A city guide to Austin’s Best Old Fashioneds. It includes traditional Old Fashioneds as well as a few unique takes on the classic drink. Try them all and let me know which tops your list.
This post was updated on April 3, 2021.
Old Fashioned cocktails. Man, are they popular. They seem to be the drink every guy in Austin loves to sip and everyone else has an opinion about where to get the best one in A-Town.
Well, I’m not an Old Fashioned connoisseur myself (though I do love those whiskey soaked cherries!) but luckily for you, <3M and his gang of buddies are so I’ve enlisted their help to create a guide to Austin’s Best Old Fashioned.
Whisler’s
Ask any whiskey lover and Whisler’s is always the first bar out of their mouth when asked for a great Old Fashioned recommendation. And unlike some bars, Whisler’s Old Fashioned is consistently good, no matter which bartender serves you. Whisler’s does it right using demerara syrup (which I personally think is their secret sauce!). It’s served with a huge ice cube and as a balance to the sweet and bitter it’s finished with a housemade 
Happy Hour: 2-5pm daily // 1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
The Roosevelt Room
This bar’s owner, Justin Lavenue, landed on the cover of GQ and it’s not just his looks that got him there! The Roosevelt Room’s classically executed Old Fashioned which balances sweet and smokey is a testament to his bartending skills. The flavor is enhanced while sipping it in this swanky cocktail bar on 5th. The only thing missing here is a puff of a cigar.
Happy Hour: All night Monday & Tuesday, 5-7pm Wednesday-Saturday // 307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
Swift’s Attic
With one of my most unique takes on an Old Fashioned, Swift’s Attic does an Ice Ball Oldie made with classic Old Fashioned ingredients frozen into a giant ice ball topped with a shot of whiskey. This Old Fashioned starts strong and ends smooth and always requires a second shot to top it off. Its unique style is a huge draw for Old Fashioned fanatics. Find it on happy hour special for $8.
Happy Hour: 2-6:30pm Monday-Friday // 315 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Drink.Well.
For those hunting an Old Fashioned in Central Austin, Drink.Well is your best bet for one of Austin’s Best Old Fashioneds. This neighborhood bar has a selection of whiskeys for you to choose from and the Old Fashioned is always consistent. Pair it with the burger and you’ve got yourself a man’s meal.
Tip: Check out Drink Well’s Libation Bible School where you can take a deep dive into different spirits like whiskey, bourbon, mezcal, and other traditional favorites!
Happy Hour: 4-6pm Monday-Friday, All day Sunday, 20% off Wine & Whiskey all day Monday // 207 East 53rd Street, Austin, TX 78751
Little Darlin’
This gem of a dive bar in South Austin has mastered cocktails in a laid-back environment and offers up their Old Fashioned with one of their custom infused whiskeys. It’s great for those seeking an Old Fashioned without any pretense.
Happy Hour: See Facebook page for details // 6507 Circle S Rd Austin, TX 78745
Juniper
Yup, a rustic Italian restaurant serving up a solid Old Fashioned which lands them on the list for Austin’s Best Old Fashioned. There’s an art to making a perfect Old Fashioned, finding the balance between smokey, sweet and bitter but Juniper’s bartenders have refined this drink. Grab it during happy hour, sit on the patio and order up a side of Puffy Potatoes to enjoy with it.
Happy Hour: 4-6pm Tuesday-Saturday // 2400 E Cesar Chavez St #304, Austin, TX 78702
Peche
Next up on our guide to Austin’s Best Old Fashioned is one of Austin’s essential cocktail bars, Peche. As an essential in Austin’s bar scene, Peche knows how to make a strong Old Fashioned. Their take is like a good, reliable ol’ friend.
Happy Hour: All night Sunday & Monday, 4-7pm Tuesday-Friday // 208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Suerte
Suerte offers a modern take on the classic Old Fashioned with their Tres Aves featuring bonded rye, becherovka, lemon, and apple. Enjoy it during Suerte’s nightly happy hour, coined their ‘Lucky Hour’ from 5pm-6pm where cocktails are just $6 !
Happy Hour: 5-6pm Daily // 1800 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78702
Bar Peached
While not a classic Old Fashioned, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned from Bar Peached takes a Mexican twist on this classic drink using Mezcal in place of traditional of whiskey or bourbon along with tequila and bitters. It’s smokey, not to sweet, and pairs deliciously with the all Bar Peached has to offer. And, while it’s not on their social hour menu, it’s definitely worth paying full price.
Social Hour: 5-6:30pm Daily, Patio Only // 1315 West 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78703
Here Nor There
This downtown speakeasy is serving up one of the best classic Old Fashioneds in Austin. Each of the bartenders have perfected the cocktail and it’s served up with their signature clear square ice cube. A word of warning though, if you head to Here Nor There, you’re not only paying for cocktail perfection but also the exclusivity and experience of the speakeasy. Be ready to drop a pretty penny.
Location provided upon reservation booked through Here Nor There app.
A Guide to Austin’s Best Old Fashioned was created in collaboration with the Austin Food Blogger’s Alliance City Guide. Check out the full round-up on the AFBA site or check out my other guide for a round-up of Austin’s Prix Fixe & Tasting Menus.
I’m not an Old fashioned fan either but Boyfriend will LOVE this list! We’ll have to go check these out!