Downtown Austin, Texas can be an overwhelming place. There’s lots of people, tons of construction, tourists roaming everywhere, and businesses are coming and going constantly. I’ve got a few tried-and-true spots that I love and eat at whenever I’m downtown. Hopefully this short list helps you out!
My favorite downtown spots:
Dumont’s Down Low: Chill bar vibes, BEST cocktails around
Swifts Attic: Excellent happy hour, high quality dinner food, date night vibes
Edge Rooftop: Downtown rooftop drinks and appetizers, causal vibes
Midnight Cowboy: Speakeasy cocktail bar
The Veranda: Excellent happy hour drinks and appetizers
Foxy’s Proper: High quality pub food, welcoming vibes
Cedar Door: An Austin staple, welcoming vibes, casual food
Want to learn more about each spot? Keep reading below for more info, parking tips, and photos.
Dumont’s Down Low
Located in a basement below 4th Street, Dumont’s Down Low is a perfectly chill speakeasy. It’s not a place for wild parties, but a place where adults can go to relax, grab an after-work drink, and socialize in a calm, down-to-earth environment with top-notch drinks.
The 150-year-old building is said to be haunted… Between 1860 and 1912, Blanche Dumont and Sally Dagget were brothel operators in the area. It’s said one (or both?) of these ladies haunt the space of Dumont’s Down Low. The bartenders shared stories of chairs moving upstairs after closing, sightings of women standing in the corner, and lights flickering. The atmosphere of Dumont’s is dark, lit by candles and sconces, showing walls lined with whiskey barrels and exposed brick. It’s just spooky enough to make me believe the stories!
Dumont’s has some extremely knowledgeable bartenders. It’s obvious they enjoy experimenting with new cocktails and infusions. They are also happy to discuss their drinks, how they’re made, and the flavors that are in them. One thing that sets DuMont’s apart is a large drip thing (name pending…). Basically, it’s made for cold brew coffee, but while we were visiting the bartenders were using it to infuse bourbon with raspberry and lemon. The bourbon will drip through the contraption TWICE before it’s ready to be bottled up and served. They are also barreling whiskey with a few ingredients at the bar. Slowly rotating each barrel, the whiskey stays barreled for weeks at a time. This process creates the base of an incredibly smooth barrel-aged Old Fashioned. Finally, if you’re more of a clear alcohol drinking, they make an infused vodka drink called the “Blanche” (yes, named after madame Blanche DuMont).
DuMont’s has an out of control whiskey selection (65+) that ranges from Jim Bean to Pappy 12 Year. Other rare whiskeys include EH Taylor, Angles Envy Cask Strength, and Blanton’s. They also have some unique Japanese whiskey like Hakushu and Yamazaki. If you’re a whiskey head, this is definitely the place for you. You could work your way through their collection one smooth glass at a time.
Overall, Brian and I were super impressed with Dumont’s. If you or someone you know really enjoys sophisticated drinking (at bargain prices!) take them to Dumont’s. It’s the perfect place to unwind from a hard day’s work in the company of educated bartenders making drinks they’re passionate about – and maybe a few ghosts.
As far as parking goes, I usually park at city hall.
Swifts Attic
Swift’s Attic in downtown Austin made some changes to their happy hour deals and WOW is it an incredible hit. Monday-Friday 4-5:30pm, select cocktails are $7. Where can you even find that these days? I tried the Strawberry Lemon Drop and the New Fashioned – both excellent.
Not only are their drink deals, but there is half price bar food! We are taking prices that are $5-$11. That’s less expensive than some of the tapas at other spots… The Triple G Lettuce salad ($7 on happy hour) is perhaps the only salad I would order as a meal at a restaurant. I love it! I also tried the Stoopid Fries with an onsen egg yolk, fried capers, and truffle aioli ($6) and the Let the Beets Drop beet and eggplant falafel ($5).
Side note: Their bites and drink menu are always changing! Be sure to check the Happy Hour Menu online before visiting to make sure there’s something you like.
Two people could easy enjoy three shared plates and two drinks for around $30-$35 dollars. That’s crazy to me. And the location is downtown! Roll up the cost of parking into your happy hour bill, because honestly, $50 for happy hour snacks and drinks for two downtown is still a score.
Parking? I always park at the garage at 2nd and Brazos or the city hall garage. Hope that helps!
Edge Rooftop Bar
I don’t know about you, but I always feel a little weird going to hotel rooftop bars when I’m not staying at the hotel… Just me?
Anyway, I’ve been twice now to Edge Rooftop Bar at the JW Marriot and it’s always so wonderful. The bar is super approachable and easy to access – just walk into the hotel make a right towards the elevators, go up Elevator C to the fifth floor, and exit through the doors by the pool! It’s that easy!
Thursday nights, Edge Rooftop has live music from 5-7pm. Otherwise, just enjoy the chill rooftop vibes! You can get some drinks, take tons of cool photos of the downtown view at sunset, and enjoy some small bites. They even run a Happy Hour every Monday – Thursday: $5 off select specialty cocktails from 6-8pm. That makes them $7-$9 bucks!
Parking: I parked at the Convention Center parking just across the street. It’s $10 for 1-6 hours. This is where I park for most of my downtown stuff. I like always going to the same spot (no parking anxiety!) and I don’t have to worry about every minute costing me more money. I know it’s going to be $10 for however long I stay and that’s fine with me.
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is a classic Austin speakeasy located right in the heart of Dirty 6th. This brothel-turned-bar now serves up a unique cocktail experience. Make a reservation, then ring the buzzer outside 313 E. 6th Street to get in (IYKYK, and now you know!)
Cocktails are $17+, BUT, I do think the whole environment, menu, and service is worth it. Add it to your “special occasion speakeasy” list.
Parking: The Convention Center parking at 5th and Red River is probably the best parking for e. 6th spots.
The Veranda at Dean’s Steakhouse
If you want late night, date night, fancy downtown dining vibes, but don’t want late night, date night, fancy downtown PRICES, then you need to book yourself a reservation on the Veranda at Dean’s Steakhouse.
Its got twinkly lights, its got hanging plants, its got Happy Hour specials Monday-Friday 5-6:30pm and late night Saturday from 9:30-10:30pm and late night Sunday from 8:30-9:30pm. We’re talking $8 wines, $9 cocktails (the going rate downtown is like, $16 these days. I am OVER that), and $10 small plates.
We had the old fashioned, the sidecar, and a glass of cabernet to drink. The Happy Hour menu also includes a chardonnay, a rosé, a spiced cucumber margarita, and a strawberry mule. For snacking, we had the meatballs (my favorite), shrimp scampi, and the burrata toast. Also on the Happy Hour $10 small plate menu are oysters rockefeller and beef carpaccio.
That all adds up to $56 before tax and tip. Late night, date night, fancy downtown, twinkly light patio dining for $56. Amazing! Parking? I always park at the garage at 2nd and Brazos or the city hall garage. Hope that helps!
Foxy’s Proper
Feeling overwhelmed by Austin’s rapidly growing downtown? Take a load off at Foxy’s Proper Pub.
This proper Irish pub has so much to offer. First off, the interior is so homey and inviting. Sit at the bar under the green light of the custom-made Jameson chandelier, sit on the cozy living room-style couches, or at the tables and chairs, or sit outside on their patio (the second floor patio has great downtown street views!).
The drinks range from classic Irish cocktails, to beers and Irish whiskey pours. I had the Spring Squill: Empress Gin, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon.
Foxy’s Proper has a delicious pub menu, including scotch eggs, pretzel board with Smithwick’s beer cheese, pub burgers. Of course, I had to get the fish and chips in Harp Lager batter. The pecan tartar sauce is TO DIE FOR. I’ll be back just for that.
Parking? I always park at the garage at 2nd and Brazos or the city hall garage. Hope that helps!
Cedar Door
Cedar Door has some pretty epic daily food and drink deals. Plus, Austin’s own Mexican Martini originated at the Cedar Door in the 80s.
This was my first time at Cedar Door (and they’ve been around 40 years, if you can believe that!) and I was surprised by how KIND everyone was. They sat me at the best table for photos, helped by pouring drinks so I could take action shots, and EVERYONE that worked there said hello to me.
Even though I’ve only been there once, I feel like I’m a regular, you know? Some places just have good vibes like that and Cedar Door is one of them!
If you’re downtown and are looking for a chill spot to grab some drinks and a meal, I recommend Cedar Door. Parking? I always park at the garage at 2nd and Brazos or the city hall garage. Hope that helps!
