This hidden gem is housed in the garage of Austin’s American National Bank building, making it difficult to find. However, it’s worth the search – stop by for craft cocktails and live music sessions by the soul and R&B singer Tameca Jones.

Whisler’s bar is as hard to pin down as the eccentric personality of its owner, Scranton Twohey. Wanting guests to have “no idea what’s going to happen,” Twohey orchestrates random events, such as a spontaneous performance by an opera singer.

Minimalist, cosy and ridiculously friendly, Fleet is a newbie on the Austin craft coffee circuit. Their "morning ritual" – doughnut-infused milk with espresso, served with a sugar-dusted doughnut hole – has become their gimmicky (and delicious) staple. But the simple coffees, made from roasts including Madcap and Wild Gift Coffee, are quickly making this a local favourite.

A glittering medley of hipsters, old locals and dedicated out-of-towners flock like moths to this legendary saloon to hear live blues, rock and "real country" and to dance the honky-tonk in a sea of diamanté jeans and cowboy boots. If you’re tired from all that boogying, there’s also a delicious taco truck outside.

Bearded baristas pour exceptional coffee brewed from the on-site roastery at this bicycle shop, which is next door to a gas station. We paid them a visit to down iced coffees and play with the manager’s shaggy dog, as cyclists refuelled before braving the 40-degree Texan heat.

One of Austin’s last remaining soul clubs, the legendary Victory Grill was set up in 1945 as a Southern food restaurant/bar for African-American soldiers during the time of segregation. A mural outside reads: "Trust your struggle." Owner Johnny Holmes used to pull in acts including Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and James Brown.

With the same glossy white tiles, warm lights and brassy bar as its original Brooklyn location, this offshoot has its own unique Austin twist; with Art Deco wallpaper, crimson booths and sharing dishes. While the interior glows, the palm-shaded backyard is also tempting thanks to a regular line-up of DJs. Weather Up’s famous cocktails are expertly prepared and served over hand-carved blocks of ice.

Pull up a seat on the wooden porch of this cosy cocktail bar and watch the students, stags, artists and drag queens file by. The drinks are strong and inventive, muddled up by expert bartenders who know their craft spirits as well as their hand carved ice. (Austin is in the grip of an ice addiction. The purer and more sculpted, the better.)