Nickel City

About Nickel City

Red lighting, a long mirrored back bar stacked with bourbon and neon beer signs give the room the look of a neighborhood tavern, but the drinks list punches above it: stirred classics, a frozen Irish coffee and a frozen of the day in branded cups, plus zero-proof options that regulars seek out. Whiskey is the headline, with a wide bourbon and rye selection and a discount on Wednesdays. Food comes from the Delray Café truck on the patio, whose coney dogs, sliders and tater tots show up in most reviews. The bar opens at noon and runs to 2 a.m. every day, with trivia nights and dogs welcome outside. Seasonal decoration takeovers turn the room into a themed pop-up a few times a year. Crowds are mostly East Austin locals, and bartenders are quick even when it is packed. Sunday football draws a crowd, and some visiting fans report seats being hard to find.