Gonna take a 4-day trip to Austin in March (Spring break). It will be my first time in Texas, besides several layovers in Texan airports. I would like to know any cool bars, breweries, bbq places, and even some hotel options. Budget is severely limited - would like to stay in as cheap and as central of a place as possible (planning not to rent a car if at all possible).
As far as an affordable place to stay, we like the Austin Motel in SoCo. A funky 60’s motel type of place that has a vibe of its own. It is walkable to downtown.
The Gingerman is a great multitap. We usually don’t get to too many other places. Near the campus is the Dog and Duck pub, sort of British in atmosphere. Opal Divines was OK.
For ‘Q’, I can’t recommend anything good in Austin. The best is outside of town, in Lockhart (Kruetz, Smittys, Blacks), Luling (City Market), and Lexington (Snows). Maybe a local can give you better advice for in Austin.
http://www.lockhart-tx.org/web98/visitors/bbqcapitaloftexas.asp
Sixth Street is the college party strip. There are more places to my liking on 4th street west of Congress, more laid back and quiet. If you like live music, you will run out of time before places to go hear bands play.
http://www.greenmesquite.net/ - decent and cheap bbq
http://www.unclebillysaustin.com/ - bbq brew pub (never been but heard good things)
+1 to The Gingerman is a great tap house.
Live Oak Brewery’s Hefeweizen is really good and may be on tap at various bars and restaurants.
I bet this would be a good gig…
“Austin City Limits”
and check here for “Stuff”…prolly spam but hey maybe good info
http://www.thrillist.com/mktg/93509/Austin?gclid=CNL0iMnqpqACFRGlagodRyt-ZQ
For all-you-can-eat BBQ try the Salt-Lick. They even let ya take home leftovers.
No car? Try Stubbs…
Threadgills for home-cookin.
Trudy’s for some good Tex-Mex and Margaritas.
Sixth Street…
There’s plenty to do eat and drink within walking distance of downtown.
Austin’s really grown as a beer destination since I first went there back in the mid-90s. Back then, the only really good places to go were Waterloo Brewing at 4th and Guadalupe (sadly, it’s gone now), and the Gingerman. Now there’s so many you’ll wish for more than four days.
Agree with Gingerman as a must stop. I’d also add my favorite–The Draught House (4112 Medical Pkwy). It’s got a top-notch beer list. The food at Uncle Billy’s was pretty good, as was the beer, so I’d agree with adding that to the list. There’s a few local breweries, but I’m not sure what their hours are or if they have tap rooms–(512), Independence Brewery, and Live Oak Brewing Company are a three of them. You will probably find some of their beer at Gingerman, and Draught House.
Have a great trip.
Better late than never…
The beer scene in Austin is really blown up in the past couple years. New places opening all the time.
The best BBQ brisket I have ever had was at Franklin BBQ on 11th street. You need to go early and waiting line for an hour+. Worth the wait.
the draught house is the best pub/brewery in my opinion.
hopfields is a nice gastropub.
north by northwest is a restuarant and brewery that won a silver at gabf for their barton kreik and they have other nice beers.
jester king is a great farmhouse brewery.
lovejoys is a dive taphouse/nanobrewery.
flix brewhouse in round rock is a brewery/movie theater.
the 3 bus line can take you to many bars/breweries.
other good spots, uncle billys, hops and grain, adelberts, and i am sure i am forgetting some.