The Jackalope

It may sit right in the middle of Austin’s college scene, but Jackalope is actually a welcome escape. The giant half-rabbit, half-antelope namesake sculpture near the door is mounted by a seemingly never-ending turnstyle of tourists, but the atmosphere is relaxed, local and oozing with Austin’s (sadly, fading) counter-culture appeal. One can expect to see B-movies on the television and ’80s new wave blasting while your tattooed bartender pours heaping Jameson shots. The kitchen’s offerings are all solid; burgers like the ‘Bacon and Brie Burger’ (brie, bacon, carmelized onions, pickles, homemade caesar dressing) often top local ‘best burgers’ lists. The Jackalope’s drink menu has evolved to include craft cocktails like the Jackalope Old Fashioned (which gets its spicy kick from Fire & Damnation bitters), but mostly, whiskey and beer prevail—and we’re happy to oblige.