Giddy Ups

I pulled into the gravel lot at Giddy Up's on a hot summer day, my car kicking up dust like a three-legged ninja and the sun angry like it had just paid alimony. Looking at the place, I half expected Yosemite Sam to burst out, pistols blazing, while the Roadrunner ran down Manchaca Rd.

But what I didn’t expect was a local band, The Shufflehawks, rocking out for a crowd of 5. And the regulars having a hoot too, adding to the lively day-drinking atmosphere. And the collection of old gig posters lining the walls—I'm a sucker for these and always like to check them out.

I could tell this place had been around for a while. The backyard still had old farm machinery strewn about, while humdrum condos that were probably 5 years old circled the property. According to an 'Almost Out of Gas' article from 2011, owner Nancy Morgan states that the bar started out as Dotson's 77 years ago, "a black bar, everything south of Slaughter Lane was 'black town'." This area was the boonies, and Austin just kept creeping closer over the years.

But it's been Giddy Ups since 1993 and has seen its fair share of "good old fashioned fist fights." Back in the day, a couple of fellas (or ladies) would square up outside but buy each other a round after the scuffle. These days, you'll probably see D. B. Cooper before seeing that happen again.

This place has seen it all. Fights, cookouts, backyard dove hunts, and especially gentrification. But it's still here, and it's as authentic as Austin bars get. A must-visit for any local.

A few select online reviews:

"This is the 1947 Château Cheval Blanc of dive bars."

"My old maintenance man used to take me there."

"Ladies: Prepare to be hit on...mercilessly. Priceless pickup lines include 'You sure do have purdy teeth.' 'Wanna feed my bird?'"

"We strolled in one night to find all sorts of controlled chaos going on, namely, some sort of in-house tattoo guy (Tattoo Mike, I think they called him) rolling out some sort of Pu Pu platter of instruments, murals, different 'Mom' designs and so on."

"A slightly butch woman grabbed me and made me two-step with her. Made me feel all special-like. I'll be back."