This the worst bar I have ever been too... The bartender is a complete a hole for no reason. This man insulated me for asking a question. Of course there was no one in the bar. I do not know how this place survives. You think the man would be happy someone actually came there to spend money. He got a big fat $0 dollar tip from me. I'm guessing by being such an ahole he doesn't have any bills to pay because I can't imagine any would ever tip this man. If your looking for a dive go to Barton springs saloon if you are looking for games go to Kung fu. No one should go here unless you like being treated poorly for no reason.
Review Source:One of my all time favorite bars in my hometown. If those walls could talk, so many great times. From air hockey derbies to drinking on the back porch, I've never had a bad time at G&S. I've gone there in the afternoons to listen to the juke box and write; I've brought out-of-towners there to get joyfully sloshed. I saw Brett Favre's unbelievable game after his father passed there with Jimmy and the regulars, there's nowhere I'd rather have been.
Review Source:So. Â I really love coming to this place.
It's usually never crowded.
They have pinball machines, tabletop ms. pacman/galaga, and air hockey.
Good beer selection
Always has some weird little special or happy meal (which can be found on facebook)
The decor is REALLY bizarre. Â There are these little plastic frames on the tables with shitty old pictures that were printed from a printer in 1996 and they're all blurry and water stained. Â I don't really understand them.
The owner LOVES his dogs (they are really cute)
There are tons of tvs and they are ALWAYS playing something REALLY bizarre.
You can get a nice little frosted glass out of this freezer over by a crane machine.
Favorites on the jukebox.
The owner is usually pretty nice to me!
The drinks CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE SOMETIMES AND I DON'T FUCKING UNDERSTAND WHY!
Otherwise, this is where my friend and I ALWAYS come to drink. Â We try to think of other places to go...but just can't.
There's also this REALLY weird backroom with a separate jukebox...this weird "Snack" center that has like an old nacho cheese dispenser, and lots of WEIRD arcade games.
Also.. the bathrooms make me feel dizzy. Â LIke I"m in a horror movie.
Everyone talks shit about Jimmy, and I get it. He's douchey. And sometimes, when he's in a particularly douchey mood, he does charming things like jacking up drink prices.
That being said, don't go into G&S with disillusioned ideas about what's going to happen or the smiling face which you will [not] see behind the bar.
G&S has an AWESOME beer selection. They carry shit that is normally difficult if not impossible to find at other bars. Please be smart when choosing a beer: DO NOT OPEN THE BEER COOLER!! There's signs on that shit, man. And some people still try to open the beer cooler. And then guess what happens. Jimmy ain't pleased.
So you and some friends want to chill outside because G&S isn't over-crowded and you want to drink some nice beer and smoke some cigarettes. Great! This is how you do it: Get the sweet, pretty girl in your group to go to the bar and order drinks for everybody, and pay in CASH. Figure out what you want to drink quickly. Dawdling about the bar area won't win you any points.
If you act like you're part of the Grown Ass People Club, Jimmy will be happy to have you in his bar. If you pull some childish bullshit, even a little, he's got no patience. Jimmy is also a really cool, interesting guy. Be friendly, and he will too. Don't act a fool, and you can drink some good beer.
It had been a long time since I had been into G&S. Jimmy seemed the same as always. As long as you're not being a smart-ass and don't mess with stuff everything is fine.
While it wasn't as good as it was when I used to go with friends (10yrs ago), it's an ok place. You're not there for the scene, for the music, just to hang out and have a few drinks and shoot some pool.
The bar is a place to go when you don't want to deal with hipster or stupid college drunks. It reminds me of several of the bar that my dad used to take me as a kid - the kind of place where you pay cash.
I was ready to love this place. I love dive bars with strange and occasionally surly bartenders, and I love pinball, air hockey, and pool tables. My boyfriend had been here once or twice in the past and said it was up my alley. I walked in to find that there are not only all of these great things, but that this bar is also host to two friendly dogs. Awesome!!!
And then they charged me $2.50 for about 7 ounces of Diet Coke (I have a cold, so I was the designated driver this evening). It would have been even less than 7oz., but I asked for it with no ice. Really, it was $3.50, because I stuffed a dollar into the tip jar as I was ordering, before I found out about the price.
I've had "Diet Coke with no ice" in fancy ass NYC bars that cost that much, but it came in a pint glass and was served to me with a smile.
I would have had my two gulps of soda and left immediately, but my friend had ordered some sort of beer + shot drink. This same drink that cost him $11 at G&S had cost him $7 on Dirty 6th just last night, and I think the 04 Lounge (the far superior bar where we spent the rest of the evening) only charged him $6 for it. (For contrast, the friendly bartender at 04 Lounge charged me an entirely fair $1 for my can of soda, and warned me that the cans were warm and I might prefer just a little bit of ice.)
So we played a game of pool and investigated the pinball machines while my buddy drank his drink, and then we cleared out with the quickness to have a fun night and spend our money elsewhere.
(Edit for clarity in response to an earlier review I just read: my crew and I are about the farthest possible thing from people who enjoy the 6th St scene. We prefer exactly the sort of atmosphere G&S looked like it had. I don't need my ass kissed with my drinks, but please at least don't be straight up rude to me if you're going to rape my wallet for them. And yes, I paid cash.)
Just because you steadfastly hold on to your shitty dive bar attitude doesn't make it cool it just makes it shitty. Â
There's plenty of dives that are better like Horseshoe, Barflys, Parlour, half the East Side... why put up with people who couldn't give a shit about anything except making you weak drinks with a frown, overcharging you for it, and making you feel like an ass for wasting your evening here...
it's just not something we need to put up with in Austin... so many better options - this place should either wisen up or get off our map and make way for a place that appreciates it's customers and becomes part of the community.
Stopped by on a slow Tuesday night, hadn't been here in awhile.
They had a band in the back room, didn't know they did that, the band wasn't too bad, I've heard worse in the warehouse district.
I love all the games and I always gravitate towards the air hockey table (wut a rush)
No popcorn (bummer)
We stayed for two beers ($3.50 for lone star draft?!), not as impressive as I remember, maybe I'll check out their HH next time.
I'm surprised by the low marks and remarks in reference to the owner. I've never had any issues with the establishment, service, or owner for that matter. This isn't by any means a great bar. Hell, it's not even a good bar! It's your basic industry filled drinking hole. On the plus side, it has some pretty fun games.
The place is unpretentious and unapologetic about it. If you want to unwind with friends, grab a few beers, and goof off without having to deal with hipster, yuppies, and frat boys...this is the place to go. If you want stimulating conversation with the bartender and a gentle nurturing atmosphere, move along.
Here's a tip to avoid being overcharged here. Just pay cash  and save the headache. It also makes for an easy getaway when you get thrown out for being sensitive.
One of the worst bars I've been to in Austin.
It's not even dive-y enough to make it a cool dive bar - it's just a shitty place.
Overpriced drinks and some of the worst service I've ever experienced. If you take one sip of a drink and realize it's definitely NOT what you ordered, they should remake it for you - not get pissed off at you and refuse to fix it.
I definitely won't go back here.
I'm running out of patience with this place. Either we were overcharged tonight or our well drinks really were $6 each.
And the last time we were in, we pointed out that one of the games was broken. Not only did we not get our money back, we were informed that we must be wrong. AND the subsequent drinks were made extra-weak just to punish us for complaining.
The place reeks, the new bartender looks like a meth head, and the music generally sucks.
Either you've changed, G&S, or I have. But I know I didn't used to spend $30 and leave sober.
I've lived in Austin 25 years and have been going to bars here since 92. I may have had 1 or 2 worse experiences but no bar has been as consistently sh*tty as good ol G&S.
If you're still going here with all the choices that Austin and even 78704 have nowadays, then you're just a glutton for punishment.
Have fun handing your hard earned money over to someone who could give a shit that you're there. You think you're a 'regular'? No such thing.
If you're a customer that likes being treated like crap by a bar owner, being overcharged, having your drink dumped out in front of you for asking a simple question, then this place is for you. I love dive bars and I love crusty bar workers... to an extent. When they become screaming lunatics on the verge of violence that's when I stop patronizing a bar.
I quit going to this place years ago after the owner started a fight with one of my friends and kicked us all out. What did we do you may ask? My friend ordered me a vodka soda, the owner accidentally made a vodka with Sprite. When I tasted it I asked my friend if he'd go back to the bar and get me the right drink. I wasn't mad, neither was my friend. It's a simple mistake. When my friend politely said we thought we got the wrong drink the owner became enraged and tried to physically throw my friend out.
The rest of us couldn't believe what was happening. I'd heard about the owner becoming irrational and physically threatening, but had never seen it for myself. It was so scary and infuriating. I will never step foot in there again.
"I should have gone to the bathroom at the restaurant before leaving. The bathrooms at G &S are weird."
"What?"
"They're weird. I don't like peeing with 27,000 of me's."
**
PS Love the outdoor patio. "The Smoker's Room" as another patron called it, but there's lots of TVs and a nice Halloween theme. That skeleton thing is scary!
From the outside, you might confuse G&S for one of Austin's many dive bars. Â Plain and windowless, its only unusual feature is the number of security cameras.
Step inside, and though you may not realize it at first, you have entered into another dimension where the usual rules of logic, familiarity and comfort do not apply. Â Stay with me on this strange journey...
Dive bar does not describe the G&S accurately. Â The closest description I can muster is "bowling arcade meets highly secure sports bar with dogs"
You may notice the lighting is a little bright for a bar. Â And the cameras pointed at every table. Â A duo of canines roam freely, but they are not as friendly as you would think they ought to be.
There is a selection of exotic bottled beers in the fridge and a well stocked bar behind. Â The bartender seems friendly enough.
As the night goes on, unusual things may begin to occur. Â Your next round of drinks seems to cost more than it did before... perhaps a game is in order.
The arcade is a mix of old and new. Â Air Hockey tables, pool, Buck Hunter (two of them), some pinball and some other weird games you've never heard of. Â There is a photo booth. Â Horse racing plays on the TV's above. Â Perhaps one of the aging machines eats your quarters though. Â Oh no! Â You remark, as the owner passes by. Â Can I get a refund?
This is the start of your downfall. Â For you see, G&S is not a bar. Â It is a kingdom. Â The physical manifestation of one man's mind. Â And there is nothing wrong in the kingdom - everything is as it should be. Â The only problem is its visitors. Â
As you are hustled out of the door and back into our earthly dimension, you might be annoyed or angry. Â I prefer to look on the bright side, having experienced a place where the usual rules of logic don't apply, where the light and colors are a little off.
It's not often you get to take a surreal journey into the mind of a man that involves air hockey - but I'm not meant for that world. Â It's only natural to be expelled, like a sneeze, from the G&S lounge.
This place is a high quality dive. Â Excellent beer selection, good games, great jukebox, and an interesting atmosphere. Â
The best part, though? Â The owner's zero tolerance policy for douche bags. Â Not a popular policy with the douche bag crowd (see single star reviews), but good for the rest of us who want a great neighborhood bar.
I love the little things that make this place remarkable. Their refrigerator full of frosty mugs, free popcorn, pool tables, zoltar, sports paraphernalia, lots of beers, air hockey and now, bar food. Also, its right next to our kickball fields which is aweeesome. Unfortunately I really can't patronize this establishment based on what some people kindly refer to as an attitude problem. It has to be tough dealing with drunken buffoons all night but in the end, um, its a bar.
So if you can manage to stay out of trouble with the guys behind the bar and pay for each of your drinks with cash, this actually is a pretty fun little bar with enough to entertain you and your drunken buffoon friends for hours :)
So I've just returned home after visiting this establishment and becoming one of the apparently all too many bewildered patrons that has been thrown out.
I'm still in the process of trying to categorize my confusion and better understand the absurdity of this place and the mentality of the owner, so bare with me. Â I will first start with the positives and explain my reasoning for giving two stars rather than the one that it really deserves:
----------------
BEER SELECTION AND GAMES!
I'm trying to think of a bar with a better selection of beer than this place, and outside of Flying Saucer I'm drawing blanks. Â They've got an amazing selection, from your typical swill drink to your fine Belgian Lambic's and everything in between.
Their mixed drinks I know nothing of as I spent my money sampling the various beers. Â I did however see the bartender use a shaker for someone else's mixed drink, so that might perhaps indicate a level above your standard college bar. Â Perhaps.
----------------
Now on to the negativity. Â Let me let you know that I don't like writing scathing reviews; I generally feel that most places, as shitty as they might be, have some redeeming qualities that make them at least mildly endearing. Â I am a prowler of the dive bar and the greasy spoon. Â A purveyor of establishments that might make one at first say "ick!". Â But G&S, it has none of those qualities, and as such I feel compelled to write my first negative review.
----------------
My first exposure to G&S was through a friend of mine who mentioned it in passing. Â I had never heard of it so I asked what it was, and he informed me that it was a dive bar with a great beer selection and air hockey.
Sold.
It wasn't until several days later that I went, but I read up on yelp about the place.
*(owner is an asshole that is known to kick people out, the dogs are temperamental, know what you want to drink when you go up to the counter)*
"cool cool, gonna get me a beer and play some air hockey :) "
Get there at about 9:30, the place is empty save myself and my friends who had arrived earlier. Â At some point during the games (around 10:30pm) I had gone for a cigarette break with a friend. Â We finished our cigarettes, came back inside, and continued to play air hockey and pool.
About an hour and a half later, after games, I stepped outside for another cigarette. Â After I finished it and walked inside, I was immediately "greeted" by the owner and told to not come back inside.
The reason for my expulsion was never stated, and because of the behavior of the owner (who apparently has a history), I will never be returning here.
It's a shame because it's one of the few places that has air hockey. Â Fortunately there are other places that have tables in better condition and without the hassle of a maniacal owner.
The closest bar to my house...and also possibly the worst bar in Austin?! Â
Take that however you want to take it. Â Some people like bad bars. Â Some people like dive bars. Â Some people like bad bars that are dives.
This place is none of the above. Â It just is plain...awful. Â And drinks are pricy for what you are getting. Â This isn't to say that you can't have a good time here. Â They did build a new patio in the back. Â
But-If I needed to recommend a bar that screamed brightly-light-sports-arcade-with-dogs-running-Âaround-the-inside, I would probably mention this place. (It hasn't happened yet.)
I know there are a handful of people that like this place, so rather than offend them, I'll go ahead and end my review.
Never GO THERE!
Unless you like a dirty,crabby , rude bartender/owner.
I was actually glad when he stopped serving me.
He accused me of not tipping and I calmly explained that I always tip
and isnt that why he has a mirror behind the bar?
I have seen him throw out whole groups of people for one spilled drink, threatening them with pepper spray. He is a lowlife.
GO to the Horseshoe, The 04 Lounge, Benders, or  Trophys David the owner at Trophys is a crabby bastard too but a lot more amusing.
The drinks are expensive and I don't watch sports.
What happened to you?? You used to be cool, man...
This was my go-to dive bar for years, but that all changed after my most recent experience on a slow Friday night. One of the draws of this place is that it is never packed. You can just go there to enjoy the great beer selection, jukebox, and sweet arcade games without having to worry about talking over obnoxious drunk guys or rowdy bar sluts.
So we decided to walk over (yes, it's that close to my place) for some early-evening bevs. As mentioned before they have quite an extensive beer selection so naturally we were torn on what to try. In my experience, it has been pretty typical for a good bartender to offer a sample when a patron is curious about a particular beer. This is certainly not the case here, and the asshat behind the bar actually told my friend no when she asked if she could have a little sip to try before getting a whole pint! Seriously, wtf mate? Ever heard of customer service? Not here. So slightly peeved, we settled on a couple of brews and headed back to the pool tables.
We were the only two people in the place so we decided to play some tunes on the juke (a little Ben Harper, the Cure, etc). Return of the asshat, the jerk bartender apparently didn't agree with our musical taste so he blasts hardcore heavy metal over the speakers to overpower the jukebox. Not sure who died and made him music czar, but I guess G&S isn't part of the democratic system. After that we decided to quickly finish our game and beers and head out to Horseshoe Lounge for some cheap beers and MUCH better company.
The cherry on top: we paid our tab and as we were leaving one of the guys behind the bar said just loud enough for us to hear "did they even tip you?". FU G&S, and thanks for all the beer!
I am turning into my mother.
Friday night at the G&S bathroom, I saw her reflection in the mirror where mine should have been.
No, no. Not her face.
Her back.
The bathroom has mirrors all around, and out of the corner of my eye (yes, even before I had a drink), I saw my mother's back. Her strong shoulders (when I was young, I thought she could lift anything!), thick, wavy brown hair, her summer standard, high-backed tank top.
I had to stop, remind myself that she doesn't even live in Austin and definitely doesn't make a habit of sneaking up on people in bathrooms. And she's not up at 1a.m. That back, her back, is my back.
I am turning into my mother, and I'm not even sure it bugs me. She's a pretty great lady.
Now, my mother would never, ever be in a place like G&S. My mother does not drink. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen her take a sip of alcohol. I like that about her.
She also doesn't frequent dives, or bars, period. Those $3 Lone Stars wouldn't mean a thing to her. The hot beer (seriously, I have no idea how they made it hot) would not matter to her.
If she saw those hipsters dancing on the pool table, she would probably tell them to get down from there before they break their necks. I like that about her, too.
And that tall hipster drinking out of everyone else's glasses when they weren't looking (he downed 2/3 of someone's Fireman's 4 in a single gulp) -- he'd probably get a little bit of evil eye in his direction. He needs someone to tell him what's what, and my mom's as good as anyone, if my formative years were any indication. She's smart, straightforward and not afraid to give you a piece of her mind (unlike me -- I just watched the beer thief, aghast).
She does, however, like popcorn. And G&S has plenty of that. (She also likes free things, so there's another plus!)
And she likes dogs. G&S seems to have its share of those -- big, burly dive bar dogs who slobber next to the bar on quieter nights. But, really, dogs and food together aren't her cup of tea.
So while my (our?) back may make an occasional appearance at the G&S, don't expect my mother's face to darken the doorway any time soon. My much-uglier-than-momma mug will most certainly be back, though.
The owner dropped the f-bomb three times. Â And his smelly ass dogs run all over the place. Â PLUS the beer is overpriced, you have to pour it yourself, and the owner is a jerk. Â NEVER again.
UPDATE: I wrote this review a while back, but thinking about it the place has a phenomenal beer selection. Still, I'm reluctant to go back.
My shoulder still hurts. Â A LOT!!!!!! Â If you have never played air hockey before, don't let your first time be with Baconator. Â FOR REAL. Â He's a madman I tell you. Â I was so overwhelmed I knocked the thingy in my own goal several times. Â And my shoulder hurts. Â A LOT!!!!!
This place is awesome though. Â It has Hendricks Gin (i heart it). Â It has a really cool laid back vibe that I love. Â The two dogs roaming about made it even better. Â Jenga with Baconator & Jess was awesome. Â I learned that inappropriate humor causes Jess to knock the whole thing over. Â (I plan to use this weapon against her often).
I will definitely be back ---- once my shoulder heals. Â
because it hurts     A LOT!!!!!!!
I can say I have been on both ends of what I call the "Jimmy Spectrum" , the first time I went in he refused me because I had my renewal drivers license and another picture id but he refused to serve me. This obviously ticked me off because some friends had told me they had some pinball and air hockey tables and I was really looking forward to that. After leaving my girlfriend says "yeah that's how jimmy is its his place and he holds true to that". I just thought he was being an A-Hole but me being a guy that will give a place a fair shake I went back and now I am a fairly regular patron there. The place and its surly bartender seem to have softened over time.
There are new pinball tables, to go along with the older selection he had before. The new Indiana Jones table is pretty awesome with the 8 ball multiball and a very old school pinball table setup, its a nice compliment to the other tables in this place. As well as the new video table as well as a photo booth. Gotta admit I never expected to see a photo booth at G&S much less a color one of such good quality.
They have a great beer selection, although it can be a little pricey per pint but for all of the Pros -- Pinball , Jukebox, Air Hockey, and Numerous TVs it has a great Balance.
All in all G&S has come along way with yours truly and I feel that they are headed in the right direction. Keep the beer cold and the quarters flowing.
G&S is an enigma. They have no front to their bar, and unless someone tells you where it is, you'd never know it was there (kind of like Chumley's - if you know what I mean). Almost everyone complains about the rude service in this place, to which I'll concur. But then again, you're in a dive bar, if you expect good service... you're missing the point.
There are two reasons to visit the G&S: beer and games. These guys have one of the best micro-brew and Belgian beer selections in town. They have pool, air hockey, Big Buck Hunter (2 of them I think), darts, and more. It's like hanging out in your uncle's basement with really good beer and none of the funny groping.
These guys miss the fifth star because their lighting is bad and no dive bar really deserves five stars.
Wowsers! Â G&S has gone Game Crazy! Â While it's still no Shorty's, they are now sporting 7 pinball machines along with some other stuff like a huge cocktail-style multi-arcade cabinet.
Visiting early in the evening helps to avoid douchebaggery and people smoking inside the bar.
Pins at this location:
Indiana Jones (Stern 2008)  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D5306&s=2b0b27d48dfc1dc411371af539098f9cdf1c053b74cb0e1dc253f4a96fb722a7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
Brand new machine from Stern.  A bit pricey at 75¢ per play, but fun because of the 8-ball multiball (yes kids - eight balls in play at once!). Also, its set up for tournament play.
Batman (Stern 2008) <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D5307&s=31020f52fd8be90f4dbf7f97d95fac4366e5871c0f671c217504f56c956e34fb" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
Another Brand New machine. 75¢ per play. Tournament play available.  After one or two games, I could not get a good feel for this game.  The Scarecrow mode reminded me of playing Junkyard.
Lord of the Rings (Stern 2003)  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D4858&s=3728202b358386dc2d024c2fc40230baed3f7d39d4eb50dd0d75689d71db5b7c" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
Great game with 3 different multiball modes. Very deep and hard to clear all the modes.
The Sopranos (Stern 2005)  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D5053&s=089a45fc16205841cedfe6f2c97f31c3bf307d47aa61c73e1fc5c022da2899f4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
Fun machine with pretty easy gameplay. Pretty easy to knock out replays.
Elvis (Stern 2004)  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D4983&s=f85d1da7d5f9ead29a854a859ef86ae8200c02857d3ad323ab0ec1e7aefdd790" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
Easy gamplay and fun when its working right. Â
Ripley's Believe it or Not (Stern 2003) <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D4917&s=293317be9a7a70ef0abe0454156ce09871769e32f31ff1498e29630cd9af2bdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
I don't play this one often. In need of a good cleaning.
Playboy (Stern 2002) <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fipdb.org%2Fmachine.cgi%3Fid%3D4506&s=d5c43237cc411be80b5847c1e34602f073f48418abf8db9b6e8f78f4993035d9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://ipdb.org/machine.…</a>
Also in need of a good cleaning
I never had a problem with this place personally, but a lot of my buddies who were regulars eventually got chased away by the supremely fucking crazy and insecure owner Jimmy. I think he even tried to use a tazer on one of them. That was in the late 90's when it really didn't matter because the place was always hopping with a hip crowd and cheap beer and Jimmy's brother could keep a leash on him somewhat.
I've been back a few times recently and the place just seems kind of dead and sad. I guess Jimmy finally got his wish. That being said, they have a great beer selection and I personally think half the fun of getting to know a place is in learning to appreciate the bad parts as well as the good. I personally think the concept of a rude, psychotic bartender at a shiteous dive bar that no one cares about is brilliant, and I'd love to franchise the idea or at least make a heartwarming indie movie about it starring Jon Oates of Hall and Oates as Jimmy.
So, in short, don't go there and you should be alright.
Meh, it's ok as long as you don't set off the beer nazi. Â And when I mean don't set off, from what people have told me and what I've seen... Â you don't actually have to DO anything wrong, he just might go wacky on you anyway. Â Once the owner flipped out on a New Orleans friend of mine because he refused to admit the Abita turbodog he poured was off.
He has good video games but the interior is a little too brightly lit for my tastes.
I used to frequent this joint. I personally never had a problem with Jimmy, but I did see him straight clothesline my friend.
And that was unforgivable.
I LOVE air hockey, but I LOVE good, friendly service more.
This place will always hold a special place in my heart. When Jeff was there, he was my man! When he left, so did the balance of good and evil.
Stardate: Austin, circa 1998. Â G&S lounge is slacker/hipster central. Â Every beer (and I mean EVERY beer), from Guiness to Bud Light is $2. Â You got your free popcorn, dualing jukeboxes, pool tables, and ample sitting room. Â The place was three-deep at the bar on a nightly basis.
Sounds ideal, no? Â It was.
Alas, like all good things, the G&S of yesterday is no more. Â Sure the building still stands, and Jimmy the "beer Nazi" still mans the bar. Â But man, has it ever changed. Â Beers are now every bit as ridiculously expensive as your average yuppiefied 4th street Docker-fest. Â The tables are virtually empty. Â And Jimmy, inexplicably, has seemed to embark on a campaign to drive everyone away. Â I genuinely cannot understand the logic behind overcharging credit cards and kicking loyal patrons out for, I don't know, looking at him wrong. Â I've heard so many friends describe incidents that convinced them to never return that I'm frankly amazed the place is still open. Â
I've always used cash at G&S, and have managed to walk the minefield of eggshells surrounding the proprietor. Â But here's the deal: I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.
If you like over-priced drinks in a dump with a pest problem, keep drinking at this hell hole. Roaches crawling out from their home under the bar makes for a nasty drink, esp when the guy making drinks regularly smashes them with his hand then never washes up. How the hell do you grow gnats in the men's room urinals on a regular schedule?
God bless the ball of hate behind the bar serving drinks. he stinks
I love air hockey. Â Love it. Â I will kick your behind at it, and laugh as I do so, then ask if you want a rematch. Â Now that the Ritz is some snazzy movie theater, I had to find a new place to play. Â One of my friends took a date here and mentioned that they have not one but two tables. Â So now I have a new place to play! Â Sweet. Â
Other than that, they also serve drinks, have a pool table, pinball, Zoltar(?), a decent Jukebox, bartender who looks like he's about to get in a fight all the time, and stale popcorn. Â Some nights it's great, some nights it's a bit odd. Â Decent place to go on a date, you can do something fun and have a drink.
And don't forget to get your mugs from the freezer opposite the bar.
There's a special place in my heart for the G&S as it is the site of a once clandestine "thing" with a co-worker. He was a sweet guy, if not a little dark and reserved. And while I dumped him to move on to bigger and brighter things, I still love this little place where we used to meet and share smokes and drinks while waxing poetic about music and getting to know each other.
I love it to this day because the same gruff, no-nonsense bartender is behind the bar. He's a man of few words and to be honest, I'm a little frightened of him. He kind of seems like the "bar nazi" and I never approach the bar without knowing exactly what I want.
The variety of games means that no one is ever bored and the popcorn always overfloweth. In addition, it's cheap, so there's that as well. Add to the nostalgia and other pros a kickin' jukebox and this is a place I'm happy is located in my neighborhood.
And the site for the 2008 Pub Olympics is...
G & S Lounge!
All qualifiers in the following will move on to the semifinals:
Darts (Cricket or 301)
Pool (difficulty rating is high, as the tables are kind of crappy)
Air Hockey (two tables available to speed through those early rounds)
Pinball (they have a Soprano's machine...what-what?)
Foos-Hockey (you know, that game like foos-ball, but it's in the dome. It was in that one scene in Karate Kid..)
Vintage video games (like Asteroids and Joust)
All non-qualifiying "atheletes" will still be entitled to enjoy:
Beers from around the world (Opening Day Ceremony in a bottle!)
Awesome Jukeboxes (so much better than dirge-y national anthems)
Cheap drinks (olympians are not professionals, after all)
Ample parking out back (gotta put the bobsled somewhere!)
World-class dive bar training facilities (smoking patio and dingy bathrooms)
Excelsior! Let the Games Begin!
Totally agree with others about the things to like about the G&S: Â it's been run by the same sole proprietor for what seems like the past million years, there are not one but two great jukeboxes (for which I admit a specified weakness), and there's a great beer selection. Â I used to hit this place, often. Â
Here's why I'll probably never go back. Â
If you stop in the G&S, be prepared to have a great time, but whatever you do, *don't* pay by credit card. Â I've been overcharged more than once here (not a guess) and blatantly, and have unearthed similar tales from others as well. Â
It's a shame really, as this review would be much more positive otherwise. Â But if I ever go back, I guarantee I'll pay cash, just to be safe.
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