FT5: Austin Dive Bars

5. Horseshoe Lounge (South)

Horseshoe slides into the bottom spot of my top 5 only because it is the least frequented place on my list.  Nothing against the joint, but as a north Austin dweller, I just don’t find myself venturing this far south too often.  This bar fits the definition of a dive bar perfectly; they have incredible drink specials, competitive shuffle board and pool, plently of places to sit, and a friendly staff that are never slow.  Of all the places on my list, this one is also most likely the must rundown of them all.  The sometimes annoying fact that they only take cash and a jukebox full of old school country also makes this one of Austin’s best dive bars.  Apparently the place was built in the 60’s and has yet to remodel.  See you there on Friday?

4. Long Branch (East)

My only east side bar comes in at the four spot mostly because I think they deserve recognition as being one of the first cool bars on the east side.  Yes long before Shangri-La and Liberty ever even contemplated breaking ground on the east side, Long Branch started the trend of the east side being cool about 8-9 years ago (pretty sure it was 2003).  I’ve always enjoyed this bar because the drinks are strong and cheap, they have a great jukebox of modern indie mixed in with old rock n roll, and parking is usually pretty easy.  Did you say random ass decor?  How about deer head art?  Check and check.  Anyone who questions the dive bar status of Long Branch should take a step inside the bathroom and get back to me… You won’t get anything fancy here, just a chill place to have a drink with your friends.

3. Lala’s (North)

Not only is this one of my favorite dive bars in Austin, it’s also easily the most depressing watering hole in town.  One of my good friends once remarked that Lala’s reminded them of a bar that belonged in a coal mining town.  Sounds about right doesn’t it?  Sure the drinks can be a bit on the pricey side, but the homemade bloody marys are still hands down the best one’s in town (be sure to ask for extra spice).  The jukebox at Lala’s fits right in with the 50’s/60’s style Christmas decor with Elvis, Otis Redding, Frank Sinatra and other music from the time.  I also love that no matter what night I come in, Lala is making my bloody mary behind the bar.  The north Burnet/Lamar area is full of some solid dive bars, but I’ll take the dark and smokey Lala’s over any of those other ones.

2. Barfly’s (Hyde Park)

I just went to Barfly’s last weekend and was reminded of how much I used to love this place when I lived across the street many many years ago.  Every once and awhile, we’d hop across the train tracks and step over to Barfly’s for a quick drink or two in my later college years.  The drink prices are cheap, the drinks are strong, and they’ve got that mysterious drink special known as The Happy Meal.  They also lay claim to one of the best jukebox mixes in town with everything from 80’s synth-pop, to At The Drive-In, and back to Modest Mouse.  Let’s not forget that parking is easy, the place is rarely overcrowded, and it’s miles from downtown Austin.  A backroom pool table, some random arcade games and a decent outdoor area also build on the bars divebar status.  Being on top of a Burger Joint also earns Barfly’s double points.

1. Crown & Anchor (Central)

Crown & Anchor, dive bar or not, has long been my #1 drinking spot in Austin for close to 10 years.  You get everything you can ask for here: cheap/good food, cheap beer specials, a multitude of bar games, photo hunt, ample seating and parking, and a friendly staff that we all know by name.  No matter what night of the week you come in, your bound to see someone you know that’ll buy the next round of pitchers.  Some of you may cry foul here because they don’t even have a jukebox, but the bar staff have always had great taste in music for a bar setting.  A little Wilco here, some Radiohead there, an old Johnny Cash song, and a big heaping of old school Uncle Tupelo create a nice mix that won’t make you shout over anybody.  If you plan on stopping in soon, I recommend the chicken tacos that do actually exist on the menu.  Whoops, gotta run, just got a text message that reads “Crown?”

So let’s hear it Austin, what favorite watering hole of yours am I leaving out?  Or are you keeping it all to yourself?