Nightlife
2018 Readers Poll
2018 Critics Picks

Photo by Sandy Carson

Dance Club

“Want to dance your socks off and sweat your makeup off? Barbarella is the craziest, funnest place to go for crazy, fun dancing.” Lydia Rimmer

Barbarella
611 Red River
512/476-7766
fb.com/barbarella.austin.9

Large Live Music Venue

“Best sound anywhere. There's not a bad seat in the house.” Justin Hoegenauer

ACL Live at the Moody Theater
310 W. Willie Nelson
512/404-1300
acllive.com

Photo by David Brendan Hall

Photo by David Brendan Hall

Intimate Live Music Venue

“Cheer Ups is a great place to play, from a musician's perspective, and is a really nice room with great sound.” Alison Ditto

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River
cheerupcharlies.com

Outdoor Venue

“I love that it is on an incline and you can have great views of the stage from pretty much anywhere.” Daniel Luviano

Stubb's
801 Red River
512/480-8341
stubbsaustin.com

Photo by David Brendan Hall

Photo by Jana Birchum

DJ

“DJ GirlFriend understands what Austin nightlife wants. They also give back to the community. You don't see that warmth or compassion that often from a DJ. DJ GirlFriend makes our hearts go OONTZ!” Dana Yanoshak

DJ GirlFriend
www.girlfriendatx.com

Cocktail Bar

“Whisler's has the best happy hour and amazing cocktails. Half the time I don't think I like any of the ingredients but the final product is delicious.” Krista Paton

Whisler's
1816 E. Sixth
512/480-0781
whislersatx.com

Photo by John Anderson

Photo by John Anderson

Dive Bar

“If the Casino ever closes, might as well close down Austin.” Andrew Osborne

Casino el Camino
517 E. Sixth
512/469-9330
casinoelcamino.net

Sports Bar

“Best bar to watch soccer at.” Shawn Collins

Haymaker
2310 Manor Rd.
512/243-6702
haymakeraustin.com

Photo by John Anderson

Photo by Jana Birchum

Bar for Singles

“I always get laid here. Gender unimportant.” Amanda Scully

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River
cheerupcharlies.com

Happy Hour

“Nothing beats their cocktail flight or $5 rosé. With the nice pairing of duck fat fries, your hour will be the happiest it’s ever been.” Jessica Sher

Salty Sow
1917 Manor Rd.
512/391-2337
www.saltysow.com

Photo by John Anderson

Photo by Todd V. Wolfson

Bartender

“Emmilou is one of the kindest and most attentive bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Vincent Tompkins

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River
cheerupcharlies.com

Place for Sober Socializing

“There's nothing sexier than a deep discussion about a good book. I'm gonna find my soulmate here, I just know it.” Emily Ojuka

Austin Public Library
Cepeda Branch Library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley, 512/974-7372
Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/974-3625
Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library, 3101 Oak Springs, 512/974-9920
Twin Oaks Branch Library, 1800 S. Fifth, 512/974-9980
University Hills Branch Library, 4721 Loyola, 512/974-9940
Windsor Park Branch Library, 5833 Westminster, 512/974-9840
Spicewood Springs Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd., 512/974-3800
Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg, 512/974-9860
Menchaca Road Branch Library, 5500 Menchaca Rd., 512/974-8700
Pleasant Hill Branch Library, 211 E. William Cannon, 512/974-3940
Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition, 512/974-8800
Old Quarry Branch Library, 7051 Village Center Dr., 512/974-8860
Milwood Branch Library, 12500 Amherst, 512/974-9880
Yarborough Branch Library, 2200 Hancock, 512/974-8820
Hampton Branch Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd., 512/974-9900
Ruiz Branch Library, 1600 Grove, 512/974-7400
North Village Branch Library, 2505 Steck, 512/974-9960
St. John Branch Library, 7500 Blessing, 512/974-7570
Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez, 512/974-7400
Southeast Branch Library, 5803 Nuckols Crossing, 512/974-8840
Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina, 512/974-1010
library.austintexas.gov/cepeda-branch

Photo by John Anderson

Photo by Devaki Knowles

Karaoke

“Neat theme rooms, dance floor downstairs to kill time before or after.” Brittany Markert

The Highball
1120 S. Lamar
512/383-8309
thehighball.com

Jukebox

“You'll be trying to Shazam everything.” Lisa Blackwell

Casino el Camino
517 E. Sixth
512/469-9330
casinoelcamino.net

Photo by John Anderson

Photo by John Anderson

Trivia Night

“I chipped my tooth at Pluckers and it’s still the best place ever.” Sam Bratton

Pluckers Wing Bar
2222 Rio Grande, 512/469-9464
9070 Research Ste. 201-C, 512/533-9464
3909 S. Lamar, 512/443-9464
11066 Pecan Park Blvd., 512/258-9464
300 Mays Crossing #300, Round Rock, 512/671-9464
6406 I-35 #2949, 512/454-9464
7101 Hwy. 71 W. Ste. 19-E, 737/201-9464
www.pluckers.com

LGBTQ Club

“Queer ownership makes a difference. As a queer person, walking into CUC feels like coming home. You’re always welcome.” Kristina Smith Puerto

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River
cheerupcharlies.com

Photo by David Brendan Hall

Photo by John Anderson

Pool Hall

“Great pool tables and Austin's secret mind eraser destination.” Braxton Parsons

The Grand
4631 Airport #121
512/454-1986
thegrandatx.com

Escape Room

“Incredibly creative and intricate setup. Made me feel like I was in an episode of MacGyver, but with better hair.” Carlos O'Leary

The Escape Game
405 Red River
512/643-0043
www.theescapegame.com/austin

Photo by John Anderson

Photo by John Anderson

Adult Club

“An Austin classic. The staff treats you like family. Always a good time here.” Amanda Phillips

The Yellow Rose
6528 N. Lamar
512/458-2106
yellowrose.com

Wild Card

“Lesbian Wedding for the win! Love everything about this shindig.” Tamara Hoover

Sahara Lounge
1413 Webberville Rd.
512/927-0700
saharalounge.com

 
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