Shenanigans Night Club

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  I used to be a regular Shenanny, back in my crazy days. I was there just about nightly and would often eat dinner from the grill, not sure if that is still there but if so it was awesome. I loved this place. I read that they recently went smoke free which I am super excited about as I no longer smoke but always really liked to hang out here and have avoided it as of late because of the smoke. Looking forward to throwing some darts tonight. Check this place out, it's a great dive!

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  Posted on 06.22.13 Olivia A.

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  A diamond in the rough if you're looking for simplicity and good people.
  
  My friend and I are new to Austin and we went looking for "karaoke" bars and we scoped out 2.  One was Graham Central Station(nice if you're teen and like country music) and Spotlight Karaoke(unfair KJ, poor karaoke selection, smokers).  
  
  We drove by Shenanigans and saw that they do karaoke as well.  So we gave it a shot and we were pleasantly surprised.
  
  The drinks are reasonably priced and the karaoke is what really surprised us.  They have a better selection that some of the other places that specialize in karaoke.  The crowd is very respectful and everyone gets cheers no matter how great or how badly you sing a song.  And the karaoke heads that come out and are actually good aren't full of themselves.  They're there to have fun and act a fool which(to me)is what karaoke is all about.  And the KJ's are super cool!  Rae Rae, Billy D and JT are awesome.  They even let us bring our own karaoke jams on a flash drive!
  
  My only complaint is the mens bathroom.  It's practically a closet!  
  
  The place in general has the potential to be an amazing joint but I'm not the owner/manager.
  
  For what it is, you get a cool laid back experience.  We'll be coming back for more fun!

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  Posted on 06.20.13 Jesse C.

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  I'm really not sure how to approach this review. Shenanigan's embodies the cliche, "It is what it is".  I needed a place nearby Casa Shoehead to watch the VCU game and have a beer. If I had cable or satellite, it would BE Casa Shoehead, in the comfort of my uncomfortable couch.  But, that not being the case, I employed Shenanigan's, and it delivered.  In fact, I started out this review at a three, but I'm bumping it up, because right after the game ended (Almost as if it were a courtesy extended to Your Ol' Pal Shooey's game-watching), karaoke kicked in, so I got to croon as well as watch my alma mater destroy Akron! (hehehe The 'Zips').  I really wanted to Rick-Roll the joint, but they didn't have "Never Gonna Give You Up". Had they that selection, I may have bestowed at fifth star on the joint, factoring in my jubilation at the game's outcome. (I looked at the other reviews--this place could use some love.) I instead had to dazzle the crowd with my Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays" and Billy Idol's "Rock the Cradle of Love". Added bonus--I got to scare away a pretty girl with great legs by regaling her with tales of heart surgeries and high blood pressure!  *sigh* What have I become?
  
  So Shenanigan's--Cheesy? Yes.  Blue Collar? Yes. Divey? Yes. Hipster-free? (Possibly a good thing) A definite yes.  But, they let me watch the game on a huge screen, and I had a few Lone Stars that were nice and cold. Karaoke and scaring away pretty girls--icing on the cake! Enjoy the four stars, my cheesy divey friend. I'll be back for more shananigans, very soon...

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  Posted on 03.22.13 Mark E.

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  I inflict damage to the ear holes of random people on a regular basis at Shannie's.  I still don't know which nights of the week are typically reserved for Karaoke, but whatever nights they are, they are DRUNK.  The KJ - RayRay - is a doll.  She doesn't mind my constant hip grinding and references to female genitalia.  You've never heard Khia's, "My Neck, My Back" until you've heard it from yours truly after a sad night of drinking until you can't feel feelings.
  
  The staff are super friendly and never openly mock or judge you for acting a damn fool by your choice of jukebox "hits" or inappropriate comments that marginalize minorities.  In fact I'd say they encourage it.  The lovely bar tender and server know most regulars by name and will often follow you on your way out to make sure your drunk ass is not the one behind the wheel.  
  
  On top of being almost next door to my sisters' and best friends' apartment, this local dive is sure to be a favorite for any looking to admire the finest of North Austin talent and fashion.

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  Posted on 01.30.13 David M.

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  Drinks are cheap and staff is friendly and outgoing.  Parking really isn't an issue.
  
  Lots of pool tables, dart boards - lots of room.  They have electronic poker type games.
  
  Dance floor is a pretty good size and they have an electronic jukebox with a pretty good selection.  
  
  Band that was playing there on NYE - is a house band and they made themselves sound oh so great and so did the venue you but to be TOTALLY HONEST - the band sucked lemons!!
  
  For being in the City of Austin (Williamson County) - they post on their door "No Smoking" but they sell a cigrattemachine inside the venue for like $10.00 a pack - thank goodness I don't smoke anymore.  I kinda wonder if they still allow them to smoke in there - hhhhmmm :-)

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  Posted on 01.03.13 Trista C.

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  Now this is a dive bar. No offense, I dig dive bars. Booze, pool, darts, and kareoke some nights. No frills atmosphere but it works. Big back patio but I never use it much. Wait staff is cool and laid back. Always interesting characters in this joint.

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  Posted on 12.22.12 Ryan R.

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  Nice staff.  They have music bingo on Monday nights starting at 11:15 pm.  It's really fun.  I like that they have a front and back patio.  Both are nice. Oh and the bathrooms are so nice.  They were just remodeled. I like this place.  Great drinks specials all night long.

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  Posted on 06.19.12 April S.

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  For all the other posts,they are all false and outdated as ever.Shenanigens is nothing like what it used to be.First off its not a biker bar at all,it has a great crowd and since Jenn(the most gorgeous manager)took over not too long ago its gotten better.They have free pool,great drink specials,excellent staff,darts,tvs,a dance floor and karakoe nights,they have song bingo,they have machines that are like slot machines,you get a card just for showing up and can use it on the machines to win cash(my friend Ronney won 700 bucks on my birthday)and its close to the covience store as well.Bums is closed and I went to Bums for over 10 years before it close in April 2011,and didnt really go to shenanigens but glad i do now cause they rock.Also they have a large smoking area outback and the staff couldnt be an more sweeter.ALSO THEY HAVE BEER PONG TOURNAMENTS,every wensday at 10pm,what biker bar has beer pong nights.So take it from me who is there every week and since this post of mine is UPDATED,Shenanigans Night Club NOW,ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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  Posted on 11.20.11 Chris W.

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  We walked in. Someone was singing bad country karaoke in the corner. No one greeted us. We walked over to the pool tables and saw that they have tournaments on Saturday night so I turned around to ask a bartender if the tables were up for grabs yet and before I could say anything, she told us to go away from the tables because they were for tourny only. The pool tables aren't open to the public on a Saturday night, really? So, we left.

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  Posted on 09.17.11 Corie L.

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  This is a divey biker bar... Or at least it has that vibe... Also.. If you're a smoker you'll be in heaven, cz people smoke right in front of the no smoking sign, without being bothered by management.  That being said, the place is quite large,  has pool tables and seems to open late.

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  Posted on 06.29.11 Tania H.

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  Pros: Free pool, free darts, cheap drinks, bizarre people watching, good "dive" aspect, one of the bar backs has one eye
  
  Cons: Terrible Service, Smells like 30 years of cigarette smoke, people smoking inside the bar, pool tournaments taking up the free pool
  
  Verdict: If you like cigarette smoke, loose carnie type women, and consider plush catfish pillows as appropriate decor than this is the place for you.

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  Posted on 05.27.11 Mike K.

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  Great "hole in the wall" place to hang out!
  
  Drinks are priced great, atmosphere is nice, pool & darts are free, & they have some of the BEST burgers & fried pickles.

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  Posted on 02.19.11 Teresa S.

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  Whenever I witness a domestic violence disturbance on "Cops", I imagine that their night began at a bar like Shenanigans.
  
  What's amazing is that I have nothing but good things to say about Bum's Billiards. But those rare, fleeting moments of goodwill I feel for Bum's never fully transcended over to its shabby cousin across the strip mall.
  
  I found myself here a few nights ago, since I was subject to the whims of my friend Jersey and the ex-boyfriend issues that had cropped up since her recent return from the Land of Snooki. We began at Bum's, where I ended up fighting with the country mice over the jukebox. Those Wonder Bread bitches tried to drown out my Lady Gaga with Johnny Cash, but the efforts were futile because they just didn't have the "cash" that mattered.
  
  One shot led to another, and so we opted for a change of scenery and went to Shenanigans. Although the bright lights of neon domestic beer signs and NASCAR-themed pinball machines isn't all that different across the way.
  
  Shenanigans is set up like any suburban watering hole, with the usual staples of pool tables, dart boards, and that ridiculously depressing feeling of smoky desperation. But hey, a drink's a drink--and I had a straight girl and a couple of her straight friends as buffers.
  
  The bartender was a girl who was not very friendly, but I didn't take it personally. How would you like slinging drinks for inebriated old men huddled around the bar?
  
  There's not really a whole lot to do here, except drink and hope that your friends get tired enough to leave. If memory serves me correct, they sometimes have a karaoke night, where girls get up on the stage and sing the same three Taylor Swift/Carrie Underwood/Kelly Clarkson songs on rotation for a few hours. Guys with backwards hats and passe Ed Hardy T-shirts are usually found throwing darts or playing pool. Thrilling.
  
  I had fun because I was with Jersey, and I could smoke inside. By some unbelievable loophole, we're allowed to smoke, which might be the one and only reason I would ever "look forward" to returning.
  
  Basically, I think I'd prefer to keep *my* shenanigans safely--and more appropriately--downtown.

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  Posted on 01.27.11 Nathan I.

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  If you are in the area, and want a laid back time, Shenanigans is a good place to hang out.  There are six or seven pool tables, some dart boards, and regular karaoke.  What I like about the set-up here is the Karaoke is way over THERE, and I can sit way over HERE and keep chatting with friends.  There is a high ceiling in the karaoke area, and when it gets lower by the pub area it tends to block *some* of the singing.  There are several TVs and NTN trivia boxes are available.  There always seems to be a waitress on duty, so you can hang out at your table and get your favorite libations refilled without having to elbow your way to the bar.
  
  This isn't a dance club, a night club, or a place that many under the age of 27 will find interesting.  It is a nice watering hole with a laid back crowd.

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  Posted on 03.26.10 John B.

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  Gimme a break, I'd keep looking
  
  I'm lucky to be part of a fun, mostly family group of pool players. Recently some of us were discussing the need for a location that hosts weekly tournaments in both 8-ball 9-ball. When I was shopping this week, I tried three new places, and this was the first. I hadn't thought to check Yelp first, and unfortunately for North Austin (or South Dallas, cuz I live in Bee Cave), I must agree with Whitney when she said in her review, "So much potential, so little delivery." Here's some touchy-feely turn-offs that we both experienced at Shenanigans:
  - rednecks
  - smoking
  - all country [music], all the time
  More turn-offs:
  - suspicious and unfriendly appraisals by patrons and staff. I came in for 8-ball, not the eyeball
  - total lack of greeting at the bar. Bars depend on alcohol sales to stay in business, but I felt that they didn't want any of mine.
  
  I tried to ignore my touchy-feely heebie-jeebies, and objectively, here's what else was observable:
  - clean except for the air
  - well-lighted so you can see the clientele
  - lots of hosted events are offered
  - nice-sized stage for Kroaky with lots of seating
  
  Bottom-line: Gimme a break, I'd keep looking

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  Posted on 08.14.09 Pete J.

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  Bar 2, in the 3-bar series: Pond Springs Pub Crawl
  
  This was my favorite of the evening.
  
  It was a lot to take in at first. The lay-out has all sorts of niches to sit in. The far-off stage area to the left, the raised poker and craps(?!) table section, the darts along the back wall, the horseshoe-shaped bar to the right, and plenty of tables mixed in and around.
  
  Blending in with the regulars is easy. As Robert E. pointed out, a lot of different demographics are represented. (I guess we could have been classified as either locals or slumming yuppie-types)
    I love that they have "motorcycle only" parking. Bikers get a bad rap, even if they're from an Anderson Mill chapter of a club, but they've never started a ruckus at any bar I've been in.  I'll be sure to ride my bike there when I return.  
  
  Karaoke night was in full swing when we walked in. An older lady was belting out Pat Benatar, but the stage is so far from the rest of the seating, that it wasn't overbearing on conversation.  After I secured our drinks from the friendly bartendress, I signed up to sing a country tune. I knew that nobody would judge me too harshly here.
  
  Only a 4.5 out of 10 on the Smoke-O-Meter, we were not too offended by the funk which seems to be common in Pond Springs bars. They must have a good ventilation system.
  
   Instead of ordering a single or double cocktail, you ask for a "short" or "tall" here. I asked for 2 shorts, and received our whiskey in fancy stemmed glasses which you could also serve shrimp cocktails in. Ooh-la-la!
  
  After I relaxed a bit, I felt the familiar call of nature, and sought out the restroom facility.. Welcome to the most awkward moment of the night. The room is small and cramped with a urinal trough, a stall, and a sink, all in the size of a modest home's restroom.  Thank God the stall was empty because an older gentleman was working out his prostate problems in the trough, with audible distress. I distracted myself with inner la-la-la's long enough to take care of business and evacuate.
  
  Soon, my name was called onstage and I did Merle Haggard justice to some hootin' and hollerin' from the stage area folk.. I felt something that must have been the warm feeling of acceptance... Or my third round of booze was kicking in. Either way, it was good times.
  
  Closed the tab, (No $10 card minimum, yay!) and headed for the door. Vowing softly to nobody in particular that I would be back soon..
  
  Two down, one to go!

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  Posted on 07.13.09 Mike L.

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  We liked the name and that they had Karaoke going on that night.  When we first walked in, it felt like a combo of a dive/sports bar.  Most of the people there seemed to know each other and I think there 2 birthday parties going on.  My girlfriend and I really wanted to sing Karaoke but were shy at first because everyone there seemed to know each other but a few beers (the cocktails were weak) later and we were singing and dancing with them all. My friend especially liked it there because everyone was smoking and she is a smoker.  I don't smoke, so didn't like going through a fog of cigarette smoke. In sum, the good points: karaoke, bar, dancing, fun. The bad points: smoky, weak drinks, smoky.

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  Posted on 01.29.09 Kim Y.

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  So much potential, so little delivery.
  
  We went here last night after a friend recommended it, and I'm pretty sure I won't ever go back.  It's like a little piece of redneck heaven...which also happens to be my form of hell.
  
  They do have a ton of things to do.  Pool tables, darts, shufleboard, poker, buzztime, tvs on espn, and karaoke.  And the beer was cheap-- $7.25 for a pitcher of Ziegenbach.  And the bartender was a huge Scottish guy in a kilt.  But that's where the list of attributes ends.
  
  Everyone in the place was chain smoking, city ordinances be damned.    The karaoke was dominated by wannabe Nashville stars, all country, all the time.  The feathers were falling off the darts, and a group that refused to let anyone play in dominated the shuffleboard table all night.
  
  As for the clientele, there were maybe 3-4 fun, decently attractive people.  As for the rest of the bar--full of rednecks.  This was particularly clear when I saw the guy wearing leather chaps over his jeans.  Stylin'.
  
  They also apparently had a grill, but seeing as how the special was a Rib Eye steak for $7.95, I'm not thinking it's exactly world class cuisine.
  
  My recommendation:  skip it.

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  Posted on 02.18.08 Whitney F.

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  There's one specialty at this Williamson County nightclub that keeps me going back:  that's the super Bloody Mary prepared by the best bartenders around North Austin at Shenanigan's.  Flavored just right to taste, if you have one Bloody Mary at Shenanigan's, you won't get out the door without having another.
  
  Shenanigan's is situated off of Pond Springs Road in North Austin and is just a hop, skip, and a jump from Anderson Mill Road and 183. Located in a shopping strip mall, close to good restaurants to drop in afterward or before you frequent Shenanigan's, this conveniently-located nightclub saves miles of driving to the downtown area of Austin to enjoy live music, choice get-togethers for friends, and plenty of pool game action.
  
  Drop by for good live music and a Shenanigan's specialty,  a  "delicious" Bloody Mary.

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  Posted on 12.17.06 Eva C.

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  This has got to be one of the coolest neighborhood bars in the country.  I don't even know where to start - the full sized stage or the free Wi-Fi.  This place has something for everyone, even karaoke.  This is what an adult Chuck-e-Cheese was meant to be, forget that Dave and Busters crap.

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  Posted on 01.05.06 Stephen V.

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