Mama Dearest

Out of towner looking for a place. Found this dive bar dialed up to 11. Booze should be cheaper, but that's the world we live in. Besides that, it's the perfect hole to drink and interact with others who also drink, unless you don't want to look at dead animals hanging on the wall. The kids who work here know what the deal is, there's no shame in the game. We're just having a good time, right? I'll try the food next time we're in town. Just... Go.

All the owners were amazing. I had my elderly mother with us at our gig last night. So accommodating to her especially Allen. Texas Hwy Band had an awesome time playing there!

This is my husband and my favorite spot to go to after listening to jazz at Monks! The first time we went there we were floored by the outstanding atmosphere and the drink menu is hilarious. The second time we went, we found out they had a backyard with tons of seating options and fun things to explore. This is the perfect spot if you want to experience Austin’s “weird” vibe and would be such a fun spot to go to with your bachelor/bachelorette party. We tell all of our friends to go here when visiting!

When I say I love dive bars I love dive bars and this bar ranks very high on my list because of the friendly bartender and the chill atmosphere and vibe, even my girl who's not really into dive bars loved this place so their doing something right

Came here for a birthday party and had a great time. Good DJ, and inside has a ski/hunting lodge feel. Ample space on patio--very laid back--there were even heaters for the cool noghts. Good crowd-- old enough to be out of college, young enough to enjoy a bar, DJ, and lights. 5 stars.

I’ve been into mama dearest countless times and have always been treated so well by Blair and Allen that I felt it was only prudent to let the people of Austin know. Walking into this bar will only lead to amazing drinks, service and a place to meet great people.

It’s silly how much I adore this spot! If you’re looking for a true down to earth Austin bar, this is it. No egos, great cocktails, and insane design. Bravo, Bear Hug Hospitality.

Some of the friendliest staff and patrons you’ll find in Austin! They always make great conversation and make you feel welcome as soon as you approach the door. Great cocktails at a reasonable price, tons of outdoor space, and the ice cream machine is a fun touch. I went on my birthday and they even brought me an ice cream cone with a candle on it. Highly recommend for your next night out

Omg! This is my new favorite bar. I loved the ambiance; it was quirky and a bit creepy. They have a great cocktail menu too. They even have $1 tiny cones with a perfect dollop of vanilla soft serve ice cream on them. There is a food truck there but I did not order anything. Definitely go inside the trailer that's outside. It's weird with carpet on the ceiling and doll heads mounted on the walls. On the night I went, there was a musician performing and he was really good! Luckily, the bar wasn't too crowded and there was plenty of room to move around. The staff were helpful and nice. I can't wait to go soon!

Super fun spot to hang out with friends - plenty of outdoor seating and outdoor bar too. Went Friday night around 10:30 and line to bar was super quick, drinks ordered in less than 5 minutes. We got the beet it and Jesus saves - I loved the Jesus saves lol it was gin and citrus and some cream - kinda like an orange Julius The beet it is mezcal and beet / passionfruit - very strong mezcal flavor if you like Smokey - my husband loved it.

Had the absolute best time here. Visiting Austin from Long Beach ca, this was my favorite bar I went to. Definitely weird taxidermy which I'm not into, but also cool Christmas cozy vibes. Our bartender Juno made the experience a 5stars time. He was attentive and just a genuinely nice fellow. He made us the best drinks !! Tasty and strong. We also had to try their adorable mini ice creams- so cute and oh so delicious. I found out after the fact that may have a huge patio section in the back. A definite must visit if you're in Austin.

From the moment I saw the wire coat hanger sign out front spelling "Mama Dearest," I knew this bar was going to be something special. It's such a clever reference to the movie, and it perfectly sets the tone for the quirky and playful vibe inside. The drink menu is equally entertaining, with names like Jesus Saves, Purdy Mouth, and Roadkill that had us all laughing. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and fun, keeping the energy high and the drinks flowing. Inside, the DJ was clearly having the time of his life, which made the atmosphere even more vibrant, though it was a bit loud for chatting. I didn't make it out to the back patio, but I heard there's a food truck section that sounds like the perfect complement to the drinks. Full of personality and charm, a great spot for a laid-back night out.

Wanted to get my dog out of the house while visiting a friend in Austin. She is insisted we come here. Slam dunk recommendation. What I would do to transport this bar to my city... it's fun and intimate and delightful all at the same time. The bartenders are so nice and welcoming. The staff went to great lengths to get the football game on the patio tv for us. It was much appreciated. The food truck guy recommended the pierogis and chicken. Oh man... my mind was not ready for what came out of that truck. I've been eating my way through Texas for over a month and this was better than many high-end restaurants I've been to. Even if the bar doesn't tickle your interests this is a great spot for food. This will forever be a staple stop for us. Especially for my dog.

A small bar with amazing ambiance, delicious drinks, and friendly energetic staff. The interior decor is edgy and moody, while the outdoor patio is lively and open. There's a few different food truck options with delicious choices as well! The Jesus Saves drink is AMAZING. Probably the best drink I've ever had. I even got a second one, and so did all my friends. Not too strong, with a sweet honey and elderflower flavor (some of my favorites). I think this drink alone is the reason why I'm so excited to come back here! Ultimately, love this spot for a casual meetup with friends!

Really funky bar, and the funky is intentional. Creepy dolls. Animal heads on the walls. Pretty good. Nice service. Reasonable prices. I recommend.

Mama Dearest certainly keeps Austin weird! The decor is a little on the creepy side for me, but that's purely personal taste. If you think dismembered dolls are cool, then you'll love this spot! I drank bourbon on the rocks so I can't really judge their bartending skills. But they do have big square ice blocks for their good bourbon selection, which I appreciate. There is the main bar area which has bar stools and some booth-tables. There's a good amount of space if you have a bunch of friends out with you. There is also a trailer out back with more dismembered dolls and a poll in case you want to test your dancing skills or strength. It has AC, so it's a cool spot to hang out. The back yard has some turf and lawn games, which is fun. On a Sunday evening, the bar got pretty busy so I think this spot might always be hoppin.

I checked out Mama Dearest recently and loved it. They had such a fun and interesting decor vibe inside, a large patio, and even a cool empty bus with seating in the back. The Jesus Saves cocktail was delicious - cream soda, elderflower, and honey. It was a bit on the sweeter side but I thoroughly enjoyed it! My friend got a coffee cocktail with soft serve and it was delicious as well. Prices were also great! The crowd was a bit interesting - maybe bc there was a SXSW event happening, so i definitely want to go again and give it another try.

A lot of people I know are hating on this spot as being a part of all the new things wrong with Austin. I dug it in the sense that I loved the layout, concept, decor, both inside and out. What I didn't love was subpar service and being made to feel I was in the way for trying to order a drink. It wasn't even busy at the time and my boyfriend and I were passed over at the indoor bar multiple times before I finally spoke up. There were maybe 7-8 others at the bar at the time. Hoping if I decide to visit again I can update this review with something more positive.

What a surprise this place is!! The friendliest bartenders who are welcoming and make you feel at home. Eclectic mixture of signs, lamps, art and furniture make this place so funky and fun!

Mama Dearest is serving maximalist fraternity basement with extra flair - but in a good way. This is the kind of spot where the names of the drinks may result in an eyebrow raise or the clutching of pearls, so reconsider whether or not this is the spot to meet your partner's parents for the first time. Names aside, the cocktails are tasty, standard ATX east side pricing ($13 min) albeit, the presentation of some drinks could use a revamp (the beet mezcal drink comes in a small glass with a...white sock wrapped around it? idk what's going on here, but again, fraternity vibes.) While the singular bartender was getting slammed with requests, service was friendly. They have a cozy interior space with a fun mix of furniture, and a decently sized outdoor lot with picnic tables, and some spring, metal "rides" (iykyk). Conveniently located by a multitude of nearby restaurants, this is a great spot before dinner, or to stay the night with friends. Will return :)

What a perfect Sunday afternoon but not to see mama. I had bookmarked this place for awhile and finally got a chance to stop by. Upon entering you see an oddity. There is tons of things to look at and want to tough. Bonus there is old playboys to look at for reading material. My husband and I both ordered a cocktail, which set us back about $13 each. The cocktails were interesting combinations of liquids. I had Mountain Dew in mine!! The drinks were just okay. Overall a cool little bar to stop in for a drink. There is other bars nearby if you want to bar hop.

This has divey homey bar vibes 100%!!! The bar staff is incredibly hard working and kind/fun. Made a huge difference. Popped in for a quick afternoon HH Friday pick me up and I could not have asked for more. The inside (sorry forgot to take a picture AGH) is very eclectic with raw hide lights and granny underwear on a wire LOL it's fantastic. Good selection of craft cocktails as well - I was actually pretty shocked and they tasted good! There is also a good outdoor space in the back that is dog friendly and has a simple whimsical just hanging out at a friend's house feel to it. Definitely go check it out!

My cousins found this bar and invited me to try it with them. It did not disappoint! The whole place was on THEME. The drinks, wall and furniture decor, even the patio had fun trinkets. The most notable being three or four horse playground spring riders. I saw a girl in front of me order such a cute drink with a tiny wholesome honey dipper and asked her what it was, she responded it was called Jesus Saves. I laughed and lo and behold it was an actual drink on the menu, among others like Purdy Mouth and Roadkill. I ended up ordering Jesus Saves and omg does Jesus SAVE. It was honestly one of the best drinks I've had in a whiiile. Definitely tasted the sweetness of the honey, lime and cream and unlike many sweet drinks it was also refreshing. I'm a piña colada girl so this drink slapped as it reminded me of the texture. Forgot our bartenders name but he was awesome, especially for making my cousin a Moscow Mule when it wasn't even a menu item. Only downside was the music the DJ was playing inside the venue was a bit loud so it was hard to hear others, and order at the bar as well. Overall, a great experience to check out. Not so much a dancing spot but passes the vibe check for a chill night out.

What a total blast. Our bartender Jacob was charming, attentive and knowledgeable. Everything about the place is cool, kitschy and camp all combined into a wonderful atmosphere. The drinks were great as was the diversity of the people. This is definitely a welcome addition to the Austin bar scene. And as a gay man for whom Mommy Dearest was a cult film, this is definitely a toned down version but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. Keep your eyes open for all of the retro artwork and fascinating trinkets, especially in the bathrooms .

I must admit that I didn't want to enjoy this bar. The drink names ("sister fister"), playboy magazines, skin lanterns, and gun door handle had me like 'meh.' But I wanted to see if the vibe was as misogynistic as it oozed online. Plus, I really wanted a beer, it being 80 in December and all. I wandered in and the bartenders won me over. I'm a sucker for nice humans. I sat at the bar and avoided the $10+ specialty drinks and opted for a MHL pony, which wasn't badly priced for a new bar on the east side. But if you're a fan of creative concoctions the road sign-lit specials are tempting. The second time I went in I sat in a comfy 70s chair next to a display of Princess Di memorabilia, catty corner from a coffee table covered in girly mags. It's like your visiting your weird uncle in the south. It will be interesting to see what type of crowd frequents this bar as it teeters between hip new bar and dive. But I'll most likely keep poppin' in for a paper bag-wrapped can and sit in the corner and people watch. Fun facts: They also have soft serve and root beer and I'm gonna talk them into a float once it hits 90 degrees. It's early on but I'm crossing my fingers that food trucks are coming soon.

This bar is definitely a vibe. At first I was a little intimidated by the decor, which had creepy dolls, taxidermy, and underwear hanging around everywhere. But it soon grew on me- there is a nice back outdoors area with benches to chill, and a couple food trucks. I want to go back and try one of their drinks, because the people I was with enjoyed theirs and they looked delicious. A great place to go to change things up!

This place has a very unique vibe- it's like quirky antique shop crossed with Texas chainsaw massacre there are some fun drinks, some weird drinks- I was pressured into taking the quail egg shot which was surprisingly not bad. The creepy doll trailer is a fun hangout spot- if you're looking for a comfy seat with good back support plus the bonus of a dance pole a d doll-head lamps definitely check out the trailer.

I love this place!! The bartenders were so cool and they let our group come hangout there. I got a very yummy cocktail

Mama dearest pays homage to my childhood nightmare Mommie dearest with a Texas kitschy flare; my mom used to watch this movie and the wire hangers scene prettified me. The drinks match the theme and are fun. Mountain Dew with Tequila - they have it here. The ambiance is lounge-y with a 70s living room feel. The bar top is inviting with lots of seating and friendly bartenders. There's an outdoor area with hobby horses and an outdoor chiminea to keep you warm in the winter. The interior is kitschy with lots of velvet boudoir artwork, Charles and Dianna wedding memorabilia, and taxidermy. A great addition to the evolving Holly Neighborhood/Pedernales Street area.

Horrible customer service. A man in overalls treated my 18 year daughter with such disrespect. Snatched, a drink out of her hand, (a la croix!) and was just very angry at us and we did nothing. And I mean snatched, came from behind and aggressively removed from her hand with out warning. And then started yelling at her about it was a bar. We proceeded to spend money and eat there and then when she went to car with her friend he wouldn't let her back in. I am very disappointed in the terrible treatment we received from this clearly disturbed man who worked there.

Came here for a birthday party and had a great time. Good DJ, and inside has a ski/hunting lodge feel. Ample space on patio--very laid back--there were even heaters for the cool noghts. Good crowd-- old enough to be out of college, young enough to enjoy a bar, DJ, and lights. 5 stars.

Cool place, nice vibe. The cocktails are different and tasty. Back patio is huge, and the food trucks back there are awesome. Bartenders are friendly and helpful. If I could deduct a half star I might for this one shooter with a quail egg yolk on their menu. Reading the drink description, I was expecting a raw yolk, maybe shaken in to emulsify it or something like that. Instead, it's a hard boiled little egg yolk that the bartender literally warned is a choking hazard if you actually shoot the drink. So you need to sip your shooter, then at the end chew a bland, chalky yolk lol. Not sure what the mixologist was thinking with this one, but the rest of our experience was awesome enough to make up for it, so I'll leave it at 5 stars.

TED WAS THE GREATEST! So humble and cool and personable. I'll be back for the vibes but mainly him!

Shout out to the fantastic bartender last night who helped a lost soul. Lost in that my Uber dropped me off at the wrong place! Helping me find my way was awesome.

This fun new bar on east Austin keeps it classy by getting a little trashy. The location is tough in regard to parking, but I like the way the owner kept the original facade of the building. The neon sign, diner inspired menu, and wonderfully tacky decor makes this place a feast for the senses. They have quirkily named cocktails that mix up the regular fair. I got a Beet-It and Roadkill and slurped both up happily. The Beet-it had an earthy quality I enjoyed, and the Roadkill was smoked using a hand held smoker, which was more fun to watch than actually altered the taste. The place is dog friendly, and we all had a blast on the back patio rocking on the bouncy horses.

A new dive bar in the east side - I can honestly say, I really liked this spot. I appreciate the decor - some a little intense but it definitely adds a lot of character... like too much character! lol, but it's all in good fun. Drinks are strong, so beware and be ready for a good time! Also, don't drink and drive.

Super groovy spot -- experiential, recommend for a date. Great bartenders and good drinks.

Drinks were ok most cool for the atmosphere. A little overpriced for a basic cocktail.

This place was so cool!!! I'm a huge serial killer murder mystery fan and this place gave off those vibes. The bartenders were so nice and extremely helpful will all my questions. We love Tanya! She was so amazing. I will be bringing all my friends here!

Coolest vibes and best customer service, not to mention the creative themed drink menu. 10/10 bar hands down

This place is so fun and cute! Drink names are hilarious and they taste great too. The staff was very welcoming.

whoever made this cocktail menu needs their ass ate in the most life-changing feral way imaginable.