Cocktails, Kitchen & Kinship in Austin, Texas

We are an award-winning cocktail bar and neighborhood restaurant located in Austin’s eclectic North Loop corridor. DrinkWell opened in February 2012. Much has changed since then, but what has not is our commitment to keeping Austin in good spirits.

We are an intimate space in a residential neighborhood with 36 seats indoors and 24 seats in our open-air patio spaces.

All seating is first come, first served. We do not require or accept reservations for parties of fewer than 8. If you are a large group and wish to reserve a section or book a private event, please contact us via email: events@drinkwellaustin.com.

Wellness Matters: About our service charge & gratuity policies

An automatic 20% service charge is added to all guest checks. You will see this listed as an “Employee Wellness Fee” on your bill because 100% of this revenue passed from the business to our staff in the form of equitable, pre-tip hourly wages that far exceed the sub-minimum tipped wage. Our team is also offered subsidized medical insurance, mental healthcare, generous paid time off and other employee benefits.

Additional gratuity is generous and appreciated - but it is not expected. 100% of any additional tips are distributed among our entire hourly staff and help elevate living wages to thriving wages.

We are often asked why we don’t simply include the cost of the service charge in our prices. The answer is: transparency. We, along with many of our colleagues across the country, are working to educate our guests about the fight to end sub-minimum wages for tipped workers, and offer clarity around the specific portion of your bill that ensures dignified wages & benefits for our team.

We understand this way of doing business may be new to some guests and may not be for everyone.

This model is what has allowed DrinkWell to become an industry leader when it comes to taking care of our employees so that they can exceptional care of you. Thank you for your support as our small business and the hospitality industry-at-large evolves around this issue.

Questions or comments offered in good faith are welcome. Please contact owner Jessica Sanders via email at: jessica@drinkwellaustin.com.

Awards & Recognitions

Over the last 12 years, DrinkWell has become of the most celebrated and consistently excellent cocktail bars in the country.

This is because of the hospitality, talent & hard work of our teams over the years, and, of course, the generous support of our guests, vendors and community partners.

  • 2023 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards | Top 10 Regional Honoree - Best US Cocktail Bar (Central Region)

  • 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards | NOMINEE - Bar of the Year & Bartender of the Year

  • 2018 TimeOut Austin Awards | WINNER - Best Legacy Bar

  • 2017 TimeOut Austin Awards | WINNER - Most Creative Cocktail List

  • 2013 Food & Wine Magazine | Best New Bars in America