Drink up, game on.
Spending a few hours hanging out at a bar is all well and good. In fact, it happens to be one of our favorite pastimes. Having said that, there definitely comes a point when you feel like you should be doing more than just sitting at a barstool arguing about who's going to buy the next round. When you want to have some fun with a beer in hand, stop by one of these bars in Austin.
__________________________________
photo via facebook
Various Locations
Who says playing games at bars has to be an indoor thing? At Bouldin Acres you can get good drinks, bring your dog, watch sports, and play Pickleball and lawn games. You can also count on getting great food from CM Smokehouse and maybe even catching some live music.
__________________________________
photo via pins mechanical
4323 S Congress Ave
Pins Mechanical Co., the popular entertainment destination known for duckpin bowling, classic arcade games, and craft cocktails, has opened its first Austin location in the St Elmo district. This highly anticipated venue brings a 43,000 square foot experience, offering a vibrant atmosphere for guests to enjoy games, drinks, and fun. Pins Mechanical offers three bars serving craft cocktails, a selection of local and regional draft beers, and a variety of alcohol alternatives, including low- and no-proof options, as well as THC-infused seltzers and cocktails. The space is kid friendly until 9 pm and dog friendly inside and outside.
__________________________________
2420 S 1st St.
G&S Lounge is the definition of a hidden gem, as long as you don't mind your bartender being a tad grumpy before he gets to know you. As long as you stick to ordering simple things like beer, you'll get good service and access to the bevy of parlor games this South Austin dive bar has to offer. These include rare favorites like Bubble Hockey, Air Hockey, and a particularly awesome Sopranos-themed pinball machine.
__________________________________
photo via tripadvisor
6507 Circle S Rd.
As we've mentioned previously, The Little Darlin' is an important part of South Austin. Managed by long-time veterans of the Austin bar scene, this place has proven its worth in multiple ways. Beyond offering a substantial array of delicious food and drink, this South Austin watering hole offers live music, a putting green, ring toss, darts, and two pool tables.
__________________________________
4631 Airport Blvd
If pool is your game, you need to know about The Grand. Even if you don't happen to live particularly close to this place, it's worth visiting. For one, they've got more pool tables than you're likely to find just about anywhere else in Austin. There's also the tempting allure of darts, foosball, pinball, a photobooth, and food to keep you goin.
__________________________________
photo via austin business journal
922 W 12th St.
The fact that sign outside of The Tavern proudly reads "AIR CONDITIONED" should give you some indication on how long this sports-centric bar has been around. To that point, it was supposedly the first air-conditioned restaurant/bar in Austin. We can't verify that fact, but we can assure you that it has Golden Tee Golf and a nice big pool table.
__________________________________
photo via facebook
1016 E 6th St.
Sure, you could sit out on the massive backyard patio at Shangri-La for hours on end, but you could buck up and play some pool at one of the tables inside the bar (which also has air conditioning.) The thing about the pool scene at Shangri-La is, you're going to want to put some quarters down on the table to save your reservation.
__________________________________
8940 Research Blvd
It's not a bar per se, but it's not, not a bar. The original Pinballz location, located in North Austin near Burnet & 183, offers a classic arcade experience with over 60 video arcade games and the largest selection of solid-state pinball machines in the country. They also have a bar and BYOB policy, so you can bring your own beers in and spend all your quarters playing Mario Kart. See their info and BYOB rules here.
__________________________________
2108 S Lamar Blvd.
If you like your drinks to be accompanied by a few rounds of Big Buck Hunter, Black Sheep Lodge is where you want to be. If hunting virtual deer isn't your jam, you've also got the option to play pool, shuffleboard, or darts. You can also get burgers, chili dogs, and $1 beers on Wednesday while you're at it.
__________________________________
2034 S Lamar Blvd.
The Golden Goose doesn't have a plethora of bar games, but they do have what is arguably the best shuffleboard table in town. They also have a killer jukebox and great cocktails, plus if you're hungry they allow you to bring in food from the tasty restaurant next door, El Meson. Be sure you try their Frozen Moscow Mule, by the way.
__________________________________
Photo Credit: Roger Ho
16231 N IH 25, Pflugerville, TX
Really, this is more of a "games with bar" situation than the other way around, but we aren't complaining. There are enough arcade games at Austin's Park n' Pizza (plus bowling, laser tag, mini golf, go-karting, and more) to keep you entertained for hours. The full-service bar and grill will keep your energy up for all that fun.
__________________________
MORE BARS WITH GAMES IN AUSTIN:
716 W 6th St
11501 Rock Rose Ave
13000 Harris Ridge Blvd
600 E Riverside Dr
10402 Menchaca Rd Unit B
321 W Ben White Blvd # 300
11310 Domain Dr.
522 Congress Ave
621 Congress Ave
91 Red River St
Pixel Palace Arcade & Bar2471 S. AW Grimes Blvd (Round Rock)
Got a favorite bar with games in Austin?
Let us know about it.
