Mean Eyed Cat Bar on West Fifth at Windsor in Central Austin

This bar has Character with a capital C and although it hasn't been in this location for long I believe I saw it a few blocks down and on a street to the right for twenty years while it was a saw blade sharpening place. The building itself is plenty old and the feel is good inside. I've only been here once before but I liked it then and could see that it had a ton of potential. If the condos go up next door they might get a ten year ride with lots of walk in traffic. I can only hope, because I like this place. If you come to town during SXSW it is within walking distance of downtown, but you have to like walking because it is about a mile. I'm sure they will have music there every night. I have a companion video to go with this, just look in the sidebar to the left. It's a great theme for a bar and fine tribute to a legendary man. http://www.themeaneyedcat.com/

Halcyon Coffee Bar Lounge in the Warehouse District in Austin

Halcyon is in the same space that was formerly occupied by Ruta Maya before they moved out on South Congress. This part of downtown is known as the Warehouse District and there are lots of bars and restaurants in the immediate area. It's about a five to ten minute walk from 6th street and is geared a little more toward a older or at least less rowdy crowd, although it does get pretty crazy on the weekends. Located at the corner of Lavaca and Fourth Street, this place seemed pretty relaxing and had a spacious feel about it. There is a big open window in front of a seating counter next to the cigarette display but there is a no smoking ordinance so if you buy them you'll have to go sit outside to smoke them. I almost went down into the basement because there were no signs telling me not to, but I asked first and they told me it was the office area. Check out the video in the sidebar. It's a decent place.

Locker Room Sports Bar at South First and Ben White in Austin

This massive Sports Bar used to be a Country and Western Disco, called the South 40, that was quite popular with Urban Cowboys. Until this visit I had never been through the doors to the establishment. It is actually much nicer than the exterior would lead you to believe and the men's room has about ten urinals, so no waiting. The beer was two or three bucks, depending on what you order, and most of the music coming from the jukebox was rock and roll. I have no doubt this place gets packed on game day but it was spacious and relaxed when I visited. The bar is oblong and seats plenty. There are multiple other seating arrangements scattered around the place and lots of pool tables plus darts. It's easy to find if you are interested. Just travel south on South First Street until you cross a bridge over Highway 71/290, also known as Ben White Blvd. then take a right into the City Market Parking lot and drive to the back section of the shopping center. It doesn't have a lot of local flavor, most Sports Bars don't, but I couldn't find much to complain about when accepting it for what it is. In fact I kind of liked it. It would make a great venue for live music during SXSW but I don't expect them to have any. Maybe they will surprise me.

Austin Java at Parkway and North Lamar in Austin Texas

The first time I ever went to Austin Java was probably ten years ago or more. At the time I was always trying to go to someplace different for breakfast and a friend suggested this place. It was much funkier then and had the weirdest ceiling texture I have ever seen. All that is gone now and everything looks spiffy and this original Austin Coffehouse has expanded to several other locations all over Austin. They had a pretty good wine selection but I got a Bock for $2.50, put a buck in the tip jar and acted like I owned the place. I'm glad nobody confronted me like they have at some smaller joints. I'm just trying to do a public service after all. This is a kind of strange location for me. It is highly visible but seems less accessible than it really is because of it being on a diagonal corner. It really is easy to get to but it never feels that way to me. That's just me. Go there and see if you can figure out what I mean. It is at the corner of North Lamar and Parkway. For some reason there is a street sign that says Parkway and Enfield. Even though I knew where I was, that sign was confusing the hell out of me. http://www.austinjava.com/

Opal Divine's Pennfield on South Congress in Austin Texas

This place is the result of a successful downtown establishment by the same name called the Freehouse. I noticed that the Dog and Duck Pub also calls their self a Freehouse. I sure feel a lot freer at either one of those locations than I do at my house and that's a good enough reason for me to go there. Opal's at Pennfield is a very short walk to Ruta Maya so I suggest you go to both if you were already planning to go to one or the other for whatever reason. They are helping to pull SoCo farther and farther South. Once it reaches the Hill's Cafe, my mission will be complete.

It's a huge place with a lot of parking. In fact I have always found a spot even during SXSW. I think there is room for fifty or sixty cars. Maybe more, I've never counted but I will the next time. I received very lousy service in this place two years ago during SXSW but I kept going back and found that that was an anomaly rather than the norm. I like the place and the former smoking area that is now like a private enclave. It would make a hell of a studio apartment.

Dog and Duck Pub on Gudalupe near UT in Austin

This place has been around for most of the time I have lived here. It does a pretty good business and serves pub food like you might find in England or Ireland. They have had the Celtic Music Festival in their parking lot many times in the past and the place gets packed. It is a homey relaxing atmosphere and a little bit upscale from most of the joints I go too. It's a little pricey but so else is everything in world these days. I especially like the outdoor patio beer garden to the side of the building. It's nice and shady and could hold a bunch of my friends, if I had a bunch of friends. Of course, if I offer to buy the beer I can find plenty of acquaintances who would claim to be my friend. It's a thought. http://www.dogandduckpub.com/

The Gingerman at Fourth Street near Guadalupe in Austin

I've been in here no times, until today, for at least a couple of years. I've been in here maybe ten times ever, but I enjoyed myself every single time. The furniture used to look brand new, because it was. The leather furniture still looks great, too bad it is so politically incorrect because I really like it. Well folks, if I think of anything else I can say about this place other than check out one or two of the hundreds of beers they have on tap, I'll be sure to let you know. This is a good place with a decent jukebox and a great beer selection. Unfortunately, a comfortable and relaxing setting can make you forget about the parking meter that is about to expire. In five years or less this place will be ancient history. Trust me, I've been watching things change in Austin for nearly thirty years but never like what is happening now. Man, money talks big time in this town but I still love it. I 'm not sure exactly what lies in store for this place but I'm pretty sure it will be taller than what is here now. Wouldn't it suck to be someone who bought a condo with a view of Town Lake from their patio only to have someone else build something that totally blocks your view? That's called reality in a profit driven world and Austin surely is a profit driven world, but it still has lots of counter culture non profit driven residents and I'm thankful for that. Of course that has nothing to do with this bar on Fourth Street near Guadalupe in Downtown Austin, it just helps explain why I enjoy living here and would like to see every business succeed. http://austin.gingermanpub.com/