Whether you prefer winding down your summer evening with a cool drink on one of the city's best open-air patios or tucked away in a clandestine, speakeasy-style cocktail den, this list will give you plenty of options for savoring every minute of those long, August-in-Austin nights.

The Art of the Cocktail

Weather Up
808 E. Cesar Chavez St.

This New York-based cocktail lover’s dream has made the jump to Austin. Setting up shop in the burgeoning East Austin area, Weather Up occupies a stately perch on the corner of East Cesar Chavez and Chicon. Its dimly-lit, wood-paneled interior invites patrons to explore the world of artisan cocktails—either at the bar itself or tucked away in one of the uniquely tufted leather booths and banquettes that line the opposite wall. Of course, given its spacious exterior, you also have plenty of Austinstyle back patio seating to choose from. Whichever you prefer, you’ll soon discover that the process of settling on your sipper of choice takes center stage with Weather Up’s impressively extensive selection of hand-crafted cocktails.

Midnight Cowboy
313 E. 6th St.
(512) 843 2715

Behind a nondescript door in the heart of the bustling Sixth Street strip lies a reservations-only cocktail bar unlike anything to hit the Austin nightlife scene in recent memory. Marked only by a series of faux-aristocratic names on the building’s list of buzzers, the entryway sets a proper tone and beckons patrons inside—after ringing the right doorbell. Only once you’ve been whisked to your cozy private booth, do you forget the Sixth Street mêlée and let your eyes and mood adjust to the speakeasy ambiance. This is the type of bar where you won’t have to yell to be heard. In fact, the most rewarding part of the experience is watching your bartender deftly concoct your drink using the various liquors, tinctures and syrups atop a tableside beverage cart, all the while fielding even the most minute of your cocktail questions. Sure the call-ahead, reservations-only mentality may be slightly more exclusive than what Austinites are used to, but it’s a hoop worth jumping through.

More Than Mixed Nuts

Javelina
69 Rainey St.
(512) 382 6917

Like a beacon at the south end of Rainey Street, new neighborhood staple Javelina is hard to miss. Its bright bulbs will draw you in, but its Austin-style pace, comfort food menu and spacious, wraparound patio areas will beg you stay. When it officially debuted in early March, Javelina was the first bar on the street with a much-needed added bonus: a fully-equipped kitchen. What does that mean for you? Sliders, salads and an assortment of “Javelina burgers” made from a combination of fresh brisket and chuck to enjoy with your beverage of choice while lounging at this laid-back pinnacle of Austin patio perfection.

Violet Crown Social Club + Via 313 Pizza
1111 E. 6th St.
(512) 614 4461

Although separate entities, Violet Crown Social Club and the Via 313 food trailer in its front parking lot have a nicely symbiotic relationship: Via 313’s deep-dish, Detroitstyle pizzas are just the answer for late night revelers looking for a savory bite, while Violet Crown’s unassuming yet cozy interior and breezy outdoor areas are a convenient place to sit, should you find yourself craving a cold beer to wash down your unforgettably delicious, square-shaped arugula and soppressata-topped pie.

Mixed-Use Concept

Cenote
1010 E. Cesar Chavez St.
(512) 524 1311

Is it a coffee shop? A wine bar? A funky, quiet date spot that oddly feels like your own front porch? All three—and proud of it. While Cenote might be best known for its café, it’s a gem of a new concept along East Cesar Chavez that shines consistently throughout the day—and well into the evening. Cenote has taken up residence in a restored early 19th century house, giving it enough charm to kick-start any timid conversation while also inviting larger groups to settle in at one of the numerous picnic tables that dot its front yard. For a more intimate vibe, you can also sip your beer, wine or late-night java at one of the smaller, candlelit tables inside.

Henri's Cheese & Wine
2026 S. Lamar Blvd.
(512) 442 3373

One part cheese and charcuterie shop and one part neighborhood wine bar, Henri’s is the type of place that makes you wonder why it wasn’t there a long time ago. Since opening its doors this past spring, the cozy South Lamar establishment has been giving patrons the choice of experience— you can either swing by to pick up the necessary specialty grocery goods to host your own small soirée or pull up a chair and peruse the in-house menu of wines, beers and, of course, cheeses. The beauty of Henri’s lies in its refreshingly warm, yet cool and modern environment. Simply put, it doesn’t feel like your average wine bar. The staff is friendly and helpful, providing honest opinions on pairings and tastings that will encourage you to think beyond your normal comfort zone.

Lively Local Flavor

El Naranjo
85 Rainey St.
(512) 474 2776

From popular trailer to beautiful Rainey Street restaurant, El Naranjo is an Austin success story with a distinctly Mexican upbringing. After selling their first restaurant concept in Oaxaca, Mexico, husbandwife team Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Torrealba put down Rainey Street roots with the original El Naranjo trailer. Not only is the food decidedly impressive, but the restaurant also boasts both a healthy (but not too overwhelming) selection of tequilas and an array of inventive cocktails too. Having opened earlier in the summer, this traditional Mexican food locale has injected a Latin flavor and spice to the popular nightlife neighborhood. Granted, the kitchen operates on normal restaurant hours, but the later weekend bar service makes it the ideal spot for a post-bar botana and an interesting drink. Consider it your chile-fueled respite from the Rainey Street storm.

Salty Sow
1917 Manor Rd.
(512) 391 2337

As the latest brainchild of the team behind popular South Congress burger outpost Hopdoddy, Salty Sow is an interesting study of food, drink and flow. It’s no surprise that the cocktails are just as impressive as the menu items at this Manor Street establishment, but it’s the varied dining experiences housed within one restaurant that truly impress. Whether seated at an outdoor high-top cocktail table, indoor booth, exterior patio table or closer to the adjacent bar room, the restaurant offers plenty of options depending on your mood. Hushed tones and muted lighting throughout the entire space keep the vibe laid-back, placing an emphasis on your dining partner—perfect for the late night tête-à-tête or even for the rowdier group of friends catching up over a beer or glass of wine.

Oldies but Goodies

Justine's Brasserie
4710 E. 5th St.
(512) 385 2900

This is the type of place that commandeers your night—in the best possible way. Once you walk through the front gate, you’re encouraged to take a seat and stay a while, no matter the hour. The staff at Justine’s won’t hurry you through your experience, which is a good thing, as time tends to pass a little more slowly at this East Austin destination. Although the restaurant has been catering to the local Francophile set since 2009, its convivial atmosphere and unpretentious approach to French dining continues to make it a perennial favorite for lingering over a meal or enjoying a crème brûlée and bubbly nightcap.

Papi Tino's
1306 E. 6th St.
(512) 479 1306

Nestled between hipster haunt Rio Rita to its right and a nondescript set of offices to its left, Papi Tino’s sits gracefully along East Sixth, twinkling white lights running through its trees, subtle sounds of live piano music drifting from its windows. After coming on the scene last summer, this renovated house-turned-restaurant quickly became a local favorite as much for its satisfying Enchiladas Suiza as for its spicy jalapeño-infused Picaritas. Now, a little more than a year later, this charming oasis of Mexican flavor has solidified its place on many an Austinite’s rotating list of go-to establishments.