Whiskey, Please: The Grackle
A perfect neighborly haunt
Words by Jessi Devenyns Photos by Baptiste Despois
In a place where vodka is used to wash the windows, the beer is cold, and the whiskey flows, there’s a man named Tim sitting at the bar welcoming patrons with a sage nod.
Welcome to The Grackle – not the controversial bird and unofficial mascot of Austin, but rather a nonconformist patio bar occupying the corner of East 6th and Chalmers streets for just over a decade.
For those coming to this neighborhood watering hole, whiskey is undoubtedly the star of the show, so don’t expect subterranean well options. At The Grackle, good whiskey is the baseline, and tasting its unique flavors on the rocks is encouraged.
“If the whiskey is crazy good, there’s no need to add sugar,” explains owner Tim Murphy who says that when given his druthers, he’ll select a Jim Beam Black, served neat. While Tim savors the nuances of simple bourbon, he can also appreciate the value of a good cocktail, especially when it means being able to introduce someone new to the world of whiskey.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who said they didn’t care for whiskey that I wasn’t able to [convince] otherwise,” he says slyly. To craft a convert, he’ll treat them to his grandma’s recipe for a whiskey sour, which is essentially the margarita of the whiskey world; the citrus mellows the alcohol’s bite making it easy to imbibe.
However, for those who prefer other flavor profiles, whiskey cocktail options are extensive. And there’s a good reason for that. Generations ago, whiskey was not for the faint of heart. “Whiskey drinks have always been simple and utilitarian,” explains Tim, whose description of this barrel age beverage is a perfect reflection of his personality. “Cocktails were initially meant to hide imperfections and impurities.” He describes that during Prohibition, people would put nails and tobacco juice into the clear spirit to mimic the color of real, barrel-aged spirits.
These days, there is no need to worry about impure spirits landing at The Grackle. Instead, the worry is which whiskey is the ideal choice. Single malts from Texas, master distillers from France, Japanese whiskeys, and, of course, peaty Scottish options line up in a dazzling, glowing display.
But don’t worry if the sophistication of a Black Manhattan is not a favorite, the bar also serves plenty of beer, ranging from a familiar Lone Star to a Belgian Blonde to a few sour options. Whatever patrons choose to sip on, the relaxed atmosphere of this intimate dive catering to locals is sure to encourage a good time.
What’s with the Sign?
The sign banning White Russians is not a prohibition; it’s just a joke. Tim hung up the painting from one of his regulars who brought it to him following a hot summer day when nearly a dozen people came to order the cream-based beverage.
Contact:
(512) 520-8148
1700 E 6th Street
@the_grackle
