Friends Bar Reviews

Best spot on 6th Street of an evening for live music. We were in Austin for 6 nights and spent 5 nights at Friends as the bands were so good. If you get a chance to see Voice of Erica, then do it, you will not be disappointed. Sonny Wolf were good too and had a guest original 77 year old Harmonica player, this was a real treat and the music made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I didn't get the names of the other bands but they were just as good. Friendly bar staff and quick, efficient service no matter how busy they are. They do a great job and deserve all the tips they can get. Loved this place and would highly recommend

Went here almost every night. They somehow find the best bands in the downtown area. Was never overly busy and the bands were great.

We really enjoyed the live music we heard at this bar. On a Wednesday night, it started to get 'hoppin' @9:30 or so.

Nice place to have drinks and listen to music. Found the entertainment really nice and would most certainly make a return visit. Wait staff was super friendly and attentive. Great variety of drinks.

Good spot for great live music most nights of the week. Definitely worth stopping in if you are doing a 6th street crawl.

I went here two different nights, because as I was passing by outside I heard some nice music. It's kind of a dive bar, but prices are cheap, the bartenders are nice, and the music is good - can't go wrong!

Had a great time with friends listening to some good blues! Centrally located to many other bars and restaurants as well.

I was walking along 6th Street when I heard this amazing live guitar coming from inside Friends Bar. Couldn't help myself to stop a spell and witness the awesomeness from within. That Monday evening, The Dave Sher Trio was performing. Incredibly talented group. We need to support venues like Friends Bar who let average guys like myself enjoy exceptional musicians. Friends is a cozy clean bar with good service and cheap drinks...and FREE music. The crowd was enjoying every minute. It was the highlight of my trip to Austin.

Stopped by here because of the music we heard from the sidewalk. Glad we did as we got to see and hear the Chris Castenada Project. Awesome band! The bartenders are attentive but not overwhelming. The drink prices are about average for 6th Street. Good time!

We walked in late afternoon and there was a live band and a full bar. Drinks were excellent and the atmosphere was inviting and lively.

A great bar for incredible guitar playing. We were stunned at how good the bands were, especially if you like slide guitar. We went on multiple nights and were not disappointed. A bonus is that they have a small food van in the back. The staff were really friendly, too.

I kind of felt like I was in New Orleans..great live band of 3 playing their button off for tips! Absolutely loved it!

With So Many Bars on the street, this bar is nice as it seems to have good blues bands playing all the time. Not very busy when we were there, a bit older crowd as well. Great music. average service and typical cost of drinks on the street. Must say the music was great. Other bars on the street have bands that are more bland and play more popular music. The blues band here was terrific.

Stopped in with my wife when we heard the music as we walked by, fair priced drinks. Great live music, but the food stole the show. I had the brisket tacos and my wife had the chicken nachos and they were both delicious. Some of the best bar food we’ve ever had. Would stop in again just for lunch!

We were drawn in by some awesome Blues pouring from the open door. We got a place at the bar as there were only 6 patrons in the joint. Got fast service from the barman. However, I saw the same bar tender ignore a couple of people who arrived after us. They left after waiting around a few minutes and receiving no service. Pretty rude or stupid on the barman's part. He treated us fine however. The three piece group on stage (guitar, bass guitar and drummer) had it going. Behind the head guitar and bass pickin' was a real sight! These dudes love their music and were GOOD. Glad we had the chance to swing in there. If the music grabs you, go on in to Friends....It just might be memorable.

We came in here most nights to check out who was playing. Get your ice cold beer from the girl by the door on the way in. good service at the bar, a variety of bands to listen to

Good for drinks and good entertainment. The servers are friendly and accomodating. Good atmosphere. Will definitely return - highly recommend this place. .

We spent one day and one evening at Friends. It's in the heart of the party zone of 6th street. Lots of in and out traffic, but you need to stay for the guitar work. Authentic Texas Blues, period!

Great music from talented musicians over a beer. Really load so beware if you are sensitive. Great crowd in the over 40-ish with younger and older of course.

I have enjoyed friends every time I have been there. Great staff, great atmosphere, and a wonderful place to hear some great music!

Great bands, great sound system, great venue. 'Nuff said. Clay Campania Band is a must see! Playing Sunday and Tuesday right now but check schedule.

My husband and I enjoyed two different bands while having a couple of drinks. The drinks however were not great, small, expensive, and drink mix made. Also not much alcohol, so we didn’t go back.

love coming here. Great music and lots of fun. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the night. This is a great place to meet up with friends. Drinks are good and prices are ok. Its a must for me every time I'm in Austin.

This place is in the heart of dirty six and you get what you expect. drinks were watered down and the bartenders had a terrible attitude. Band was on fire, I believe it was Darius Jakson - the man.

Walked into this bar one afternoon to check out the band. Great atmosphere, friendly audience. Really great live blues and rock music!

I went here on my latest trip to Austin. There are a lot of really nice places to watch live music while you are in Austin. This is another one of those places. Friendly staff and a nice big stage up front when you walk in.

Check out this bar for drinks and live music. Nice crowd, good music, and good service. Had a nice afternoon hanging out here. Don't forget to tip the musicians.

Saw a great band.......atmosphere really friendly. Didn't eat hung out for the music and a few drinks. Bartender and otger customers really friendly. Cheap drinks and fantastic lice music.

We enjoyed stopping in, listening to the music, and having a few drinks. The bartenders made me laugh by singing and dancing too. The band was great. This is one place I could have spent more time.

Tonight me and my friend passed by this bar and we stayed because the band that was playing was AWESOME. It was our first night out in Austin so we were very excited and happy. Then we asked for some drinks directly in the bar, and the bartender served them to us. I payed her quickly, and just a few seconds later I realized that I had given her more money than I intended to. So I told the lady politely if she could give me back the extra cash, and she went literally CRAZY. At first she started yelling to me, asking why I gave her more money if I didn't want to. I told her it was a mistake, and she continue yelling at me, gave me the extra cash, took away my glass of beer that I already payed, telling me to leave the bar immediatly. Obviously I did't move and then I asked politely another bartender to gave me back my glass of beer. She did and then I went back to my seat, and a few seconds later the second "kinder" bartender went to me and told me I had to leave the place as soon as I finish my beer because I was very rude! Couldn't believe it. Anyway, I told her that was fine, didn't want to argue anymore. When we were leaving 20 mins later, the first bartender went quickly to us and asked the door guy to never let us into the bar again. I smiled and got out of there for good. The only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 is because the music was awesome. I don't think tourists deserve that kind of service. I don't think a rude bartender deserves ANY tips. I think Friends it's just a very ironic name for this bar!

Nice place, rustic decor. Drinks higher priced. Guy outside inviting you in friendly & funny. Music OK. Sounded better from the street.

The bands were so good the last time that we visited that we had to come back, three nights in a row. The guitarists were phenomenal and the bar staff very welcoming and friendly. There were delicious tacos in the back, too. The only complaint was that the music was often too loud.

First bar I walked into in Austin turned out to be THE spot!! Lucky me. Great staff, great music, whats not to like?

Spent a very long , happy and boozy night here . Live music was amazing , friendly crowd . Big shout out to bartender Dylan who took the time to craft a truly awesome Paloma cocktail

This bar is located on "dirty" 6th Street and was recommended if you like the blues. We only had one drink there and it was good. The band we heard was the early band. We didn't stay for the later bands. There was just too many questions less walking around 6th so we left early and went to eat at one of the restaurants on the street.

Went there on a Tuesday and the band was awesome. I guess the same band plays each Tuesday so I would highly recommend. The band played a blues/ rock Stevie Ray type vibe. They alternated members so they kept playing. So highly talented. Did I mention it was a Tuesday!

Spent two weekends in Austin and all evenings enjoying the music at this very friendly bar. The staff were friendly, helpful and professional. I have already recommended Friends to several people - it’s THE place to be!

Great blues players, great drinks, no cover.....what more could one ask for? It's a great stop to catch great music or give out of town guests a dose of the Austin music scene.

This place has great drinks and diverse crowds. Music was mostly rock when we were there but they took requests and were all great.

Super friendly staff, and a good place to enjoy a bit of live music early in the day! Well worth a visit if you fancy a chilled bar !

Typical Austin bar with live music. Seating was limited but the atmosphere rocked! Great live band and surroundings! Typical prices for Austin. They have food but we didn’t try it… it looked good and decent portion coming out of the kitchen! Really friendly staff and eclectic patrons. Worth a short stop for a beer!

We walked in and stood for a while and heard some amazing Blues group. I wish we could have stayed, but my partner was anxious to stroll the street and be accosted by begging, creepy drug addicts.

We stopped in before our show and grabbed some chicken tacos from the food truck which were good. Ice cold carinas and some good live music. Fun times

Stopped in for a cocktail before dinner - chose Friends because of the excellent blues coming from the open doors. Great service and drinks! Band was amazing! Would've stayed longer or come back later but had reservations and concert plans. Perfect 6th Street experience - look forward to visiting Friends again when we return to Austin!

The bar is a bit run down and nothing special but the band playing was so good that it compensates for everything else.

I was initially enticed by the $1 shots, but soon found the entire atmosphere to be jumping! Amazing house band (even got to get up and play a couple on an open-blues jam night!) Also, really friendly bar staff. It really is a great bar.