How to Enjoy Austin's Best Dive Bars

Austin, Texas is known for some of the best dive bars in the country. By best, I mean the seediest, raciest, darkest, loudest joints in the nation. If it’s a raucous good time you’re after, then Austin’s dive bars are the places you want to be. However, choosing just the right dive bar will require some simple planning.

Instructions

How to Enjoy Austin's Best Dive Bars

1. Think safety. Sure, the biggest give-away that you’re actually in a dive bar is the sound of bottles breaking. A bar brawl is one thing, but you don’t want to be in a dive bar that even the police avoid. It’s probably never a good idea to go to a dive bar alone. There’s some truth to the old adage that there is safety in numbers. Take a friend (not your grandmother). There is a lot of fun to be had in Austin’s dive bars. Just remember that the best times are ones you live to tell about!Club DeVille, located on Red River Street is probably known as one of the safer dive bars in Austin. It’s clientele is more the white collar type. It’s also quieter, so you won’t need to shout so the person standing six inches from you.Mugshots, located on East Seventh Street is another dive bar to consider. The place is so laid back you’ll question if you’re even in a dive bar. But that’s their story and they’re sticking to it. It’s spacious and known as a real neighborhood style dive bar.

2. Ask around. Listen to what others are saying. People tend to be pretty honest about what is and isn’t the place to have a great time. The Ritz is one of the oldest and well known dive bars in Austin. But it doesn’t necessarily mean it makes the cut in popularity among today’s discerning dive bar hoppers. Located on East Sixth Street is the Jackalope. It was once known as a snooty bar for the preppy crowd. It has now been labeled as one of the worst bars in Austin, effectively earning it the label of dive bar. Risqué pictures of women line the red walls of this dive that boasts a mounted Jackalope.Lala’s Little Nugget is another dive enjoying increasing popularity among Austin locals. Here the Christmas decorations are displayed year round - right along with a never ending good time. An earthy bar with the mandatory jukebox await you at this true dive bar.

3. Choose your music. Dive bars have come a long way from the honky-tonk days of Hank Williams. While it’s practically mandatory that the music ruin your hearing just in time for retirement, the styles are now as diverse as Austin itself. From country music to grunge to really bad karaoke, Austin’s dive bars offer something for everyone.Known as the only dive bar entirely dedicated to Johnny Cash, The Mean-Eyed Cat is a great place to visit. While better lit than most dive bars, The Mean-Eyed Cat, found on Fifth Street, is a dive in every other sense of the word. Small, crowded and replete with a jukebox that plays, what else, Johnny Cash songs all night long. Bring your dollar for the jukebox and order a cold one. Don’t forget to toast the Man in Black before you leave.Claiming to have been hustling beers since prohibition days the Scoot Inn on East Fourth Street is the quintessential dive bar. Enjoy live acts performing hip music or show up on Mondays for tracks of eighties music, London style.

4. Make yourself happy. You know what you like. Just go for it. Sample a couple of the dive bars. Heck, try all of them. You're sure to find what fits. The bottom line is that you want to have a good time--so suit yourself.If you like unusual, give Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon on Burnet Rd. a shot. Chicken S*** Sunday starts promptly at 4pm and promises to be the strangest game of bingo you've ever played. You've got three chances to win the $100 pot, that is, if the chicken droppings, yep--you read right--land on your picks!If it's diversity you're after then you'll love Boomerz. Cowboys and college grads rub shoulders here with ice cold beers or perfectly mixed drinks in hand. Grab a game of pool or enjoy the cover band. It's all here.