes a playground after dark for revelers. Cedar Street offers one of the top SXSW showcases every year. RSVP and pick up your wristband early to catch a great lineup throughout the festival.

This beloved LGBTQ-friendly dive bar and dance club on Red River offers a friendly pour (whether it's a Lone Star beer, biodynamic wine, or kombucha on tap) and serves as a great meetup point thanks to its open back patio and weekly live music and theme dance parties. With its location in the heart of SXSW madness, expect music showcases and music-lovers in droves during festival time.

Club Dada hosts eccentric touring and local acts, including the Beatles cover band Hard Night's Day.

After a day of antiquing, pop into this local watering hole, with its Beatles poster–wrapped walls, for live music and a cold beer. 

From the owners of Richter Tavern comes Cork and Keg, an intimate speakeasy-style wine bar tucked below the tavern. Choose from an extensive menu of wine by the glass or bottle (you can take retail bottles home as well if you wish). Richter's full menu is available Tuesday through Saturday, and snack specials are offered on Sunday and Monday.

For country music and two-stepping, try Cowboys Red River.

Just down the street, Cricket's Grill and Draft House features more than 100 on-tap beers.

Curtain Club and Liquid Lounge are two distinct clubs inside a shared building. Live musical acts, including acoustic, rock, and country, play here Thursday through Sunday.

Or mingle at the Dancing Bear Pub, which has a good selection of domestic and imported beers, as well as hearty fare like pizza, nachos, and burritos.

Across from Hotel Contessa, Drink Texas serves tapas and has a large variety of signature cocktails, wines by the bottle, and wines by the glass. They're also known for their long (2 pm to 9 pm) happy hour. 

A North Austin neighborhood hot spot, Drink.Well. has all the comforts of a local community pub with all the sophistication of a sleek downtown bar. Creative cocktails and local beers dominate the beverage menu, while a tasty spread of snacks and savory bar food keeps guests pulled up to the cozy bar for a couple of hours.

For good food, great drinks and, yes, board games, Emerald Tavern is the place to go. The front retail portion resembles a simple old-school book shop, but with a variety of games lining the shelves. In the back, the tavern offers a unique selection of beers on tap, a sizable wine list, a few café-style bites, and fresh coffee from local roaster Cuvée Coffee. Both indoors and out on the patio, you can sip and savor while passing the time playing a selection of classic, European, and role-playing games, as well as tabletop miniature games that involve tiny figurines.