In Love With Lovejoy's

First off, if you can't overlook dirty establishments don't come here. However, if things like good music, good conversation, awesome beer selection and cool bartenders can make you overlook that slimy gunk your hand may have accidentally brushed up against under the table, then you need to come here!

Downtown Austin holds some amazing bars, but this one I've dug since I turned 21. I mean this spot and the old Ritz have always held a special place in my heart and ranked at the top of my favorite dive bars in Austin. I've had birthday get-togethers here as well as countless happy hours. I just can't find a better beer bar with friendlier people than here and if you know of one please, by all means let me know!

I love the face melting metal roaring in the background, the sticky floors and busted wooden booths. Every bartender in there rules! Surprisingly they have an OK wine selection and they have this coffee/beer specialty brew that I personally don't like, but many people are really into it. Typically I'll just order a Lone Star or a Tecate if I'm feeling really special.

Here are a few of my favorite things about Lovejoys:

1) They have free pool and jukebox on Monday's (at least the last time I went there they were still doing that)
2) Every time I have gone there I've met at least one new really cool person (and usually never see them again, but it's still fun to converse)
3) The bathroom is pretty decent for as dirty as the rest of the bar is. I am strictly speaking of the ladies room, can not comment on the guys. But every time I've gone the lock works and door closes all the way, there is always toilet paper and the toilet is pretty clean. Also there is no mirror in the bathroom and I love that! It's as if to say ‘we don't care what you look like so why should you?’
4) You can find a person from almost every walk of life sitting in that one room. I'm not joking just go there on a Friday night and you'll see what I'm talking about.

You will see biker guys (of course) playing pool, dainty girls chatting in the corner, skinny pale hipsters lurking around the bar, old hobo looking dudes sitting on the couch, young professionals reading the paper and every now and then you may spot a 6th street frat boy or sorority girl who has accidentally stumbled into the bar after a heavy night of drinking OR they just don't know what kind of bar lovejoy's is and usually they decide to leave after a quick scan of the place. But what is great about this is each person is served like the person that came in front of them. Sorority girl or not your money is as good as that one biker guy playing pool. These reasons and more are why Lovejoy’s ranks so high up on my list of bars. You gotta go there if you’re in Austin and if you do, remember to tip your bartender!