Clive Bar

Good place for drinks with friends. Had cheap beer and made tasty mixed drinks. Enjoyed the patio seating and ambiance. Wasn’t to loud compared to other bars on the block.

There is little to complain about this place.
Nice outdoor seating. The drinks are made well, even when they are busy. I opted for the old fashion based on another Unilocal review and was not steered wrong. The place is pretty chill with great outdoor music.
Some of the other place around get a little crowded and trendy, but this is just a solid bar doing the important things correctly.

Good beer, good service, clean environment, very cozy and lots of ambiance. Imagine ron swanson opened a bar.

Clive bar is probably my favorite Rainey street place. It has realllly good drinks, seasonal or not. If you don’t know what you want, the bartenders will whip you up a great concoction. Either way, it’s a good place, phenomenal drinks and positive vibes (lots of seating!)

First time in Austin and this bar was amazing. Friendly bartenders, good atmosphere, and inexpensive drinks.

Pretty sure this was the first bar I checked out on Rainey Street. Ordered the Old Fashioned here that day about a year ago and haven’t looked back since. Literally just get that drink everywhere now these days, but they make it damn good here. The inside of the bar easily makes this the place you’d bring a date on Rainey, but there is plenty of outdoor seating as well. Pretty sure they have live music on the weekends in the patio area, but it’s definitely crowded as hell during those days.
Went out for the first time ever on a Monday tonight and ended up here. Ordered a round of Old Fashioneds for us to start off as usual. The drinks were more generous than on the weekends since there weren’t many people on Rainey. Tom was the bartender tonight and actually gave me a free Inside Job cocktail after I talked to him for a bit. The drink was pretty similar to an Old Fashioned, so it was right up my alley. He was definitely a nice guy. Will probably be on Rainey at least a few more times as the semester winds down, and I’ll be sure to visit Clive during each of those occasions as always.

Whoa. Clive bar just might have THE sexiest ambiance of any bar in the Rainey Street area. I was there with friends and couldn’t help but think DAMN this would be a good place to bring a date. Classy drinks, dark atmosphere with just the right amount of (sexy) mood lighting. Lots of tables to sit at versus a wide open area to stand around in (like most Rainey st area bars). I’m looking forward to when I can return!

I visited Clive Bar on Saturday around 2 pm with a party of 7 women. It was cold outside (to a Texan) and there was hardly any seating inside. And what seating there was mostly consisted of 2-​person tables. We ended up sitting outside, in the sun, and it was ok. An employee turned a heat lamp on for us and that helped a little.
I had a Hemingway Daquiri that was tasty. My friends had beers, mimosas, and other cocktails and seemed to enjoy them.
The décor inside this bar was very nice, kind of manly and modern.
The bartender was friendly enough.
I have no idea what this place is like at night, but during in the day it was nice.

Not much to say about this place. We got a pint of Sierra Nevada and a Rum and Coke. The rum and coke was with Atlantico and it was pretty weakly made I thought. Service was decent. Tap beer selection was minimal but had some decent stuff. Music was playing somewhere out on the patio area. Not my favorite spot right of the bat, but I can’t say I disliked it either.

Rainy street is where it’s at, and my first stop over there was Clive.
Clive has a great vibe, crowd, and décor.
I came here stuffed from dinner, but was still more than delighted spending time here with my crew.
It was packed, but it didn’t stop us from mingling and getting to know people. It helps when one of your friends accidentally kicks an emergency water valve off. It makes an excellent opportunity to start up a conversation with people. «Can you believe that asshole? Who’s he with?»
Located right on the corner, you can scope out how the rest of the action on the street looks.

This place is awesome. Jefe is the man! They accommodate to every taste and are way more educated than most!

The majority of Clive Bar’s seating is outside, which can prove problematic on a particularly chilly evening, but we made the most of it and actually had a pretty decent time.
The inside is on the dark side, which is fine except for the fact that I have pretty poor vision and that means trying to read taps proves to be nearly impossible. The bartender was such a sweetheart and told me what each tap was after my repeated questions of, «And what’s that? Next to the Live Oak one?» or «And that one? Next to 512?» He even gave me a sample of a beer when I asked him what he thought of it, which I really appreciated. After a couple more questions, I settled on a beer. Writing it out, the process seemed like it took a long time, but in reality, it only lasted about a minute or two. I really appreciated his patience, though, and he never seemed annoyed or bothered by my questions. If he was, then he hid it well. I’d come back to Clive Bar if I was on Rainey just because of that level of service.
After procuring some drinks, we headed back outside because there was no seating inside. At first, we sat away from the heaters because I didn’t want to sit next to people, but we quickly moved due to the cold. The band playing was great and I felt bad they were playing in the cold, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. We stayed out there the longest and gave them a nice tip, so they chatted with us a bunch and talked with us on their break and that was cool. Granted, the band has nothing to do with Clive Bar and it could have been literally any other band in Austin, but since it happened at Clive Bar, it’s a nice memory and still gives off a good impression.
Added bonus? They accept Tabbed Out here! (I love Tabbed Out. It’s a brilliant app.)
I’m not on Rainey much, but I feel like Clive Bar just earned its way into the rotation of bars I have to visit if I happen to be out that way.

Bartender Tom is kind of unbelievable. First of all, I was with someone who used to go to one of his bars like five years ago and he remembered him and bought him a drink. Also, he’s bartended all over the world (London, Tokoyo). Not to mention, he was super personable and nice while being really professional. And really, that’s all just fluff because he mixes a seriously good drink. We told him what we liked and he came up with some awesome drinks – a south side for a friend who usually goes Mojito, a paloma for a friend who likes tequila and non-​sweet, I don’t remember the name of my tequila-​grapefruit drink, but it was amazing. He’s awesome.
Also, the décor and vibe of this bar is great – I’m 33 and I don’t love the party-​hard vibes I used to, this place feels mature and sleek and welcoming. It’s a little dark, a little modern, the music was great, the lighting was just right, I could have spent all night happily sidled up to this bar.
Seriously, top notch.

Top notch, very personable, you walk in they learn your name & by the end of the night everyone knows you. Thanks Rob & staff.

This is a fun place to go on Rainey. Being on a corner gives you great people watching, especially across the street into container. The back patio/​yard area is nice, always clean and warm in the winter. I love the interior and the staff has always been entirely polite every time I’ve gone, which is a lot! May not always be the most happening place on Rainey but if you like it when you first walk in, you’ll probably always love it — that’s how it went with me.

I’ve never had a negative feeling about a bar… until now. Before tonight, I had positive feelings about Clive. I’ve been to Clive several times and have enjoyed their drinks, their bar, and the atmosphere. Tonight, for no reason, the bouncer denied me entry. I asked him to get his manager who said I was being denied because I was «over served»… I was completely sober. I tried to explain that there must have been some misunderstanding, maybe he was looking at the wrong girl in line? But no. I’ve never talked to a more rude human being in my life. Clive has lost the business of me and my friends. As well as what would have been an hefty tab that night after a company holiday party. DO NOT GO TO CLIVE EVER. They are plenty of great places to go on Rainey street, including: Lucille’s, Craft Pride, Half-​step, Banger’s, Bungalow, Icenhaueres, Javelina, NO VA, Blackheart, and even the CONTAINER BAR is better than Clive. DON’T GO TO CLIVE EVER. I typically don’t write terrible reviews but I feel compelled to because they are so awful. Really go anywhere but here. Again… I can’t emphasize how much you should take your money anywhere but here… They’re the worst.

Usually I don’t write, but tonight was special. The Matthew Pecanaughey has changed my life — for the better. The mescal bar was off limits, unless you know someone, but the #livemusiccapital scene made it gravy. I’ll come back, with friends, or alone — and have one hell of a time.

Bartenders Nick and Eric are rockstars! They provide a superb level of customer service and make a drink that even my impossible-​to-​please mama raved about. Highly recommend their margarita!

I really only checked out this bar because I wanted to play darts and I was at container bar (which is never as fun as I want it to be). I’ve wanted to check out Clive a few times before but for whatever reason, never have. Tonight when we went there I had a great time. It’s classy but fun, extremely personable and relaxed, and has an awesome, friendly and helpful staff. They dark ambiance is pretty common for any standard dive bar but I don’t often get the vintage-​vibe that I got here which made it a bit unique. Only complaint is that they only have one dart board and only 3 darts. However that is a con minor enough that it doesn’t affect how great of a first impression this place made on me. I hope to go back plenty more in the future

Clive Bar sits on a corner lot along Rainey St., opposite the bar made of large storage containers (Container Bar?). It has a large outside patio and live music playing. There are also a few seats inside and on the other end of the place, away from the music.
It’s darkly lit at night and is perhaps a bit too loud to have a decent conversation, but it’s a nice place to chill and listen to some music. The setup of this place encourages people to sit down and listen to the music, and if you’re unwilling to sit with strangers, then seating fills up pretty quickly. It’s not the sort of bar that encourages folks to walk around and mingle. It’s not a bad thing, just something worth knowing.
Drinkwise, I had their version of a Moscow Mule. It cost $ 9 and because I didn’t want to leave my ID, came in a smallish glass, the sort you’d have a vodka Redbull in. Truth be told, the drink was a bit weak, as I think they shorted me on both the vodka and the ginger beer. But the ambiance was nice and it was a good spot for people watching.
Worth a stop if you’re along Rainey St.

Clive Bar holds a special place in my heart and is probably my favorite bar on Rainey Street. When my husband and I started dating in 2011 it was where we would go often. It was a different Rainey Street all together back then. There were only like 3 bars in the area at the time.
Clive Bar used to have the frozen peach teas that were amazing! I still think back to those and wish they still had them. I usually ask every summer if they will bring them back — I really really wish they would. All the bartenders here are amazing and super nice! I love their drink menu and they have a nice selection of beer on tap as well. They have some infused liquors too that change out every now and then. Honestly if you don’t know what you want just ask the bartenders what they recommend and tell them the flavors you like and they might be able to whip something up for you.
I also love the openness and atmosphere at Clive. No matter the season it is always good. They also have a Mezcal bar that is open on the weekends in the back. If you have never experienced this I would highly recommend trying a flight to taste.
So if you are on Rainey Street — don’t skip Clive Bar — it is a must stop for sure!

Went here as part of a bachelor party. We had a good time here and loved the live music and unique drinks. Didn’t stay too long because of how many places were around but definitely worth a stop!

Jasmine tea infused vodka with a splash of sparkling water hits just the spot! The Jazzy Collins is served up in a pint glass and hits you hard and quick.
Step outside for some patio style seating or to find the secret mezcal bar.
No Matter what you do, you’ll love this spot!

Be sure to to check out the mezcal bar in the back!
For those of you who don’t know what that is, it has similar qualities as tequila but perhaps a little smokier. Think they’re open Friday nights. (Actually, tequila is a type of mezcal the same way a square is a type of rectangle)
The rest of the bar is very chill. There’s a nice patio in the back and a porch in the front for people watching. The bartenders are very welcoming and seem to remember a lot of people here by name. The seating arrangement is really convenient if you come with a group of friends and they usually have live music Friday and Saturdays.

I adore Clive Bar. One of the OG Rainey Bars, it has been able to main it’s quirky, hip charm. Sitting adjacent to the trendier Container Bar, Clive boasts live music, a really authentic-​feeling mescal bar, clean restrooms and lots of outdoor seating.
The Mescal Bar in the back patio area is really where it’s at – You’ll be able to score a super high quality Mescal Mule (think regular Moscow Mule, but Mescal-​version) in a copper mug, all for $ 10. Caveat — Don’t have too many or you may forget that you gave them your drivers license so you could get your mule in the copper mug…
The live music on Saturday nights usually goes on until about 11pm-​ish. I’m guessing thats a noise ordinance thing for the ‘hood.
Clive Bar is laid back cool and typically boasts a solid ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ ratio of guys to girls. It’s also a place you can take older folks (HEY Mom and DAD!) to enjoy a cocktail and bit of the «Austin» lifestyle.

Not totally impressed, not disappointed.
Drinks were way to strong. My vodka tonic was staright vodka, which may or may not be a good reason to check this place out.
If youre wearing heels, this place is not your friend. Add the vodka overload with wedges and youre going down, give it 10 minutes.
Nice benches to sit on, def a busy bar with lots of bodies to scope out and give the once over if youre on the prowl.
Hipster/​urban vibe with some yups. Still a good place to hang, but maybe the first or second place to stop, not your last, or it would be your very LAST.

Another gem on Rainey. During the winter season, they serve an awesome hot cider that they’ll gladly spike for you with whatever you want (my recommendation is some sort of whiskey) and a malt wine, which is delicious (albeit a little sweet). Their other cocktails feel like they could use maybe a quarter ounce more alcohol to them, but otherwise, they’re fine. Also, while the bar itself doesn’t serve any food, there’s a Japanese hotdog stand in the back that serves franks for a decent price too.
The general atmosphere is excellent. They’ve got music playing at a great volume, so you can still hold a conversation while jamming to some tunes. In the back, there’s a nice little dart board that you can queue up to play on with your pals or random strangers. The interior isn’t huge, but there’s plenty of outdoor seating if you’re looking to bring a big gang by.
Way cooler than the Container Bar across the street!

Came here on Friday night to check this place out, with the intention of having one drink and moving on for other spots along Rainey. Instead we stayed for a couple hours at the bar, watching the Royals game and trying their delicious specialty cocktails. I had the Zulu (good), the mule (fantastic), and the manhattan (it was a manhattan… yeah). All in all a very enjoyable night, though the bartenders definitely slowed down when the bar got hit hard by several large groups of fireball-​ordering fools (ok fine we ordered a round of fireball too, full disclosure). But it’s a specialty cocktail bar so whaddya expect.
The ambiance was my favorite part, it’s a dark-​corners-​for-​dark-​deeds kinda feel. Like a dive bar that someone cleaned the grime off of and tried, with great success, to spiffy up. The deco was great, and oh, they have darts? If you like that? I’m Ron Burgundy?