Visit any of these top-rated Austin establishments next time you are on the search for cocktails made by the area’s finest bartenders.

The Roosevelt Room
4.6 ★
Let’s start this list off with an establishment that is known for taking the time to create cocktails that you won’t likely find in your standard bar. The Roosevelt Room has been winning awards in Austin’s Historic Warehouse District since their opening in 2015. With a daily happy hour that runs until 6 pm daily, you don’t have to spend too much to be considered part of The Roosevelt Room family. For those who are seeking a deeper experience, The Roosevelt Room offers a seated cocktail experience in the downstairs dining room that gives guests the chance to understand the full drink menu without feeling rushed. Visit this bar and restaurant on west 5th St after 3 pm daily and plan to stick around until midnight, or even later on the weekends. Ask your server or bartender for the “House Creations” menu to try cocktails that were created by the staff members that are taking care of you. At The Roosevelt Room, you will taste the effort made from your very first sip.

Small Victory
4.7 ★
Austin’s Hotel District is happy to count their small victories at Small Victory, an intimate cocktail bar on east 7th St that gets right to the great drinks without getting lost in too many frills. True to the classic speakeasy style, Small Victory takes a little extra effort to find but you won’t mind the process. Resemblance of an attic is hard to ignore at Small Victory, especially after you have climbed to the top of the parking garage staircase. Order your cocktail with confidence, Small Victory employs only the most knowledgeable staff when it comes to the art of mixology. Ask for a charcuterie board or peruse their food menu and get ready to sit for a spell. Small Victory is open
Tuesday – Saturday from 5 pm – 1 am with a Singapore Sling or an Old Fashioned that tastes perfectly crafted. Don’t let the idea of a “small” victory deter you, all victories are always worth celebrating at Small Victory on 7th St.

Nickel City
4.0 ★
When you’re on the search for mixed drinks in a retro setting with a laid back service crew, Nickel City is waiting for you on 11th St with a menu full of award winning cocktails and frozen drinks. Options are seemingly endless on their vast menu, not to mention a vast whiskey selection to boot. That one commercial drinks chain has nothing on the “Pink Drink” from Nickel City, or any of their other mixed drinks and cocktails. Coney’s food is available on site with appetizers and general bar food. Look for the vintage yellow sign on 11th St and experience another one of Austin’s award winning bars. Nickel City is open consistently every day from 12 pm – 2 am with cold beer, mixed drinks, food, and more.

Peche
4.5 ★
Usually you can find a bar with a special focus on prohibition era drinks without having to search too hard, but have you ever had drinks from before that time period? Peche is Austin’s first absinthe bar, focusing on drinks that were made by the creative minds that moved away from America during prohibition times. After traveling the world to gain these imaginative recipes, the minds at Peche decided to open an absinthe bar in Austin with extra attention paid to preserving the history behind these drinks. Don’t skip out on a meal at Peche, they have a full menu of elevated food selections that put a bit of a modern twist on old favorites like foie gras and bouillabaisse. Located on 4th St, Peche is open daily from 5-10 pm for drinks and dinner in the old, old fashioned kind of way. While you’re at Peche, do not be shy about asking your bartenders to tell you more about the drinks. Unlike your average bar scene, Peche’s crew likes to take things slow and show real appreciation to the process so take the extra time to learn something with them.

Kinfolk
4.9 ★
Back in the prohibition times, Austin was home to a fair amount of speakeasies that were just hidden out of sight if you did not know what you were looking for and Kinfolk is one of the establishments that hasn’t changed much since then. Not quite visible unless you’re looking for it, Kinfolk is located on Red River Street in the cellar of Moonshine Grill. If you don’t get distracted by the immaculate bar at Moonshine Grill, make your way downstairs to see what Kinfolk is up to that evening. Full of history, Kinfolk is a library of sorts with more than the original building to teach you about Austin’s past. Trace the lineage of the liquor you’re enjoying at Kinfolk by asking your bartender to tell you about the spirit’s specific family tree for a history lesson that you wouldn’t expect. Curated cocktails are made by the kind of employees that obviously enjoy their job and are passionate about the liquors behind the recipes. Wednesday through Saturday, make a reservation for anytime between 5-10 pm to experience a vintage classic in Austin.
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Daydreamer
4.3 ★
Austin’s famous 6th Street is the place to be and there are seemingly limitless reasons to visit them, enough to have warranted an entire spotlight article that can be found in our “Guides” tab. Right now, we want to take you to 6th Street to visit Daydreamer, a cocktail and champagne bar that encourages you to let your thoughts drift off and relax. From 3 pm – 2 am (opening at noon on the weekends) Daydreamer is an oasis for anyone on the east end of 6th Street that wants to take a load off. Take a seat on their inviting patio with cocktails like the house recipe Kentucky Kick or Gemini Rising. Rosemary’s Retreat is a wonderful option with zero alcohol, all of the ambiance and flavor with none of the inhibitions. Experience a sense of calm from the moment you enter, the warm colors and gentle art pieces will engulf your group like a warm hug during any of their open hours.

DrinkWell
4.5 ★
For more than 12 years, DrinkWell has existed in the North Loop Neighborhood serving creative cocktails that keep you talking about them. Hospitality, hard work, and tasty menu items have combined since their opening in 2012 to provide an experience that feels like walking into your best friend’s house. This award winning bar has more house cocktails available than you could possibly imagine with ingredients that your imagination wouldn’t likely conjure up. Have you ever experienced the pure bliss of purple corn as a cocktail flavor? Don’t knock it til you’ve ordered at least one of these crazy cocktails that only DrinkWell will serve. The Garden Variety and Miami Sound Machine are two names you can expect to see on their menu, but you’ll have to visit them on east 53rd St to find out what’s in them. Closed on Sundays, you can try what DrinkWell has to offer after 4 pm any other day of the week. Perfect for those who want to party but still get a full night of rest, they usually close around midnight.

The Driskill Bar
4.5 ★
Local musicians love to hang out at The Driskill Bar so if you’re on the search for a side of live music with your cocktails then you won’t have to look any further than this Brazos St bar. Enjoy live acts performing music Thursday-Sunday between 8-10 pm, The Driskill Bar is always expanding their roster of performers. Located inside of The Driskill Hotel on Brazos St, the bar is a continuation of the cozy ambiance and cheerful service that you will meet if you stay for a night or two. Once you have had one too many of their cocktails, you can even utilize the proximity to go ahead and book a room at The Driskill, these digs are nice. With the amount of seasonal, specialty, and old fashioned cocktails they have to pick from, The Driskill Bar is bound to have you wanting to order one right after the other. From 2 pm until at least midnight, The Driskill Bar is excited to have you be their guest.

Midnight Cowboy
4.5 ★
Oldschool cocktails and a speakeasy setup create the vibes that you will never grow tired of at Midnight Cowboy on east 6th St. Take a seat in one of their leather booths and get really cozy, Midnight Cowboy is the kind of place that makes you want to stick around and take in every detail. Known for the historic qualities of the building, the Midnight Cowboy is one of Austin’s oldest speakeasies and even keeps the original sign intact. Midnight Cowboy was originally a brothel (many years ago) and instead of hiding from their past, they love to talk about the building’s sordid history. Don’t forget to make a reservation as walk-ins are not permitted. Intimate, unique, and with a full cocktail menu, Midnight Cowboy serves drinks like the Southern Gent which tastes a bit like pecan. Tuesday through Sunday, plan to make your reservation between 5 – 11:30 pm for access to this swanky business.
CONCLUSION
Cocktails are a major part of the culinary scene that is always growing and expanding here in Austin and you can’t go wrong with any of these bars, pubs, restaurants and speakeasies. At The Austin Insider, we are passionate about this town and can’t wait to tell you everything you need to know about making the most of your time spent here. Don’t hesitate to take a look at articles we have posted in the past, there is always something new to learn. From the food to venues and everything in between, AustinPedalParty.com is always ready to talk more about what makes Austin the perfect place for a vacation. Don’t forget that taking a tour with us on the Austin Pedal Party tour bike is another way to enjoy cocktails and mixed drinks in the downtown area without having to plan out a route. The pedal party can fit up to 15 riders and is an affordable way to bond with friends, family, coworkers, and other riders. Take a look at our FAQ tab and find out all you’ll need to know about riding with us and don’t forget to consult The Austin Insider next time you need any advice on our favorite town, Austin.