5 editor picks in Austin.
5 late-night dives in Austin our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Austin nightlife.
Donn's Depot on West 5th Street in Austin is the converted railway-car bar with Donn Adelman at the piano since the 1970s, country and honky-tonk dance.
TipClosed Sundays. Live music nightly from 21:00, no cover; the rail-car back rooms are the quieter conversation spots.
Lala's Little Nugget on Justin Lane in north Austin is the year-round Christmas dive open since 1972, boughs of holly on the walls and Santa on the roof.
Tip21+ with valid ID. Open weekdays 16:00-02:00, weekends from 12:00. Cash and card both work; jukebox is the soundtrack.
Deep Eddy Cabaret on Lake Austin Boulevard by Deep Eddy Pool is the neighborhood dive open since 1951, cheap beer, jukebox and a long shuffleboard.
TipOpen daily noon to 02:00. Cash and card both accepted; the shuffleboard table at the back is the long-standing local pull.
The Liberty on East 6th Street in East Austin is the dog-friendly dive with a picnic-table patio and the original East Side King food truck in the back.
TipEast Side King serves until close; patio holds the crowds on warm weekends. Cash and card both work, no cover most nights.
The Driskill Bar inside the 1886 Driskill Hotel on Brazos Street is the cattle-baron lobby bar with cowhide stools, longhorn over the mantel and live music.
TipLive music most evenings, no cover. The 1886 Cafe across the lobby serves dessert later than most kitchens; valet through the hotel entrance.
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