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So what if it's lacking some feathers and is grungy. It's as close to a leather bar as Austin comes. New management has done more to book special events and groups, so the bears and the leather set have livened the joint up. Live music on Wednesday nights is often high quality local talent. No dress code. Two inside rooms and two patios. A cover on weekends, more than offset by incredibly low prices.

Oilcan's is probably the most popular gay bar in town. The crowd is youngish-mixed age. Some remodeling has upgraded the space. Music is good and the location is prime for downtown pub crawling. Bartenders are above-average in skill and looks. The place rocks all weekend, even when students are out-of-town.

Rain has more "class" than most of the other gay bars in town. Young crowd, good bartenders most of the time, and a trendier venue. DJs are a cut above the Austin average, too.

Charlie's is really comfortable during happy hour--with great bar staff! Later, the crowd gets younger, edgier and fills the place like a New Orleans gay bar. Packed on weekends, late. No more of a drug scene here than in the straight bars downtown, if that's what you're looking for.