Mean Eyed Cat

My absolute number one favorite bar in Austin and probably all Texas! Great atmosphere and super nice and fun staff! Always a fantastic time when you come here. Walls are so interesting with old Johnny Cash posters and art, stickers and stuff to talk about. Great merch too, get a hat or shirt!

Atmosphere is always awesome, def one of not number one fav bar in Austin, huge patio, huge! And always chill even when busy. Gabriel was great, made the weird drink request i asked for and chatted for a moment as i came in after work alone, cool to small talk with someone while unwinding, better than drinking alone! lol the other patrons seemed happy with Lauriel, i didn’t interact but she seemed to have a pleasant demeanor. Will always recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

This place is so cool! I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan so it was awesome to see all the Cash memorabilia. Shelby is such a great bartender, she went out of her way to chat with my husband and I, and tell us about the history of the bar. I will definitely make another visit on my next visit to Austin!

Great little bar & barstaff especially laura grabbed a sweatshirt n tshirt

This. Place. Is. Amazing. The staff was so so nice. Decor in here is so cool. It’s mostly Johnny Cash but everything about it is great. If I lived in Austin I would frequent this place all the time. The outside seating is just as great. If you are in the area visit this bar!

What an absolute gem of a place! We visited one afternoon back in late May, during our first visit to Austin, and this was an oasis in the middle of a busy, hot city. We were immediately greeted by the friendliest bartender and entered an authentic space, the atmosphere just right. When asked for beverage recommendations, the bartender, whose name unfortunately escapes me, easily provided great options after asking a few key questions regarding our tastes. We initially sat inside to cool down and just enjoy our surroundings, but after a while, we moved to the outside area, which is also cosy, and, I suspect it would be even more so after sunset. I would have loved to visit again, but unfortunately we only had a short stay in Austin. But I can easily say that this is my favourite place in that city and one of my all-time favourite bar visits.

Man…this place is the best for the Johnny Cash everything. The “mean juice” is a nice option. And the staff is perfect - not too nice, not too mean. Oh, and the swag is spot on! Food; BBQ IS AWESOME SAUCE. Thank you. Just wish you had mobile ordering at the table…

Our bartender Naomi (I believe) was an amazing bartender!!!! So inviting and knew her way around a bar. We didn’t mean to stay so late but she was just so spectacular we couldn’t leave. Lol. The bar had a cute vibe. We are from Lafayette, Louisiana and I will definitely recommend this place to anyone of my friends and family back home to come visit this establishment. Will definitely return. The bartender definitely made our experience top notch!

Ok, I KNOW I've reviewed this favorite spot before! Prior to moving to Austin, we would visit 2-3 times a year for the last 10 years (As long as I've been with my boyfriend who is originally from the area). I LOVE THIS JOHNNY CASH bar so much!! Every time we would visit on trips and now as locals, it's been an awesome experience. Whether it's a packed house or 2-3 patrons, they treat you like you're the only one in the room. Quite a special feeling especially during the 20th anniversary when it was standing room only. Never waited more than a minute for service. No joke. Prices are extremely fair and affordable. The Cash-themed honky tonk decor is spectacular!

This is my regular dive bar in west and gives me exactly the ambience that I like to hang out in: cigarettes, rock/country music, cheap beer, and a pool table in the back. Usually you can catch me on a weekday night relaxing from work. I've always felt welcome and relaxed. Been coming here for about 7 years now and will probably always come here. I love the tree in the middle of the patio.

This must be the place. Cigar friendly outside. Nice and cold inside. Great array of beers on tap. Friendly servers. And one hell of a tribute to the man in black to accompany the music over the speakers. They are lucky I'm not a local. I'd never leave. They'd have to call the po-po. https://youtu.be/jRy48LBKvj8?si=ACj5s-ho7K3hPLF_ https://www.youtube.com/live/FF4WHCLn3NM?si=OIODWJoTlPvZI09Z

I LOVE dive bars, and decided to give this one a try. I cannot tell you how many times I've driven by The Mean Eyed Cat, and thought, "I gotta try that out sometime". Or, "where's the parking?". Well, folks, there's TONS of free parking in a garage right behind it! This place is Johnny Cash themed, and who doesn't love the Man in Black. The interior is classic dive bar- lots of memorabilia on the rough wood walls. The music is loud for conversation, but there is a patio where it might be quieter (I didn't go out there). There are comfy couches to hang out on if you opt to stay in and speak a little louder with your friends/date/coworkers. I enjoyed it, and would definitely go back. Check it out, and let me know if you dig it too. Cheers!

Such a cool, unique bar! My friends and I came across this place after getting dropped off during the Pub Crawler. I got the "Drink Named Sue" which was a cocktail including Stoli cucumber vodka, lime juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, soda & a tajin rim. It was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. Great service. Bartenders were friendly. Highly recommend!

This dive bar has fun historical decor and good vibes. The crowd is more millennial. My friends and I had a good time chatting here as the music wasn't too loud, and we claimed a small table. It was cold when I went, so everyone was inside, but they have a patio area with really nice lights. They have a small parking lot, but it was full when I went. I found free street parking nearby.

We've been to M.E.C several times and it's become a great go to spot with a group, or friends visiting from out of town! They have a great HH that's well worth it! This place gets super busy though, especially with the after work crowd! The inside is dark, fun and filled with unique decor from when the building was an old chainsaw shop. The outside is situated under the most beautiful tree, named George! There's tons of shade and ice cold AC inside! It's totally dog friendly and they have dog bowls and ice cold water available! There is plenty of parking which is a god send in downtown!!

This is a must visit in Austin for the atmosphere and photos! I saw a photo of this place on a ceramic drink coaster in a shop near the capital building. While in the store I went on Yelp and it looked like a place we needed to visit. Headed over there and had some drinks from the bar but got queso dip and chips and brisket from the place inside but considered "next door" Worth a stop and a drink!

The Mean Eyed Cat was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Austin. I tried to hit up some of my previous favorite spots from past visits only to find them unrecognizable or even torn down. I was talking to a native of the area, and he said the best bar in Austin is the Mean Eyed Cat. He told me some of the history about the place, and I had to go check it out. Once I got there and walked in, it was like a breath of fresh air. Good music, great ambiance, amazing staff, and a good time. I sat at the bar and took in the surroundings. I was immediately greeted by one of the three people working the bar. Throughout the evening, I spoke to all of them. They all seemed super happy to be there, and shared a lot about the history of the bar and what it meant to them. They seemed genuinely interested in getting to know people and weren't just focused on locals or regulars. For those seeking an authentic old-school Austin bar experience, the Mean Eyed Cat is an absolute must-visit. It embodies the true spirit of "keeping Austin weird".

MEC is exactly what you'd think it is: a divey staple, complete with tons of beers on tap, a mishmash of seating options, colorful regulars, and plenty of tvs both inside and out. And a healthy respect for The Man in Black. There is a BBQ window on site or if you're looking for a little more, SushiZushi shares the strip and ElArroyo is across the street. Looking to dive hop? Don's Depot is catty corner.

If you like all things Johnny Cash this is the place to go! Great old country vibe, good music playing, wonderful waiter and the drinks tasted great!

We (mom/daughter vacay)found this place when we were searching Yelp for a place to grab a drink after our flight while we waited to be able to check in to our VRBO house. The Johnny Cash vibe pulled us in. The decor is amazing and the whole vibe of the place fit both our differing tastes. We much preferred our daytime visit and the chance to chat with the bartender about local beer and whiskey and small vs big dogs, lol. We decided to come back after dark because we had to see the tree all lit up out back! It was very green (and pretty busy) and I got to enjoy more new to me local beers. Our only disappointment of the night is that they were out of the salted chocolate for the rim of our Sunday Morning Coming Down shots. And we forgot to get shirts

My husband had been here a few times before with his motorcycle group and said it was a cool little spot on the west side. We decided on a Saturday afternoon to pop in for a drink. We grabbed a drink from the inside and enjoyed it on a warmer January day outside. The outdoor patio faced the street and they had football up on the screen for viewing. Overall a cool little spot to enjoy a drink. They even had Austin Eastcider on tap. Score! I would definitely come back in the future. I would also plan and grabbing some BBQ here because it smelled AMAZING.

Go Now !! Haven't been downtown in many years with Austin changing so much .... It's hard to find the good ole Austin feel of a good dive bar these days but Mean Eyed Cat proves it's still got it! Random Tuesday day drinking lead us to MEC and what a treat ! Brad makes ya fee right at home and we had a great experience all around ! If you haven't been in awhile, make the trip!!

I really liked this bar! We came here on a Friday night and were served warmly and immediately. They had a video playing The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which I found to be entertaining because part of that film was shot there. I am a bit of a tourist so I found it to be fascinating. I got a shot and did not enjoy it because there was so much salt on the rim. Next time if I go, I'll be sure to say no salt. I am not a sweet and savory kind of girl. It was whiskey with a chocolate rim that had salt on it...ick! Apparently this is a Johnny Cash Bar and they had loads of memorabilia to show it. The bathrooms were even themed that way! Perhaps they could repaint the stalls so it doesn't look so rough but I will for sure come back here with friends; I will definitely return here but next time I will get a different beverage. They have a healthy selection on beverages and beers. They also have a few on tap which is what I will probably enjoy next visit! They have a large outdoor patio which we sat in and enjoyed the Texas night. I had a wonderful time here and will for sure be coming back! Thank you!

It's hard to really add much here that hasn't been discussed in other reviews. The Mean Eyed Cat is a fantastic bar with a genuine "keeping Austin weird" pedigree. Our bartender took care of me and an out-of-town guest very well with friendly service and a heavy pour. The indoor and outdoor seating areas are comfortable and laid-back. And who doesn't like Johnny Cash? Highly recommended.

*visited October 2021* While we were in town this was on my husband's list of places that he must visit! It was such a cool chill place! We hung out at the bar for an hour or two. My husband got a couple drinks and even tried a little of their mean juice (v spicy infused tequila). While there we were a little hungry, they didn't have their kitchen open the day we were there so we went to the food truck outside and got this GIANT plate of delicious poutine. Definitely reccomend stopping by if you're looking for a chill place for a drink & obviously if you're a Johnny Cash fan! They had some cool merchandise for sale, we got a t shirt and some stickers!

Service is always on point! Great atmosphere, can't go wrong with Johnny Cash! Good folks to hang out with.

Great place to watch some games and have a few drinks. But they no longer have food anymore which is a bummer. Other than that, great vibes!

I've been to the Mean Eyed Cat 100 times since moving to Austin. One of my favorite places. I was shocked tonight when I came in with a friend who is blind with her guide dog. We were told that no dogs were allowed inside and that we would have to sit on the patio. I tried to explain that her dog was a guide dog. Didn't matter. Looking this up it is against Texas, and Federal, law to refuse the guide dogs admission to any establishment when they are working. I'm not going to file an official complaint, but I sure hope this is seen by upper management/ownership and the appropriate adjustment is made. Every time I've been here it's been 5 star. Tonight 1. Because I can't leave zero

Drinks: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Environment: 5/5

Oh. My. God. THE SPICY MARGARITAS! I almost want to end the review here so that your brain doesn't get bogged down by all my words and forget to order the spicy margarita at the mean eyed cat. So do it. ORDER IT. You will not regret! As a Hispanic and hater of tequila (I hope that's legal? Ahaha) I must say my opinions on margaritas can be harsh. That being said this is one of the best margaritas I've had outside of Mexico, ever. I came here during happy hour for a work event, and really enjoyed the relaxed vibes. Cool without trying. There's barbecue available and it's pretty good! They have their own parking lot. Woooo!

I was looking for a bar that wasn't for college students and also wasn't very boughie. This place was great! It wasnt as easy to get to as the bars downtown (I like to walk), but it was worth the short Uber ride. The bartenders were friendly and provided excellent service. The bar isn't very big, but there are lots of outdoor and indoor seating options. There is a food option of barbecue in an adjacent room, but don't come here looking for any more than that. Also a large screen on the outside patio -- good place to watch sports. And did I add the Johnny Cash tribute throughout the bar is both interesting and hilarious. I only wish they had more merch!

Great ambiance and awesome place to have some food and laugh with friends . Service is amazing as the workers are all very kind and respectful.

Rude service . They must not like working here? OR they only like certain type of folks here. Idk either way-wouldn't want to spend my money here. They have their type of ppl they like. Smh

It's a Johnny Cash themed dive bar - I mean, how cool is that! This was our last stop on the bike bar crawl thing. And man, it was one of my favorite stops. Inside is a motley mix of Americana. It's like a fancy shack got a makeover - complete with lazy boy recliners and lots of photos and knickknacks on the wall. I only had one drinks while here - a bloody mary. Because let me tell you, when you're hungover and on that darn bike in 100* weather nothing in the world tastes better than a bloody mary. It's probably the salt, to be honest. While it wasn't the best bm - the staff was super kind and pleasant and the atmosphere was one of a kind. Indoor, Outdoor, and everything in between - loads of places to sit and not feel like you're in the middle of a ton of people.

Johnny Cash themed dive bar. If you are in the area, it's well worth the price of a drink to hangout and look around. It's clean (bathrooms too)-that's HUGE! The staff are friendly, & drinks are reasonably priced (and quite tasty). Lots of IPA draft options + others for the non IPA but hops lovin' folks of the world. I appreciate it didn't smell like an ashtray. Folks were smoking out on the patio, but not inside. I hung out to have a drink while waiting on some friends. They played great music and the bartenders were cool. It's a bigger place than I expected-various pockets of seating. I didn't have any of the BBQ onsite, but it did smell good. I'd recommend visiting this spot if you're in this neck of the woods. It surprised me in all the good ways. July 2019

This place is fantastic! Great ambiance. There is so much stuff to look at you can get lost just looking around at the walls. The BBQ is on point, and the sauce is delicious. We tried the brisket and pulled pork with the potato salad, coleslaw, and pinto beans. They were out of the mac and cheese, which is probably a testament to how good it is. Add this to the list of exciting places to visit in Austin.

We have been here twice during the day, each time on Saturdays. You can sit in various places indoors, including at the bar, or also we sat out back which is in clear view of the corner with passerbys and also El Arroyo. This place has lots of Johnny Cash on display. We have enjoyed ourselves each time. Good drink selections and friendly bar staff and patrons.

We had a great time here! We were greeted by a friendly young man when we walked in who was a bit sarcastic (which I loved). He told us what to do, and we ordered food and then hit the bar for drinks. Bartender Austin (literally his name) was awesome! Service was great. The food was amazing, and the brisket is some of the best we've ever had (don't tell my daddy.) Tip: try the Mac & cheese! Also, that Serrano spinach side is crazy good!

Even though it isn't as old as it's made to look (and the ode to Johnny Cash is mostly an honorific), The Mean Eyed Cat is the perfect place to experience 'vintage Austin' even as many of the things that made the town great are being torn down and replaced by skyscrapers and shopping malls. The beer is cold, the drinks are varied, the staff is genuinely cool, and the ambiance is everything you could ever want. It's off the beaten path and set in an old blacksmith building (later expanded by the bar owners) near the train tracks so it will take you where you want to go. If you're into 'weird Austin,' then this is the bar for you.

Johnny Cash bar. Lots of old Johnny Cash stuff all over the walls. Good music, cold beer. Classic Old Austin Texas Beer Bar. Good bar for tourists. They will remember this place.

I woke up Sunday morning With no way to hold my head that didn't hurt And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad So I had one more for dessert Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes And found my cleanest dirty shirt And I washed my face and combed my hair And stumbled down the stairs to meet the day I'd smoked my brain the night before On cigarettes and songs that I'd been pickin' But I lit my first and watched a small kid Cussin' at a can that he was kicking Then I crossed the empty street And caught the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken And it took me back to somethin' That I'd lost somehow, somewhere along the way On the Sunday morning sidewalk Wishing, Lord, that I was stoned 'Cause there's something in a Sunday Makes a body feel alone There ain't nothin' short of dyin' Half as lonesome as the sound On the sleepin' city sidewalks Sunday mornin' comin' down

A divey bar with a whole lot of character. I'd you are a Johnny Cash fan, check this one out!

Fun place to go for reasonably priced drinks, fun but laid back atmosphere, and Johnny Cash tunes and similar music as well.

This place is a great place to gather downtown and relax without the hustle and bustle. It has several seating areas inside and outside. Themed after Johnny Cash and no prentice

I don't know who the guy is they worked on Veterans Day evening, but he should definitely get some soft skills training.y girlfriend is a regular here so why not, right. Wrong!! lol Rude. Abrupt. Short. No welcoming at all. "17" is what he said after I placed my order for my gin and shot of fireball. Won't be back. We all have bad days. Some shouldn't work on the service industry.

Love the mean eyed sue cocktail. Was a bit crowded but a game was on at the time so that's to be expected. Patio is awesome and service was good.

I've spent a lot of time in Austin. And...I dont think im as big of a fan of their food scene then other people are. I had an ok time at this place, but the bartenders were uncomfortably d-bags...like in a weird way, not a fun way (like a recent SNL skit...its trying to be funny but it sucks). Some of the food was really good, but I dont like brisket...just think it is a cheap a$$ cut of meat, that is dry no matter how long u marinate it, slow cook it, etc....just a bad cut. So I ordered chicken, some sausage, sides, etc...but not brisket...my dish came with mostly brisket...the other meats were there, but not nearly as prominent. It was a strange experience

The bartenders are extremely rude and not welcoming. I don't care if it's for the "vibes" of a grunge southern place. I am in the service industry and that's not how you treat people. The atmosphere is rancid anyway, screams racist with all the confederate and patriotic decor. If you're a white bald man, welcome!

Fun, iconic place to be in Austin. Has never disappointed and always provides an Austin flare. Whether it's beers, ciders, spirits or shots the bartenders make you the priority. Only possible criticism is Metcalf's BBQ is super expensive but really good. Regardless, we will see you there this weekend.

The place has the bones of something original but reeks of new owners deciding to "Johnny Cash" in.

Wonderful atmosphere! The bartender was super cool and inviting. I can't wait to come back again!

I've lived at the adjacent apartment complex for nearly six years and having The Mean Eyed Cat so convenient is a true benefit of living next door. There is always a great mix of folks here and many opportunities to chat-up other patrons. There is a cool vibe about this place that seems to put people in a good and friendly mood. Friendly staff, on-site BBQ, and sports on TV... This is a good after work hangout but is also very lively during football season as many out-of-state college alumni groups will descend when their team plays on Saturdays. The same is true on Sundays as NFL fans come to watch their favorite team. This is one of my favorite bars in Austin.

And keep the food at two in the drinks for three. I wanted to try the food and round up having a really tasty beer was the star of the show. If you want an old rugged Austin chill out place, Mina cats one of those places where they have the 12 regulars plus people visiting in and out

Expected actual Johnny Cash music to be playing. Atmosphere was otherwise interesting. Didn't have a drink, but had BBQ which was mediocre at best. Expensive. Threw in a cold roll without butter.

Just simply love this place! Been coming here for years. Sit back and enjoy. See you there! My dollar is in the shrine out front.

Austin treasure. Nice place to drink inside or cool patio. Friendly people all around

Update - the staff has changed a bit but code word "Cole" still works for a free shot on Saturday mornings. Also, the bartender Max still has self esteem issues so if you tell him he's pretty there is a good chance that he will pay off your student loans. Pro tip:the mojitos are the almost as amazing as the Mai Thai's