Dive Into Austin’s Two Hottest Pool Bars

Sipping cocktails or coffee while swimming is made easier at these newish watering holes — the Cabana Club and Swim Club

For years, Austinites looking to beat the sweltering summer heat turned to public pools like Barton Springs and Deep Eddy — or crossed their fingers for a friend with a backyard oasis. But lately, the city has embraced a newer, buzzier trend: public-facing pool bars that mix cocktails, DJs, and summer vibes.

For years, Austinites seeking respite from the city’s sweltering summer turned to public pools like the historic Deep Eddy and Barton Springs municipal pools — or, crossed their fingers for a friend with a backyard oasis. Times have changed, however. The city has recently embraced a newer, buzzier trend: public-facing swanky hotel pools that mix cocktails, DJs, and summer vibes. In the fall of 2024, Austin saw the emergence of two new pool bars that further expanded these options.

Reminiscent of a luxurious hotel pool but without the actual lodgings, Cabana Club offers a multi-use space featuring a clubhouse, pergola, and pool deck. Guests can enjoy cocktails, coffee, food, and beer in a community hub designed for all-day use. A ginormous LED screen makes for spirited sports watching.

“We created Cabana Club to be a place for anyone, anytime, any reason,” co-owner Scott Withers said in a statement. “Guests can start the day with a cold brew and their laptop, and end with a dip in the pool and an ice-cold beverage — all in one spot.”

Swim Club, on the other hand, is a hotel pool. Located at the Downright Austin (a renovated Sheraton), the space transforms a 1980s pool into a colorful restaurant and bar that doubles as an Instagram-worthy playground. Diners can eat at the bottom of the former pool, which now has a window offering an underwater view into the current outdoor pool. The menu leans Mediterranean, with fresh dips and plenty of vegetables. For a livelier atmosphere, the bar features a vibey lounge area built for dancing. Outside, the actual pool beckons swimmers, complete with pink floaties.

“While Austin has many great bars and restaurants, we wanted to create something more — a social club where people would love to hang out and return often,” says Ryan Hollowell, Downright’s manager of private events and sales. “The open layout enhances the social vibe, making it easy for guests to mingle, relax by the pool, and enjoy the lively, playful energy.”

Fortunate for Austin, the poolside experience has gotten hotter and more versatile thanks to the Cabana Club and Swim Club. Eater Austin stopped into both spots to check out the scene, and, of course, the pools. Here’s what to expect.

Garrett Smith

Cabana Club: An All-Day Oasis

Co-owned by some of the team behind Progress Coffee + Beer, this Govalle spot in East Austin aims to cater to both the work-from-home crowd and hotspot hoppers to unwind. By day, the Cabana Club is a serene oasis offering various caffeine options and strong WiFi with plenty of cozy indoor and outdoor spaces; by night, the space transforms into a vibrant party with live DJs and weekly events. Bonus: the heated pool makes Cabana Club a rare year-round retreat.

Hours: 7 a.m. to midnight daily

How to Swim: Free pool access for guests 21 and older. Lounge chairs and umbrella seating are first-come, first-served, with cabanas and sunbeds available for rent.

Vibes: Relaxed and chill during the day, transitioning to lively evenings with events and DJs.

Garrett Smith

Garrett Smith

Drinks: Highly inventive cocktails, including the Desert Bloom, a bright, herbaceous mix of tequila, Italicus, aloe, and lime, and the Cafe Tropical, a coconut-vanilla spin on an espresso martini with cold brew and Licor 43, plus local beers on tap, robust margarita and martini menus, and rotating frozen beverages.

Food: Score breakfast and lunch from local food trucks, including La Yunta (tacos) and Asian Roll (sushi/Latin fusion). The onsite clubhouse restaurant, Grey’s Kitchen, also serves sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. Order from the pool via QR codes.

Best for: Remote workers, sunbathers, and happy hour crowds. Go here for a versatile space for work or play, day or night.

Jade Skye Hammer Photography

Swim Club: A Retro Pool Party Vibe

Led by local industry veteran Travis Tober of Nickel City, Downtown’s Swim Club offers a food and cocktail menu inspired by the excess and escapist energy of the 1980s. While the opening menu relied heavily on fried fare, including wings and tacos, last year’s revamp leans more Mediterranean, with flavorful dips, crudos, and pizza that pair well with the vibrant surroundings.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant closes earlier, but the bar keeps the party going until midnight.

How to Swim: Dining reservations include pool access, subject to availability and capacity. Lounge chairs are first-come, first-served. Pool passes are available on Resort Pass.

Jade Skye Hammer Photography

Jade Skye Hammer Photography

Vibes: Lively, high-energy, and bursting with personality. Bright and colorful. DJs spin tunes on Fridays and Saturdays, with seasonal parties also taking place. The space itself is an Instagram shoot waiting to happen. Expect a riot of bright pinks and blues, neon lighting, retro signage, and a poolside ball pit.

Drinks: Playful poolside cocktails that lean fruity and citrusy, like the Dusk ‘Til Don with chamomile-infused lalo tequila, honeydew cordial, citrus blend, as well as several frozen options, including an Aperol slushie.

Food: Slightly Mediterranean-inspired menu with fresh starters, brick-oven pizzas (the zucchini and burrata veggie version is worthy of ordering), and several desserts, including a “mega” banana split.

Best for: Foodies, social butterflies, and night owls. Go here for a fun, energetic space to socialize, eat, swim, or dance.