The Top 35 Places to Drink in Austin
The best places to drink in Austin, by the professional record: 50 Best, Eater, and Spirited Awards have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Nickel City comes out on top.
Equipment Room and Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar hold the next two places. Eater shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with Spirited Awards next.
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- 50 Best #96 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Amanda Jones
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- Bon Appétit America's Best New Bars
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central
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- Wildsam The 50 Most Essential Bars in America
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
- Eater Best Speakeasies in Austin
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- The Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin
- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central
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- Esquire Small Victory Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Eater Best Speakeasies in Austin
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Rank 7. Daydreamer
Cocktail Bar
- Eater Best New Cocktail Bar
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central
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Rank 7. papercut
Cocktail Bar
- The Pinnacle Guide 2 Pins
- Eater Best New Bar · The 2025 Eater Austin Award Winners
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
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- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Caer Maiko Ferguson
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central
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- Punch Frozen Mexican Martini · Our Favorite Cocktails
- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central
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Rank 9. Le Calamar
French
Concrete floors and dark leather in a South Austin building that could pass for a tech lobby, except the menu is French and the martinis have made a small national name for themselves. Le Calamar is a neighborhood bistro where the food leans sharing plates, the wine list sneaks in some Texas pours, and the baked Alaska arrives with honey pecan dacquoise and torched meringue like it has something to prove.
- Esquire Cornstar Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- The Infatuation #19 · The 25 Best Restaurants In Austin
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- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Eater Best Speakeasies in Austin
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
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Rank 12. Uptown Sports Club
New Orleans-style Cajun & Creole
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- Eater The Best Cocktail Bars in Austin
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central
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Rank 19. Murray's Tavern
Cocktail Bar
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central
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Rank 20. Otoko
Omakase Sushi
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Rank 21. Watertrade
Japanese Cocktail Bar
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