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Austin has no shortage of bars and restaurants that have been around for what seems like forever. The list can seem overwhelming, so we’ve narrowed it down to our top faves. Iconically Austin, and full of character, these are the oldest bars and restaurants still standing around the city.
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 | Opened 1866
The oldest restaurant and beer garden in Texas. Scholz opened ages ago and has been serving up pretzels, schnitzel, and beer since 1866.
Scoot Inn
1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702 | Opened 1871
Austin’s oldest, consistently open bar and music venue. Having opened in 1871, Scoot Inn is a true icon.
The Driskill
604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 | Opened 1886
The Driskill is technically a hotel, but the entire establishment has been open since 1886 — bar and restaurant, too. Even if you’re not staying overnight, dinner and drinks here will be unforgettable.
The Tavern
922 W 12th St, Austin, TX 78703 | Opened 1900s
The Tavern is a bar and restaurant that opened in the early 1900s in Austin, Texas and has been offering pub classics ever since. A cozy atmosphere for grabbing a beer and eating some snacks.
Avenue B Grocery Store & Market
4403 Avenue B, Austin, TX 78751 | Opened 1909
Avenue B opened in 1909, making it the oldest grocery store in Austin. It’s not just a grocery store though – they also do some delicious sandwiches and soups.
Dirty Martin’s Place
2808 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 | Opened 1926
Since opening in 1926, Dirty Martin’s has been an Austin classic. They’ve got award-winning burgers, a full bar, and more!
The Hoffbrau
613 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 | Opened 1932
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Austin, this old steakhouse serves delicious food. The Hoffbrau opened in 1932 and is currently closed for some small renovations!
Quality Seafood Market
5621 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751 | Opened 1938
Quality Seafood has been providing Austin with the fruit of the sea since 1938! It’s the best place in town to fresh fish and eat some too.
House Park Bar-B-Que
900 W 12th St, Austin, TX 78703 | Opened 1943
Austin’s oldest BBQ restaurant, House Park has been bringing good, classic, BBQ to the people of Austin since 1943!
Sandy’s Hamburgers
603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 | Opened 1946
Sandy’s has been making hamburgers since 1946. Drive through or dine in to enjoy some classically old-fashioned burgers and sundaes.
Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar
1511 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 | Opened 1950
Austin’s oldest Tex-Mex Restaurant and Bar, Cisco’s opened in 1950. And we’ve been going there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner ever since.
Deep Eddy Cabaret 1951
2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703 | Opened 1951
A fun neighborhood bar, Deep Eddy opened in 1951 and offers beer, pool, a jukebox, and overall good vibes.
Nau’s Enfield Drug
1115 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703 | Opened 1951
You’ll be transported straight back to a diner in the 1950s. Both a diner and a drugstore Nau’s opened in 1951, and we’re so glad they’ve kept up with their burgers and shakes.
El Patio
2938 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 | Opened 1954
One of the earliest Mexican restaurants in Austin, El Patio opened in 1954. Still run by the same family, and still fantastic.
The Continental Club
1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 | Opened 1955
The Continental Club, which opened in 1955, has been everything from a burlesque club to a blue-collar bar. But nowadays it’s known for live music — rock, jazz, blues… the works.
Sam’s Bar-B-Que
2000 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 | Opened 1957
Sam’s was opened up in 1957 and they really know their stuff. Brisket, rib, chicken, and mutton — they’ve got it all.
Dart Bowl
5700 Grover Ave, Austin, TX 78756 | Opened 1958
Dart Bowl has been the go-to bowling alley in Austin since 1958. And what’s a bowling alley without a cafe serving delicious enchiladas?
Carousel Lounge
1110 E 52nd St, Austin, TX 78723 | Opened 1963
Carousel Lounge is one of the funkiest bars in Austin. They’ve been setting up live music shows and serving beer and wine since 1963.
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 | Opened 1964
One of the oldest bars and dance halls still around, Broken Spoke opened up in 1964 Come on down for live country music and two-steppin’.
Draught House
4112 Medical Pkwy, Austin, TX 78756 | Opened 1969
A brewery with an insane number of beers on tap, Draught House has been an Austin staple for 51 years and counting.
The Cloak Room
1300 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701 | Opened 1970s
This little bar is hard to find. The Cloak Room opened in the basement of Goodman Building in the 1970s. Steps from the Capitol, dark, and quiet. You’ll feel like you’ve entered a whole other world.
Top Notch Hamburgers
7525 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757 | Opened 1971
Top Notch opened in 1971 and to this day it still looks straight out of the ’70s. The burgers and onion rings are amazing, but this place was also featured in Dazed and Confused.
Donn’s Depot
1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703 | Opened 1972
Donn’s piano bar was opened up by pianist Donn Adelman in an old train depot in 1972. These days it’s also become a hot venue for live music of all kinds.
Lala’s Little Nugget
2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757 | Opened 1972
Austin’s one and only year-round Christmas themed bar. Lala’s opened in 1972 and it’s been the perfect place to enjoy a drink and get into the holiday spirit ever since.
Jeffery’s
1204 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703 | Opened 1975
Since opening in 1975, Jeffery’s has been serving French classics with an American twist. A fantastically tasty fine-dining experience.
