Austin, TXTacos, live music, bats, and boot shopping on South Congress.Updated 2026-03-09Must Go (9)Activities (1)Bars (5)Golf (3)Hotels (2)Restaurants (9)Shops (3)Must Go Spots(9)Ann W Richards Congress Avenue Bat BridgeMust GoActivities1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge at sunset from March through November. It's one of those things that sounds weird until you see it—then it's incredible.Clark's Oyster BarMust GoRestaurantsCan't go wrong with my namesake on a restaurant. Cute restaurant with great food.Deep Eddy CabaretMust GoBarsDive bar on the north side of the river, worth every penny.Lambert's Downtown BarbecueMust GoRestaurantsUpscale BBQ with live music and fantastic cocktails. The brisket and fancy sides are worth every penny.MaudiesMust GoRestaurantsA legit Austin Tex-Mex staple. Multiple locations—they're all solid. Margs and queso are the move.Mean Eyed CatMust GoBarsJohnny Cash–themed dive bar with a great patio. Cheap beers and good vibes.Perla'sMust GoRestaurantsGreat seafood on South Congress with a killer patio. The oysters and lobster roll are standouts.South Congress HotelMust GoBarsIt's technically a hotel, but the lobby bar is the real draw. Great cocktails and people-watching on SoCo.The Continental ClubMust GoBarsLegendary live music venue on South Congress. No cover most nights, incredible talent, and a vibe you can't replicate.All PlacesAnn W Richards Congress Avenue Bat BridgeMust GoActivities1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge at sunset from March through November. It's one of those things that sounds weird until you see it—then it's incredible.Clark's Oyster BarMust GoRestaurantsCan't go wrong with my namesake on a restaurant. Cute restaurant with great food.Deep Eddy CabaretMust GoBarsDive bar on the north side of the river, worth every penny.Embassy Suites Downtown South CongressHotelsSolid Hilton property right downtown. Free happy hour and breakfast—hard to argue with that.Frame Hotel - SoCoHotelsBoutique hotel with a modern design-forward vibe. Great location for exploring downtown.Fresa'sRestaurantsAvocado margs and queso, amazing atmosphere inside and outside.Güero's Taco BarRestaurantsSouth Congress institution. Good tacos, great margs, and usually live music out back.Hotel San JoséBarsAnother hotel-that's-really-a-bar situation. The courtyard is one of the most chill spots in Austin—grab a drink and stay a while.imogene + willieShopsCustom denim and Americana goods in a beautiful old gas station on South Congress.June'sRestaurantsCute cafe and wine bar with a great brunch and natural wine list. Relaxed neighborhood feel.Lambert's Downtown BarbecueMust GoRestaurantsUpscale BBQ with live music and fantastic cocktails. The brisket and fancy sides are worth every penny.Lions Municipal Golf CourseGolfHistoric muni course right in town. No frills, just a good round of golf with Austin charm.Lost Pines Golf ClubGolfBeautiful Hill Country course at the Hyatt Lost Pines resort. Worth the drive east of town.Matt's El RanchoRestaurantsAnother Austin Tex-Mex legend. The Bob Armstrong dip is famous for a reason.MaudiesMust GoRestaurantsA legit Austin Tex-Mex staple. Multiple locations—they're all solid. Margs and queso are the move.Mean Eyed CatMust GoBarsJohnny Cash–themed dive bar with a great patio. Cheap beers and good vibes.Perla'sMust GoRestaurantsGreat seafood on South Congress with a killer patio. The oysters and lobster roll are standouts.Pool BurgerRestaurantsSit outside and have a burger, right behind Deep Eddy Cabaret.South Congress HotelMust GoBarsIt's technically a hotel, but the lobby bar is the real draw. Great cocktails and people-watching on SoCo.TecovasShopsHandmade boots and western wear. Try some on, grab a whiskey at the bar inside, and walk out looking like a proper Texan.The Continental ClubMust GoBarsLegendary live music venue on South Congress. No cover most nights, incredible talent, and a vibe you can't replicate.Twin CreeksGolfNice semi-private course up in Cedar Park. Well-maintained and a fun layout.Yeti FlagshipShopsThe Yeti mothership. Even if you're not buying, the store is cool to walk around.
Ann W Richards Congress Avenue Bat BridgeMust GoActivities1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge at sunset from March through November. It's one of those things that sounds weird until you see it—then it's incredible.
Clark's Oyster BarMust GoRestaurantsCan't go wrong with my namesake on a restaurant. Cute restaurant with great food.
Lambert's Downtown BarbecueMust GoRestaurantsUpscale BBQ with live music and fantastic cocktails. The brisket and fancy sides are worth every penny.
MaudiesMust GoRestaurantsA legit Austin Tex-Mex staple. Multiple locations—they're all solid. Margs and queso are the move.
Perla'sMust GoRestaurantsGreat seafood on South Congress with a killer patio. The oysters and lobster roll are standouts.
South Congress HotelMust GoBarsIt's technically a hotel, but the lobby bar is the real draw. Great cocktails and people-watching on SoCo.
The Continental ClubMust GoBarsLegendary live music venue on South Congress. No cover most nights, incredible talent, and a vibe you can't replicate.
Ann W Richards Congress Avenue Bat BridgeMust GoActivities1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge at sunset from March through November. It's one of those things that sounds weird until you see it—then it's incredible.
Clark's Oyster BarMust GoRestaurantsCan't go wrong with my namesake on a restaurant. Cute restaurant with great food.
Embassy Suites Downtown South CongressHotelsSolid Hilton property right downtown. Free happy hour and breakfast—hard to argue with that.
Frame Hotel - SoCoHotelsBoutique hotel with a modern design-forward vibe. Great location for exploring downtown.
Güero's Taco BarRestaurantsSouth Congress institution. Good tacos, great margs, and usually live music out back.
Hotel San JoséBarsAnother hotel-that's-really-a-bar situation. The courtyard is one of the most chill spots in Austin—grab a drink and stay a while.
imogene + willieShopsCustom denim and Americana goods in a beautiful old gas station on South Congress.
June'sRestaurantsCute cafe and wine bar with a great brunch and natural wine list. Relaxed neighborhood feel.
Lambert's Downtown BarbecueMust GoRestaurantsUpscale BBQ with live music and fantastic cocktails. The brisket and fancy sides are worth every penny.
Lions Municipal Golf CourseGolfHistoric muni course right in town. No frills, just a good round of golf with Austin charm.
Lost Pines Golf ClubGolfBeautiful Hill Country course at the Hyatt Lost Pines resort. Worth the drive east of town.
Matt's El RanchoRestaurantsAnother Austin Tex-Mex legend. The Bob Armstrong dip is famous for a reason.
MaudiesMust GoRestaurantsA legit Austin Tex-Mex staple. Multiple locations—they're all solid. Margs and queso are the move.
Perla'sMust GoRestaurantsGreat seafood on South Congress with a killer patio. The oysters and lobster roll are standouts.
South Congress HotelMust GoBarsIt's technically a hotel, but the lobby bar is the real draw. Great cocktails and people-watching on SoCo.
TecovasShopsHandmade boots and western wear. Try some on, grab a whiskey at the bar inside, and walk out looking like a proper Texan.
The Continental ClubMust GoBarsLegendary live music venue on South Congress. No cover most nights, incredible talent, and a vibe you can't replicate.