East 6th’s Gritty Dive Bar Classic

The Grackle holds it down on East 6th as a proper no-frills dive with one of the best whiskey selections in town. Cheap drinks, a pool table, darts, and a covered patio make it the kind of spot locals slip into for strong pours and zero pretense. Surrounded by new builds but refusing to change its ways, this place keeps the old East Austin spirit alive with cold beer on tap and a welcoming, slightly rough-around-the-edges charm.

Late-Night Patio Sessions & Strong Whiskey

Open from afternoon until 2 a.m. most days, The Grackle is ready when you need a late drink or a low-key hang. The covered patio offers a breather from the heat or a place to catch a breeze with friends, while inside the jukebox and pool table keep the energy going. It’s affordable, unpretentious, and exactly what a great dive bar should be — the perfect East 6th stop for regulars and newcomers alike.

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Alex is the man!
If he’s working the vibe is just immaculate.
Phenomenal whiskey selection and surprisingly well priced at that. $2.50 Roling Rocks too.
Jorge V , 2 months ago
We played a good game of pool, had great conversations with both the bartender and the person at the door. Love the atmosphere, and glad we finally gave it a try.

The selection of whiskey is insane and I’m definitely coming back to try the green tea shot on tap.
Keay A. , 4 months ago
We played a good game of pool, had great conversations with both the bartender and the person at the door. Love the atmosphere, and glad we finally gave it a try.

The selection of whiskey is insane and I’m definitely coming back to try the green tea shot on tap.
Keay Anderson , 5 months ago
A classic dive in the heart of East Austin. Amazing whiskey selection, pool and darts. Bret is my favorite bartender— smart, kind, full of stories and knowledge. His mustache is epic.
Sarah W. , 6 months ago
Whiskey, whiskey, and……. more whiskey. I love it. It’s definitely the largest and finest selection around. And the selection really stacks up against others in major cities (yes even vs my hometown Lexington). Bit of a hole in the wall but who cares. If you love whiskey like me (especially bourbon) then you are required to come here. Do it!!
David B. , 2 years ago
There’s an awful lot of bars to choose from in Austin. Actually, there’s an awful lot of them just within the few blocks of the Grackle. And yet, for me, the Grackle is the perfect one. Of course it depends on what you want but these are the things I want: outside seating – covered and not, awesome selection of whiskeys, darts, pool, laid-back atmosphere, diverse crowd, easy parking, fair prices, food nearby, knowledgeable (but not snarky) bartenders, jukebox, a bathroom without a line and a place to sit down. The Grackle has them all! Bar bliss for me. It’s perfect for my work group, perfect after softball, perfect for drinks with my husband and perfect for my out of town visitors. I think they might have the best selection of whiskeys in town – bourbon to scotch at every price range and more than fairly priced. It’s true that it isn’t trendy, the bathrooms are not fancy, the bartenders are not sucking-up and it’s probably not the best place to go for “something with vodka” but…hey, you say that like it’s a bad thing? Plenty of those places in Austin…and on this block. Which is why I am so thankful for the Grackle. This is definitely one of those reviews I feel compelled to write but also worried about writing because I don’t want there to be a line for the bathroom or no where to sit next time I go there. But as much as the bird it’s named for…the Grackle probably isn’t for everyone and I’ll never understand why but am totally fine with it.
Jennifer D. , 11 years ago
Vacationed in Austin and asked some locals for a good bar to go to. The Grackle was recommended by a bartender at a bar we were at. The Grackle has everything we were looking for: food trucks in the parking lot, outdoor seating (covered and uncovered), pool, darts, Pac-Man to list a few. The bartender we had was very friendly and knowledgeable about their products. If you are looking for a good place that isn’t where every tourist is going to be this is the place to go.
Zac G. , 11 years ago
Cheap beer, awesome food trucks out front, chill vibe, dog friendly. It’s divey in the good way. There’s nothing to dislike about this place. Unless you don’t like those things, and then, by all means, don’t crowd my favorite spot.

There’s a pool table inside, a sweet porch and picnic tables outside. It’s one of the better spots on east sixth.
Haley T. , 12 years ago

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The Grackle

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