Austin Alcohol Sales

Top Performers in Austin's Alcohol Scene

Leading the pack in August 2025, the JW Marriott Austin on East 2nd Street dominated the charts with receipts totaling over $1.23 million. Their success largely comes from liquor sales, which hit a whopping $834,681. This venue clearly knows how to cater to Austin's upscale crowd.

Close on its heels, Ojos Locos Sports Cantina on North Interstate 35 brought in $1.19 million. Interestingly, this venue's beer sales were through the roof, accounting for $788,745 of their total revenue, highlighting a strong preference for brews among its patrons.

Notable Trends and Insights

The Proper Hotel also made a significant impact, with nearly $890,000 in receipts, heavily driven by liquor sales. Meanwhile, Levy at Austin FC capitalized on the sports crowd, raking in $624,112 from beer alone. Sports venues continue to be a gold mine for beer sales.

Traditional Tex-Mex favorite, Matt's El Rancho, showed its might with almost $742,000 in sales, with a staggering $692,134 coming from liquor. This demonstrates a strong demand for cocktails and spirits at dining establishments.

Emerging Players

Mala Fama and De Nada Cantina are emerging as hotspots on the East 6th Street scene, with both venues focusing heavily on liquor sales. Mala Fama brought in $433,857 from liquor alone, while De Nada Cantina recorded $493,310, indicating a vibrant nightlife focused on mixed drinks.

In the competitive 6th Street scene, Parliment and The Volstead Lounge/Hotel Vegas made their mark with sales heavily skewed towards liquor. This trend underscores a shift in consumer preferences towards spirits in the bustling downtown area.

Opportunities for Growth

Bar owners and potential investors should note the consistent high sales from liquor across various types of establishments, from hotels to cantinas. There's also a clear opportunity to capitalize on beer sales, particularly in venues associated with sports and entertainment, such as Top Golf and Levy at Austin FC.

With the diversity of venues thriving in Austin, from upscale hotels to lively cantinas, understanding these trends can help business owners and investors make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts and investments.

Top Areas for Alcohol Sales

In August 2025, the total alcohol sales in Austin reached a whopping $93 million, spread across 1,452 establishments in 44 zip codes. At the top of the list is zip code 78701, with sales amounting to $27.7 million, which is nearly a third of the total sales. This area, with its 279 establishments, is a bustling hub for alcohol sales, heavily leaning towards liquor, which makes up 70% of sales.

Sales by Alcohol Type

While liquor dominates across most zip codes, there are notable variations in the sales mix. For instance, in zip code 78703, wine takes up a significant 27% of sales, compared to the 15% beer. Conversely, zip code 78745 shows a strong preference for beer, accounting for 43% of sales. Understanding these preferences can help businesses tailor their offerings to meet local demand.

Opportunities for New Establishments

With a high density of establishments in areas like 78701 and 78702, there may be limited room for more growth. However, zip codes such as 78719 and 78759, despite their relatively lower total sales, might offer potential for new establishments due to their moderate number of existing outlets. These areas also show a balanced consumption pattern between liquor, wine, and beer, indicating diverse consumer preferences.

Interesting Patterns and Insights

One interesting pattern is the high liquor sales across most zip codes, indicating a city-wide preference for spirits. However, the data also reveals niche markets, such as 78713, where beer makes up 61% of total sales, suggesting a strong local demand for beer-centric venues. Meanwhile, 78774 has negligible sales, presenting a unique opportunity for market entry, albeit with careful consideration of local demographics and preferences.

Overview of Alcohol Sales in Austin

Over the past year, Austin has seen some intriguing fluctuations in alcohol sales. The period from October 2024 to August 2025 showcased a diverse mix of highs and lows, with significant seasonal influences. October 2024 emerged as the month with the highest sales, peaking at $119.6 million, largely driven by a spike in beer sales likely tied to local festivities or events.

Trends in Sales Categories

Liquor consistently led the sales mix across most months, highlighting a robust preference among consumers. However, beer sales saw a dramatic peak in October 2024, contributing to the month's record-breaking sales. Wine maintained a steadier presence, seeing less volatility compared to its counterparts, suggesting a stable but smaller consumer base.

Monthly Sales Performance

Notably, March 2025 also experienced a significant surge, with a 27.6% increase in total receipts from the previous month, possibly due to spring events or promotions. Meanwhile, months like January 2025 saw a sharp decline, dropping almost 19.5% from December, aligning with typical post-holiday spending slowdowns.

Establishment Growth and Market Dynamics

The number of establishments fluctuated slightly, with a notable increase in April 2025, suggesting a possible expansion of businesses gearing up for the spring and summer season. Despite these changes, the total receipts didn't always correspond directly with the number of establishments, indicating that larger, possibly more efficient locations might be capturing a greater market share.

Implications for the Future

For businesses looking to capitalize on these trends, focusing on key months with historical high sales, like October, and understanding the consumer preferences for liquor and beer could be beneficial. Additionally, considering the stability in wine sales, there might be opportunities for growth through targeted marketing or unique offerings in this segment.