Dining at The Driskill: restaurants, hours and what to expect
The Driskill offers four on-site dining venues: The Driskill Grill (steakhouse; dinner nightly, lunch Thu–Sun), The Driskill Bar (hand‑crafted cocktails with live music nightly), The Victorian (pub-style bar; hours vary), and 1886 Café & Bakery (breakfast and lunch daily). Expect formal dinner service and a business-casual dress code at The Driskill Grill, casual-chic at 1886, and nightly live music in the bar.
In this guide
Overview — dining at The Driskill
The Driskill's restaurants and bars are located inside the historic 1886 hotel at 6th and Brazos in downtown Austin (604 Brazos Street). They cover breakfast through late-night drinks but do not include room rates or meal plans.
On-property venues are The Driskill Grill, The Driskill Bar, The Victorian, and 1886 Café & Bakery. Each has its own atmosphere and hours; some features (live music, afternoon tea, monthly Craft Series dinners) are regular hotel traditions.
- No on-site spa (partner discount available at a nearby spa) and no pool — dining and downtown walking are the main on-site leisure options.
- Complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi is available throughout the hotel and dining areas.
- Valet parking only (on-site); check with the hotel for current valet fees and in/out privileges.
| Venue | Focus | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Driskill Grill | American steakhouse (dinner; lunch Thu–Sun) | Dinner nightly 4:30 PM–10:30 PM; Thu–Sun lunch 11:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| The Driskill Bar | Hand-crafted cocktails & live music | Sun–Thu 2:00 PM–12:00 AM; Fri–Sat 2:00 PM–2:00 AM (live music nightly 8:00 PM–10:00 PM) |
| 1886 Café & Bakery | Pastries, breakfast, casual lunch | Daily 6:30 AM–3:00 PM |
The Driskill Grill — steakhouse dining and private rooms
The Driskill Grill is the hotel's formal American steakhouse. Dinner service begins nightly at 4:30 PM; lunch is offered Thursday through Sunday in late morning/early afternoon.
A dress code applies for dinner beginning at 4:30 PM — shorts, flip‑flops and slides are not permitted — and reservations are accepted online. The restaurant also offers private dining spaces, from the Chisholm Trail Room to larger buyouts.
- Dinner nightly: 4:30 PM–10:30 PM
- Lunch Thu–Sun: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Business-casual or better recommended for dinner; reservations available
| Service | When |
|---|---|
| Dinner | Nightly, 4:30 PM–10:30 PM |
| Lunch | Thursday–Sunday, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM |
The Driskill Bar and The Victorian — drinks and live music
The Driskill Bar is the hotel's main historic bar, known for hand‑crafted cocktails and daily live music (typically 8:00 PM–10:00 PM). It operates into the late evening on weekends and closes earlier on some weeknights.
The Victorian is a pub-style bar in the hotel with a warmer, Old‑West–meets‑English‑pub vibe; its hours vary, so check with the concierge if you want to plan a visit. Both bars are suitable for late-night drinks after downtown events.
- The Driskill Bar hours: Sun–Thu 2:00 PM–12:00 AM; Fri–Sat 2:00 PM–2:00 AM (live music nightly 8:00 PM–10:00 PM).
- The Victorian: hours vary — ask the concierge or check current listings at arrival.
- Live-music schedule and nightly performances are subject to change; confirm at the front desk.
| Bar | Typical Hours |
|---|---|
| The Driskill Bar | Sun–Thu 2:00 PM–12:00 AM; Fri–Sat 2:00 PM–2:00 AM |
| The Victorian | Hours vary — see concierge |
1886 Café & Bakery — breakfast, pastries and casual lunch
1886 Café & Bakery serves breakfast and lunch daily, with a menu of pastries, migas, huevos rancheros, sandwiches, salads and the hotel's signature Texas‑shaped waffle. The café is casual-chic and accepts reservations through its booking link.
Hours run early into mid‑afternoon, making it the hotel's primary daytime dining option for guests who want a quick meal or pastry before exploring downtown.
- Hours: Daily 6:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Menu highlights include pastries, breakfast plates, sandwiches and the 1886 Chocolate Cake (reimagined).
- Reservations available via the café's site or OpenTable.
| Meal | Hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Daily from 6:30 AM |
| Lunch (casual) | Until 3:00 PM |
Reservations, dress code and practical tips
Reservations are recommended for The Driskill Grill and available online; 1886 Café & Bakery also accepts bookings. The Driskill Bar and The Victorian may seat walk-in guests but can get busy during events and weekends.
Expect a stricter dress policy at The Driskill Grill for dinner — business casual or better. 1886 is casual-chic; the bars are more relaxed. If you have dietary needs or are planning a private event, contact the hotel's dining team or concierge ahead of time.
- Book online for The Driskill Grill and 1886 to secure times, especially during festivals or weekend evenings.
- For events or private dining, inquire about spaces like the Chisholm Trail Room and other private dining rooms.
- If you plan to dine after check-in, remember the lead guest must be 21+ for check-in and a photo ID plus a credit card are required at arrival.
| Need | Action |
|---|---|
| Private dining | Contact The Driskill Grill or hotel sales for room options |
| Live music schedule | Confirm with concierge or bar on arrival |
| Dress code (dinner) | Business casual or above at The Driskill Grill |
Special dining traditions and events
The Driskill runs several recurring dining traditions: daily afternoon tea, live Sunday blues in the bar (Antone's performances noted in hotel materials), and a monthly Craft Series dinner featuring local beers. These offerings add variety beyond regular menu service.
Event schedules and special dinners are subject to change; check the hotel's dining pages or ask the concierge for current dates and ticketing information.
- Afternoon tea is offered daily — ask the front desk or restaurant team for times and reservations.
- Monthly Craft Series dinners are typically ticketed or limited seating; confirm availability in advance.
- Special events (holiday menus, private tastings) occur periodically; check hotel announcements.
| Tradition | Notes |
|---|---|
| Afternoon tea | Daily — reservations recommended |
| Live Sunday blues | Performed in The Driskill Bar; schedule may vary |
| Craft Series dinner | Monthly four-course dinner featuring local beers (limited seating) |
