The Driskill
Austin's original and iconic hotel features late-nineteenth-century Romanesque architecture. With its marble floors, stained-glass dome, and corridors filled with museum-quality artwork, a grand entrance into the opulent lobby transports you to a historical era.
Ascend the grand staircase to the most authentic Texas bar in downtown Austin, complete with live music and happy hour every day.
Texas bar scene Austin's top attractions
About The Driskill
The Driskill, a Romanesque-style structure completed in 1886, is Austin's oldest operating hotel and one of Texas' most well-known hotels in general.
Col. Jesse Driskill, a cattleman who spent his fortune building "the finest hotel south of St. Louis," designed and built the Driskill.
The Driskill remains one of Austin's premier hotels today, with lavish bridal suites, two restaurants, and a grand ballroom. Hyatt Hotels Corporation has managed Driskill since 2013.
On November 25, 1969, the hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Architecture
The Driskill is made up of two interconnected buildings: the original four-story Romanesque Revival structure built in 1886 and a 13-story annex built in 1930.
The original structure was built with over six million pressed bricks and white limestone accents by Austin architect Jasper N. Preston. On the southern and eastern facades of the building, there are two porticos with large Richardsonian-style arches that were said to be the largest in Texas.
J.W. "Bud" Driskill faces Brazos Street, A.W. "Tobe" Driskill faces a west-side alley, and Jesse Driskill faces Sixth Street, which is surrounded by decorative carvings.
The hotel had 60 rooms when it first opened, including 12 corner rooms with attached baths, which were unusual in the region at the time. The structure was built with separate entrances for men and women.
- A saloon, billiard room, cigar shop, newsstand, and barbershop with baths flanked two entrances for men, one on Sixth Street and the other facing the alleyway on the west side of the building.
- The Brazos Street women's entrance allowed female guests to bypass the lobby's cigar smoke and rough talk and go straight.
The second floor housed the main dining room and ballroom, as well as men's and women's parlors, a children's dining room, and bridal suites. An electric bell system, steam heating, and gas lighting were among the other features.
Trost & Trost, an El Paso architecture firm, designed the 13-story annex, which opened in 1930. The bungalow penthouse in the 180-room annex is only accessible from the building's roof.
- The bungalow has two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, as well as a living room and a fully equipped kitchen.
The bungalow was originally used as a private residence for Southern Pacific Railroad superintendents, but it was later rented to celebrities such as Jack Dempsey, Bob Hope, and President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The hotel manager restored the bungalow in 1979 to use as his personal residence.
Texas Shuttle Services
Texas Shuttle will help you plan your rides to these fun and exciting visits to The Driskill in Austin, Texas. We will pick and drop you off at your exact locations. Almost all rides are non-stop in nice cars, SUVs, or shuttles.
- We are available 24/7.
- You can change the time or date with us without being charged.
There's less hassle, and you save more money with us. The Texas Shuttle is safer, affordable, flexible, and more convenient than any other ride. Book a ride with us this weekend to experience a fun and productive weekend.
Christmas Events Transportation
Plan your visit to these wonderful Christmas events with the Texas Shuttle service. You can book Dallas to Houston shuttle service.
- We will pick you up and drop you off at your exact locations.
- Almost all rides are non-stop in nice cars, SUVs, or shuttles.
- We are available 24/7.
- You can change the time or date with us without being charged.
It even reduces the unwanted cost incurred on the fair of taxis and buses to reach home. There's less hassle, and you can save more money with us. The Texas Shuttle is safer, affordable, flexible, and more convenient than any other ride. Book a ride with us this season to experience that warm and stress-free holiday vibe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the history of The Driskill and when was it added to the National Register of Historic Places?
The Driskill, built in 1886 by Col. Jesse Driskill, is Austin's oldest operating hotel. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 25, 1969.
Can I visit The Driskill without staying overnight?
Yes, you can visit The Driskill for tours or dining in their restaurants without staying overnight.
What unique architectural features does The Driskill have?
The Driskill features Romanesque Revival architecture with over six million pressed bricks and white limestone accents, including two porticos with large Richardsonian-style arches.
How can I get to The Driskill from the airport using Texas Shuttle?
You can contact Texas Shuttle at (817) 403-6196 for transportation services from the airport to The Driskill.
Dining at The Driskill
Food and drink are central to The Driskill's identity as Austin's original scene-stealer. The hotel offers three distinct venues under one roof, each with its own character and hours. Per the hotel's official site (driskillhotel.com), the Dining Room collection is operated in partnership with McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality (MML Hospitality), the Austin-based group behind many of the city's most-loved restaurants.
The crown jewel is The Driskill Grill. Since 1886, The Driskill has stood at the heart of Austin's story — welcoming legends, shaping the soul of the city, and defining a distinctly Texan standard of intentional hospitality. Now, reimagined by MML Hospitality in 2026, The Driskill Grill returns as a classic American steakhouse worthy of that legacy. Dinner service runs nightly from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and proper attire is required for dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m., so plan accordingly if you're coming straight from a day on Lady Bird Lake.
| Venue | Style | Hours | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Driskill Grill | Classic American steakhouse, reimagined by MML Hospitality in 2026 | Nightly, 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Special occasions and celebratory dinners |
| The Driskill Bar | Refined gathering place for classic cocktails and martinis | Evenings; check with the hotel for current hours | Pre-dinner drinks under the stained-glass dome |
| 1886 Café & Bakery | Texas-inspired familiar favorites, sweet and savory | Breakfast, brunch, and lunch 7 days a week | One of the best brunches in Austin |
The Driskill Bar returns as a refined gathering place where classic cocktails, rich surroundings, and a distinctly Texan sense of occasion come together. It's a fitting spot to end an evening — the same bar scene that carries live music into the night just off the grand staircase.
1886 Café & Bakery is stocked with recipes from the hotel's past. This popular local spot is known for being one of the best brunches in Austin, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch seven days a week from a menu of savory and sweet Texas-inspired favorites.
For more ways to eat your way through the city, see our guide to Austin's top attractions and plan a full weekend around your table reservations.
Experiences and Offers at The Driskill
Beyond guestrooms and dining, The Driskill curates signature experiences that connect the hotel to the wider Austin landscape. Two worth noting from the hotel's own listings:
- Bolos & Bourbon Experience — a distinctly Texan pairing of bolo ties and bourbon that leans into the hotel's cattleman heritage under Col. Jesse Driskill.
- Sunset Kayak & Bats Experience — a guided paddle on Lady Bird Lake timed to the evening bat flight. During peak season, as many as 1.5 million bats call the Congress Avenue Bridge home, forming the world's largest urban bat colony (per the hotel's experience listings).
Current Offers & Packages
Guests booking directly can choose from packages highlighted on driskillhotel.com:
- Reimagined Luxury — be among the first to experience the restored guest rooms with a $100 food and beverage credit, complimentary valet parking, a welcome amenity, nightly turndown service, and 2 p.m. late check-out.
- Legendary Suite Escape — settle into a grand Driskill suite with a welcome amenity, $50 daily food and beverage credit, complimentary valet parking, and nightly turndown service.
Offer details and availability change, so confirm terms with the hotel before booking.
Weddings and Events at The Driskill
With a grand ballroom, lavish bridal suites, and a collection of suites and spaces designed for dining, celebrating, and connecting, The Driskill has long been chosen for defining events. Presidents, patrons, artists, and influencers have all chosen the hotel for social gatherings since it opened its doors in 1886. The second-floor ballroom and parlor spaces, part of the original 1886 layout, remain among the most storied event backdrops in downtown Austin.
Getting to The Driskill
The Driskill sits at 604 Brazos Street at the corner of Sixth Street, in the heart of downtown. Music carries into the evening from 6th to Congress, and nature provides a pause as you explore the beauty of Lady Bird Lake or wander to Zilker Park. Drivers arriving from Houston or Dallas typically come in on I-35, while travelers from San Antonio approach via I-35 North or TX-71/US-290. Valet parking is included with select packages.
Flying in instead? Let Texas Shuttle handle the ground transportation. We offer Dallas to Austin shuttle service and Houston to Austin shuttle service with door-to-door drop-off right at the hotel's Brazos Street entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guestrooms does The Driskill have?
The Driskill features 189 individually styled guestrooms, along with a collection of suites and spaces designed for dining, celebrating, and connecting, according to driskillhotel.com.
Is there a dress code at The Driskill Grill?
Yes. Proper attire is required nightly in the Driskill Grill for dinner service, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The bar and café are more casual.
What are The Driskill Grill's hours?
The Driskill Grill serves dinner nightly from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Hours can change seasonally, so verify with the hotel before your visit.
What is the 1886 Café & Bakery known for?
The 1886 Café & Bakery is known for being one of the best brunches in Austin, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch seven days a week with Texas-inspired familiar favorites drawn from recipes of the hotel's past.
Who owns and operates The Driskill?
The Driskill has been operated by Hyatt Hotels Corporation since 2013, and its dining venues are operated in partnership with McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality (MML Hospitality), which reimagined The Driskill Grill in 2026.
What is there to do near The Driskill?
The hotel places you steps from Sixth Street's live music venues, Congress Avenue, and Lady Bird Lake. Wander to Zilker Park, watch the world's largest urban bat colony emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk, or tour the Texas State Capitol a short walk north.
Does The Driskill offer packages?
Yes. Current offers include Reimagined Luxury, with a $100 food and beverage credit, complimentary valet parking, welcome amenity, nightly turndown, and 2 p.m. late check-out, and Legendary Suite Escape, which includes a $50 daily food and beverage credit with valet and turndown. Confirm current details directly with the hotel.
