City

Best Patios and Outdoor Bars in Austin (2026)

Oak-shaded beer gardens, East Side cocktail patios, lakeside decks and a few Hill Country breweries worth the drive.

New to RoamRecs? Save these places to your own map in one tap, find them again on your phone, and share lists with friends. It’s free.

Open the map →
Best Patios and Outdoor Bars in Austin (2026)

Run a business in this guide, or want yours added? Get in touch. Or get featured.

38 places on the map
Filter by section

An Austin patio is doing its job when you stay longer than you planned. Shade, a good drink and food you can order without moving tables do most of the work. The right one depends on who's coming: friends with dogs, a date, a group with kids, or visitors who want to see the water.

This guide covers 38 patios and outdoor bars across Austin, from oak-shaded beer gardens and East Side cocktail patios to lakeside decks and a few breweries outside town. It's organized by area, not ranked. Summer is peak patio season, but plenty of these keep going through winter, and the cards note where there are heaters, fire pits or covered seating. Age cutoffs and booking rules are in the table, since those usually decide whether a place works for your group.

Every Austin Patio at a Glance

All 38 patios and outdoor bars, in the same order as the guide. 

Patio or barAreaBest forBooking
Cosmic PickleSouth AustinAn all-afternoon hang with dogs and friendsWalk-in; 21+ after 7pm
Radio Coffee & Beer, SouthSouth AustinCoffee that turns into an eveningWalk-in
Loro, South LamarSouth LamarDinner outside under the oaksWalk-in; SevenRooms for 10–36
AbaSouth CongressA dressed-up patio dinnerOpenTable (indoor); patio first come, first served
Only the Wild OnesSouth CongressWine, records and a stylish dateWalk-in; limited SevenRooms bookings
The ABGBSouth AustinPizza, house beer and an easy group hangWalk-in; groups over 10 can reserve
Cosmic SaltilloEast AustinA flexible meet-up with a skyline viewWalk-in; 21+ after 5pm
Whisler'sEast SixthSerious cocktails on a big patioWalk-in
Kitty Cohen'sEast AustinAn adults-only afternoon with a retro streakWalk-in; 21+
Yellow Jacket Social ClubEast AustinAn unfussy patio and real bar foodWalk-in
Lazarus Brewing, East SixthEast SixthCoffee, beer and tacos in one stopWalk-in
Kinda TropicalEast AustinA casual patio meal that turns into drinksWalk-in
Central Machine WorksEast Cesar ChavezA big, lively group gatheringWalk-in; group reservations for 30+
De Nada Cantina, East SideEast Cesar ChavezTacos and margaritas outsideOpenTable; call for the patio
Dainty DilloEast Cesar ChavezA riverside backyard with fire pitsWalk-in
Sour Duck MarketEast MLKA cheap patio mealFirst come, first served
Butterfly Bar at The VORTEXManor RoadA garden date with an artsy streakWalk-in
Banger's Sausage House & Beer GardenRainey StreetA group that wants beer and a real mealOpenTable for up to 20
Scholz GartenDowntown / UTA classic beer garden on game dayWalk-in
Better Half Coffee & CocktailsNear West SideAn all-day café that turns into a cocktail barReservations on its website
Hold Out BrewingNear West SideHouse beer and a smashburger outsideReservations on its website or OpenTable
P6 at The LINEDowntownA sunset drink with a lake viewOpenTable (choose Terrace)
Draught House Pub & BreweryRosedaleA beer-first neighborhood patioWalk-in
Flo's Wine Bar & Bottle ShopWest 35th StreetWine and pizza without a formal dinnerCounter service; group request form
Hank'sWindsor ParkBrunch or dinner outside with the familySevenRooms; walk-ins welcome
Bouldin Acres, BrakerNorth AustinPickleball and barbecue near Q2 StadiumWalk-in; courts on Checkfront
Austin Beerworks, Sprinkle ValleyNortheast AustinA long afternoon with kidsWalk-in
The Little Darlin'South AustinA relaxed backyard eveningWalk-in only
Meanwhile BrewingSoutheast AustinFriends and families for the afternoonWalk-in; $50 group tables
Armadillo DenSouth MenchacaA lively adults' night outdoorsWalk-in; 21+ evenings and weekends
Moontower SaloonSouth MenchacaLive oaks, volleyball and a casual nightWalk-in; 21+ after 7pm
The Far Out Lounge & StageFar South CongressBuilding the night around a showTickets per event
Pool BurgerDeep EddyA burger and a tiki drink after a swimWalk-up
Hula HutLake AustinA lively meal over the waterWalk-in; event form for 30+
Ski Shores CafeLake AustinMaking the lake the destinationWalk-in only
Sign BarFar East AustinA neon-lit night with an Austin backdropWalk-in; 21+ after 7pm
Live Oak BrewingDel ValleA wooded beer garden near the airportWalk-in
Jester King BreweryHill CountryA countryside brewery afternoonWalk-in; form for 50+

Patios on South Congress and South Lamar

The close-in south side has the city's best spread of patios in a small area, from Cosmic's sprawling garden to a polished South Congress dinner terrace.

Cosmic Pickle

Cosmic Pickle

121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704

The original Cosmic, now Cosmic Pickle, is a sprawling, plant-filled beer garden with coffee, cocktails, frozen drinks and a lineup of food trucks that includes Pueblo Viejo tacos. A late-2025 renovation added a seated bar, a bigger covered patio and a larger deck, so it handles a long visit better than it used to. Best for: An all-afternoon hang with dogs and friends Booking: Walk-in for groups under 30; larger groups use the events form Good to know: It turns 21+ at 7pm, with IDs checked at the door. Indoor seating is limited.

Radio Coffee & Beer, South

Radio Coffee & Beer, South

4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Coffee in the morning, craft beer and cocktails later, and a patio that fills up for live music and trivia. The trucks out back, including Veracruz tacos and Briscuits' brisket biscuits Thursday through Sunday, mean nobody has to leave when they get hungry. Best for: Coffee that turns into an evening Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Open until midnight Monday–Saturday. This is the original Menchaca Road location; Radio East on Montopolis has the bigger outdoor stage.

Loro, South Lamar

Loro, South Lamar

2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

When drinks outside turn into dinner, Loro handles it. The Asian smokehouse menu of brisket, rice bowls and salads suits a table that doesn't want the same thing, and the boozy slushees make an obvious first round. You order at the bar and the food comes to you on a covered patio under oak trees. Best for: Dinner outside under the oaks Booking: Walk-in; SevenRooms for parties of 10–36 Good to know: Misters run in summer, and heaters and tents go up when it cools off. Dogs are welcome on the patio. Happy hour is Monday–Friday, 2–5pm.

Aba

Aba

1011 S Congress Ave Bldg 2 Suite 180, Austin, TX 78704

Mediterranean spreads with a California lean, good cocktails and a green, leafy terrace make Aba the more polished way to eat outside on South Congress. It suits a date or a celebration more than a group drifting in at different times. Best for: A dressed-up patio dinner Booking: OpenTable for up to 8 (indoor tables); patio is first come, first served Good to know: A reservation gets you an indoor table. The patio is first come, first served, though you can add a patio request in the OpenTable notes. Groups of 9 or more use the inquiry form.

Only the Wild Ones

Only the Wild Ones

1600 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

A fully outdoor wine bar in a sunken limestone courtyard built around a live oak, with a long cypress bar, cocktails, light bites and vinyl selectors on rotation. It sits between a full dinner and a rowdy beer garden: somewhere to settle in for a couple of glasses and the music. Best for: Wine, records and a stylish date Booking: Walk-ins always welcome; limited reservations on SevenRooms Good to know: There's shade and fans but no indoor space, so check the weather. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

The ABGB

The ABGB

1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704

Austin Beer Garden Brewing keeps it simple: its own beer, pizza, sandwiches and tacos, with rotating cocktails for anyone who'd rather skip the beer. The beer garden is easygoing on a weeknight and busier when there's a band or a college football game on. Best for: Pizza, house beer and an easy group hang Booking: Walk-in; groups over 10 can reserve through the parties page Good to know: There's live music every week, and it opens at 11am on fall football days. The free lot has overflow parking.

Email me this guide

All 38 places with map links, in your inbox. No account needed.


Patios in East Austin

The East Side has the most patios per block in the city, and the widest range: cocktail bars, dives, breweries, a riverside backyard and a theater garden.

Cosmic Saltillo

Cosmic Saltillo

1300 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

The second Cosmic is more urban than the Pickle Road original: a big patio, indoor seating and a rooftop deck facing the downtown skyline. Coffee, cocktails and a taqueria mean it works at most times of day. Best for: A flexible meet-up with a skyline view Booking: Walk-in for groups under 30; larger groups use the events form Good to know: Dogs are welcome. It turns 21+ at 5pm, two hours earlier than the original.

Whisler's

Whisler's

1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

One of the East Side's best cocktail bars, in a stone-walled building that spent about 40 years as Rabbit's Lounge. The menu changes four times a year, and the large patio means you can drink well without spending the night in a dark room. Best for: Serious cocktails on a big patio Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Go earlier for a date and later for a livelier East Sixth night. Mezcalería Tobalá upstairs is a separate bar.

Kitty Cohen's

Kitty Cohen's

2211 Webberville Rd #3548, Austin, TX 78702

A 1970s Palm Springs fantasy of a bar, with a lush patio built around a raised concrete pool that's more centerpiece than swim spot. Come for cocktails and the scene, and eat from whatever's running in the outdoor kitchen, currently Smokin' Dough sourdough pizza Thursday through Monday. Best for: An adults-only afternoon with a retro streak Booking: Walk-in Good to know: It's 21+. Happy hour is weekdays, 3–7pm.

Yellow Jacket Social Club

Yellow Jacket Social Club

1704 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78702

A comfortable East Side dive with picnic tables under the trees and a kitchen good enough to stay for dinner: Frito pie, sandwiches, shrimp and grits. Nothing about it is staged, which is the appeal. Best for: An unfussy patio and real bar food Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Open daily, 11am–2am. Expect domino tournaments, spelling bees and DJ nights on the calendar.

Lazarus Brewing, East Sixth

Lazarus Brewing, East Sixth

1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The original Lazarus roasts its own coffee, brews its own beer and runs a scratch kitchen doing Northern Mexican-style street tacos and tortas. The pergola-covered patio works from a morning coffee meeting through dinner, with indoor seating when the weather turns. Best for: Coffee, beer and tacos in one stop Booking: Walk-in Good to know: The patio is dog-friendly. A second taproom is on Airport Boulevard.

Kinda Tropical

Kinda Tropical

3501 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

Food from 11am until late, a full bar, cold brew and relaxed patios make this an easy pick when you want to eat properly without a restaurant production. Dogs are welcome, and weekend brunch is a big part of the draw. Best for: A casual patio meal that turns into drinks Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Open daily, 11am–midnight, with brunch noon–4pm on weekends.

Central Machine Works

Central Machine Works

4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

A brewery in a 1940s machine-shop building, with a large beer garden under shade sails and a busy calendar of concerts, trivia and run club meetups. It has the size the smaller neighborhood patios can't offer, which makes it a good default for a casual birthday. Best for: A big, lively group gathering Booking: Walk-in; reservations for groups of 30–120 Good to know: Closed Mondays. Concerts and private events can change the layout, so check the calendar before you make it the meeting point.

De Nada Cantina, East Side

De Nada Cantina, East Side

4715 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

A cantina with front and back patios, made for a sit-down taco-and-margarita dinner. It's the pick when the group wants a proper meal outside instead of picnic tables and a food truck. Best for: Tacos and margaritas outside Booking: OpenTable; call to ask for the patio Good to know: OpenTable has no patio option, so call (512) 615-3555 if outdoor seating is the point. There's a second De Nada on South First.

Dainty Dillo

Dainty Dillo

3201 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

From the team behind Armadillo Den, with a backyard that runs down to the Colorado River and seven fire pits that make it one of the better East Side picks once it cools off. Sandwiches from Woodneck Kitchen, a stage for live music and a dog-friendly yard round it out. Best for: A riverside backyard with fire pits Booking: Walk-in; groups of 30+ can ask about private space Good to know: Kids are welcome Monday–Friday until 6pm. Dogs must be leashed.

Sour Duck Market

Sour Duck Market

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

A bakery, café, bar and beer garden in one, so you can come for a pastry in the morning and a burger and cocktail at night. The daily 3–6pm happy hour is the reason to time a visit: a $6 single burger, $4 select lager pints, and $6 cocktails (a Paloma, a Turmeric Mule and a seasonal daiquiri) or tiny frozen ones. Best for: A cheap patio meal Booking: First come, first served Good to know: The patio is dog-friendly and sometimes has live music.

Butterfly Bar at The VORTEX

Butterfly Bar at The VORTEX

2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

The bar belongs to The VORTEX, a nonprofit theater, and its garden is a certified butterfly sanctuary, so it feels nothing like the city's big beer gardens. Patrizi's Italian trailer shares the grounds, which means dinner and drinks happen in the same place, and you can add a show. Best for: A garden date with an artsy streak Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Order food at the Patrizi's trailer and drinks at the bar. The bar opens at 5pm.


Patios Downtown, on Rainey Street and in the West End

Downtown is light on big beer gardens, but these cover the main asks: a group meal on Rainey, a Longhorns game day, a lake view and a split coffee-cocktails-beer stop.

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

79 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

House sausages, beer and communal picnic-style seating on Rainey Street. It's more bookable than most beer gardens: OpenTable takes parties up to 20, and walk-ins grab open seats and order by QR code. A covered patio and a firepit keep it going on cooler nights. Best for: A group that wants beer and a real meal Booking: OpenTable for up to 20; group forms for larger parties Good to know: Dogs are welcome. Groups of 21–40 use the group dining form, and 40+ go through events.

Scholz Garten

Scholz Garten

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

August Scholz opened this beer garden in 1866, and it's still where Longhorns fans gather for away-game watch parties and home-game tailgates. Schnitzel, bratwurst and a giant Bavarian pretzel anchor the menu. On a quiet weekday it's simply a relaxed beer garden a few blocks from the Capitol. Best for: A classic beer garden on game day Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Sunday hours are short, noon–6pm.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

An all-day café with coffee in the morning, cocktails by evening and a patio that works for both. It's run by the same team as Hold Out Brewing next door and shares its parking, so a group split between cocktails and beer can stay close. Best for: An all-day café that turns into a cocktail bar Booking: Reservations on its website Good to know: It closes at 3pm on Mondays. Happy hour is Tuesday–Friday, 3–6pm.

Hold Out Brewing

Hold Out Brewing

1208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78703

The brewery half of the pair: house beer, a classic smashburger and a shaded, dog-friendly courtyard. It's the more casual of the two and the better pick for a beer-first group. Best for: House beer and a smashburger outside Booking: Reservations on its website or OpenTable Good to know: It opens at 3pm on Mondays and 10am on weekends.

P6 at The LINE

P6 at The LINE

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

The rooftop at The LINE hotel looks out over Lady Bird Lake, with cocktails and Greek and Moroccan-inspired shared plates. It's the pick when the view matters more than a big lawn, and it's the most polished spot in this section. Best for: A sunset drink with a lake view Booking: OpenTable (choose Terrace) Good to know: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially around sunset. Happy hour is weekdays, 4–6pm. From spring into early fall you can watch the Congress Avenue bats head out at dusk.


Patios in Central and North Austin

North of the river, the patios get more neighborhood: a beer-first pub, a wine bar, a family restaurant and two places with something to do.

Draught House Pub & Brewery

Draught House Pub & Brewery

4112 Medical Pkwy, Austin, TX 78756

An old-school pub with its own brewer, 74 taps and a patio where the beer gets more attention than the decor. The Little House food truck parked on the patio covers wings, burgers and fish and chips. Best for: A beer-first neighborhood patio Booking: Walk-in Good to know: It opens at 3pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends.

Flo's Wine Bar & Bottle Shop

Flo's Wine Bar & Bottle Shop

3111 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

A wine bar and bottle shop with a patio strung with lights and greenery, and Allday Pizza working out of a back window for pizza, salads and soft serve. It's a strong date or small-group pick in central Austin. Best for: Wine and pizza without a formal dinner Booking: Counter service; group request form Good to know: Closed Mondays. Happy hour is Tuesday–Friday, 4:30–6pm, with $9 select glasses and $3 off the rest.

Hank's

Hank's

5811 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723

A bright neighborhood restaurant, bar and café with a shaded patio of booths and chairs, open from morning coffee through dinner. The kitchen makes its own bread, pastries and pasta, and there's a kids' menu with coloring pages and water bowls for dogs. Best for: Brunch or dinner outside with the family Booking: SevenRooms; walk-ins welcome Good to know: Open daily from 8am, until 9pm (10pm Friday and Saturday).

Bouldin Acres, Braker

Bouldin Acres, Braker

1806 W Braker Ln, Austin, TX 78758

Under a mile from Q2 Stadium, the North Austin Bouldin Acres pairs a covered patio with pickleball courts and a CM Smokehouse kitchen doing burgers, loaded nachos and waffle fries. It's for a group that wants something to do instead of sitting around a table, and an easy stop before an Austin FC match. Best for: Pickleball and barbecue near Q2 Stadium Booking: Walk-in; pickleball courts on Checkfront Good to know: Courts are $10–20 per half hour and book a week out. Another Bouldin Acres on Menchaca Road has a playground.

Austin Beerworks, Sprinkle Valley

Austin Beerworks, Sprinkle Valley

10300 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78754

A 64-acre brewery campus with a playground, a championship-level disc golf course and an air-conditioned taproom for the hottest days. Cider, wine, frozen drinks and NA options cover anyone who doesn't drink beer, and La Taquicardia and Parish BBQ handle the food. Best for: A long afternoon with kids Booking: Walk-in Good to know: The fenced dog park is temporarily closed for renovations. Open daily from 8am.


Patios in Far South Austin

The Menchaca and South Congress stretch is where Austin's big backyard bars are: acres of space, food trucks and live music most nights.

The Little Darlin'

The Little Darlin'

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745

A big yard with lawn games, a stage with free events and a kitchen doing a global bistro menu for lunch, dinner and brunch. It's a place to settle into, and it stays open until 2am every night. Best for: A relaxed backyard evening Booking: Walk-in only Good to know: It doesn't take reservations or host private events, so it's better for a spontaneous night than a birthday that needs a held section. Tabs left open get a 25% gratuity added.

Meanwhile Brewing

Meanwhile Brewing

3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744

A brewery built for a whole afternoon, with a playground, a soccer field, an outdoor stage and its own creamery. The food trucks include Pueblo Viejo, Side Eye Pie and Distant Relatives barbecue. Kids are welcome with supervision. Best for: Friends and families for the afternoon Booking: Walk-in; $50 outdoor tables for groups of 8–30 Good to know: Group tables are $50 each, up to four, for three-hour slots. Dogs must be leashed and aren't allowed on the soccer field.

Armadillo Den

Armadillo Den

10106 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748

Three acres of food trucks (Biggie's Yardbird among them), live music seven nights a week, a 13-foot LED wall for games, and beer, cocktails and frozen drinks. It's a night out that happens to be outside, not a quiet garden. Best for: A lively adults' night outdoors Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Kids are welcome Monday–Friday before 6pm; otherwise it's 21+, including all weekend. Parking is tight and cars left across the street can be towed, so take a rideshare.

Moontower Saloon

Moontower Saloon

10212 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748

Just down Menchaca from Armadillo Den, Moontower has a yard full of live oaks, three sand volleyball courts, food trucks and live music Friday through Sunday. It's a relaxed group outing more than a paced dinner. Best for: Live oaks, volleyball and a casual night Booking: Walk-in; volleyball courts by phone or online form Good to know: Family-friendly until 7pm, then 21+. Leagues use the courts, so reserve one rather than counting on open play.

The Far Out Lounge & Stage

The Far Out Lounge & Stage

8504 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745

An outdoor music venue with a bar and food, set up for seeing a band under the sky. Some shows are free and others are ticketed, so pick the night by the lineup rather than treating it as a drop-in patio. Best for: Building the night around a show Booking: Tickets per event on Ticket Tailor Good to know: It's all ages and pet-friendly. Parking is limited, and the venue encourages rideshare.


Patios on Lake Austin

Three different ways to get near the water: a burger stop by Deep Eddy, a party restaurant over the lake and a café you drive out to on purpose.

Pool Burger

Pool Burger

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Burgers from a 1968 Airstream and a tiki-style drinks list, tucked behind Deep Eddy Cabaret. There's no pool on site despite the name, but Deep Eddy Pool is close by, which makes it an easy post-swim stop. Best for: A burger and a tiki drink after a swim Booking: Walk-up Good to know: Weekday happy hour, 3–5pm, has half-off frozen drinks and pool chips.

Hula Hut

Hula Hut

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Built out over Lake Austin, with bamboo, plenty of shade and thousands of colored lights, Hula Hut serves Tex-Mex with a Hawaiian twist. Bring visitors who want a meal with a setting and don't mind a lively room. Best for: A lively meal over the water Booking: Walk-in; event form for groups of 30+ Good to know: There are no general reservations. Larger parties can book the Palapa, which holds about 80.

Ski Shores Cafe

Ski Shores Cafe

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730

A lakeside café on Lake Austin that's worth the drive in its own right, with room for a long afternoon by the water. It opens at 9am on weekends and 11am on weekdays. Best for: Making the lake the destination Booking: Walk-in only Good to know: Parking and boat slips are limited, and the café asks guests to carpool or take a rideshare. It's a separate trip from the Lake Austin Boulevard stops.


Patios Worth the Drive

These are outings of their own, not stops on a central bar crawl. Pick one when you want the setting to be the whole plan.

Sign Bar

Sign Bar

9909 FM 969 Bldg 3, Austin, TX 78724

More than 75 old signs, many rescued from Austin businesses and some recreated by artists, light up the outdoor yard here. Go after dark, when the neon does the work. Food trucks rotate most nights, and dogs are welcome. Best for: A neon-lit night with an Austin backdrop Booking: Walk-in Good to know: Under-21s aren't allowed after 7pm. It's well east of the East Side bar strips, so treat it as its own outing.

Live Oak Brewing

Live Oak Brewing

1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle, TX 78617

Twenty-two wooded acres along the Colorado River, with three biergartens, an 18-basket disc golf course and two food trucks, one Mexican and one German. Kids and dogs are both welcome, and it runs glow disc golf in winter. Best for: A wooded beer garden near the airport Booking: Walk-in Good to know: It's in Del Valle near the airport, not central Austin, so plan it as an afternoon.

Jester King Brewery

Jester King Brewery

13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736

A 165-acre farm brewery with wood-fired pizza, goats and enough space to make it the day's main event. In colder months the Pole Barn is closed in with coverings, fire pits and heaters, so it's one of the few spots here that's built for winter. Best for: A countryside brewery afternoon Booking: Walk-in; large-party form for 50+ Good to know: Goat Experience tickets are $10, sold the same day at the Goat Pen. Families and leashed dogs are welcome. No outside food or drink.


Austin Patio Tips

Time it to the weather. From June through September, go in the evening and look for misters and real shade: Loro, Cosmic and Live Oak are the safest bets. In winter, heaters and fire pits matter more, and Jester King, Loro, Dainty Dillo and Banger's are set up for it.

Check the age cutoff before you bring kids. Several patios change at a set time. Cosmic Saltillo goes 21+ at 5pm, and Cosmic Pickle, Moontower and Sign Bar at 7pm. Armadillo Den and Dainty Dillo only allow kids on weekdays before 6pm, and Kitty Cohen's is 21+ all day.

Plan the ride home. Parking is tight at Armadillo Den, The Far Out and Ski Shores, and Sign Bar, Live Oak and Jester King are a real drive. Sort out a rideshare or a designated driver before you settle in.


Save this guide

Keep this guide in your RoamRecs so you can find it again later.

Email me this guide

All 38 places with map links, in your inbox. No account needed.

Own or run a place in this guide? Update your info. Want your business included? Get in touch. Own a restaurant or bar here? Become a featured partner on this guide →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best patio bars in Austin?
For a first visit, start with Cosmic Pickle for the classic all-afternoon beer garden, Loro if you want dinner outside, Whisler's for cocktails, and P6 for a view of Lady Bird Lake. Pick by neighborhood first, since Austin's best patios are spread out.
Which Austin patios are good in cold weather?
Jester King's Pole Barn has heaters and fire pits, Loro puts up heaters and tents, Dainty Dillo has seven fire pits by the river, and Banger's has a covered patio and a firepit. Lazarus, Cosmic Saltillo and Sprinkle Valley have indoor seating to fall back on.
Which outdoor bars work with kids?
Meanwhile and Austin Beerworks' Sprinkle Valley both have playgrounds, and Live Oak and Jester King welcome families. Hank's is the restaurant pick, with a kids' menu. Watch the time cutoffs at Cosmic, Moontower, Sign Bar, Armadillo Den and Dainty Dillo.
Which Austin patios are dog-friendly?
Both Cosmics, Loro, Lazarus, Sour Duck, Banger's, Hold Out, Hank's, Meanwhile, Dainty Dillo, Armadillo Den, Live Oak and Jester King. Most require a leash, and Sprinkle Valley's fenced dog park is closed for renovations.
Can you reserve an outdoor table in Austin?
Sometimes. P6 lets you pick the terrace on OpenTable, Banger's books groups up to 20, and Meanwhile rents outdoor tables for $50. Aba's reservations are for indoor tables only, and The Little Darlin', Ski Shores and Hula Hut (under 30 people) are walk-in only.
Which Austin patios have water views?
P6 looks over Lady Bird Lake from a rooftop, Hula Hut is built over Lake Austin, Ski Shores sits right on it, and Dainty Dillo's backyard runs down to the Colorado River.
Which patios have live music?
Armadillo Den has music seven nights a week, The Far Out is built around shows, and Radio South, Central Machine Works, Moontower and The Little Darlin' all keep busy calendars. Check the night's lineup before you go.
Where can you eat and drink on a patio cheaply?
Sour Duck's daily 3–6pm happy hour, with a $6 burger, $4 lager pints and $6 cocktails. Kitty Cohen's, Loro, P6 and Flo's also run weekday happy hours.

More in Austin

About the creator

RoamRecs Austin
RoamRecs Austin

Your guide to eating, drinking & exploring Austin 🤠 BBQ, Tex-Mex, live music, patios & local favorites. Find your next spot ↓

View profile →
← Back to all guides