When the vicious humidity of the Texas Summer heat strikes Austin, there’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing adult beverage and a few tasty bites while lounging poolside with your crew.
Fortunately, Austin has become a beacon for hotel pool bars with breathtaking views, creating the perfect setting for blissful daycations and vegas-style pool parties. Whatever form of an umbrella cocktail fits your vibe, jump into your bathing suit and flip flops, and get ready to wet your whistle at Austin’s best pool bars.
Jump Ahead To
310 E 5th St. | Austin’s highest rooftop pool and bar boasts spacious and comfortable poolside cabanas, fire pits, and an innovative menu including craft cocktails, f’rose, tasty snacks and bottle service. Enjoy the best views of downtown while enjoying a cocktail or a bite to eat. Photo credit – Hayden Walker
110 E 2nd St | Edge Rooftop bar boasts one of the highest views of Congress Avenue and Lady Bird Lake, featuring a pool bar, rentable luxury cabanas, private and semi-private event spaces for 10-200 guests, and a new evening lounge experience on the terrace open to non-hotel guests. The pool bar serves a menu of simple snacks, burgers, and cocktails to enjoy while you get your tan on. Edge has become a must-see destination for locals and visitors alike. Photo credit – Hayden Walker
304 E Cesar Chavez St. | Zanzibar is seven floors up and provides a peaceful and tropical oasis from the everyday hustle of Austin downtown chaos, with the peaceful views of downtown and town lake. The pool is available to hotel guests, but Zanzibar is available to all.
200 Lavaca St. | The Wet Deck at the W Hotel has been one of the most attractive and popular spots for a summer crowd in the last several years. Non-hotel guests are welcome to access the pool for a $15-day pass and $30 on Sundays. Guests also have the option to rent a cabana for their group. Go for a refreshing dip in the pool or book a spa appointment.
Credit: Fairmont Facebook
101 Red River Street Austin | Fairmont Austin’s vegas-style rooftop pool offers resort-style amenities on the 7th floor of the luxury hotel. It’s the perfect spot for people watching and lounging poolside while enjoying complimentary chilled towels, frozen fruit, and pampering. Guests can also order from a menu of refreshing, summer cocktails and elevated snacks. Day passes start at $40, with additional options for cabanas and day beds.
605 Davis St | The rooftop pool on the 4th floor of the Hotel Van Zandt offers beautiful rooftop views from Rainey, overlooking downtown and town lake. Guests will enjoy and drinks and snacks from Geraldine’s from the comfort of a lounge chair. Passes are $38 for adults and $15 for children, with cabana passes available for groups.
111 E Cesar Chavez St | The LINE’s beautiful saltwater infinity pool overlooks the town lake and the Congress Avenue Bridge, representing true Austin style. Enjoy poolside craft cocktails, tacos, and snacks, using pool passes available for purchase during weekdays. Day passes are $40 for adults and $25 for children. Photo Credit – Hayden Walker
The rooftop pool at South Congress Hotel is an urban retreat, just a step away from the busy activity on SOCO, and surrounded by lush gardens in a tranquil pool setting. Relax in the shade or sun and enjoy poolside snacks and drinks, provided by Café No Sé. The pool is open to non-hotel guests during the week for $30, from 10am – 5pm. Photo Credit – South Congress Hotel Facebook
South Congress Ave. | One of Austin’s oldest and most authentically original spots, Austin Motel, offers 3-hour day passes starting at $20 (Mon – Thurs) and $40 (Friday – Sunday), as well as a new Swim Club that allows you to enjoy an endless Texas summer all season long. Membership includes unlimited swim time with access to the poolside bar for cocktails and snacks. Adult night swim passes are also available for a discounted price from 5 – 10 PM. Reservations are required!
by Nick Simonite
1101 Music Ln. | Enjoy relaxation with Hotel Magdalena’s Picnic at The Pool, on a four-hour pool pass for $60/person with a TWO person minimum, from Monday – Thursday, 12pm – 8pm. Get your choice of a bottle of wine, a six-pack of local beers, or four frozen cocktails Additional menu items are available a la carte at the Pool Bar. Passes can be reserved through Resy.
Credit – Carpenter Hotel Facebook
400 Josephine St | Pick up a pool pass and enjoy a relaxing day with your favorite cocktails and bites from Carpenter’s Hall, for only $25/person. Passes are available to outside guests Monday – Thursday in two slots, 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm.
1108 E. Sixth Street | Chill poolside with a brimming menu of frozen cocktails and reimagined resort drinks while enjoying a daycation in a gorgeous and relaxing courtyard pool setting at East Austin Hotel. Passes are $40 for non-hotel guests, Wednesday – Sunday until 8 pm, which includes complimentary parking and wifi. Photo Credit – East Austin Hotel Facebook
2211 Webberville Rd | For those not ready to spend a premium on a hotel pool experience, Kitty Cohen’s in east Austin is the go-to spot for a funky 1970’s pool and cocktail vibe. The pool is shallow and perfect for those willing to get their feet wet. Enjoy cocktails and small bites while you soak the sun in one of Austin’s coolest patio bars. Photo Credit – Kitty Cohen’s Facebook
1900 Rio Grande St | The beautifully historic and centrally located Hotel Ella is the perfect spot for Summer poolside activities. Guests can enjoy pool passes for a nice dip in the pool for $25 on Sundays, Wednesdsays and Thursdays from 10am – 5pm. Pool passes includes complimentary parking and dining options from Goodall’s. Photo Credit – Hotel Ella Facebook
604 West 6th Street | An Austin daycation is a short drive away at Canopy’s incredible rooftop pool. Sit back and relax in a cushioned lounge chair or a private cabana with stunning skyline views while enjoying cool drinks and tasty bites from the seasonal bar. Experience luxury amenities and exceptional service. Day passes are $50 with discounted valet parking for $10. Photo Credit – Canopy Facebook
1901 San Antonio St | Otopia Rooftop at The Otis Hotel is the only rooftop pool in the Campus district and a perfect spot for slumming poolside with signature summer-inspired cocktails and amazing views of downtown Austin. Book a Day Pass or cabana for up to four people and order from the menu of light bites. Day passes start at $45. Parking and towel service are complimentary. Photo Credit – Otopia Facebook
Credit – Omni Barton Creek Facebook
8212 Barton Club Dr | Relax in a lounge chair or private cabana by one of the three outdoor pools while you enjoy the air of the Austin Hill Country, at the Omni Barton Creek Resort. Escape the heat with refreshing cocktails or grilled skirt steak street-style tacos, inspired by Austin’s famous food trucks. A daycation at the Omni Barton Creek is the perfect spot to unwind and immerse yourself in a unique collection of desirable amenities. Day passes are $75.
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