Where to get micheladas in Austin, from Cherrywood to the East Side
The michelada, with salt, lime, hot sauce and beer, is one of Mexico's most beloved savory cocktails, and in Austin there are bars where you can try it in many versions.
The name, often shortened to miches, translates to "my cold beer," but the recipes vary widely. Many incorporate Clamato, hot sauce (often Tabasco), and generous amounts of Maggi seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Some omit the alcohol and use Topo Chico or sangria, a Mexican grape soda.
In Cherrywood, a cocktail bar makes micheladas to go on weekends and sells them for $6 on Sundays. Techo Mezcalería & Agave Bar, above the Schoolhouse Pub, offers a happy hour michelada for $6 and a margarita for $7.
A Mexican seafood restaurant in Cherrywood offers three versions: the Chelada, with Mexican lager beer, salt, and lime; the Cubana, with their signature Petroleo; and the restaurant's signature michelada, with homemade sangria and grapefruit juice. Enjoy them during happy hour, either in the dining room or on the patio.
Taquería Nixta, awarded by Eater and recommended by the Michelin Guide, prepares a spicy and tangy michelada with its fermented salsa. It pairs well with tuna tostadas and duck carnitas tacos.
Ensenada, a Baja California-style taco truck in an East Side food truck park, only serves micheladas on weekends. Since they don't sell alcohol, you have to bring your own beer, which can be purchased at Quickie Pickie. The michelada comes in a large glass with a Tajín rim and chamoy sauce.
Las Perlas, downtown, offers a michelada with a spiciness level from 1 to 5, which by default comes with a Tecate beer. It also features a whiskey bar, a rum bar, and a taco stand on its terrace. Gabrielas Centro offers the Miche-Helada Pop, with a homemade michelada popsicle, and the Michelada Aguachil, topped with shrimp aguachile.
La Perla Bar, on East 6th, has the Armodelos, a michelada served in a Modelo beer can for $4. The bartenders only partially open the can, so it's best to open it completely before drinking. Ramen Tatsu-Ya serves the Kimchilada, with Sapporo beer, a Bloody Mary mix, bonito flakes, and kimchi, and a rim frosted with togarashi salt.
Holly, on East Sixth, serves a classic michelada with Clamato, lime, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and Pacífico or Modelo beer, on a spacious patio where dogs are welcome. De Nada Cantina, in Govalle, garnishes its micheladas with a tamarind straw and a smoked ancho-chili salt rim. Only two margaritas per person are allowed, and reservations are recommended on weekends.