East 6th Street in Austin, TX, has become synonymous with the city’s vibrant nightlife, and at the heart of its recent successes is Whisler’s. This cocktail bar, nestled in the space formerly occupied by Rabbit’s, has quickly become a beloved fixture for locals, weekend revelers, and even industry professionals seeking a laid-back yet refined drinking experience. Whisler’s strikes a unique balance: it’s both an intimate retreat and a lively social hub, offering meticulously crafted cocktails in an unpretentious setting.
To understand the magic behind Whisler’s, we delve into a conversation with owner Scranton Twohey and manager Cesar Aguilar, reflecting on the bar’s journey since opening, including the unexpected addition of the upstairs mezcal haven, Mezcalería Tobalá. Their vision is clear: to cultivate a business driven by passion, education, and a commitment to Austin’s responsible growth while honoring its rich past.
The Genesis of a Beloved Austin Bar
Scranton shares the origin story of Whisler’s, tracing it back to his experience managing Bridget Dunlap’s Rainey Street bars. After a year-long sabbatical, a serendipitous encounter sparked the idea for Whisler’s. “I drove by here and saw Rabbit… I introduced myself. The next week, his son called me, and we started working on a deal.” This chance meeting paved the way for Scranton to acquire the space that would become Whisler’s.
Image alt text: The inviting exterior of Whisler’s bar on East 6th Street in Austin, Texas, showcasing its blend of old Austin charm and modern cocktail culture.
Honoring the Legacy of Rabbit’s
Scranton speaks with reverence about the space’s previous life as Rabbit’s, a cherished dive bar with deep roots in the East Austin community. “It was a dive bar on the east side that you loved,” he recalls. “Low ceilings, a lot of Corona banners and neon. It was a big political bar in the 70’s and 80’s.” Learning about Rabbit’s history and its significance to the community deeply influenced Scranton’s approach to redesigning the space. He felt a responsibility to honor this legacy while creating something new.
The design process was a thoughtful endeavor. “I was really careful about how I wanted to design the bar,” Scranton explains. He enlisted the help of designer Charyl Coleman, who shared his vision, and Cesar Aguilar joined the project early on, even amidst the initial construction phase. Cesar remembers, “I was overcome by Scranton’s charisma. I said, I’m standing in a pile of rubble and I don’t know what will happen, but I’m in.” This leap of faith marked the beginning of a collaborative journey to bring Whisler’s to life.
Navigating the Challenges of Opening a Craft Cocktail Bar
Scranton candidly admits the challenges he faced despite his prior experience in the Austin bar scene. “Lack of knowledge,” he states as the biggest hurdle. While he had successfully managed bars on Rainey Street, he realized that opening his own establishment presented a different set of complexities, especially venturing into the craft cocktail world. “I went in thinking I’ve run four bars in four years and they’ve all been successful, but it turns out I didn’t know anything.”
Embracing this learning curve, Scranton immersed himself in research, exploring cocktail bars in New York and across Texas. This exploration shaped his vision for Whisler’s as a departure from high-volume, mainstream bars, aiming for a more deliberate and nuanced approach to drinks.
The Distinct Vibe of a Craft Cocktail Destination
The conversation shifts to what sets craft cocktail bars apart. Scranton emphasizes the element of pride and artistry involved. “It takes pride to make a craft cocktail. You’re not memorizing the Cosmopolitan or the Woo Woo shot.” This dedication to the craft elevates the entire bar experience, moving beyond simply serving drinks to creating something special.
While craft cocktail culture sometimes faces criticism for being pretentious, Whisler’s actively works against this stereotype. “The craft cocktail world gets flack for being pretentious, but they’re trying to level it out and not be so snooty-tooty,” Scranton notes. He highlights the changing face of craft cocktail bars, where you’re more likely to find bartenders in t-shirts and tattoos playing rock and roll, creating a more approachable and less formal atmosphere.
Cesar adds that this isn’t meant to diminish other types of bars. “Every bar has its place, and those bars can be great businesses.” At Whisler’s, the focus is on fostering a “family setting” where staff members support and inspire each other. Their ambition is for Whisler’s to become synonymous with the Austin cocktail scene, a must-visit destination that embodies the city’s unique spirit. “The greatest compliment on earth would be for someone to say, Oh, you’re going to Austin? You have to go to Whisler’s.” Cesar aspires for Whisler’s to be a place where bartenders hone their skills and develop positive habits, contributing to the wider industry.
Image alt text: Skilled bartenders expertly prepare handcrafted cocktails at Whisler’s bar, showcasing the dedication to craft and quality that defines the East 6th Street establishment.
A Bar with Soul: Passion, Education, and Community
Scranton emphasizes the values that underpin Whisler’s, driven by his desire to create a positive environment for his children. “When I started the bar, my wife and I decided if this is what we were going to do, we didn’t want the kids to grow up around debauchery and four-letter words and depression, everything a bar can bring. So we made this project about creation, and education.” This commitment to positive values permeates the bar’s ethos.
Cesar elaborates on this, acknowledging the inherent risks associated with bar culture. “Bars inherently have this danger to them. We’re trying to offset that by being very passionate about it, and even bringing a sacredness to it. This place has a very identifiable soul.” This “soul” is a blend of passion, dedication to craft, and a genuine sense of community.
Mezcalería Tobalá: An Upstairs Journey into Mezcal
Whisler’s expanded its offerings with the addition of Mezcalería Tobalá, an upstairs mezcal bar. Scranton initially envisioned something different for the space, but Cesar’s passion for mezcal steered the direction. “Cesar just said, Dude will you please let me do a mezcal bar? It was meant to be.” Scranton recognized Cesar’s expertise and enthusiasm, having also opened a mezcal bar previously and having connections in the mezcal industry.
Image alt text: The intimate and atmospheric interior of Mezcalería Tobalá, Whisler’s upstairs mezcal bar in Austin, offering a curated selection of mezcals and a unique drinking experience.
Cesar’s mezcal journey began at Condesa, where a limited mezcal selection sparked his curiosity. A trip to Oaxaca with Wahaka mezcal producers solidified his passion. He describes a transformative experience involving a sweat lodge ceremony led by a Oaxacan healer. “Before that, I was filled with anxiety, I was a strange man in a strange place. But after the ceremony, I knew I was where I needed to be. This was going to be the beginning of a lifelong journey.”
Mezcalería Tobalá is Cesar’s way of sharing this journey with Austin. “What I want to do here is transport people out of Austin, Texas for an hour or two.” He emphasizes responsible sourcing, working with producers who respect the culture and traditions of mezcal production. For Cesar, it’s not just about selling mezcal; it’s about contributing to positive change in Oaxaca. “In a village in Oaxaca, one individual can be elevated if their mezcals are sold in the U.S., but then that whole village comes together and figures out how to elevate everyone.”
He acknowledges the challenge of mezcal’s price point due to import costs. Inspired by his experiences in Oaxaca, Mezcalería Tobalá offers mezcal in half pours served in clay copitas and full pours in traditional votive glasses, making it more accessible for exploration. Cesar hopes to convert newcomers to the world of mezcal, jokingly referring to their mission as “spreading the gospel.” The bar’s design even incorporates pew-like benches, adding to the unique and slightly spiritual ambiance.
Navigating Gentrification on East 6th Street
The conversation turns to the rapid gentrification of East 6th Street and East Austin. As Whisler’s was among the first bars further east in this evolving nightlife district, the issue of responsible development is pertinent. Scranton, an Austin resident since the 90s, emphasizes respect for the area’s history and community. “It was all about respect… The building’s from 1917, and I wanted to keep the original feel, so that in five years it will feel like it’s been there forever. I wanted to be a part of the growth of Austin, but also part of the history. The old Austin and the new Austin.”
Cesar echoes this sentiment, highlighting their conscious effort to be an “East Austin business.” “We put ourselves right in the thick of it, and seek to be respectful and honorable, so we hopefully have the blessing of people who have lived here for decades.” As East Austin residents themselves, Scranton and Cesar are invested in preserving the character of the neighborhood they love. “Being a part of this bar is my effort to preserve everything I fell in love with when I got here,” Cesar explains. They are committed to fighting for Austin to grow responsibly, retaining the qualities that make the city special.
Preserving the Austin Vibe
When asked about what they want to see survive in Austin, Scranton points to the city’s unique spirit of individuality. “People in Austin let their freak flag fly. No matter how much we grow, we still have the freedom to be who we want to be. I can’t think of a better place for my kids to grow up.”
Cesar describes the “weird wavelength” that drew him to Austin in the first place – a gathering place for “all the black sheep in the United States.” He hopes that even as Austin evolves, this accepting and unique spirit will endure. Whisler’s, in its commitment to craft, community, and respect for Austin’s past, embodies this very spirit, making it a true gem on East 6th Street.
Whislers
1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
