First Look: The Wheel

The most distinguishing feature of new bar the Wheel may be the darkness. Dimly lit red candles barely illuminate the lacquered wooden tables and I can hear peoples’ conversations better than I can see their faces. I know I’ve stumbled into a good spot. After my eyes adjust to the dark, I can just make out the variety of bicycle themed artwork.

Located on MLK and Chicon, the Wheel is one of the latest neighborhood bars on the Eastside. The bicycle themed bar has four thin, rectangular cocktail tables as well as six picnic tables on the back patio. The bar top itself is a gorgeous, sturdy dark wood, which features gears under a translucent top, and seats about ten people. More dim red glows behind the bar, which displays an impressively stocked supply in a relatively small area.

Although I am a beer guy, I was intrigued by the specialty cocktails listed on the blackboard at the end of the bar. There were only four specialties listed, good for those who are overwhelmed by boastfully long menus. Each cocktail focuses on different liquor and includes a few unique ingredients. As a whisky fan, I decided on the Madison, which is a rye based cocktail with orange bitters and vanilla syrup, reminiscent of an Old Fashioned. The cocktails aren’t skimpy, so it only takes a couple to do the trick.

The drinks are all named after the daughters of the bar owners and managers, which creates a nice personal touch. If whisky isn’t for you, not to worry. Try the Lyllian, a Hendricks based cocktail with lillet blanc, aperol, and grapefruit zest.

The Wheel also offers eight craft beers on tap, as well as a variety of bottles and cans. Although the tap beer is limited, it’s a diverse array of beers from Austin as well as from around the country. Whether you’re a die-hard IPA drinker, or a stout fanatic, there is a little something for everyone. The Wheel keeps the rotation constant, but always diverse and approachable. Or if you’re really hip, tall boys of PBR are readily available.

The friendly staff, cold beer, and creative cocktails make the Wheel the next neighborhood hangout in East Austin. Watch out for the specials on the blackboard and if you rode your bike to the Wheel, check out the complimentary bike pump out front.