Steampunk cocktail counters. Old-school, swamp-cooler-cooled BBQ joints and beer bars. Historic homes turned into high-end restaurants; and edgy art galleries. These are the businesses on Austin's East Side. The City poured funds into improving the neighborhood a few years ago, and now it's the super-friendly, come-as-you-are heart of the Austin “scene.”

• The Liberty Bar boasts a super-friendly staff and a great beer garden with a food trailer in the back: East Side King, founded by Top Chef Texas winner and Executive Chef at award winning Uchiko, Paul Qui. 
• Housed in a 1950s building, Chef Sonya Cote's Hillside Farmacy is an eatery and grocery store serving simple but meticulous, locally-sourced goodies on the East Side. Locals love Hillside's house punch and afternoon tea. Paying homage to its predecessor, the real Hillside Pharmacy in the '40s
• The Scoot Inn is the oldest beer bar in Austin. The owners are often barbecuing in the shady beer garden out back (a $2 donation buys a burger), and the outdoor stage features hip hop battles and live bands. Inside, guests enjoy movie nights and skee-ball tournaments. 
• Justine's, a French bistro, is housed in a converted Victorian home. Inside, escargot and steak frites are featured menu items. Outside, guests sip craft cocktails and play pétanque while they wait for a table. 
• The off-the-beaten-path gallery, Okay Mountain, showcases works by up-and-coming local, national and international artists. The artist-run gallery partners with cultural and social institutions in an effort to ensure diversity of exhibitions. 
• African American Cultural and Heritage Facility: just completed new facility for restoration and preservation of Dedrick-Hamilton House, African American history, education, events, museum, etc.
• Tiny Taiga, a tiny shoppe of superfoods, teas, books, natural body care, herbs, supplements, essential oils, etc.,