4 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. 

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.

When they're not tailgating for the University of Texas Longhorns, sports fans can be found living it up at this historic hall. In continuous operation since 1866, the "little beer joint that could" is the oldest operating business not only in Austin but also in the entire state. Although it's not in the downtown entertainment district, this Austin classic hosts live music and other events and always welcomes performers during SXSW.

You don't have to bring a dog to be a patron at Austin's first hybrid restaurant, bar, and dog-park, off Burnet Road. The shaded outdoor patio is a great place to people- and puppy-watch while you chow down on sliders and fries served at the on-site Fat City walk-up window. Find several local beers on draft here, too, plus seasonal cocktails and cheap tall boys.