Now that it gets dark at 5 PM, I can’t hang late into the evening anymore (who are we kidding… I couldn’t before Daylight Savings Time ended, either). So, I love a good happy hour as a way to steel myself for the witching hour… which is what I called it when my former mother-in-law would come over. Here are some of the best spots for Happy Hour in South Austin to escape the in-laws for happy hour during the holidays and beyond.
District Kitchen – Circle C
Monday-Saturday
3:30 PM – 7 PM
Sunday Funday
3:30 PM – Close
Typically reserved for special occasions at our house, District Kitchen’s happy hour menu features many of their signature craft cocktails and delicious appetizers at an everyday price (and they have happy hour every day!). Some of my favorites include the truffle prosciutto toast and the cucumber waves, but don’t sleep on ½ price bottles of wine… I never do.
Oasthouse – Circle C
Monday-Saturday
3:30 PM – 7 PM
Sunday Funday
3:30 PM – Close
Sister restaurant to District Kitchen, Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar on Mopac and Slaughter has the same happy hour days and times and equally outstanding food and drink options (where else are you going to find carnitas poutine?). The beer garden patio has a nicely-sized playground the kids can visit between bites of the Nutella and strawberry sandwich.
Cuba 512 – Westgate/William Cannon
Monday-Friday
4 PM – 7 PM
Sunday
4 PM – Close
For fans of mojitos, you cannot beat the happy hour at Cuba 512. Their happy hour menu includes a wide variety of Cuban-inspired cocktails and plantain-heavy appetizers. The dining room also includes a toy and TV nook for young kids (but you can drop the older ones off at Altitude Trampoline Park next door).
Doc’s Backyard – Sunset Valley
Monday-Friday
3 PM – 7 PM
Doc’s Backyard is more than just a giant playground for the kids; it also has featured daily drink specials, even on days it doesn’t have happy hour. All appetizers except wings are just $7.50 during happy hour, all drinks are $1 off, and pitchers are $4 off. Did I mention there’s also a giant playground for the kids?
Easy Tiger – South Lamar
Monday-Friday
4 PM – 6 PM
Now that our favorite time change of the year has happened, happy hour at Easy Tiger on South Lamar coincides with sunset, and there’s no better sunset view than Easy Tiger’s upper deck overlooking the greenbelt. They’ve also added a shaded kid’s zone park, so happy hour can be a family affair.
El Alma – Barton Springs
Every day
3 PM – 6 PM
It’s finally about to be patio weather in Austin, and El Alma on Barton Springs has one of the best rooftop patios in the city. El Alma hosts happy hour every day from 3-6, and offers discounted appetizers, margaritas, cervezas, and sangria.
Loro – South Lamar
Monday-Friday
2 PM – 5 PM
This Asian BBQ fusion restaurant is the collaborative brainchild of Austin culinary royalty Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin. Loro has happy hour every weekday from 2-5, and it’s a great opportunity to sample specialty bites, sandwiches, boozy slushees, cocktails, beer, wine, and sake – with all items on the lengthy happy hour menu under $10.
Salt Traders – Zilker Park
All day Monday
Tuesday-Friday
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Oyster lovers have a reason to come out for happy hour at Salt Traders on Mopac and Barton Skyway, when oysters are $1 off. For fellow shellfish allergy sufferers, all other appetizers are $5 off during happy hour, and a rotating menu of awesome cocktails will help you feel seaworthy.
Jack Allen’s Kitchen – Oak Hill
Monday-Friday
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Sister restaurant to Salt Trader’s, Jack Allen’s Kitchen hosts happy hour every weekday. The sample of chips and pimiento cheese dip is the gateway drug to happy hour, when all starters are 50% off and all cocktails, beer, and wine are $1 off at all JAK locations.
Dos Olivos Market – Buda/Dripping Springs
Monday-Thursday
4 PM – 6 PM
Family-style favorite Dos Olivos Market has locations in two South Austin suburbs: in downtown Buda and in downtown Dripping Springs. Happy hour at Dos Olivos has 15% off wine, beer, and wine-a-ritas every weekday but Friday from 4-6 PM. While you deliberate over the impressive 3-page international wine list, you can explore the market of artisan goods from Texas and Spain.
What’s your go-to for Happy Hour in South Austin?
