1. Total Wine & More
9.5
11066 Pecan Park Blvd, Ste 117, Cedar Park, TX
Wine Store · 8 tips and reviews
Josh A: Wow enormous store with huge selection. Split into roughly thirds with wine, spirits, beer. Lots of craft beers. Lots of scotch. Prices seemed fair not amazing.
Aaron Ortega: Lagavulin for $80. Amazing and knowledgeable staff. All happy to help. Dog friendly.
Matt Hopkins: Attend a tasting! The presenters are very knowledgeable and approachable for all levels of questions. Have fun!
3. Midnight Cowboy
8.5
313 E 6th St, Austin, TX
Speakeasy · Downtown Austin · 76 tips and reviews
Natalie Lin: Former brothel, beautifully remodeled with deliciously potent craft cocktails (esp the Smoke + Mirrors, a 12-yr scotch drink with flamed orange that's made table-side). Online RSVP required.
Serious Eats: Smoke and Mirrors: Made tableside with 12 year old Scotch, Duque de Carmona (a sweet orange sherry), Benedictine, and a sarsparilla bitters made by Jason Steves of Bar Congress.
Jenny Stewart: A hidden gem. Delicious (and strong) craft cocktails in an intimate setting. The building has an interesting story! Bookable small rooms out back for 5-8 people, plus they have a small terrace.
4. Half Step
8.4
75 1/2 Rainey St, Austin, TX
Cocktail Bar · Downtown Austin · 48 tips and reviews
Jonathon Taylor: I have to admit I just did scotch so might’ve missed the point. But good scotch selection
Sean McBride: One of my favorite places I've ever been! Amazing ambiance, great indoor/outdoor space, and wonderful cocktails.
Jimmy Hughes: SUCH a great bar. Get a Maine or Kentucky Colonel while you sit out in the great outdoor space! Go on Wednesdays and Thursdays for some cool live music too. Read more.
5. drink.well.
8.6
207 E 53rd St (at Avenue G), Austin, TX
Cocktail Bar · North Loop · 56 tips and reviews
Jonathon Taylor: Check out the scotch selection. Some extremely good hard to find options when I was there. But if you find an online menu note that they don’t really stock the Brandies anymore which is unfortunate
Holly Jones: The mushroom gratin was awesome! The pisco inferno and queens park swizzle are the best drinks!
Thrillist: If everyone is ordering "The Communist," this place may be responsible for the next Red Scare. It's a tasty mix of gin, orange, lemon and cherry brandy. Read more.
6. Spec's
9.1
10515 N Mopac Expy, Austin, TX
Liquor Store · North Burnet · 36 tips and reviews
Caffery Penn: Probably one of the biggest Spec's there is. Almost as big as the giant one in Houston. Great selection. There's a cafe as well
Mark Toussaint: Only get the good beers!!
Roxy Katz: Absolute best liquor store in austin! If youre interested in wine, definitely speak with francios, hes amazing!
Natalie Lin: Try the Johnny Walker Black Label - Nancy's first :)
Roy Lenahan: Fantastic bartenders, delicious cocktails and awesome djs at the weekends, all in all a brilliant bar.
Austin Chronicle: With its vintage funeral-parlor-meets-antique-taxidermy-museum vibe, the Volstead appears to pride itself on dirty cool. Sister bar Hotel Vegas next door has live music.
Whitney Jardine: A variety of delicious rotating and standard daily soups & juices. Also gluten-free (and regular) grilled cheese sandwiches! My favorite smoothie: green monster. Favorite juice: love cleanse.
Martín: Off the menu: Order a Love Cleanse in smoothie form with mango. Solid post-run juicin.
Brea Simpson: The simplicity of a place that serves grilled cheese, really good soup and juice is just beautiful. The Green Detox and one of their cherry cookies is like soul food to me.