The capital of Texas is rife with Outdoor patios for alfresco drinking. Whether you’re looking for brunch, live music, or happy hour destinations, we’ve picked out the best outdoor drinking spots that Austin has to offer.

Moontower Saloon

Moontower has one of the best, and at 11 acres, definitely the biggest, outdoor areas of any bar in town. Head South on Manchaca to this Hill Country hideaway, complete with beautiful oak trees strung up with colorful lights. It’s basically like partying in someone’s back yard if that yard had volleyball courts, firepits, and cornhole…plus bartenders pouring cold Beer. Moontower hosts live music on Thursday through Sunday nights and has a generous weekday happy hour that lasts from 11am to 7pm. The bar itself doesn’t serve food, but there’s at least one food truck on-premise if you get hungry. There’s plenty of free parking (an Austin rarity), and it’s Fido-friendly (an Austin normality), so you can bring along your pup. 

HandleBar

Hidden above East Fifth Street is a rooftop adult playground, complete with seesaws, giant Jenga, and adult beverages. The inside is pretty cool, with a framed pic of the late Burt Renolds sprawled out in his bday suit downstairs (that’s also where you’ll find the photo booth), but you have to be out on the deck upstairs if you want to judge the people walking far below. Unlike some locales near dirty sixth, HandleBar actually tries with their cocktails. Their craft libations are named after famous folks, like The Charlie Chaplin, which features Pimm’s No. 1, Tito’s, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and a few dashes of lavender bitters, and ginger beer. It’s the perfect place to day drink on a Sunday, since that’s when they have an all-day happy hour.

Contigo

Contigo is a contender for the best patio in East Austin. Head here for happy hour after work for a $6 old fashioned or for brunch on Sunday morning. In addition to delicious seasonal cocktails, wine and beer, Contigo offers farm-fresh Texas fare, including the popular ox tongue sliders, making it one of Austin’s can’t-miss restaurants. Even though the patio is quite large, you’ve got to get there early to get a table. Contigo also has an outpost in Austin’s first food hall, Fareground, which also boasts a nice place for outdoor drinking. 

Trudy’s

Trudy’s has multiple locations throughout the city to get your Mexican martini fix. Trudy’s has been serving award-winning cocktails and Tex-Mex to Austinites since 1977. This is another good spot to hit for happy hour from 2-7pm when one of their signature Mexican martini will only run you $7, and you can get a bottle of beer for just a couple bucks. They also have daily drink specials (the Mexican martini is only $5 on Mondays!), with $10 carafes of mimosas on the weekend.

Rainey Street

We couldn’t pick a favorite bungalow-turned-bar on Rainey Street, so we’re suggesting you hit them all. Container Bar is made of shipping containers, Half Step will impress cocktail snobs, Craft Pride has over 50 Texas beers on draft, and Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden has umm…sausage and beer. Spend the day bouncing from bar to bar, each with its own back yard.

Easy Tiger

Easy Tiger is known for its perfect pastries, but its brick-and-mortar location on Dirty Sixth is somewhat less known for its kickass Biergarten. The outdoor oasis in the middle of downtown offers ping pong, pretzels, and beer, overlooking Waller Creek.

The Park

See and be seen at brunch or during happy hour at The Park at the Domain, or the more recent addition, The Park on South Lamar. With unique handcrafted cocktails and artisan beers, you might not even realize it’s a sports bar, save for all the TVs.

Violet Crown Social Club

The name makes this dive sound fancy, but it’s just a little old hipster haunt on East Sixth. VCSC is known for its boozy Dreamsicle flavored slushie, dubbed the Iron Whip, which is made with orange and vanilla vodka and orange juice. VCSC is open from 5pm-2am daily, but dogs are only allowed on the patio Sunday-Thursday. Go for happy hour hangs, or stop by for an Iron Whip on the patio on your way to round out an evening with a show at the White Horse or a nightcap at The Liberty.

The Oasis on Lake Travis

Speaking of “violet crowns,” The Oasis deck wins best view, period. Watch the sunset over Lake Travis while enjoying an overpriced beverage on one of The Oasis’ three outdoor decks.

Cedar Street Courtyard

For live music any night of the week, head to Cedar Street Courtyard in the “Warehouse District”. The sunken, open courtyard is dotted with lights overhead, making a romantic setting for live jazz and martinis.

Speakeasy

This swanky nightclub has three levels, topped off with the rooftop lounge, Terrace59. Make sure you’re sober enough to climb up (and back down) the 59 steps to the top to enjoy DJ music with a view of the downtown skyline.

Stubb’s BBQ

This Red River spot ranks among Mohawk and Nutty Brown Amphitheatre as one of the best outdoor live music venues in town. There are multiple bars outside, so you don’t have to miss a minute of music to buy a beer.

Jester King Brewery

Heaven forbid we get through this list without naming a brewery! Spend the afternoon sampling superb suds at a picnic table in Jester King’s beautiful Hill Country surroundings. This craft brewery is a bit off the beaten path, so make sure to go when they’re open (Thurs-Sun), and feel free to bring the family and K9 friends. Brewery tours are offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In addition to Jester King beer, the brewery offers guest beer, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages.

These top spots are just a sampling of all that Austin has to offer; become a local and explore the rest of this city. Search thousands of Austin apartments for rent on Zumper and find your perfect place.

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