The acclaimed New York Irish pub, the Dead Rabbit, is set to finally open its doors in Austin come July 1. Nestled at 204 East Sixth Street, the bar will feature an ambiance rich with wood and copper accents, showcasing its dedication to traditional Irish culture and drinks. Patrons can expect to enjoy a wide variety of Irish whiskeys, and coffee cocktails, along with classic Irish and English pub fare such as Scotch eggs and fish and chips. According to Austin Eater, co-founder Jack McGarry emphasized the team's mission to "spreading our love of the Irish pub and challenging the misconceptions around Irish culture," going beyond the typical St. Patrick's Day revelry.
The much-anticipated opening in Texas follows what was the former local haunt B.D. Riley’s, an Irish bar with its roots stretching back to 2000 before closing its doors in 2020. The Dead Rabbit's Austin establishment will also feature the Neighborhood Cafe, offering casual and takeout coffee and pastries during the day. Busy from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and extending until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the taproom is sure to become a local hub, with cafe hours slated from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, as detailed by Austin Eater.
In the build-up to the opening, the Dead Rabbit gave Austin a tease of what's to come by hosting a pop-up at the popular bar Nickel City. As per MySA, the event drew substantial crowds eager to sample concoctions from the Dead Rabbit’s esteemed Beverage Director Aidan Bowie. The evening, which supported the service industry mental health organization Heard, was marked by the rapid serving of Irish coffees and the Taking Liberties cocktail, embodying McGarry's disdain for slow service in cocktail bars. As McGarry pointed out, "I detest going into cocktail bars and everything takes forever."
