When you get off work and are looking for a happy hour place, you don’t want to have to travel too far. If you’re an office dweller, you want as little time between powering down your computer and bellying up to the bar. Fortunately for downtown workers, Austin has many great places to kick back after work and all within walking distance of the high rise office buildings dominating the downtown Austin skyline.
So if you find yourself in downtown Austin at 5 p.m. on a weekday, you’ll find an endless string of cars inching their way out of downtown. You don’t have to put yourself in that mess. Instead, you can make your way on foot to the nearest happy hour spot on this list. Let the traffic die down while you quench your thirst and satiate your appetite.
10.) MAX’s Wine Dive
So if you’re a true wine lover in Austin, you have to go to MAX’s Wine Dive. Of course, you’ll get a great selection of wines, but you’ll also get great food to pair with your drink. During happy hour, they have deals on select wines by the glass, beers and appetizers.
Address 207 San Jacinto Boulevard; Happy hour: Monday-Friday, Open-6 p.m.
9.) Elephant Room
If you drive by Elephant Room on Congress Avenue, you’d probably miss it. This basement jazz club is where people who really appreciate jazz music go when they want to get their fix. They host jazz musicians 365 days a year, and there is usually a live act for happy hour.
Address 315 Congress Avenue; Happy hour: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
8.) Icenhauer’s
From 1985 to 2009, the home for Icenhauer’s was a private residence that toward the end of that time had fallen into disrepair. After some architectural design work and extensive renovations, this house is now a watering hole featuring femininely named cocktails. The biggest feature for happy hour is 25 percent off lady-named cocktails. Plus they have special prices for well liquor, beer and wine. You’ll also want to take advantage of their Wednesday ladies night where you can get half off their lady-named cocktails after 9 p.m.
Address 83 Rainey Street; Happy hour: Monday-Tuesday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
7.) Key Bar
With a large patio built for conversing with your friends, Key Bar is the place you’ll want to take your work friends to break down the week’s office drama. Of Key Bar’s many happy hour specials, the one you’ll want to try first is their $7 Margarita Shaker made with silver tequila and fresh lime juice in an EZ-pour shaker and accompanied by a martini glass.
Address 617 West Sixth Street; Happy hour: Sunday-Tuesday, all day; Wednesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
6.) Vince Young Steakhouse
Vince Young Steakhouse is one of the premier places in Austin to get a great steak, so it may seem odd to go there for happy hour. But they give you a great reason to stop by: all their bar food items are $10 each. For some choices, this is more than half off!
Address 301 San Jacinto Boulevard; Happy hour: Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
5.) Lucille Patio Lounge
Sipping your drink while laying in a hammock isn’t just for the beach anymore. Lucille Patio Lounge has a relaxing patio for you and your dog. And you won’t get sand in your clothes! There are hammocks for you and cool concrete patios for Fido. Plus, you don’t even have to go inside to get your drinks! They have two full service bars — one inside and one outside.
Address 77 Rainey Street; Happy hour: Monday-Saturday, Open-7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Open-10 p.m.
4.) Lavaca Street Bar
Lavaca Street Bar started in downtown Austin and now has two additional locations in town. The original location has a weekday happy hour and two weekly events to delight your tastebuds and wallet. Tecate & Taco Tuesday features $1.50 Tecate and Tecate Light cans and $4 El Jimador tequila. Sunday Funday offers up $2 mimosas and $15 domestic buckets.
Address 405 Lavaca Street; Happy hour: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
3.) Irene’s
The inspiration for Irene’s is a “drinking, smoking, gambling woman with an immense heart and a keen understanding of true hospitality.” Sounds like the kind of person who knows how to entertain, right? This place is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so even if you miss happy hour, you’ll still find something to satisfy you.
Address 506 West Avenue; Happy hour: Monday-Friday, 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
2.) Roaring Fork
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQgFLzphhyI/
Roaring Fork knows what it’s doing in the kitchen. This restaurant’s food is consistently good and a sure-fire crowd pleaser. To go along with their great food, their happy hour drink menu includes some great deals on drinks including margaritas, mojitos, martinis and signature cocktails.
Address 701 Congress Avenue; Happy hour: Everyday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
1.) The Driskill Bar
One of Austin’s most iconic architectural landmarks, The Driskill Hotel has a great bar inside it. From the comfort of plush, comfortable chairs, you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of the inside of the hotel. Though the hotel is located in the heart of Dirty Sixth, The Driskill offers an elegant and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a drink with friends.
Address 604 Brazos Street; Happy hour: Everyday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
This article is part of a series about Austin Happy Hours. Be sure to check out our posts about South Austin Happy Hours and East Austin Happy Hours, too!
Feature photo courtesy of Icenhauer’s.
