This restaurant needs to be shut down immediately. I was served microwaved chicken on a Caesar salad. It doesn't get lazier or more irresponsible than microwaving your poultry. The founders of Third Base should wake up and realize the brand's image is terrible and it's losing what little credibility it had.
Review Source:We went in to catch a UFC fight and were treated like cattle in the way of the hostesses and especially of the big gangster looking bouncer.  This is west sixth street not H-town, you don't need to shove people without saying you are sorry or act hard or tough just because people are waiting to be seated or waiting for friends.  Sorry, patrons that are a little late deserve to be respected and treated as well as the guests or else they will never be guests at that place ever again.  Get a hostess crew that doesn't get weeded over wristbands, and a bouncer that doesn't think he's protecting fifty cent or part of  dmx's entourage and maybe we'll come back.  Until then we'll be sticking to home base ordering the fights ourselves rather than be disrespected.
Review Source:Third Base is a great place to go and watch whatever sporting event it is that you want to see. There's plenty of seating, the staff is attentive and quick, and there are more than enough TV screens to fulfill your watching needs. In terms of the food, it was ok - pretty much your typical bar food, but they have plenty of beers to choose from to help make up for that! Also be warned that the beer mugs are large and heavy. If you're standing around, make sure your biceps are ready!!!
Review Source:Stopped in for drinks and dinner Friday night.
The margarita on the rocks...delicious! Â
We had chips and queso dip ... The queso was great. Â
I also had TROTOLLE PASTA & SAUSAGE (yes, I know it's spelled incorrectly, trottole, but that is how the menu reads). Â The dinner was, okay. Â There was too much liquid smoke used perhaps?
The location is perfect! Â I'll definitely give Third Base another try!
Ideal place to go to watch whatever game you want. Â Extensive sports package for out-of-town games. Â The wait staff is the nicest I've experienced. Â One day my husband and I walked in when they were having multiple events goin on when it was packed. Â The manager was nice enough to help us find a seat or offer us a seat outside where we could watch and listen to the game. Â I am currently sitting outside on the third base porch with it currently being 93 degrees in the afternoon and quite comfortable with all the fans. Â The food is nothin REALLY impressive but the sweet potato fries are exceptional. Â The prices are a bit high which is why it's a four star instead of five. Â Otherwise, the most important aspects of a sports bar are primo. Â Good customer service, cool, lots of tvs available, waiting time is minimal even on extremely busy nights.
Review Source:They were 'out' of the first two drinks I tried to order and the Pepino Diablo tasted like a glass of sour mix. I suppose you don't expect to get a good martini at Buffalo Wild Wings but if it's on the menu, you better at least try. Lots of TVs though, so idea spot for watching the game.
Review Source:Food sucks, but Jesus the service is worse! I've come here three times and each time I've had to ask for a waiter, or water, or menus, or silverware one of the waiters, Riley is a total idiot. Late, rude, doesn't care, just a waste of space. They do not care here. Thank god I've been using gift cards to pay for meals because I'd sure take my business elsewhere. Only plus here is the parking, they actually have good parking. Otherwise, move on and eat & drink elsewhere.
Review Source:Make sure to ask for extra napkins to wipe off the chairs full of ashes if you sit outside.
You can't watch sports on the TV's outside after 8pm due to the residential neighborhood complaining that it's too loud and constantly calling the cops. The servers and bartenders are less than pleasant and the quality of folks that come in here is just, eh.
Only plus side - decent happy hour specials.
Third Base is about as generic as it get in Austin. There is nothing that stands out in my mind about this sports bar, other than its convenient location. A solid place to watch a sporting event, with averagely priced drinks and slightly overpriced but average food (standard bar food options). Never had a particularly poor or great experience, just right down the middle in every regard.
Review Source:I've gone to Third Base a couple of times (out of convenience) and it seems to always go downhill.
This place has so much potential to be a great sports bar, but I always go in thinking it won't be that bad and get proven wrong.
Went in with my dad for a quick bite. Ordered two cups of potato soup and waters. The soups came out slightly warm. The last bit of it was cold already. It was a small cup of soup. That's pretty bad. Waitress was only present enough to drop waters and food off. Took us about 5 minutes to eat; took about 20 minutes with her ignoring the fact that we were done before I asked for the check. Then even longer to actually receive the check.
Wouldn't even bother writing a review if this wasn't already a consistent dining experience.
Wouldn't recommend this place unless you just go for beer and sports. Otherwise, you can just expect mediocre food and snail-speed service.
First, the verdict, then the testimony. Â
* Slow Service, Â
* 'meh' food Â
* high prices. Â
Not a fan. Â Just sayin'. Â For full disclosure's sake, I will say that I am not a huge fan of sports bars, but I like that I can rely on them for solid, predictable fare. Â You know, sports bar food. Â Burgers. Â Wings. Â Club Sandwiches. Â Chicken Sandwiches, Â the Yoozsh. Food with fries and a beer. Â
So I have been here before and didn't overly dig it. Â Here's today's scene. Â I had a dermatologist appointment 2 doors down and because I was running late I hadn't eaten, which meant that when I got out of the appointment, I was FAMISHED. Â So much so that I HAD to eat right away, lest I fall down and hit my head. Â So, I thought, "Hey, I'm too starving to drive anywhere and a club sandwich with fries and a beer sounds good!" Â Great idea, right? Â However, they don't have Sports bar food. Â They have "Sports bar trying to be hip" food. Â No club sandwich, but a BLT. Â Their Chicken Sandwich had some interesting variation. Â Which is fine, but by the time I had then make the sandwich the way I wanted it, my Ice Tea (I decided against the beer, no fault of theirs...), and the sandwich, which came with fries, was $16.00!! Â I had Guac cheese and bacon, but I didn't get any credit for the stuff they left off 'their' chicken sandwich. Â So to add insult to injury, the food was relatively cold (sandwich was merely somewhat warm and the fries were cold.) Â
I just got really bored writing this, so I presume you must be REALLY bored reading it. Â Â Refer to the verdict at the top for my opinion. Â I have no need to ever come back here. Â
OH! Â And on the way out, I felt like getting my iced tea to go and no one was around to help. Â Not the bartender, not a waitress...no one. Â So I left.
If I could give two and half stars for "incomplete", I would, but given the current rating system, I can't see this restaurant deserving three stars.
Arrived here for a date with low expectations considering the fact that it is a "sports bar". Â
My experience at 3rd Base started off auspiciously with us waiting well over ten minutes for a server in the outside patio area amidst a half-empty restaurant/bar.
After several minutes of perusing the menu, I got up to seek out some help. Â I was headed for the manager, but one of the busboys intercepted me just in time!
When our server did eventually appear, she wasn't all that knowledgeable about the menu.
I ended up ordering the "steak spinach salad" only to have her reemerge several minutes later, mealymouthed and somber, explaining that their "steak" is a smoked steak, which is precooked and therefore not made to order.
I realize that it's a sports bar, but is keeping fresh sirloin on hand really all that much to ask?
I don't blame the server for the company's limited menu and she didn't charge us for our drinks.....the only saving grace, I suppose.
I like the ambiance, outside patio complete with big screen TVs and even overhead heating for later at night; probably the ideal spot to watch a game.
Would recommend, with the only provision being that your expectations are chain quality food, or lower.
The food is whatever. It's higher end bar fare and that's what's getting the 2 stars.
My beef is with the drinks. Thursday night was "You Call It's". I ordered several (5) Jack&Cokes and every single one was incredibly weak. I get that the bar is trying to maintain a profit margin but if you can't afford a NORMAL pour, then maybe it's time to cut the specials. Oh and that's not a "user error". That's your bar staff either being shit bar staff or them being told to short pour. Either way that's your problem.
I'll give my business to either Docs or Upper Decks.
If your looking for a dry, tasteless, $10 burger - this is THE place for you. The wait staff was great, and the atmosphere was nice, but seriously - it's a sports bar - it should have a good burger! The burger was served open face, without any condiments, and came with fries and a small glob of slaw. The slaw tasted okay, but there was literally 2, maybe 3 bites of it. The fries were thin and fried to the point they were more like chips than fries. This was my second, and last, visit to Third Base.
Review Source:Visiting from Dallas/Fort Worth last Sunday watching football before going back home. Thought this place was the same as 3rd Base in Frisco, Tx where waitresses are scantily clad. This is not the same place. But since I was here, mind as well stay.
In honor of the start of Oktoberfest, I had a Shiner Oktoberfest and lemon pepper wings to start. Very good choice. You would think that lemon pepper wings are easy, but most places screw it up pretty good. The lemon pepper wings here just as good as Pluckers, which is the only place I get lemon pepper wings. Enough with the wings...Had a few more beers and had the SOB burger and fries. Was unsure about the "garlicky black bean puree", but it turned out excellent. Overall, Food was very good and Service was even better. Our server Farris was awesome and very plucky! Â Can't wait to stop by again. Hopefully Farris is still there the next time I visit.
So....
I've been here several times and the staff is almost always nonchalant and doesn't seem to really care. I thought my group was never going to be able to leave since we were waiting for our check for what seemed like an eternity. The place gets very crowded, especially during big games, obviously. I've tried the burgers as well as a sandwich, the queso and wings. Everything is always mediocre at best, and is a little pricey for what you get. There are a lot of large tvs, so if you wanna watch a game you will be happy. Don't expect the food and service to make you happy though, unless your really drunk.
My review is based solely on their take-away. Â We live near and it's convenient so sometimes when you want a burger, reuben (although I think that's off the menu now BOO), or some other bar fare in the comfort of your own home this is the place to go.
I have to give an extra-special shout out and star for their sweet potato fries. Â WOW, that was a revelation last night. Â We'd been getting their other side options, but I learned they had those which I've been a sucker for since I first had them at the NYNY casino when it first opened (yeah, I'm dating myself - SO?)
Mister is a poker champ (he gets pretty far into the tournaments anyway) and he goes here when they have those. That's how I even learned about them.
So if you're in the neighborhood and want take-away that travels quite well, try them out. Â Hopefully you'll be as pleased as we've been.
Not-So-Private Note to Biz: BRING BACK THE RUEBEN!!!!!!!!!!
The food is mediocre as was the service.
They have a happy hour bar food special. The meatball sliders were pretty tasty the regular sliders and the chicken sliders were not so much.
The waitstaff were ok, not the best service in a town that's know for service. Â Yes i was there with a larger group, but still not great as we had to wait upto 10 minutes for drinks and the place wasn't very busy at all.
Meh. Â Adequate but just meh.
We got there 30 mins early (our fault). Â Someone brought us water, and didn't mind us hanging out outside, which was awesome. Â However, when one gets there 30 mins early, one expects to be the first ones served.
We didn't get menus until almost 15 after, my husband ended up with a mojito instead of a mint julep (to be fair, the waitress noticed the next time around and offered to replace but that feels like alcohol abuse), our order didn't get taken until quite a while after that, and all of our foods came out lukewarm to cold.
It did get busy real quick so I guess I understand, and the turkey naan sandwich I had was pretty awesome (especially dipped in my hubbs spicy garlic wing sauce). Â I would give it another try if I'm in the area and are looking for a dog friendly patio, but first impressions weren't all that great.
BONUS: they had a cornhole game set up outside and 2 big tvs - so it would be a great covered shaded patio to catch the game.
I wasn't going to write this review because I figured my experience was a fluke, or an off night, but seeing other reviews... it obviously wasn't.
I came here with an alumni group to watch a NCAA tournament game. The place was packed, with sections reserved for different teams' fans. I tried the bar to get a drink, but I was behind a mass of 8 guys in one spot, all holding money in their hands and complaining about not getting service. It looked like they had two bar tenders for the entire bar (the central feature of the space). I figured no problem, we had a server dedicated to our section, so I'll use her.
At the start of the game I ordered a Lone Star from our server and paid cash. With 4 minutes left in the second half I got my change for my first beer.
The place was horribly under staffed, and whatever system they have for handling money is completely broken. They could have made more money off of me than one Lone Star if they knew how to staff appropriately and handle transactions.
SO MANY TVs PLAYING SO MUCH FOOTBALL!
Ok, so its been a while since I should have written this but better late than never.
I came here one Sunday a with a huge group of people for cheap bottomless mimosas. Â The food good, the service par, BUT I couldn't get over how they had EVERY game playing on EVERY nook and cranny in the place. Â Seriously, everyone could see every game playing on every wall. Â For a professional fantasy football manager, this place is the bomb.
I watched a UT football game here and it was a good place to watch the game, but not without a few (fairly large) negatives.
They didn't have the game on up until it was literally time for kickoff (and it's not like there were other big games just finishing or anything). The table next to ours had to stop a waitress and ask her about it, and it was a couple minutes before they actually got a couple TVs changed .The players were literally lined up for kickoff by the time they got it on. At a regular bar that's not really a big deal, but this is a "sports" bar in Austin.
We had some coupons we received for parking in their garage during an event (pay $10 to park and get $10 off your tab). There was no expiration date on them and no one ever said anything about them only being valid on certain days. We found out, however, that they are only valid during the event (which is kind of dumb because who is going to want to go to Third Base after ACL). They did knock a few dollars off of our tab which is cool, but doesn't make up for it. If a coupon is only valid for a certain day then it should say that on the coupon, or should at least be communicated when the coupon is purchased.
My fish tacos and sweet potato fries were actually really good, which was a saving grace for an experience that otherwise would have been overall a negative.
I'm just really not a huge fan of this place. Â If I can't get a table and a waitress, I pretty much say forget it. Â I feel like their drinks are kind of pricey for a sports bar and the bartenders are oblivious. Â The only fun thing I've had there that I thought was memorable was the red headed mexican...it's a drink people. Â It's basically a frozen swirl margarita with an entire beer floater (literally, there is a beer sticking out of it). Â Other than that pretty much every experience I've had here has kind of frustrated me.
Now, I've tried some of the food, but the only real saving factor for me is that they have a really good build your own chopped salad. Â You can choose from about 12 different ingredients for about $7.50 (extra for meat). Â All in all, I really only venture here for lunch, for the salad, or if forced for a game of some sort.
It seems like this place gets worse with time. Â Maybe the food is just as terrible, but frequent exposure builds up--kind of like radiation poisoning. Â You can take it small doses, but too much will kill you.
I came here to watch the Orange Bowl and again, the atmosphere was great for watching the game and the service was pretty good too. Â However, the food here just cannot get much worse. Â The fries are room temperature, soggy, and flavorless. Â Their sandwiches are a joke--my five-year-old could make them (if I actually had a kid). Â
The real problem with Third Base is that if you come here to watch a game, you're probably going to feel compelled to order food. Â That means you're going to have to suck it up and pick something disgusting off of an already unappealing menu. Â Bravo for getting this far. Â The problem is that the terrible food will follow you home; leaving you awake at night wondering when the torment will stop and why you ever went to Third Base in the first place.
I don't want to go back, but I feel like I will; and when I do, I'll regret it.
I had a TERRIBLE service experience at Third Base that still makes me fume months later. I don't expect five star service at a sports bar, but I do expect to be treated like the paying customer I am.
A large group of friends and I settled in to watch a big game at Third Base. At halftime, I and several friends stepped outside onto the establishment's patio to smoke a cigarette (it was a stressful game) while the majority of our friends stayed at the table with our food and beverages. We passed by an employee manning the door and mentioned our intentions to him. Ten minutes later, when we went to re-enter, that employee told us we couldn't enter through that particular door and would have to go to the front door.
At the front door, there was a long line. Assuming they must be waiting for seating, we asked at the front if we could just go on in to our table. The doorman's brusque answer was "no, the building has reached capacity and you can't enter." Despite explaining that we had food and beverages waiting for us inside and that we'd only stepped out briefly for a smoke and that the employee we passed on our way out hadn't mentioned any such policy, we were not allowed in.
I went on to point out to the guys manning both doors that they were apparently counting people who were entering but were not counting the people leaving or stepping out like we had through the patio door. No amount of logic or pointing to our empty seats and waiting food and beer moved the guys to let us in.
Not wanting to cause a scene, we decided to wait patiently thinking it probably wouldn't take long. After waiting in the line for about 10 minutes and not moving at all, I asked to speak to a manager. None ever showed up.
Halftime was ending and I felt like we were being held hostage. Finally, I was just fed up. I told the doorman I was going to the bathroom (since I'd seen him letting others in for that purpose), and hurried to my table, determined to pay my bill for the food and beer I'd been able to consume before stepping out to smoke. If I wouldn't be allowed in to my table, I'd take my business elsewhere. Many people would've probably just left and stiffed the waitress for everything at that point.
I found my waitress, explained the situation and told her what I was willing to pay for. She seemed understanding, if not willing to find a way to rectify the situation, and went to get my check. As I waited, the doorman saw me sitting back at my table and yelled that I couldn't be inside. I ignored him and continued to wait. Moments later, that manager I'd been trying to find came over to me (apparently, the doorman had told him of my "sneaking" in) and told me I needed to leave. It was one of those "you can't fire me -- I quit" moments. I tried to explain that I was already on my way out and merely wanted to pay following the terrible experience I'd had. He said I just needed to leave, and I happily complied, leaving some cash with a friend who'd stayed inside to give to the waitress as a tip.
It was truly one of the most absurd, irritating restaurant situations I've ever experienced. I understand there are fire codes and that establishments have to have rules -- but they weren't properly keeping count of the people inside and they didn't let us know we wouldn't be able to re-enter. It was an incredible failure of service and common sense.
My business partners love to bring up the time when - YEARS ago, mind you - we were having lunch at Hoover's and the waiter asked me how I wanted my tuna cooked. Â I asked him, "Is it sushi grade?" Â My partners about fell off their chairs laughing at the idea that sushi grade tuna might exist at Hoover's. Â Hey, my screen name is Optimista for a reason...
Despite the fact that the Hoover's tuna was, in fact, not sushi grade, I ended up ordering it rare and, well, it was a mistake. Â Fishy.
Flash forward several years. Â I'm at Third Base for the first time, and I order the ahi tacos ($8.99). Â The server asks how I want the tuna cooked, and without even thinking, I order it rare. Â I guess I deserve every bit of my partners' ribbing, because Third Base is probably about 100X less likely to have high quality tuna than Hoover's. Â The server says, "I like mine that way, too."
Apparently, the server likes his tuna to taste super fishy, because that's what this was. Â And no amount of spicy cilantro jalapeno sauce could fix it. Â The tortillas didn't look too much like they were straight out of the bag, but they did have kind of a strong flour-y flavor that I wasn't fond of. Â The tacos came with a side of black beans and some sort of ever-so-slightly flavored rice. Â Neither were bad; nor were either inspired in the least.
My friend's chili-queso hotdog was huge and he seemed to like it well enough. Â I stole a few fries from the gigantic fry mountain he received and they were OK. Â Moderately crispy, medium thickness, but not particularly flavorful.
Props to the server, who made me momentarily consider giving them a three-star review. Â It's not often that a woman my age gets to be called "Sweetie" by a guy wearing a knit cap indoors.
Third base? Â Not so much. Â This place isn't even getting to first base with me.
I was lucky to get a seat inside for the Big 12 Championship which by the way I was almost in tears because I thought Texas was going to lose. But thank god Hunter Lawrence saved the day. I wasn't going to sit outside even though there were heat lamps. But also I got to laugh at the fact that Tim Tebow was crying during the Florida and Alabama game. Ha!
The service was decent and the place was packed. So the vibe inside was awesome. The food was awful but what did you expect from the sports bar? I mean I would have been shocked if it was good. If you order chips and salsa you would be fine. You can't really mess up chips and salsa.
The cool thing is that they play the Texas fight song.
Last Saturday (yes the UT vs. Tech game day) we called to see if they were going to show the UFC fights. Â Because we have had prior experience with so-called sports bars saying that they are showing UFC, we pretty much knew the questions to ask. Â So here was our convo with the people at Third Base:
Q: Â Are you showing the UFC fights tonight?
A: Â Yes
Q: Â We know the game is on, but will you have a dedicated TV for the UFC fights?
A: Â Yes
Q: Â Will there be sound for the UFC fight?
A: Â Yes
So with that info in hand, we got there to find a zillion people watching the UT/Tech game. Â We were there early, so it wasn't a surprise that every TV was tuned into that game. Â We had a drink and sat around chatting with each other. Â About half an hour before the fight was scheduled to start, the BF decided to ask where the "dedicated" TV was. Â So we are directed to the PARKING GARAGE/LOADING DOCK where they set up an extra big screen TV (with the game on) and next to it, a 32" TV where they were showing the fight....with no sound.
Are you 'effin kidding me???  So trying to give them one more chance at salvation, we asked a server if  they were going to switch the game off and change it to UFC fighting as soon as the fight started.  The server basically laughed in our faces.  Really?  If I had a "You Have Been Yelped" card, I probably would have licked it and stuck it straight on his forehead.
To make a long story short, we got home just in time to order it in the privacy and comfort of our own home. Â The dogs were happy to have us back at home early and to be honest, I made a better drink my damn self.
I don't know what else we possibly could have asked before heading to Third Base. Â I scream FOUL!!!!!
I have been to Third Base many times because it was the designated after bar for SSC. Â Good location, plenty of parking, clean bathrooms, and some of the cutest waitresses around.
Unfortunately, I really don't like it. Â After our 1st game, our team arrived and told the cute lil hostess we needed a table for 10. Â She got a really confused look on her face and it took her about 15 minutes to push 2 tables together and seat us. Â Mind you, the place was dead, we were the 1st team to arrive, and they are the designated after bar. Â Someone should have clued in the hostess. Â Poor thing looked completely baffled when the other teams started pouring in. Â
The waitstaff, pretty as they may be, have never failed to mess up my order, forget my order, or mis-charge my order. Â They are also excruciatingly slow and are liberal with eyerolls and exasperated sighs. When the food does come it ranges from blecchhh to meh (and that is a very generous meh). Â
I will return here if I must, eat beforehand, and only order drinks from the bar.
After a very disappointing experience at Champions we decided to move our Spurs game watching over here. Â
This is a solid sports bar with a buttload of TVs and good spacing of the tables and seats. Â Even a patio outside for the smokers and TVs out there too. Â
Quick efficient service, good rum and coke ratio, not too expensive. Â The only downer really was that we ordered queso and it was too bland. Â Our second try at queso that day and I guess it was just not to be.
There are some similarities with Third Base Sports Bar and getting to third base with respect to the dating world. Â Allow me to break it down:
The Anticipation and Suspense: Â is reeling when you're on your way to Third Base to watch your favorite sports event, whether it be college football, UFC, boxing, or basketball, Third Base has plenty of TV's there to suit your programming needs.
The Thrill of the Moment: Â while you're there - in the moment - you arrived early to beat the crowd and found a good seat. Â This place usually gets packed during the big sporting events, so it's a big thrill when you find an open seat.
The Big Let Down: Â similar to when you've reached unchartered waters and a new territory only to be let down by false or inflated expectations - - Â you show up @ Third Base to find the place packed w/ people, no seating, most of the waitresses are unattentive, rude, or too busy to help you out, and they also charge a ridiculous $10 cover to watch the UFC (WTF?). Â Not to mention there are NO drink specials (pints of beer = $4+) during these events. Â
The De-Nile (or Agony of Defeat): Â Much like one getting denied the priviledge of experiencing 3rd Base, during a busy sporting event (like the De La Hoya Boxing match), you arrive and get denied entrance while the outside patio is crowded w/ a long line waiting to enter. Â You find yourself standing outside in 35 degree weather where your exposed organs get cold and turn blue - - and no matter how hard you try you just can't get in (the door) to warm up. Â
Jackpot!: Â Let's say you successfully get by all of those barriers and finally get to your goal. Â Once in a blue moon you'll come across a really nice waitress who's got brains and braun - she's proactive, attentive, fills your drink order in a jiffy, and doesn't make wasted trips. Â She recommends the Turkey Club w/ chips - and it actually tastes pretty damn good! Â Especially the chips - which are homemade and always warm w/ a slight crispy and chewy texture in your mouth. Â Make sure you get a side of chipotle mayo to dip them in. Â Â
Sabrina (the hostess) was awesome - on both visits she's been really nice, friendly, willing to help, and a hard worker too. Â But other than that, the other waitresses I've experienced were just average - - not particularly nice or attentive or responsive, and they don't pick up the tables efficiently when it's really crowded. Â They should emphasize on training and quality control (like making sure the soda isn't watered down before bringing your refill - twice!). Â But if you're going to check out Third Base to watch a game - get there early and try the Turkey Club Sandwich w/ chips (and a side of their chipolte mayo). Â Yummy! Â
Oh yeah - once the game is over this place clears out like a ghost town - - not many stick around afterwards.
I attempted to watch a Monday Night Football game here but was foiled by their incredibly rude  wait staff.
Apparently their seat yourself policy only applies when it's convenient for Third Base. Â My group found a spare table and sat down, yet we were then informed that a waitress had just prepared it for her regulars and could we please move. Â So yeah...
although it was tempting to maintain our rightful spot at the table, our desire to drink and enjoy the night won out over spite. Â Just as well because we found a great sports bar at Champions (300 E. 4th street).
Aside from the rude and less than intelligent staff the venue also left a lot to be desired. Â Parking was tricky and difficult to obtain and the crowd was far too much for the bar. Â I'm not entirely sure how this place managed to amass such a large following.
My experience with Third Base was brief and frustrating. Â I recommend that anyone interested in actually catching a game make their way to a more amenable venue.
Edit: Notice how many of the reviewers complain about the service? Â maybe there's a reason for that, Mr. Concerned and Oblivious Third Base Owner.
Eh. Â This isn't a place that I'd visit again on my own accord and I have trouble figuring out why so many people were there. Â It's a good place if you want to go have a beer and watch sports (which I guess is the purpose of the place) but if you are at all intending to eat or expect an above average level of service, you'll probably be disappointed. Â
I was there with a decently sized party, but the waitress seemed to forget about us, as if we weren't ordering anything or planning on tipping at all. Â I had some tortilla soup that was pretty decent but the queso that I ordered for the table pretty much ruined any hope that I had in this place--literally the worst queso I've ever had. Â It was the consistency of broth and tasted like it was made with the little seasoning packets that come when you make box macaroni and cheese.
The only good part: They have a parking garage.
OK, full disclosure, one of the managers of this joint is a friend of mine.
No, I don't owe him money. No, I haven't liked every joint he's ever worked at.
All that said, this is easily the best sports bar in Austin. It's also a pretty great downtown lunch spot. And a pretty good bar/grill/restaurant.
Seriously, they have something like 35 50-inch HD TVs. Also, they seem to have every imaginable PPV package.
The food is fantastic. Every time I've been in there, I see something out of the kitchen that looks great. The next time, I order it, and it's great. Awesome burgers. Chili dogs to die for. The pasta is great. And, the kitchen opens at 11 am and closes at 4 am.
Best of all, this joint is at the bottom of a parking garage. Think about the benefit.
Drinks are priced fairly, and they have specials just about every night.
Also, you can almost always get them to put the Indians on a TV somewhere.
Rock.
What Third Base most definitely has going for it is a commendable use of space. Hartland Plaza faces the increasingly congested Mopac and is bound on all sides by busy, one-way surface streets and turn-arounds - certainly a challenge when it comes to layout and design. Third Base Sports Bar has wisely created a vibrant, spacious watering hole with cool lines, warm tones, and perfectly placed flat screens. The outdoor cement patio is surprisingly calm and inviting, given the homebound traffic. Even the noise level of the competing televised games is at an appropriate decibel.
The food is good. The menu is small and not exactly veg happy, but they make a decent chipotle chicken sandwich and their fries are fresh and hot. Beer is cold, and they offer Pacifico, which makes me happy. Two more things to be excited about - free parking garage and a great spot for office get-togethers.
What I can't get excited about is the Third Base flavor. Here you have a brand new establishment in a growing, diverse city with, as Kevin N. accurately pointed out, a great demographic of sports loving people. And as a woman, the staff of Third Base could not have been more disinterested in my patronage. The clientele, of course, was happy to see two more females walk in (I dragged Corinne here). Â
Now granted, the sports bar, as an institution, has been predominantly and historically catered to men. Fine. But our waitress, while absolutely pleasant, was much more interested in our neighboring (and more masculine) tables, which made for infrequent visits. There was a semi-obvious pattern among the wait staff of prioritizing the man-tables. Even the host's face fell when we walked through the door. What?! Settle down...I'm going to buy lots of beer and greasy food, too! And I tip better. (Alright, that's a generalization, but I can't help myself.)
As a lifelong tomboy, I was a little disappointed. Third Base's playbook reads like a singles bar that uses sports broadcasts to fill the awkward silences.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
