Random Bars and Pubs, Columbus, OH (2026)

08/30/2026

🍺 TEXAS, WE’RE DOWN TO TWO 🤠🏆

We started with 16 of the most submitted random bars in Texas, and after a whole lot of votes, we’re officially down to the final two👀

ARMADILLO DEN VS. THE ESQUIRE TAVERN 🍻

We put this bracket together for one reason. To show some love to the random watering holes, neighborhood staples, bartenders, regulars, and communities that make Texas bar culture what it is!!

You guys showed up for your bars, your cities, and your state the entire way. That’s what makes Texas so damn special. Appreciate everyone who voted, shared, rallied the regulars, and kept the friendly competition rolling 🍺

Now it’s time for the FINAL 🏆
Armadillo Den. Esquire Tavern. One last vote🗳️

Whoever takes the crown, we’re coming to their bar and throwing an event with Pantalones Organic Tequila to celebrate 👖🍹🏆

Rally the regulars. Tell your bartender. Fire up the group chat. Show your watering hole some love⚡️

Two bars left. One Texas champion🌎

WHICH BAR IS KNOCKING OUR PANTALONES OFF? 🤠🍻

08/28/2026

🏆 Bartender of the Week
Connor

📍 Nigel - Hound's Rest | Champaign, Illinois

😎 Why They Deserve a Bartender Shoutout
Connor loves bartending because every shift has its own personality. One night it’s regulars, the next it’s random characters, and somehow there’s always a story by the end of it.

He’s met some incredible people behind the bar, and that’s a huge part of why he loves it. It also gives him a place to be creative, build cocktails, mess around with new ideas, and bring some of his own personality into what he serves.

Between the loyal regulars, friends, and whoever happens to walk through the door, there’s never really a boring night at Hound’s.

🍸 Favorite Drink to Serve
Right now, Connor’s favorite is his “Champaign Supernova.”

The name is a nod to Oasis and the fact that Hound’s is right in Champaign. It’s made with locally sourced cranberry pear vinaigrette, dandelion syrup, honey gin, ginger liqueur, and topped with Champagne🥂

Definitely not your average bar drink, and pretty damn perfect for summer. 🍾

📖 Funniest Bartender Story
Hound’s recently hosted a Fernet Branca water pong tournament, and apparently things got very serious very fast. The bar was packed, the teams were locked in, the Fernet samples were flowing, and then halfway through the tournament… a tornado touched down in Champaign.

Sirens going off. Rain flying sideways. Staff telling everyone to pause and take cover. Nobody wanted to stop playing.

So naturally, the tournament kept going and Connor kept slinging Fernet while a tornado was happening outside. Absolute fever dream of a shift. 😂

🎯 Fun Fact
Connor also runs the Hound’s social media pages and hopes to eventually work in a creative role for a liquor brand or supplier.

Hound’s itself is loaded with character. Every back bar is an authentic antique bar curated from different regions and eras, so the place has a story before you even order your first drink.

⭐️ 4.7

📱 The first 5 people to check in at Hound’s Court on our BarWave app and show Connor their check in will get a special gift from the bar! 🎁🍻

🌊 Show Connor and Hound’s Court some love in the comments if you’ve ever pulled up!

08/25/2026

FINAL 4 of Random Texas Bars That Will Knock Your Pantalones Off! 🚨🍻

⭐️REMINDER: Winner of the final gets an event at their bar with Pantalones x Random Bars & Pubs⭐️

Our second match-up of the Final 4 features two classic bars filled with Texas history. Who are you picking between Donn's Depot and The Esquire Tavern?

Donn’s Depot | Austin BARWAVE 4.7⭐️

Donn's Depot has an unimaginable list of history, and began as a real Missouri-Pacific train depot, but was hauled up from McNeil, Texas in 1972 for $300 and parked on West 5th in Austin. It was then bolted to three retired railcars because, why the hell not? One of those cars got converted into the women’s restroom! Yes, the bathroom is a caboose. The name comes from Donn Adelman, who took over in ‘78 and never left. He’s still on the baby grand piano most weeks, same seat, same songbook full of Sinatra, Merle Haggard, and even Elvis.
Donn says it best: they’re not trying to “Keep Austin Weird,” they’re “keeping Austin Austin.” Inside it’s a honky-tonk, dance hall, and even a little living room like. They’ve got Christmas lights up year-round, free popcorn, and a blackjack table just because. Come for cheap beer, and well crafted mixed drinks and cocktails the way a train-car saloon should pour them. A battle tested great spot for a beer since 1972.

The Esquire Tavern I San Antonio BARWAVE 4.4⭐️

The Esquire Tavern opened in 1933 the day
Prohibition ended, Esquire is the oldest bar on the San Antonio River Walk and is home to a wooden bar top stretching more than 100 feet. Inside, the dark wood, pressed-tin ceiling and old-school decor give the place plenty of character, while the cocktail program goes far beyond the usual River Walk drinks. There’s also Downstairs, an intimate cocktail lounge directly on the River Walk. With craft cocktails, Texas beer, elevated bar food and decades of stories behind it, Esquire feels like a true San Antonio institution.

Swipe to check out each bar, then vote below to decide who makes the final!

Brought to you by

08/25/2026

FINAL 4 of Random Texas Bars That Will Knock Your Pantalones Off! 🚨🍻

⭐️REMINDER: Winner of the final gets an event at their bar with Pantalones x Random Bars & Pubs⭐️

Our second match-up of the Final 4 features two classic bars filled with Texas history. Who are you picking between Donn's Depot and The Down ‘n Out?

Donn’s Depot | Austin BARWAVE 4.7⭐️

Donn's Depot has an unimaginable list of history, and began as a real Missouri-Pacific train depot, but was hauled up from McNeil, Texas in 1972 for $300 and parked on West 5th in Austin. It was then bolted to three retired railcars because, why the hell not? One of those cars got converted into the women’s restroom! Yes, the bathroom is a caboose. The name comes from Donn Adelman, who took over in ‘78 and never left. He’s still on the baby grand piano most weeks, same seat, same songbook full of Sinatra, Merle Haggard, and even Elvis.
Donn says it best: they’re not trying to “Keep Austin Weird,” they’re “keeping Austin Austin.” Inside it’s a honky-tonk, dance hall, and even a little living room like. They’ve got Christmas lights up year-round, free popcorn, and a blackjack table just because. Come for cheap beer, and well crafted mixed drinks and cocktails the way a train-car saloon should pour them. A battle tested great spot for a beer since 1972.

The Esquire Tavern I San Antonio BARWAVE 4.4⭐️

The Esquire Tavern opened in 1933 the day Prohibition ended, Esquire is the oldest bar on the San Antonio River Walk and is home to a wooden bar top stretching more than 100 feet. Inside, the dark wood, pressed-tin ceiling and old-school decor give the place plenty of character, while the cocktail program goes far beyond the usual River Walk drinks. There’s also Downstairs, an intimate cocktail lounge directly on the River Walk. With craft cocktails, Texas beer, elevated bar food and decades of stories behind it, Esquire feels like a true San Antonio institution.

Swipe to check out each bar, then vote below to decide who makes the final!

Brought to you by

08/24/2026

FINAL 4 of Random Texas Bars That Will Knock Your Pantalones Off! 🚨🍻

⭐️ REMINDER: Winner of the final gets an event at their bar with Pantalones x Random Bars & Pubs ⭐️

First match-up of the Final 4 features two favorites from different cities. Who are you picking between Armadillo Den | South Austin Bar & Music and The Down ‘n Out?

Armadillo Den | Austin BARWAVE 4.6 ⭐️

Armadillo Den | South Austin Bar & Music sits on three acres and is a two-story bar.
They’ve got enough oak trees to make you forget you’re only twenty minutes from downtown Austin. It’s definitely the place to party with their huge outdoor seating area and plenty of TVs for sporting events, but their live music occurs 7 days a week and takes the cake on entertainment. The bar is a nod to a city that’s been calling itself the Live Music Capital for good reason. Behind the bar you’ll find cans, cocktails, frozen drinks, and non-alcoholic options. Outdoor fire pits and heaters keep the beer garden going through the cold months, and you can even bring your pup so they can become a regular too. It’s part beer garden, part backyard party, part Austin concert venue. Order something cold, grab a spot under the oaks, and enjoy what Armadillo Den has to offer.

The Down ‘n Out | Fort Worth BARWAVE 4.7 ⭐️

The Down ‘n Out Opened just a few years ago, but it already feels like it’s been there forever. They set out to create a real neighborhood joint, the kind with regulars, and a guaranteed good time any night of the week. Bikers, barflys and all walks of life share the same barstool here and nobody checking their phone. Inside its wood paneling, nostalgic decor, a jukebox, pool tables, and enough eclectic memorabilia to make it a divey heaven. The drink list punches above its dive-bar weight with a Mountain Dew margarita, holiday cocktails, and for food they even got free roller dogs on sundays. Wednesday karaoke is award-winning and check out their all day dance party on Saturday. This is a regular bar, and they make that know by their slogan. Go be regular here!

Swipe to check out each bar, then vote below to decide who makes the final!

Brought to you by

Random Bars and Pubs

08/30/2026

08/28/2026

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request