3 Best Nightlife in Austin, Texas

It may be the hippest hotel in town, and the San José is also home to one of the best outdoor bars in the city. On nice days, grab a poolside patio seat and order a reasonably priced bottle of wine and the city-renowned cheese plate. Happy hour is all day on Tuesday. Year-round special events feature local bands, while weekly sets by a varied lineup of DJs can be enjoyed in the lounges. South By San José is one of SXSW's premier yearly events. The hotel, combined with Jo's Coffee, joins forces to showcase a huge variety of music in an outdoor setting throughout SXSW in the heart of South Congress. The event is free for passersby and open throughout the festival. 

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.

A top spot for craft cocktails in an intimate atmosphere along East 6th Street, Whisler's consistently draws a see-and-be-seen crowd who not only expect the best cocktail of their choice, but are also willing to pay top-dollar for it. If you take craft cocktails seriously, you won’t regret an evening here. You’ll find an inviting array of seasonal drinks on the menu, but be sure to ask your server about off-the-menu options, too. And their "back bar," a Oaxacan-inspired mezcal bar, Mezcalería Tobalá (open Friday and Saturday), is not to be missed.