Third Base

It was good while it lasted, right? They were the only sports bar downtown that available parking, which says it all. They weren’t overly pricey, and they catered to a lot of alumni clubs around town. We’re gonna miss them…

I work near here and eat third base often. The staff always acts like they have better things to do than deal with you (often ignoring your existence entirely for 15 minutes or longer before asking if you want something– and I’ve had it take longer– and not because they’re busy) but the food is the best in the area unless you want Mexican or sushi. The food makes it worth it, but just call in your order unless you’ve got time to wait.

Eehhh, a lot better places to go in Austin. Hit this place after a Longhorn Game and was very disappointed. Food was average and staff was very dry..

Came here for Geeks Who Drink trivia a few times.
Pros:
–They show hockey! Several games, too.
–They seem to allow dogs on the patio – that’s nice.
–The drinks are acceptable… at least the Seelbach, which is all I drink there (champagne + bourbon = lovely).
Cons:
–How do they allow smoking on the patio in downtown Austin? I thought that was supposed to be banned and there are ashtrays all over the patio. UGH. Sorry, but I don’t like to come home feeling like I smoked a pack myself.
–The food… is not good.
–And did I mention the smoking? At least two full stars off for that.

Finally made it to the newer location up north on 183 and Anderson Mill. I am a huge fan of Cover 3 and Cover 2 for their food and fancy pants atmosphere and other dive bars for what they are as well. I was hesitant to try this place because it almost seemed cheesey to me.
I took my boyfriend there last night and was actually very impressed with not only the food and beverages but the service was impeccable to bat. We had Abby, she is very adorable, quick witted and provided great service. It was refreshing to see a company that almost seemed to be promoting tattoos in the work place. I have been to several other restaurants (locally owned) that would force their employees to cover their tattoos with bandages. Yeah, cause that doesn’t make me wonder what the heck is under the bandage, weirdos.
Anyhow, my point is that I was very impressed with this place, head to toe and would recommend it to any walk of life.

been there a few times over the years to catch a college football game that was otherwise unavailable at home and third base has been a reasonably sufficient venue given its size (very large) and the number of tvs. but generally, it’s always been sort of a «last resort» kinda destination.
fast forward to last monday: came out with a group of 7 to catch the texans open monday night football. we ended up at third base because lavaca street bar was too crowded to handle us. have to say, this was my last trip to third base.
let’s get this out of the way: our server was pretty good. she was above average at friendliness and average at attentiveness. we liked her.
everything else was crappy. the food was boring and overpriced. i ordered my burger medium and it came out well done. is that a capital offense? not at all. but still, it wasn’t correct.
the worst thing was the comedy of errors surrounding the tvs. see, monday was an exceptional case — there two monday night games… one started around 6p, east coast game, and one started about 9:30p, a west coast game. the texans game started at 9:30 while the redskins game was still finishing — and the entire bar missed the first 5 minutes of game time because the staff wouldn’t and then couldn’t get the game on.
initially, the staff outright refused to switch the tv from the Washington, DC vs. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania game because «people are watching it.» yep, that’s what they told one of the guys in my party… nevermind that there were at least 20 tvs to mix and match the coverage with.
finally, they got a clue or got scared at the sea of texans jerseys in the house (i counted 2 redskins jerseys and 1 eagles jersey, btw) because by the time i went up to the bar to ask about the game, the bartender snapped at me, «uh, yeah! we know the game is on. we’re working on it!» you’re working on what? changing the channel to ESPN2? here gimme the remote, i can help…
anyway, it must have been more complicated than switching the channel because 5 minutes later the texans game still wasn’t on a single tv that i could see from the patio. so, i went back in to take some more abuse from the snotty bartender — only to discover the texans game on a single 19″ right above the middle of the bar, pointed to the corner of the restaurant. nice work, guys.
i watched the game there and talked to some fellow texans fans… i watched the manager (?) walk around with a clipboard staring at various tvs and fumbling around with what appeared to be a remote. some time later the game made it on to most and then finally, all, of the tvs.
by then, i already knew i was never coming back.

If I’m forced to name one restaurant/​bar in Austin that has consistently gone down hill since I’ve lived in town, I have to go with Third Base on W. 6^th.
Third Base used to be a somewhat upscale sports bar with above average food, good service, and convenient parking.
Times change. These days Third base has mediocre food at best. I had the Ahi Tuna Tacos today and they were bad. I used to love this dish. I wish this was a one-​time fluke. I used to recommend Third Base as a sports bar that you could eat dinner at, but no longer. The closest thing that I used to recommend Third Base to be is Cover 3 on Anderson Lane.
Service at Third Base has consistently gone downhill for me. I’ve dealt with staff/​bartenders and bouncers on power trips. General inattentiveness is also an issue. Staff is generally a minus at Third Base these days.
The positives to Third Base are that the parking is still very easy (attached garage), the location is pretty central, and there are a good number of TVs showing sports.

Best sports bar in town, hands down! Tons of FREE parking in the garage attached to the building which makes it easy for everyone to meet up. The food is surprisingly good, it being a sports bar in all; I go there just for lunch because I like the food so much. TV’s all over the place, including outside, along with Golden Tee and Pool tables.
In summary: Great food, drinks and atmosphere with lots of free garage parking.

Going to give this one a solid A-​OK.
We came here for a friend’s going-​away shindig. It was great that the attached parking garage was free this particular evening. The party room space was actually a great space for gathering it seemed like.
It took a while for our server to get everyone’s orders — and there were some folks who had their food even before she took the order of someone else who got there at roughly the same time.
When ordering, our server requested a credit card to hold the order. I guess I could understand if you were ordering bar drinks how that would make sense, but being that I’m not really a drinker and that I was paying with cash, it was a little awkward when I told her I would be paying with cash. However, she was cool when I brought this up offering to pay up front and just waited until the end of my meal there to bring the check. I just found it a little bit of an odd policy if the person isn’t opening up a tab.
But the food was good. I actually ordered the chicken kebob appetizers as a meal and was immediately daggered with jealous looks by the others in the room. They were delicious and featured a sweet & sour sauce. There were five very large skewers and I had to take some home. I also decided to complement the app with grilled asparagus since I didn’t know the portion would be huge. Well, I ended up with an extra meal out of all of it, so that’s not terrible.
So over all, it was a decent place to gather a party of friends, but I don’t know that I’d make this a regular hangout anytime soon.

Stopped in for drinks and dinner Friday night.
The margarita on the rocks… delicious!
We had chips and queso dip … The queso was great.
I also had TROTOLLE PASTA & SAUSAGE (yes, I know it’s spelled incorrectly, trottole, but that is how the menu reads). The dinner was, okay. There was too much liquid smoke used perhaps?
The location is perfect! I’ll definitely give Third Base another try!

Make sure to ask for extra napkins to wipe off the chairs full of ashes if you sit outside.
You can’t watch sports on the TV’s outside after 8pm due to the residential neighborhood complaining that it’s too loud and constantly calling the cops. The servers and bartenders are less than pleasant and the quality of folks that come in here is just, eh.
Only plus side — decent happy hour specials.

I’ve gone to Third Base a couple of times (out of convenience) and it seems to always go downhill.
This place has so much potential to be a great sports bar, but I always go in thinking it won’t be that bad and get proven wrong.
Went in with my dad for a quick bite. Ordered two cups of potato soup and waters. The soups came out slightly warm. The last bit of it was cold already. It was a small cup of soup. That’s pretty bad. Waitress was only present enough to drop waters and food off. Took us about 5 minutes to eat; took about 20 minutes with her ignoring the fact that we were done before I asked for the check. Then even longer to actually receive the check.
Wouldn’t even bother writing a review if this wasn’t already a consistent dining experience.
Wouldn’t recommend this place unless you just go for beer and sports. Otherwise, you can just expect mediocre food and snail-​speed service.

If I could give two and half stars for «incomplete», I would, but given the current rating system, I can’t see this restaurant deserving three stars.
Arrived here for a date with low expectations considering the fact that it is a «sports bar».
My experience at 3^rd Base started off auspiciously with us waiting well over ten minutes for a server in the outside patio area amidst a half-​empty restaurant/​bar.
After several minutes of perusing the menu, I got up to seek out some help. I was headed for the manager, but one of the busboys intercepted me just in time!
When our server did eventually appear, she wasn’t all that knowledgeable about the menu.
I ended up ordering the «steak spinach salad» only to have her reemerge several minutes later, mealymouthed and somber, explaining that their «steak» is a smoked steak, which is precooked and therefore not made to order.
I realize that it’s a sports bar, but is keeping fresh sirloin on hand really all that much to ask?
I don’t blame the server for the company’s limited menu and she didn’t charge us for our drinks… the only saving grace, I suppose.
I like the ambiance, outside patio complete with big screen TVs and even overhead heating for later at night; probably the ideal spot to watch a game.
Would recommend, with the only provision being that your expectations are chain quality food, or lower.

The food is whatever. It’s higher end bar fare and that’s what’s getting the 2 stars.
My beef is with the drinks. Thursday night was «You Call It’s». I ordered several (5) Jack&Cokes and every single one was incredibly weak. I get that the bar is trying to maintain a profit margin but if you can’t afford a NORMAL pour, then maybe it’s time to cut the specials. Oh and that’s not a «user error». That’s your bar staff either being shit bar staff or them being told to short pour. Either way that’s your problem.
I’ll give my business to either Docs or Upper Decks.

My review is based solely on their take-​away. We live near and it’s convenient so sometimes when you want a burger, reuben (although I think that’s off the menu now BOO), or some other bar fare in the comfort of your own home this is the place to go.
I have to give an extra-​special shout out and star for their sweet potato fries. WOW, that was a revelation last night. We’d been getting their other side options, but I learned they had those which I’ve been a sucker for since I first had them at the NYNY casino when it first opened (yeah, I’m dating myself — SO?)
Mister is a poker champ (he gets pretty far into the tournaments anyway) and he goes here when they have those. That’s how I even learned about them.
So if you’re in the neighborhood and want take-​away that travels quite well, try them out. Hopefully you’ll be as pleased as we’ve been.
Not-​So-​Private Note to Biz: BRING BACK THE RUEBEN!!!

Meh. Adequate but just meh.
We got there 30 mins early (our fault). Someone brought us water, and didn’t mind us hanging out outside, which was awesome. However, when one gets there 30 mins early, one expects to be the first ones served.
We didn’t get menus until almost 15 after, my husband ended up with a mojito instead of a mint julep (to be fair, the waitress noticed the next time around and offered to replace but that feels like alcohol abuse), our order didn’t get taken until quite a while after that, and all of our foods came out lukewarm to cold.
It did get busy real quick so I guess I understand, and the turkey naan sandwich I had was pretty awesome (especially dipped in my hubbs spicy garlic wing sauce). I would give it another try if I’m in the area and are looking for a dog friendly patio, but first impressions weren’t all that great.
BONUS: they had a cornhole game set up outside and 2 big tvs — so it would be a great covered shaded patio to catch the game.

I watched a UT football game here and it was a good place to watch the game, but not without a few (fairly large) negatives.
They didn’t have the game on up until it was literally time for kickoff (and it’s not like there were other big games just finishing or anything). The table next to ours had to stop a waitress and ask her about it, and it was a couple minutes before they actually got a couple TVs changed .The players were literally lined up for kickoff by the time they got it on. At a regular bar that’s not really a big deal, but this is a «sports» bar in Austin.
We had some coupons we received for parking in their garage during an event (pay $ 10 to park and get $ 10 off your tab). There was no expiration date on them and no one ever said anything about them only being valid on certain days. We found out, however, that they are only valid during the event (which is kind of dumb because who is going to want to go to Third Base after ACL). They did knock a few dollars off of our tab which is cool, but doesn’t make up for it. If a coupon is only valid for a certain day then it should say that on the coupon, or should at least be communicated when the coupon is purchased.
My fish tacos and sweet potato fries were actually really good, which was a saving grace for an experience that otherwise would have been overall a negative.

I’m not sure how long Third Base has offered $ 7 bottomless mimosas on Sundays. All I know is that I pounced on that opportunity after a long weekend of playing tour-​guide for visitors. Congrats, TB, you bumped yourself up to 3 stars. I see what you did there.
Friends and I sat on the patio (which has a roof now? Completely necessary for shade and to prevent TV glare!) and watched tons of NFL. The waitress assigned to us was slow and definitely less present than the other two waitresses outside. She later admitted to me that it was her first day on the job. Ok, chica, you win. I have had others here who were not the friendliest in the past.
It is always crowded when I come here, but the food is ok and the atmosphere is so-​so. I can take or leave Third Base. If you want to get out of the house and watch football with the rest of Austin, choose here.

It seems like this place gets worse with time. Maybe the food is just as terrible, but frequent exposure builds up – kind of like radiation poisoning. You can take it small doses, but too much will kill you.
I came here to watch the Orange Bowl and again, the atmosphere was great for watching the game and the service was pretty good too. However, the food here just cannot get much worse. The fries are room temperature, soggy, and flavorless. Their sandwiches are a joke – my five-​year-​old could make them (if I actually had a kid).
The real problem with Third Base is that if you come here to watch a game, you’re probably going to feel compelled to order food. That means you’re going to have to suck it up and pick something disgusting off of an already unappealing menu. Bravo for getting this far. The problem is that the terrible food will follow you home; leaving you awake at night wondering when the torment will stop and why you ever went to Third Base in the first place.
I don’t want to go back, but I feel like I will; and when I do, I’ll regret it.

There are some similarities with Third Base Sports Bar and getting to third base with respect to the dating world. Allow me to break it down:
The Anticipation and Suspense: is reeling when you’re on your way to Third Base to watch your favorite sports event, whether it be college football, UFC, boxing, or basketball, Third Base has plenty of TV’s there to suit your programming needs.
The Thrill of the Moment: while you’re there — in the moment — you arrived early to beat the crowd and found a good seat. This place usually gets packed during the big sporting events, so it’s a big thrill when you find an open seat.
The Big Let Down: similar to when you’ve reached unchartered waters and a new territory only to be let down by false or inflated expectations — — you show up @ Third Base to find the place packed w/​people, no seating, most of the waitresses are unattentive, rude, or too busy to help you out, and they also charge a ridiculous $ 10 cover to watch the UFC (WTF?). Not to mention there are NO drink specials (pints of beer = $ 4+) during these events.
The De-​Nile (or Agony of Defeat): Much like one getting denied the priviledge of experiencing 3^rd Base, during a busy sporting event (like the De La Hoya Boxing match), you arrive and get denied entrance while the outside patio is crowded w/​a long line waiting to enter. You find yourself standing outside in 35 degree weather where your exposed organs get cold and turn blue — — and no matter how hard you try you just can’t get in (the door) to warm up.
Jackpot!: Let’s say you successfully get by all of those barriers and finally get to your goal. Once in a blue moon you’ll come across a really nice waitress who’s got brains and braun — she’s proactive, attentive, fills your drink order in a jiffy, and doesn’t make wasted trips. She recommends the Turkey Club w/​chips — and it actually tastes pretty damn good! Especially the chips — which are homemade and always warm w/​a slight crispy and chewy texture in your mouth. Make sure you get a side of chipotle mayo to dip them in.
Sabrina (the hostess) was awesome — on both visits she’s been really nice, friendly, willing to help, and a hard worker too. But other than that, the other waitresses I’ve experienced were just average — — not particularly nice or attentive or responsive, and they don’t pick up the tables efficiently when it’s really crowded. They should emphasize on training and quality control (like making sure the soda isn’t watered down before bringing your refill — twice!). But if you’re going to check out Third Base to watch a game — get there early and try the Turkey Club Sandwich w/​chips (and a side of their chipolte mayo). Yummy!
Oh yeah — once the game is over this place clears out like a ghost town — — not many stick around afterwards.