Upstairs at Caroline: Austin's rooftop backyard party

If you are looking for a spot that leans more into a party than a quiet drink, Upstairs at Caroline is the place. It is a rooftop bar in downtown Austin, billed as "Austin's premier urban backyard party," and it earns that description with handcrafted drinks, games, and locally inspired food in a lively rooftop setting. It has also landed a spot among the top ten best happy hours in the city.

The drinks are where the personality shows. The bRING it On is the one everyone talks about: a $10 shot of ice filled with Patron that you throw against a bell to make it ring. For something more laid-back, there is the Crafts on Draft Hipster-Jito at $14, the Margaritas In Mexico at $14, the Strawberry + Me at $14, and the Patio Pounder at $14. The Frozen Bad Life Choices comes in at $13, with a two-per-person limit, while Keep Austin Guava'd is also $13. The Backyard Beverages line rounds things out with the Mule on the Roof, Sippin' Sangria, and Signature In Old Austin all at $14, and the Backyard Pick Me Up at $16. Drafts and cans run $8 each, from Austin Beerworks to Lone Star, and there are zero-proof mocktails for $7. Wine is poured by the glass, with Claimstaker Chardonnay and Cabernet at $13 and Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc at $15.

The food is built around street tacos, and they are cheap enough to order a few. Pork Carnita, Braised Brisket, Grilled Adobo Chicken, and a Quinoa & Cauliflower "Chorizo" are all $5, while Chilled Grilled Shrimp is $6. Brunch tacos with bacon, sausage, or bean and egg are $4 each. Beyond that, there is a $10 Spicy Ahi Tuna and a $10 Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, a $12 Mexican Chopped Salad, and $12 nachos. Dips like Charred Tomatillo & Avocado and Cheesy Ranchero Bean are $4, and a Mangonada dessert is $6. There is even a pup menu, with a $3 Peanut Butter Pup Cup and $5 Pup Ice Cream.

That dog-friendly streak goes further than the menu: on Sundays, guests with their dog get 25% off their visit all day long. Between the drinks and the food, the games keep things moving, with giant Jenga, foosball, and corn hole scattered around. It is the kind of place where the games are as much a part of the visit as the drinks.

A few practical notes before you go. Upstairs at Caroline is at 109 E 7th St, and it does not take reservations, so it is walk-ins only. It opens at noon on Monday through Thursday and an hour earlier, at 11 am, on Friday through Sunday, closing at midnight every night. If you are planning a group, it is worth remembering that you cannot book a table in advance, so arriving early is the move. With the games, the dog discount, and the happy hour reputation, it is an easy pick for a lively afternoon or evening downtown.