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A martini with a half of a fig and lemon garnish on a toothpick.
The Mare Rosea martini at Casa Bianca.
Casa Bianca

The 9 Hottest New Cocktail Destinations in Austin Right Now

Where to drink in April 2024

by Nadia Chaudhury and Courtney E. Smith Updated
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The Mare Rosea martini at Casa Bianca.
| Casa Bianca
by Nadia Chaudhury and Courtney E. Smith Updated

Welcome to the latest installment of Eater Austin’s cocktail heatmap, a map of the hottest, buzziest boozing destinations around town. It includes the latest bars in town, hot new restaurants with a serious cocktail game, and even older spots mixing things up with a new bar program — but they’re all under a year old.

Local bars and restaurants have really stepped up their games to create the best cocktails right now. This April 2024 update includes a variety of cocktails, from classic to innovative, to cater to every cocktail lover’s taste.

For the city’s must-hit essential cocktail bars, Eater has it covered elsewhere, along with the best all-around bars and restaurant bars. And then there are guides to other specific drinks, like refreshing frozen drinks, those other Austin cocktail staples, margaritas and Mexican martinis, craft beer, wine, happy hours, bloody marys, and mimosas.

Did Eater miss a recent spot or restaurant with an amazing cocktail program? Show it some love via email.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Redbud Ice House

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If beer is your bag, this ice house serving locally brewed Austin beers in 18-ounce, frosty schooner glasses inspired by El Fenix is one to check out. It also has bar bites, including hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, and a nice looking patio.

2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, Texas 78723

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Mexta Restaurant

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This fine dining Mexican food restaurant has an incredible cocktail menu to match. Mixologist Mica Rousseau developed the menu, which is heavy on mezcals, sotols, and tequilas, with drinks including a mole Old Fashioned; the Palomazo, a paloma made with a beetroot shrub; and the ¿Margarita? with mezcal and Champagne.

106 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701

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Retail Therapy

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Head to downtown Austin to visit this cocktail lounge that’s decorated like a boutique (retail therapy, get it?) with cocktails named for an array of designers, artists, and fashion icons. The espresso martini, which is much touted, is said to pay homage to the late Virgil Abloh. It features butter washed vodka with 1738 cognac, coffee liqueur, and demerara and is garnished with a glazed doughnut hole.

Bambino

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Can a pizza parlor serve up great cocktails? Bambino offers a resounding yes. The classics, including frozen margs, a blackberry rambler, and a frozen negroni. But there are clever takes on cocktails as well, such as the “Cherry Coke” Manhattan, the Devil in Love (Bambino limoncello, Amaro Sfmato, and prosecco), or the Amalfi Witch (Amaro Strega, vodka, orange soda, and rosemary).

Springdale Road and Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78702

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Holey Moley [Austin]

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There is no more iconic duo than cocktails and putt putt golf. This spot is very about Instagram-moments and the drinks reflect that. Try a Boot Scootin’ shooter (Deep Eddy grapefruit with mango and peach liqueur served in a little cowboy boot), the Putt-Putt Paloma, or the Golfer’s Gold Rush (bourbon, lemon, honey, and ginger liqueur).

807 East Fourth Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Half Moon

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It’s patio season and the newly opened Half Moon is a must visit. The bar was created by the folks behind Nickel City and Murray Tavern and is focused on fizzy, carbonated cocktails made with sotol, tequila, mezcal, and rum. It’s all heavy on influence from the Caribbean, including the food menu.

Casa Bianca

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The solid menu of classic cocktails at this Italian-ish restaurant is worth a visit all on its own. Try on-tap cocktails including the aperol spritz, paloma, and old fashioned. There are whole sections dedicated to negronis, martinis, margaritas, and tiki drinks with flavor profiles that are all over the map. And there’s a promising section of “new Italian” drinks — updated takes on classic ideas.

Dainty Dillo

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The team behind far south Austin bar Armadillo Den made their way into the Govalle neighborhood with this new bar in February 2024. On deck are loads of cocktails and beers in a space with great views. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Drifters Social Coffee & Cocktails and Pickle Pub

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Far south Austin’s drinking scene got bigger with the opening of this new two-in-one bar in late February 2024. There’s Drifters Social with cocktails and then there’s Pickle Pub, which is more of a sports bar. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

10630 Menchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78748

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Redbud Ice House

2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, Texas 78723

If beer is your bag, this ice house serving locally brewed Austin beers in 18-ounce, frosty schooner glasses inspired by El Fenix is one to check out. It also has bar bites, including hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, and a nice looking patio.

2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, Texas 78723

Mexta Restaurant

106 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701

This fine dining Mexican food restaurant has an incredible cocktail menu to match. Mixologist Mica Rousseau developed the menu, which is heavy on mezcals, sotols, and tequilas, with drinks including a mole Old Fashioned; the Palomazo, a paloma made with a beetroot shrub; and the ¿Margarita? with mezcal and Champagne.

106 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701

Retail Therapy

Head to downtown Austin to visit this cocktail lounge that’s decorated like a boutique (retail therapy, get it?) with cocktails named for an array of designers, artists, and fashion icons. The espresso martini, which is much touted, is said to pay homage to the late Virgil Abloh. It features butter washed vodka with 1738 cognac, coffee liqueur, and demerara and is garnished with a glazed doughnut hole.

Bambino

Springdale Road and Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78702

Can a pizza parlor serve up great cocktails? Bambino offers a resounding yes. The classics, including frozen margs, a blackberry rambler, and a frozen negroni. But there are clever takes on cocktails as well, such as the “Cherry Coke” Manhattan, the Devil in Love (Bambino limoncello, Amaro Sfmato, and prosecco), or the Amalfi Witch (Amaro Strega, vodka, orange soda, and rosemary).

Springdale Road and Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78702

Holey Moley [Austin]

807 East Fourth Street, Austin, Texas 78702

There is no more iconic duo than cocktails and putt putt golf. This spot is very about Instagram-moments and the drinks reflect that. Try a Boot Scootin’ shooter (Deep Eddy grapefruit with mango and peach liqueur served in a little cowboy boot), the Putt-Putt Paloma, or the Golfer’s Gold Rush (bourbon, lemon, honey, and ginger liqueur).

807 East Fourth Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Half Moon

It’s patio season and the newly opened Half Moon is a must visit. The bar was created by the folks behind Nickel City and Murray Tavern and is focused on fizzy, carbonated cocktails made with sotol, tequila, mezcal, and rum. It’s all heavy on influence from the Caribbean, including the food menu.

Casa Bianca

The solid menu of classic cocktails at this Italian-ish restaurant is worth a visit all on its own. Try on-tap cocktails including the aperol spritz, paloma, and old fashioned. There are whole sections dedicated to negronis, martinis, margaritas, and tiki drinks with flavor profiles that are all over the map. And there’s a promising section of “new Italian” drinks — updated takes on classic ideas.

Dainty Dillo

3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

The team behind far south Austin bar Armadillo Den made their way into the Govalle neighborhood with this new bar in February 2024. On deck are loads of cocktails and beers in a space with great views. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Drifters Social Coffee & Cocktails and Pickle Pub

10630 Menchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78748

Far south Austin’s drinking scene got bigger with the opening of this new two-in-one bar in late February 2024. There’s Drifters Social with cocktails and then there’s Pickle Pub, which is more of a sports bar. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

10630 Menchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78748

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