Donn's Depot

I love me some salt of the earth people and it fills my heart with warmth when I find bars that have good friendly patrons. Why I love Donn's and for that matter, Austin, so very much. Some fine folk live in this town. I like that every time I stop into Donn's I tend to see the same friendly faces. One is an 86 year old with smooth moves. Literally the man is 86 and a boss on the dance floor. He glides ladies across the room. It's incredible to watch. Anyways, I digress.

Reasons why I dig Donn's Depot. Ready. Set. Go.

-$4 mixed drinks that are strong (they have Deep Eddy Ruby Red--I'm hooked & in like flynn when it comes to drinking this beverage).
-Free & good live music 6 days a week. Cover only on Friday & Saturday. Genre of music ranges per night.
-It's a place where I can talk (not shout) & my friends can hear me. The music is never overpowering.
-A dance floor that never seems to be over crowded. I heart the Broken Spoke, but it's nice to not worry about bumping into anyone while I boot scoot and boogie.
-Several different places to sit. If you are on a date, they have a couple corner booths tucked in the back & if you are with friends--they have several round tables close to the dance floor.
-& lastly, the free buttery lightly salted popcorn. The perfect combination of salt and butter. It's delicious.

Though I was there only for one night--on my first visit to Austin--and even then, a very short while, I could tell this place is an ideal "dive" bar--though its not that divey.

Only after my first beer, one of the regulars of the establishment looped her arm around mine to lead around the place and give me a 'regular's' tour.  A sweet, elderly woman who was a young 70, interrupted her dominoes game with her regular gals, to introduce me to the 80-year-old couple that came there to dance; to the 80+ year old widower who still sat in the same place where she used to sit with her husband; and to her domino gals who could still manage a game on a friday night surrounded by college non-regular, and rowdy, crowd. The decor, the harmonica band (who played Lady in Red for the dancing couple), and the regulars make this a gem.

For nomination in the dive-bar-Character category, 5 stars.

Awesome spot. Texas history and a drink.