Welcome to Review Raiders, where we defend the honor of some of our favorite establishments from the savage judgment of the internet. In other words, we’re taking irrational restaurant reviews and giving them some constructive feedback. Now, let us be clear—we wholeheartedly believe in freedom of speech (and taste), which is precisely why we feel inclined to exercise our own. Every 1-star review has its story, and every story deserves a happy rebuttal.
When you have a buddy coming into town that’s desperate to immerse themselves in the Austin bar scene—but like, not the touristy bar scene (even though the touristy spots are exactly what they’re looking for)—this is the place to go. That’s not to say that this open-air bar is at all a “tourist trap,” it just so happens to check all of the boxes that an easy-going joint in the middle of downtown Austin is responsible for. A backyard vibe? Check. Life-sized beer pong? Check. A rustic bathtub you’re welcome to crawl into “for the gram?” Not necessary, but also, check. If you want to remind yourself why you’re living in one of the more culturally diverse cities in the country, spend an afternoon here (and order the bloody mary with pickled okra to really seal it).
Ahhhh the Rustic Tap nightlife. I know we spent the opening paragraph celebrating afternoons in this adult playground, but when the sun goes down, the stage demands the spotlight. Seamlessly transitioning into one of the more intimate venues in the area, this is a spot that honors the roots that made this city pop in the first place. And since there’s no simple science for fostering young musical talent, you’re gonna find yourself enjoying a (free) performance of the guitar “noodling” variety from time to time—and guess what? That’s the fun of it! If you’re looking to see Gary Clark Jr., you might wanna hop on Ticketmaster.
First of all, please see above for several answers to this whole “doing nothing” issue. Second of all, this really is a cool place if you want to sit around and do nothing. Let us explain. You can sit at the bar and enjoy one of the 20 craft beers on tap. Or you can sit in one of the quirky lawn chairs with a group of friends while enjoying a sporting event one of the many TV’s (as one does). Or, and stick with us here, you can sit in front of a noodling artist and appreciate the fact that they’re courageously grinding out imperfect shows while finding their voice—a perfectly bizarre environment for enjoying a cocktail or 3. Standing? Also an option.