Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Austin+SXSW Musts
The Ginger Man is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

1. The Ginger Man

301 Lavaca St (at W 3rd St), Austin, TX
Pub · Downtown Austin · 195 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: 81 beers on tap. If you're from out of town - try something local. Ask for a St. Arnolds - I personally prefer their Lawnmower variety.

2. Donn's Depot

8.1
1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX
Dive Bar · Old West Austin · 40 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: One of the best dive bars in Austin. Friendly waitstaff, GREAT live music, and there's dancing every Friday.

Club de Ville is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

3. Club de Ville

900 Red River St (at E 9th St.), Austin, TX
Bar · Downtown Austin · 38 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Nicest outside drinking venue around. If there's long lines on one side, you have 3 other bars to choose from in the venue!

The Mohawk is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

4. The Mohawk

8.9
912 Red River St (at E 10th St.), Austin, TX
Rock Club · Downtown Austin · 131 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Definitely try to grab drinks & a better view on the roof bar. Fun fact: Michael Cera pwnd that Big Buck Game Hunter in the upstairs lounge.

Cedar Street Courtyard is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

5. Cedar Street Courtyard

8.1
208 W 4th St (Colorado & Lavaca), Austin, TX
Lounge · Downtown Austin · 71 tips and reviews
Lambert's Downtown BBQ is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

6. Lambert's Downtown BBQ

8.6
401 W 2nd St (at Guadalupe St), Austin, TX
BBQ Joint · Downtown Austin · 303 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: The Deviled Eggs and the Brisket Sandwich, you can't go wrong. They're phenomenal!

Lustre Pearl Bar is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

7. Lustre Pearl Bar

97 Rainey St (Driskill St.), Austin, TX
Bar · Downtown Austin · 84 tips and reviews

GOODGOOD: Cool idea: new bar made from repurposing an old house in an worn industrial area. It spurred 3 other lounges around it. Check out the many benefit events hosted here too.

Stubb's Bar-B-Q is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

8. Stubb's Bar-B-Q

8.0
801 Red River St (at E 8th St), Austin, TX
BBQ Joint · Downtown Austin · 339 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Pulled pork sandwich with potato salad is a good, cheap staple.

Frank Restaurant is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

9. Frank Restaurant

407 Colorado St (btw 4th & 5th), Austin, TX
Hot Dog Joint · Downtown Austin · 388 tips and reviews

MazdaMazda: Frank is the only espresso bar in Austin serving Intelligentsia and the only Intelligentsia retail shop in Texas.

Pueblo Viejo is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

10. Pueblo Viejo

502 Brushy St (at E 5th St), Austin, TX
Taco Restaurant · 84 tips and reviews

Nate M.Nate McGuire: Awesome breakfast tacos all day

The Belmont is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

11. The Belmont

7.9
305 W 6th St (Lavaca St.), Austin, TX
Music Venue · Downtown Austin · 66 tips and reviews
The Driskill Bar is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

12. The Driskill Bar

8.8
604 Brazos St (6th St), Austin, TX
Hotel Bar · Downtown Austin · 117 tips and reviews

MashableMashable: Into tech celebrity spotting? You'll be sure to "run into" a few web celebrities here. Just don't make it look like you're stalking them, which you are. - Royal Frasier

Toy Joy is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

13. Toy Joy

8.2
403 W 2nd St (Guadalupe St.), Austin, TX
Toy Store · Downtown Austin · 53 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Awesome board game selection (some rare/German ones not available in your standard tabletop gaming store). Also check out the attached candy store!

The Highball is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

14. The Highball

7.2
1120 S Lamar Blvd (at Treadwell St.), Austin, TX
Cocktail Bar · Zilker · 122 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Great for a relaxing evening with friends. Lady bartenders are also super friendly (towards fellow ladies) - make sure to flash 'em a smile!

Piranha Killer Sushi is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

15. Piranha Killer Sushi

207 San Jacinto Blvd (at 2nd St), Austin, TX
Sushi Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 126 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Jalapeño Poppers are phenomenal (and addicting). You can't go wrong with and roll specials here.

Elysium is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

16. Elysium

8.0
705 Red River St (at 7th Street), Austin, TX
Dive Bar · Downtown Austin · 39 tips and reviews

Do512Do512: Elysium is bound to be crowded during SXSW with its two bars and great dance floor. Find out what's going on here at do512.com!

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

17. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

9.1
303 Red River St (at E 3rd St), Austin, TX
American Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 374 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Macaroni and Cheese is divine! Also all of the pressed sandwiches are delicious.

Kung Fu Saloon is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

18. Kung Fu Saloon

510 Rio Grande St (at 6th St.), Austin, TX
Bar · Downtown Austin · 132 tips and reviews

ThrillistThrillist: Stats: >20 taps, serving $2 Pearl Light to Belgian man's Chimay, a menu of specialty sake bombs, pre-video games like skeeball and shuffleboard, & stand-ups like Donkey Kong & Mortal Combat. Nuff Said Read more.

Old Pecan Street Cafe is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

19. Old Pecan Street Cafe

504B Trinity St (Between 5th & 6th Street), Austin, TX
American Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 43 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: Try the crepes - totally worth it. Also the decorating is deceptively fancy, it's actually a decently priced meal.

Jo's Coffee is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

20. Jo's Coffee

8.5
242 W 2nd St (at Lavaca St), Austin, TX
Coffee Shop · Downtown Austin · 202 tips and reviews

AustinPixelsAustinPixels: You get %20 off your bill if you are seeing an ACL show

Threadgill's is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

21. Threadgill's

301 W Riverside Dr (at S 1st St), Austin, TX
American Restaurant · Bouldin Creek · 98 tips and reviews

thew M.thew Matt: Their sides are almost universally excellent. If I were to ever "leave" my wife, she knows she can find me in a giant vat of their Scalloped Potatoes.

Chupacabra Cantina is one of Austin+SXSW Musts.

22. Chupacabra Cantina

5.9
400 E 6th St (Trinity St.), Austin, TX
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Austin · 135 tips and reviews

Rachel M.Rachel Mercer: This is really the bar to go to when it's after 10pm on 6th street and you really just don't want to buy that pizza.