Bar
Unclaimed profileWorkhorse Bar
Austin, TX · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Workhorse Bar is a serious beer destination with a wall of around 40 local drafts plus seven other taps, 20 bottles and cans, and growler fills starting at $12. The house cocktail list runs seven deep, priced $6–$9, with a margarita the Chronicle calls one of the city's best. A to-go program includes a Mason Jar Marg for two and a drink kit. The bar also covers non-alcoholic options with a shrub cocktail and an NA IPA.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Workhorse Margarita, made with 100% agave tequila, Paula's Texas Orange, fresh lime, and agave nectar—it can be ordered spicy with jalapeño-infused tequila. For beer, the Pinthouse Garden Lotus French Pilsner at $5 and the Jester King Pasture of the Damned Hazy IPA at $7 are both staff picks.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer drinkers who want a broad Texas draft selection with inexpensive options, and cocktail drinkers looking for a straightforward, well-priced margarita or Paloma. The to-go kits and growler fills suit people stocking up for home.
- What should I expect to spend?
- House cocktails are $6–$9, house shots are $6, and the Mason Jar Marg for two is $19.50. Draft beers include a $5 pilsner and a $7 IPA. Growler fills start at $12, and the to-go drink kit is $17.50.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A 40-tap local draft wall earned a 2025 USA Today 10Best runner-up nod for Best Beer Bar. The bar also offers to-go cocktails, including a Mason Jar Marg for two and a build-your-own drink kit with 375 ml of bourbon, vodka, or tequila and a mixer.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Beer
A wall of around 40 local drafts plus seven other taps and 20 bottles and cans, with Texas breweries like Pinthouse, Jester King, Live Oak, Beerworks, Real Ale, Zilker, Celis, and St. Elmo. The 2025 USA Today 10Best runner-up for Best Beer Bar recognizes the depth.
Menu strengths
- — 40 local drafts on tap with growler fills available, plus 7 other drafts and 20 bottles and cans.
- — Broad Texas brewery representation across drafts and packages, including many well-regarded names.
- — USA Today 10Best 2025 Readers' Choice: Runner-Up, Best Beer Bar.
Standout selections
- — Pinthouse Garden Lotus - French Style Pilsner: a staff pick and UMLAUF Sculpture Garden collaboration, 5% ABV, $5.
- — Jester King Pasture of the Damned - Hazy IPA: rotating IPA with Simcoe, Mosaic, El Dorado, Citra, Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin, and Superdelic Cryo hops, 6.9% ABV, $7.
- — Electric Jellyfish - Pinthouse Brewing India Pale Ale: hazy, juicy IPA with Citra, Simcoe, and Chinook hops, 6.5% ABV.
- — Live Oak Hefeweizen: cloudy German wheat beer with clove, banana, and vanilla notes, 4.9% ABV.
Pricing: Growler fills start at $12; staff picks include $5 and $7 drafts.
Cocktails
Seven house cocktails priced $6–$9, including a margarita, bourbon smash, Paloma, Pimm's cup, ranch water, a THC cocktail, and a non-alcoholic shrub. House shots like The Loop and Mexican Candy are $6. To-go options include a Mason Jar Marg for two and a drink kit.
Menu strengths
- — Named house cocktail list with clear ingredient descriptions and pricing.
- — Chronicle: 'One of the spots for delicious margaritas.'
- — Includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail options, plus to-go formats.
Standout selections
- — Workhorse Margarita: 100% agave tequila, Paula's Texas Orange, fresh squeezed lime and agave nectar; can be made spicy with jalapeño-infused tequila, $7.
- — Bourbon Berry Smash: bourbon, mint & wildberry infused simple syrup, Angostura Bitters, fresh lemon, garnished with a mint sprig, $9.
- — NO-LO Paloma: 100% agave tequila, squeeze of lemon and a float of Deep Eddy Ruby Red, topped with Jarritos Grapefruit Soda, $7.
Pricing: House cocktails $6–$9; house shots $6; Mason Jar Marg for two $19.50; to-go drink kit $17.50.
Nonalcoholic
The menu lists a non-alcoholic cocktail, the Wildberry Mint Shrub, and a non-alcoholic IPA from Karbach in bottles and cans. This covers both a crafted NA cocktail and an NA beer option.
Menu strengths
- — Includes both non-alcoholic cocktail and non-alcoholic beer options.
- — The Wildberry Mint Shrub is a distinct NA cocktail with mint, wildberry vinegar, lemon, and sparkling water.
Standout selections
- — Wildberry Mint Shrub (NA): mint & wildberry infused white wine vinegar & fresh squeezed lemon over sparkling water, $6.
- — Karbach Free and Easy IPNA: non-alcoholic IPA in a 12 oz. Can.
Pricing: Wildberry Mint Shrub (NA) is $6; Karbach Free and Easy IPNA price not listed.
Spirits
The bar is also described as a full bar under Good to Know.; Menu lists a to-go drink kit with 375 ml of bourbon, vodka, or tequila paired with a mixer.
Menu strengths
- — Menu lists a to-go drink kit with 375 ml of bourbon, vodka, or tequila paired with a mixer.
- — Described as a full bar under Good to Know.
Standout selections
- — To-Go Drink Kit: 375 ml of bourbon, vodka, or tequila paired with your choice of Mexican Coke, Grapefruit Jarritos, or Topo Chico, $17.50.
Pricing: To-Go Drink Kit is $17.50.
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