Bars & Breweries Around Mueller

From an abandoned former airport into one of Austin’s most walkable and family-friendly neighborhoods around, Mueller has become one of the most desired communities in the city — and for good reason!

With tree-lined streets, stunning parks and a healthy mix of both residential and commercial spaces, this carefully designed, master-planned community has become a lifestyle destination for both Mueller residents and nearby visitors. 

One of the best parts about Mueller’s offerings? The incredible selection of bars and breweries within walking distance or just a short drive away!

Whether you're looking for a craft beer after exploring the farmers market, a proper pint while watching the game or a family-friendly brewery where the kids can play, Mueller has you covered. Here's your comprehensive guide to the bars and breweries around our Mueller apartments in one of Austin’s best neighborhoods.

Bars & breweries around Mueller

WhichCraft Tap Room & Bottle Shop

Right in the heart of Mueller on the lakefront Simond Avenue, WhichCraft stands out as more than just your average beer bar. This unique spot combines a craft beer bar, a bottle shop and a full-service specialty coffee shop all housed under one roof, with 30 taps featuring craft beer and wine making it a true beer lover's paradise (that also happens to serve excellent coffee.)

The taproom features an impressive setup with around twenty-seven beer taps and two wine options on their state-of-the-art draft wall; each tap has its own regulators to control the CO2 mix, ensuring every pour is perfect. They specialize in stocking the latest craft beer releases, available both for drinking on-site and taking home, while growler fills are available for those who want to bring their favorites back to their apartment.

What makes WhichCraft special is its versatility, as it transitions seamlessly from morning coffee spot to evening beer destination. The space offers plenty of seating with two large screen TVs, extra outlets and free WiFi for those who want to work; they also welcome outside food, making it perfect for grabbing takeout from one of Mueller's restaurants and pairing it with a craft beer.

Located directly across from Mueller park and behind the Thinkery children's museum, WhichCraft is an extremely family-friendly; locale, and kids can enjoy sodas and their own  fun snacks while parents sample the beer selection. Win-win!

B.D. Riley's Irish Pub

For a taste of Ireland in the heart of Texas, B.D. Riley's Irish Pub brings the northern nation’s authentic pub culture to our very own Mueller. This isn't just an Irish-themed bar, either — it’s the real deal, as the entire pub was actually built in Ireland, then shipped to Austin and reassembled by Irish craftsmen!

B.D. Riley's serves what many consider the best pour of Guinness in Austin, along with award-winning Fish & Chips, Irish Stew, Shepherd's Pie and homemade soups. The bar stocks more than a dozen Irish whiskeys plus local and regional craft beers, while their Guinness and steak poutine featuring thick-cut crispy potatoes, gravy and melted cheese curds has become a local favorite.

The pub offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with a spacious, shaded, dog-friendly patio that's perfect for Austin weather, while the interior features comfortable seating with windows and doors that open to the tree-lined paseo, creating a versatile indoor-outdoor feel. To make it even more appealing, one of the best perks is the free validated parking in the nearby McBee Street or Simond Avenue Garages!

Entertainment is a big part of the B.D. Riley's experience, too, as they host Irish Tune Sessions every Thursday evening at 7pm and Trivia every Tuesday at 7:30pm.

Barrel O' Fun

Hidden inside the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, Barrel O' Fun offers one of the most unique bar experiences in the neighborhood — a carnival-themed bar that has a split personality that works perfectly for the diverse Mueller community. During the day, it's a kid-friendly space with carnival games, a soda fountain and youth events, but come evening, the carnival games literally fold into the ceiling to reveal 45 beer taps and a creative cocktail menu.

The transformation happens at 8pm, when Barrel O' Fun shifts from family-friendly to adults-only. The bar features an impressive tap wall with 45 different beers, plus a barrel-aged cocktail program with drinks that play on the soda fountain theme, and they serve a full food menu all day.

Located under the movie theater near our pet-friendly apartments in Mueller, Barrel O' Fun occasionally hosts live music and special events, making it the perfect spot for parents who want to grab a drink after a family movie, or for anyone looking for a fun, quirky bar experience. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something you like here!

L'Oca d'Oro

We’re particularly fond of this spot, as it’s housed on the ground floor of our very own AMLI at Mueller! Talk about convenient dining options!

While primarily known as an Italian restaurant, L'Oca d'Oro deserves a spot on any Mueller bar crawl thanks to its excellent bar program. This neighborhood Italian spot emphasizes quality in everything they do, from their house-made pasta to their thoughtfully curated drink menu.

The wine selection is particularly impressive, with plenty of options to buy by-the-glass, including some interesting orange wines, while their cocktail program features creative drinks incorporating unexpected ingredients like parsley-carrot cordial and cucumber-celery-basil shrub that pair perfectly with the restaurant's seasonal Italian dishes.

L'Oca d'Oro’s setting is truly charming, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Mueller's pedestrian area and lake park, plus bar seating, biergarten tables and a covered patio for those who prefer outdoor dining.

Parking is available at the Mueller Town Center garage with the entrance on McBee Street, making it easy to visit even if you're coming from outside the neighborhood.

Veracruz Fonda & Bar

The team behind Austin's beloved Veracruz All Natural taco trucks brought their culinary magic to Mueller with the Veracruz Fonda & Bar. This women and Latina-owned restaurant on Aldrich Street offers much more than just tacos, providing a full bar and restaurant experience that pairs perfectly with their beloved menu.

The bar program at Veracruz Fonda is worth the visit alone, with their signature Muellerita featuring blanco tequila, Curaçao, Hoja Santa (a Mexican herb), tamarind, lime, Chamoy and a savory sesame-seed rim. It's not your typical margarita, as the multi-dimensional flavors create something unique and memorable, and many drinks come with house-made spicy and tangy rim mixes that add an extra punch. The La Julieta, a foamy coconut and passion fruit tequila drink with mint, is also particularly Instagram-worthy.

Beyond cocktails, they offer frozen margaritas, low-intervention wines and draft beers. The atmosphere combines vibrant colors with a sophisticated feel, as the patio features metal planters and bright pastels, while the interior dining room showcases massive murals and hanging woven lanterns.

Main Streat Bar at Mueller H-E-B

Yes, there's a full bar inside the Mueller H-E-B, and it's actually worth visiting. Located inside the grocery store's Main Streat food hall, the Bar at Mueller serves draft beers, wines and cocktails featuring Texas breweries, wineries and distilleries.

The bar menu includes snacks and shared plates like Texas Tater Tots and Meat & Cheese Trays, and with both indoor and outdoor seating areas, it's a surprisingly pleasant place to grab a drink. They also run an extended happy hour from 3pm to 7pm Monday through Friday, making it a budget-friendly option for after-work drinks. 

What makes this spot unique is its community focus, as the venue hosts events like loteria on some Saturdays and has even organized speed dating events! Plus, you can grab your groceries on the way out — convenient, huh?

Oddwood Brewing

A quick drive or bike ride to Manor Road near Airport Boulevard brings you to Oddwood Brewing, a cozy neighborhood brewery that feels like it could be your living room — if your living room served excellent beer and pizza, that is.

This East Austin spot focuses primarily on hoppy beers, lagers and sour beers, with a pizza kitchen turning out thin crust personal pies that complement the craft drinks wonderfully. 

Oddwood aims to release a different beer every week, keeping things interesting for regular visitors. Their lagers spend about 8 weeks in tanks which, to the trained craft brewer’s eye, shows their commitment to doing things right. The food menu features 10-inch pizzas, strombolis, salads and more, all designed to pair perfectly with their beer selection.

The space has multiple personality zones, including the main taproom with lots of wood and cozy lighting, plus a room full of old video games and arcade machines. The brewery is both family-friendly and dog-friendly on the patio, with free WiFi for those who want to work. It really does have it all!

Lazarus Brewing

Lazarus Brewing offers something unique in Austin's brewery scene by being as serious about their coffee as they are about their beer. With two locations in Austin, the one on Airport Boulevard is closer to Mueller and more convenient for neighborhood residents.

This isn't just a brewery that happens to serve coffee, either — they offer a full espresso bar with house-roasted coffee, making them an ideal spot for remote work during the day before transitioning to beer in the evening. They also serve street tacos and Mexican food, creating a complete dining experience.

The Airport location took over the historic I Luv Video building and features massive indoor seating plus a huge patio, and it's kid and dog-friendly. The original E 6th Street location has similar offerings in a funkier, more intimate space. Both are well worth the short trip out of Mueller!

Planning your Mueller bar & brewery experience

The Mueller neighborhood offers an impressive variety of drinking establishments, from authentic Irish pubs to modern craft breweries. The venues within Mueller proper are all walkable from the residential areas, making bar hopping easy from our luxury Mueller apartments.  For those willing to venture a bit further, the surrounding breweries also offer unique experiences worth the short trip.

Most venues are family and dog-friendly, reflecting Mueller's community-oriented culture. Whether you're looking for a morning coffee that transitions to afternoon beer, a proper sports bar for game day or a playground-equipped brewery for family outings, Mueller's bar and brewery scene has something for everyone.

The best part is that these are all local Austin businesses, each bringing their own unique flavor to the neighborhood. From WhichCraft's craft-only approach to B.D. Riley's authentic Irish experience to Meanwhile's massive outdoor complex, these establishments have become integral parts of Mueller's identity as one of Austin's most livable and enjoyable neighborhoods.

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Featured photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash

Second photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

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