Spider House Cafe

Austin, United States

3.5

Open now

23 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 512-480-9562
Website:
www.spiderhouseaustin.com
Address:
2908 Fruth St, Austin, TX, 78705
University of Texas
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 miNueces/27th
0.3 mi27th/Whitis
0.4 miDean Keeton/Whitis
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Late Night
Parking
Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Hipster
Noise Level
Average
Music
DJ, Live
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check
No
Smoking
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
No
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
No
Has Pool Table
No

Today

Today 8:00 am – 2:00 am
Open now
Local time (Austin) 8:00 PM Monday, June 2, 2025

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 2:00 am
Tuesday 8:00 am – 2:00 am
Wednesday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Thursday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Friday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Saturday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

Spider House Café and Ballroom is Austin’s haunt for local draft beers, cocktails, espresso, and entertainment venue. Located near campus at 2906 & 2908 Fruth Street (1 block east of Guadalupe at 29th), Spider House is best known for its eclectic atmosphere, people watching, regular music, art and performance events.

Part patio bar, part café, part pub, part lounge, part restaurant, and a whole lot of entertainment cultural center of Austin, Spider House café and Ballroom is a great place to just come and hang out, and enjoy some of Austin unique culture, or just people watch. Live music is also an integral part of the Spider House Café and Ballroom world

We are a local business that prides itself on supporting Austin culture. Thank you for supporting us and continuing to shop locally.

Check out our menu and event schedule or sign up for our mailing list for specials and news on our website.

History

Established in 1996.

Spider House is owned and operated by Conrad Bejarano and John Dorgan, who have been friends since high school and in business together in Austin since 1984. They own and operate some of Austin’s most recognizable business and cultural institutions, including I Luv Video, Spider House, EcoClean and the Spider House Ballroom. They have a commitment to growing local brands and small business while maintaining their unique vision.

«You can always tell when a business is owner operated,» says Bejarano. «Any service we offer is something we’d use ourselves. We want to live a healthy, fun entertaining relaxing environment for our friends and family, culturally aware lifestyle. That’s why Spider House café and Ballroom is so important to us!

Thank you for supporting green businesses and shopping locally.

Cheers

Conrad

Meet the Business Owner

Conrad and John Z.

Business Owner

If you see him in the house (which is often) give a shout out — «Yo Conrad!»

Being soothed by the splash of Pee Pee Boy or relaxing by the Thunderdome Fire Pit? Vintage patio furniture, statuary, bowling alley booths, vintage motorcycles, Christmas lights and more Christmas lights. Yes, behold the vision of Conrad. He’s a joker but he’s seriously committed to ceaseless unfolding magic filling your visit to Spider House.

Meander through the patios and find a secret entrance to the Spider House Ballroom. Wander across the alley to the never ending variety of I Luv Video. It’s all Conrad magic.

Life is a feast. The table is set. Enjoy.

Spider House Café also recommends

I Luv Video

58

reviews

Videos & Video Game Rental

Conrad and John Z. says,

«I Luv Video is Texas’s oldest and largest video store with over 50,000 movies — rare and unique Videos for the connoisseur.»

EcoClean

66

reviews

Dry Cleaning & Laundry

Conrad and John Z. says,

«EcoClean is Austin’s home for environmentally friendly dry cleaning. Safe for the environment. Better for your family. Better for the planet.»

I Luv Video

122

reviews

Videos & Video Game Rental

Conrad and John Z. says,

«I Luv Video is Texas’s oldest and largest video store with over 50,000 movies — rare and unique Videos for the connoisseur.»

The Vegan Yacht

117

reviews

Vegan

,

Food Trucks

,

American (Traditional)

Conrad and John Z. says,

«Located inside the heart of the Spider House Café patio, The Vegan Yacht has been rated one of the best vegan food trailers in Austin.»

Love Balls

153

reviews

Japanese

,

Food Stands

Conrad and John Z. says,

«Located in the Spider House Café patio come enjoy some Traditional Japanese Street Food!»

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23 reviews of Spider House Cafe

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
Quirky but cool. Great for studying or even a casual first date spot. The décor is very eclectic… think peter pan mini golf. They have a decent beer selection and a basic food menu of sandwiches, tacos etc. Nice outdoor area with a stage for occasional live performances.
Place rating: 3
Round Rock, TX
I wonder instead of them flirting with each other and purposely ignoring (i.e. I know u see me –but ur purposely not making eye contact — and U have walked by me 5x now — I haven’t food or drink in front of me — take a wild guess what would be nice — at least tell me You’ll be right back) ignoring. What the heck it’s not like ur slammed.
What’s a shame — as I’m going to poetry slam next door — or I promise u I would leave! But I’m kinda hungry — now a tad annoyed to boot however!
I’ve been here before and service was a 10 — this makes me sad! .
The dude who delivered food was nice. That’s a plus for that I’ll give u one more star.
And one more star for attitude improvement — I do believe she saw me writing a review. Amazing how sometimes — a simple long play by play review fixes — «the can’t be bothered» attitude. Still spider house — your waitstaff NEEDS to be more attentive.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
One of the lads that works at Drifter Jack’s put me on to this place. I asked for a suggestion for a hip café with wifi, and without hesitation — quite eagerly in fact — said Spider House. Thanks for the scoop brother.
I proceeded to invade the grounds with my cousin, as he had some work on the laptop and I was looking to find a tasty spot for lunch and dig into my book a bit. Easily takes the crown as the coolest café I’ve been to, no contest. We got a table outside in the lively sun-​kissed aesthetic, equipped with a stage where live music is no stranger to guests. I can see myself bumming out here on the reg. Dogs are welcome as long as you’re outside!
The one knock I had on my visit was that it took a really long time for our waiter to process our bill. So long that I had originally planned on paying by card, but instead paid cash so we could skate without risking waiting even longer to sign. A bit subjective I hope, but not nearly enough to sway me from coming again to peep a performance or two.
Keep it weird, Austin.
–Bean
Place rating: 1
Lakewood, Dallas, TX
I really hate that I can’t give this place 5 stars. I LOVE spider house and use to go often. Great outdoor atmosphere and great music.
The reason I can’t stand this place anymore is because of the bartenders. Worst service I have ever gotten. I like this place so much that I’ve kept going back hoping that it was just a bad day for someone behind the bar. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Each and every time I go, I wait forever for drinks. The bartender are all talking to each other and having a good time, which is cool, but will literally look at you waving them down for a drink and keep right on hanging out. There Is no one at the bar besides me and one other person and they just will not awknowlege you or serve you a drink. When they finally do, it’s with a terrible attitude. Other people come to the bar after I’ve been waiting for 20 mins for a drink from an empty bar with 3 bartenders and they get served before I do. Maybe they just serve regulars and could care less about everyone else or maybe It’s because I’m a minority.
No matter how polite I am or how many dollars I stuff into the tip jar, the bartenders don’t care about anything other than their little hipster hangout behind the bar.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
I’m changing my review because it was left when the earth went cold and Spiderhouse stopped serving espresso. They got it back soon after when armies of proper began burning cars and rioting in the streets. I am very happy with the espresso now and they DO have decaf. Don’t call it a comeback.
Place rating: 3
Austin, TX
There is no way you are hipster enough to go to this bar. But you think you are so you will go anyway. The patio is full of the best mismatched furniture that you will go home and try to recreate in your backyard. You will be slightly disappointed at the so-​so menu and the even more so-​so service. But who cares you don’t go there to eat anyway. It’s the patio that matters and the constantly revolving mini shops and food trucks that accumulate nearby.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
Cool place to come hang out with a date or some friends. The patio is super cool with a good atmosphere. Hipster or not this place is dope.
Place rating: 3
Portland, OR
I used to come here all the time when I was at UT. I even had an entire class meet here for drinks. I like this place and it definitely has the Keep Austin Weird feel to it.
The drinks aren’t too pricy and average. This place is best when it’s nice outside because there’s outdoor seating is nice and quirky. It kind of feels like a stylish junk yard.
I’d go here more for the Austin feel than for good food and drinks.
Place rating: 4
Cleveland, OH
The feel of Austin.
Go there. Its a great experience.
The food is good, the drinks will give you a buzz and music at night. Plenty of seating in and
mostly outdoors, parking available all around the place.
And during the day Beware Coffee Shop is open in the parking lot.
Don’t miss it great fun.
Place rating: 4
Memphis, TN
Recommended by a couple of locals for a good patio, and they were right. Didn’t try the food but enjoyed cocktails on the eclectic porch. Very «Austin» vibe. Would definitely go back.
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
Spider House Café is a must try coffee shop when in Austin. During the day, it is a nice place to socialize and get some studying done. In the evening, it transforms into an amazing place to catch a show by a local band and have a few drinks with friends. They have an amazing wintry drink menu. Their White Russian is always superb. They even have Hot Chodka, which is basically a hot chocolate and vodka drink. In the summer months, it’s a wonderful place to have a margarita outdoors. The staff are always incredibly nice, as well as the other patrons.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
Really cool atmosphere – it’s a place I would take guests from out of town. It just has that «Austin» feel to it with the stringed lights on the porch and the outdoor area.
I’d say the drinks are average but the people-​watching is spectacular. It’s good for dates or for bigger groups, so stop by for some live music.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
I love Spiderhouse. I remember stumbling upon this bizarro paradise of sculpture and art and rickety stairs and mismatched furniture and christmas lights and poetry slams just after moving to Austin. I had two thoughts: this is awesome… and what have I done?
And it remains — ever the same but also ever changing. It’s like this living, breathing organism that keeps adding on. More stuff, bigger menu, craft beer, more funky and fun events, a ballroom, food trucks, a coffee truck… in a coffee shop. It’s a mix of WTF and that’s «so spiderhouse» all mixed up. I’ve never had a must have cocktail or a particularly good food item or remember much about the coffee they serve but there’s something there. Something that makes spiderhouse feel like home for OG austinites, students, crazy leftist activist groups and sweet girls that like to crochet.
Spiderhouse is tucked behind so you can’t really see it until you come across it like falling through the wardrobe. To me, Spiderhouse is Austin in a way that so many places were. I have a strong feeling that if SpiderHouse goes, I go.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
If you’re into wacky live music and bars, this is your place. It’s the perfect mix of old school and quirky.
Depending on the day and time, some of the staff can be borderline rude, but the good ones, the atmosphere/​vibe, and the menu will quickly make up for that.
There are always specials and events going on. Definitely one of my favorite spots.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
This place is cool! It has so many little spots to explore, and just feels so «Austin.» It’s fun to come here for a night of food and drinking. Spider House is a nice somewhat hidden gem in Austin.
Place rating: 1
Austin, TX
Amazingly, the Spider House seems, against probability and plain common sense, to get worse each and every time I come here. So, while my grad friends will likely still host a social here now and again, I have to say that I’m done. Service is really «methinks not.»
Last visit featured a server that had so little interest in getting drinks for my table that we did, as we always seem to do, have to go into the bar to get them for ourselves. Except everyone else also had that idea, so there was a 20-​minute wait at the bar, also.
And then they denied one of our friends service because his ID’s from New York. I’ve encountered this Texas-​is-​a-​country bullshit before in Austin, as if bars and other retail alcohol vendors don’t all have a current book of licenses from all 50 states (and Canada; I know, because I’ve been a bartender). When he politely goes to the manager with backup identification, he gets the seriously lame cop-​out, «I have to stand behind my bartender.» Yes, that’s true, Useless Manager, but you could have just served him yourself.
Anyway, I wish there were a time machine allowing me to take back every cent I’ve ever spent at this un-​fucking-​believably poorly managed establishment. Thank you for tainting my friend’s birthday celebration, Spider House. We are through with you and your shit.
Place rating: 1
Austin, TX
Why is it that places which tend to cater towards college students don’t seem to care much or have any pride in what they do?
The atmosphere here is fantastic, very austin, very eclectic. To me, none of that matters if what you’re actually there to do stinks. I’m sorry, but even a Ramos Gin Fizz doesn’t take 30 minutes to make, yet the Bourbon Mule I ordered here on a slow night did. And when it did finally come it was 95% ginger beer. The person I was with got their drink in 5 minutes. Plus there was no «sorry, it took so long» from our server or anything of the sort. No thank you.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
Did not eat at all — booze and tittie bingo!
This place is a blast and a must go to.
Enough said.
Place rating: 5
Cupertino, CA
They have video game tournaments. That’s a five-​star review. Hands down.
Plus they make a good Dirty Horchata (Horchata with espresso in it).
You should check it out if you’re vegan, like Japanese street food, like video games, or just like to sit and watch weird people. Fun visit either way.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
A very cool patio. Spider House sells some food, and there are also some food trucks scattered around the lot. Great drinks in a cool venue! Since it’s very close to campus, it can get busy and the parking can be a problem!
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
I love Spider House. Its just so «Austin»! I’ve been a few times now and it always gives you a nice laid back vibe. It’s definitely one of my favorite patios in the city and awesome for people watching (it’s hipster central). Also, the signs and posters decorating the place are perfection and hilarious. My favorite time to go here is at night when the backyard is beautifully lit up with lights. There’s a tattoo parlor in the back as well as Love Balls food truck (Japanese food) which is extremely good.
On this particular day, I went to the Mother’s Day crawfish boil. Sidebar: I’m very picky about my crawfish and this got my seal of approval. There is a small stage on the patio. Mike and the Moonpies were playing and they were great!
The service is friendly but the wait for food is hit or miss. Still worth checking out though!
Place rating: 2
Austin, TX
This place gets two stars for the cool atmosphere. It’s fun and hip with tons of cute places to take photos or hang out with friends.
Spiderhouse gets 0 stars for their jerk bartenders. Basically, if you don’t have tattoos, a beard or smoke — you’re not welcomed here. My friends and I were given no respect by the bartenders the other night. One called my friends «children» —none of which were under the age of 18 which just really did not sit well with me. The jerks behind the bar really have no respect for people that aren’t cool Austin hipsters —- I will not come back to a place where I don’t feel welcomed.
Spend your money and time elsewhere, the jerks behind the bars aren’t worth it.
Place rating: 4
Round Rock, TX
Spider House is just so AUSTIN. I’ve been here so many times, it’s a bit difficult to take myself back all the way to describe it to someone who hasn’t been there. I’ll try though!
This place is like a Where’s Waldo for freaky awesome things. You’ll probably find an angel statue with a KISS star, a pitbull in a sweater, ridiculous facial hair, and questionable (or awesome?) fashion sense.
The list could go on and on, and there are few cons too. Service is unbearably slow, to the point where I just go to the bar and get my own drinks. I know that it’s probably frowned upon, but I’m just not up for it anymore. The full bar and delicious coffee makes for some yummy winter-​time drinks, and the food options are also delicious. You can get a $ 2 beer or a $ 9 hot toddy, so there’s something for everyone. You can sit inside or outside, but truth be told I have NEVER sat inside, even when it’s 30 degrees, because the outside is where the party’s at!
Just go and enjoy the best people-​watching in the city surrounded by squeaky lawn furniture, christmas lights, and some pretty cool peeps. Just don’t describe anyone or anything as «hipster» anymore — that just makes you sound lame… for real.