Violet Crown Social Club — Restaurant in Austin

I'm writing this review as someone who frequented this bar often over a period of 5 years when I was in Austin, then moved out, and dearly miss a few things about Austin. This is certainly one of them.

Violet Crown Social Club is welcoming to everyone. The bartenders are incredibly friendly and drinks are super cheap. If you're into craft beers, they have a rotating tap of some really great beers, be sure to try it out. They also have a cocktails menu, so its definitely not just for beer drinkers. The patrons in general are incredibly friendly and I think they embody "Southern Friendliness"; without a doubt you will get to know some interesting people.

There is an outdoors area to enjoy the Austin nights, and also an indoors area with an incredible amount of seating area at the bar if you just want to grab a beer and relax. If you have a group, you can grab one of the cozy booths.

Indoors, there will often be some movie or TV show playing with subtitles. As someone who didn't grow up in the States, it was pretty great to see some rather eclectic movies that I would probably never have otherwise. Personally, I think that's the best part of Violet Crown: you can just come in, grab a tasty beverage and just watch some movies and talk about it with patrons and the bartenders.

Its been a while so I don't remember most of the bartenders names, but I do remember the famous Chris Fish. If he's still around, it won't be hard to find him, he is the friendliest person on the planet.

Overall, Violet Crown is an amazing Austin Institution, something you won't find anywhere else. Be sure to pay a visit and tip very well, because the...

I'm slowly beginning to understand the true magnitude of the conspiracy by the guys who own this bar and its siblings around town. The mission of this particular tentacle of the barlluminati who own Bender/Barfly's/Mugshots/Pour House/The Hideout is to infiltrate the booming E 6th bar scene, and judging from the number of times I've woken up and seen their name on my credit card statements, I can tell that extricating myself from their clutches will be difficult.

They have the standard cheap drinks that I've known and loved - $2.50 wells/domestics is the Pavlovian deal I can't resist. They have a long bar with plenty of seating, even more tables and stools in the inside, and also a spacious patio outside with tons of tables and picnic tables (presumably for easier monitoring by the bar overlords). Add in short bathroom lines, awesome bartenders, plentiful TVs, tasty Detroit-style pizza from Via 313 in the parking lot, and a clientele seemingly exclusively populated by drunk, friendly, cool people, and you're now beginning to understand while I fear for my ability to spend time at other bars in the area.

Perhaps the only thing that saves me from coming here is that the parking can be horrendous on weekends. But since that's true of every bar in the area, I can't fault them for it. Wait - is that Stockholm syndrome talking? Drunkholm syndrome? It's all...

From the outside, Violet Crown may appear unassuming to the common passer by. However, take a step inside and the outside world disappears. A large, spacious lounge area hides deceptively under dark and dingy lighting (in the very best way). Best for 'a stiff drink in a dim place', Drink prices are always unbeatable, including the local favorites on-tap and the bare essential cocktails. Find a comfortable booth to brood in the shadowy corner as you sip your drink and feel like the coolest person in the room. Just remember to share your pitcher with Tyler Durden. Prospective Fight Club member not your vibe? Head outside to an open porch area with plenty of room to smoke, relax and socialize while you watch E. 6th foot traffic go past, including a 'decent' Chicago-style deep dish pizza truck right outside and a solid soundtrack at just the right volume. Don't miss this unsuspecting hang-out among the East...