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31 Austin, TXDRINK THE SIDE BAR No bar is closer to my heart than Side Bar – I've had so many great times here over the years. It's completely unassuming and utterly devoid of pretension, but what it lacks in decor, seating, and functioning bathrooms, it makes up for in atmosphere. The bartenders are glad you're there, and they show it by way of very friendly pours. Its convenient location on Red River makes it the best place to sneak into between sets at one of the nearby music venues. 602 East 7th St, Austin, TX 78701, www.thesidebaraustin.comLONGBRANCH INN Historically, East Side nightlife was all about jazz and juke joints. That era has sadly passed, but the Longbranch keeps the flame alive. It’s home to the oldest physical bar in Austin, which was relocated some time ago from the Driskell Hotel. The decor (and taxidermy) evoke that sense of history, and their jukebox is unparalleled in its mix of old and modern tunes. 1133 East 11th St, Austin, TX 78702DONN’S DEPOT Donn’s is more of a destination, rather than a usual drinking spot, mainly because the clientele skews way older. Retrofitted into an old rail car, Donn’s has plush carpet, a piano and, best of all, free popcorn. Walk in on a random night and you’ll see cute old couples two-stepping while the patriarch and namesake, Donn, tinkles on the ivory keys. 1600 West 5th St, Austin, TX 78703,www.donnsdepot.comTHE GOOD KNIGHT The last few years in Austin have seen a surge in mixology bars, serving the kinds of drinks your Grandpa made after a long day at the office. The Good Knight was at the forefront, whipping up Old Fashioneds and Pimm's Cup No. 1s, while most places were content with tossing you a Longneck. When I say this is also the darkest bar in the city, I mean it literally. It's quiet and moody, but its class is undeniable. The drink menu changes seasonally and they also serve great food off a very limited menu. 1300 East 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, www.thegoodknight.netCHEERS SHOT BAR 6th Street is home to more college bars than I care to count and, when taken as a whole, they can be a fun time. Are any of these bars actually good? Of course not. That’s really not the point. They are there to serve wild frat boys, bachelorette parties and any other 21-35 year-old. Only one 6th Street bar has managed to wrangle any genuine affection from me, and that’s Cheers Shot Bar. They have about 200 different shots, all with ambiguously naughty names – the Dirty Girl Scout is my favorite. It’s easy to dismiss 6th Street in favor of other areas (Red River, East 6th, etc), but despite the different subcultures, deep down everyone in Austin just wants to party and have a good time. 416 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701SHANGRI-LA Austin's East Side, particularly East 6th, is currently the hottest drinking district. Most of the owners of this new crop of bars cut their teeth at some of the heavy hitters on Red River, and Shangri-La (or the Shang as it is usually referred to), is the embodiment of what makes them great. It has cheap drinks, friendly staff, and a beautiful outdoor patio that's both expansive and intimate. Oftentimes Shangri-La is someone's first foray into East Side drinking, so the crowd can be thick and random, but that's usually part of the fun. 1016 East 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, www.shangrilaaustin.comTHE LIBERTY The Liberty is Shang's rowdier little brother and has a lot of the same great offerings. The inexpensive drinks, bartenders you'd back up in a fight, and nice patio space are all here. It's rougher around the edges and the crowd is a lot more consistent in terms of its tattoos, piercings, and penchant for roughhousing. But really, that's what makes this place so great. They also have Terminator 2 and Star Trek: The Next Generation pinball machines, which I have to admit are pretty awesome. 1618 1/2 East 6th St, Austin, TX 78702