While Austin may be known for its live music and Texas fare, there is a location where you find a “bit of Irish” at Fado’.   This not only means a bit of Irish pub food including: a boxty (a savory potato pancake), fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie; but also means a bit of Irish ambiance in terms of décor as well as that traditional pub feel.

And being a traditional Irish pub, one can expect a great selection of beer and whisk(e)y.  The libation menu features “mashes” from Ireland, Scotland, Kentucky, Japan, and Texas as well as “malts” local and from across the pond.  Our evening visit featured tastings of the Swift Texas Single Malt (Dripping Springs, Texas), the Yellow Rose Double Barrel (Houston, Texas), the Yellow Rose Rye (Houston), Yellow Spot (Ireland from the Midleton Whiskey Distillery, Co.) and Yamazaki (Japan).

Each of the tastings provided new adventures;  from the smokey smoothness of the Yellow Rose Double Barrel to a bit of harshness from the Yamazaki.  At this location you are likely to find a very knowledgeable host (both our waiter and the manager were knowledgeable about the various offerings and there are new ones being tried all the time at this location), as well as good conversation, recommendations, and great food.  (If you are a soccer fan, you are likely to see a game on somewhere in the pub.)

This is a wonderful location to add to your sampling list, as it provides a good selection of local as well as traditional standard offerings like Bushmills, Jameson, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Johnnie Walker, and Knob Creek.  It is definitely a place to stop and try something different in Austin.