Located in the heart of Texas, Austin stands out as a vibrant cultural hub known for its live music scene, diverse culinary offerings, and a bustling nightlife that attracts both locals and tourists alike. As the capital city, Austin plays a significant role in the state's economic landscape, making it a key area of interest for analyzing market trends, including alcohol sales. This article delves into a detailed, data-driven examination of Austin's alcohol sales, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of this thriving market.
In our first section, we present a comprehensive table and analysis of the leading alcohol-selling establishments in Austin, revealing which venues are dominating the market. Following this, we provide a breakdown of alcohol sales by zip code, highlighting the areas with the highest sales concentrations, offering a geographic perspective on consumer behavior. Finally, we explore monthly trends over the past year, identifying seasonal shifts and patterns in alcohol consumption that could inform business strategies and consumer insights.
Top 25 Austin Businesses By March 2026 Alcohol Sales
| # | Establishment | Total | Liquor | Wine | Beer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Jw Marriott Austin
|
$1,571,861 |
$988,263
|
$375,190
|
$208,408
|
| 2. |
Moody Center at University of Texas
|
$1,540,786 |
$806,191
|
$107,481
|
$544,996
|
| 3. |
Scoot Inn Concession Company, LLC
|
$1,163,649 |
$608,934
|
$2,994
|
$551,721
|
| 4. |
Proper Hotel
|
$1,081,129 |
$780,332
|
$253,852
|
$46,945
|
| 5. |
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina
|
$1,062,814 |
$369,489
|
$932
|
$692,393
|
| 6. |
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
|
$931,404 |
$549,917
|
$254,069
|
$127,418
|
| 7. |
The Volstead Lounge/hotel Vegas
|
$704,446 |
$451,281
|
$0
|
$253,165
|
| 8. |
Matt's El Rancho, Inc.
|
$679,518 |
$632,981
|
$4,371
|
$42,166
|
| 9. |
Wls Beverage Company
|
$636,465 |
$458,018
|
$102,704
|
$75,743
|
| 10. |
San Jacinto Beverage Company LLC
|
$566,586 |
$318,549
|
$202,451
|
$45,586
|
| 11. |
Fairmont Austin Hotel
|
$549,624 |
$299,988
|
$169,669
|
$79,967
|
| 12. |
Aba Austin
|
$516,523 |
$368,970
|
$126,293
|
$21,260
|
| 13. |
Inn Cahoots
|
$509,801 |
$407,410
|
$2,632
|
$99,759
|
| 14. |
The Concourse
|
$499,795 |
$413,734
|
$1,425
|
$84,636
|
| 15. |
Levy at Austin Fc
|
$485,232 |
$89,443
|
$27,145
|
$368,644
|
| 16. |
De Nada Cantina
|
$475,810 |
$453,949
|
$1,239
|
$20,622
|
| 17. |
Comedy Mothership
|
$463,268 |
$337,003
|
$21,056
|
$105,209
|
| 18. |
Soho House Austin
|
$463,094 |
$366,286
|
$71,090
|
$25,718
|
| 19. |
3ten Theater & Acl Live at Moody Theater
|
$453,535 |
$298,100
|
$24,120
|
$131,315
|
| 20. |
Jack & Ginger's
|
$451,664 |
$233,928
|
$5,199
|
$212,537
|
| 21. |
Mala Fama
|
$437,810 |
$318,794
|
$2,100
|
$80,161
|
| 22. |
Stubb's Bar-b-q
|
$436,133 |
$186,622
|
$10,430
|
$239,081
|
| 23. |
Parliment
|
$409,810 |
$246,353
|
$0
|
$163,457
|
| 24. |
Manny's/powder Room Atx
|
$403,967 |
$363,015
|
$35,564
|
$5,388
|
| 25. |
Whisler's
|
$399,697 |
$369,213
|
$5,186
|
$25,298
|
Top-Selling Establishments
Leading the pack for alcohol sales this March in Austin is the JW Marriott Austin, raking in over $1.5 million in total receipts. This venue stood out with liquor sales reaching nearly $1 million, making it the go-to spot for those seeking high-end spirits. Following closely is the Moody Center at University of Texas, which also surpassed the $1.5 million mark, with a strong emphasis on beer sales, bringing in over half a million dollars.
Notable Trends and Observations
It's interesting to note the significant variance in beverage preferences across venues. For instance, Scoot Inn Concession Company made a splash with nearly equal sales in liquor and beer, while Proper Hotel leaned heavily on liquor sales, which constituted over 70% of their alcohol revenue. Meanwhile, Ojos Locos Sports Cantina showcased a strong preference for beer, accounting for nearly two-thirds of their total alcohol sales.
Emerging Players
In the mid-tier category, Inn Cahoots and The Concourse both saw substantial liquor sales, indicating a robust market for mixed drinks at these establishments. Additionally, Levy at Austin FC and Stubb's Bar-B-Q highlighted the popularity of beer at sporting and music events, with beer sales dominating their totals.
Insights for Business Owners
For bar owners and business investors, these trends suggest that a focus on offering a diverse range of alcoholic beverages, particularly beer and liquor, could be key to maximizing sales. The data also indicates that venues with a strong entertainment or leisure component, such as concerts or sports, tend to perform well in beer sales. Keeping an eye on these patterns can inform strategic decisions about inventory and marketing efforts.
Austin Zip Codes By March 2026 Alcohol Sales
| # | Zip Code | Establishments | Total | Liquor | Wine | Beer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
78701
|
267 | $30,959,721 |
$20,445,643
|
$4,847,053
|
$5,262,925
|
| 2. |
78702
|
126 | $12,954,947 |
$8,756,382
|
$825,767
|
$3,336,120
|
| 3. |
78704
|
138 | $12,116,551 |
$7,596,742
|
$1,800,880
|
$2,673,088
|
| 4. |
78758
|
79 | $7,379,579 |
$4,451,247
|
$1,036,498
|
$1,847,059
|
| 5. |
78703
|
35 | $3,761,994 |
$1,950,573
|
$1,199,992
|
$611,429
|
| 6. |
78745
|
53 | $2,652,129 |
$1,445,347
|
$115,292
|
$1,091,490
|
| 7. |
78719
|
22 | $2,646,037 |
$1,389,304
|
$306,022
|
$950,711
|
| 8. |
78748
|
49 | $2,569,344 |
$1,543,525
|
$77,419
|
$948,400
|
| 9. |
78752
|
39 | $2,509,366 |
$1,239,780
|
$69,216
|
$1,192,027
|
| 10. |
78735
|
24 | $2,037,851 |
$1,168,575
|
$556,796
|
$312,480
|
| 11. |
78759
|
44 | $2,005,192 |
$1,270,657
|
$403,121
|
$331,414
|
| 12. |
78757
|
40 | $1,908,315 |
$1,195,661
|
$269,956
|
$442,698
|
| 13. |
78712
|
5 | $1,687,503 |
$848,025
|
$169,915
|
$587,445
|
| 14. |
78705
|
32 | $1,520,797 |
$855,215
|
$196,881
|
$446,921
|
| 15. |
78741
|
34 | $1,506,820 |
$834,188
|
$52,059
|
$608,116
|
| 16. |
78751
|
26 | $1,438,975 |
$831,992
|
$234,868
|
$372,115
|
| 17. |
78738
|
35 | $1,287,033 |
$652,897
|
$302,446
|
$331,690
|
| 18. |
78723
|
30 | $1,252,013 |
$718,153
|
$108,104
|
$425,756
|
| 19. |
78746
|
25 | $1,201,007 |
$793,212
|
$248,947
|
$158,848
|
| 20. |
78756
|
22 | $1,094,601 |
$630,365
|
$182,425
|
$281,811
|
| 21. |
78722
|
16 | $1,084,462 |
$759,097
|
$136,488
|
$188,877
|
| 22. |
78753
|
42 | $1,066,033 |
$559,608
|
$14,919
|
$491,506
|
| 23. |
78732
|
11 | $992,773 |
$586,976
|
$234,278
|
$159,097
|
| 24. |
78731
|
21 | $939,458 |
$487,892
|
$326,502
|
$125,064
|
| 25. |
78749
|
22 | $910,621 |
$555,899
|
$128,951
|
$225,771
|
| 26. |
78717
|
23 | $903,849 |
$566,251
|
$84,999
|
$252,599
|
| 27. |
78750
|
28 | $812,457 |
$470,318
|
$106,242
|
$235,897
|
| 28. |
78728
|
12 | $759,603 |
$491,261
|
$16,854
|
$251,488
|
| 29. |
78729
|
10 | $637,799 |
$345,364
|
$4,555
|
$287,880
|
| 30. |
78744
|
24 | $620,972 |
$334,176
|
$53,659
|
$228,073
|
| 31. |
78737
|
14 | $428,219 |
$179,426
|
$86,147
|
$162,646
|
| 32. |
78726
|
8 | $365,366 |
$207,440
|
$82,004
|
$75,922
|
| 33. |
78730
|
5 | $324,647 |
$229,801
|
$23,872
|
$70,974
|
| 34. |
78736
|
8 | $188,985 |
$88,488
|
$40,525
|
$59,972
|
| 35. |
78754
|
7 | $188,345 |
$100,493
|
$41,798
|
$43,879
|
| 36. |
78727
|
10 | $169,786 |
$96,690
|
$16,748
|
$56,348
|
| 37. |
78724
|
3 | $137,590 |
$88,220
|
$518
|
$48,852
|
| 38. |
78742
|
4 | $135,299 |
$70,219
|
$105
|
$46,836
|
| 39. |
78721
|
4 | $93,584 |
$49,597
|
$26,658
|
$17,329
|
| 40. |
78747
|
3 | $86,964 |
$41,875
|
$3,888
|
$41,201
|
| 41. |
78733
|
3 | $81,460 |
$46,145
|
$26,086
|
$9,229
|
| 42. |
78739
|
1 | $59,816 |
$30,533
|
$0
|
$29,283
|
| 43. |
78713
|
1 | $2,568 |
$0
|
$1,512
|
$1,056
|
Top Performing Areas
The heart of Austin, zip code 78701, leads the pack with a whopping total of $30,959,721 in alcohol sales across 267 establishments. This bustling area is a hotspot for liquor, which makes up 66% of its sales. Close on its heels is 78702, with sales reaching $12,954,947, also dominated by liquor sales at 68%.
Alcohol Preferences Across Zip Codes
While liquor is the top seller across most zip codes, some areas show a preference for wine and beer. For instance, zip code 78703 has a higher inclination towards wine, making up 32% of its sales. In contrast, 78745 and 78752 have a significant share of their sales from beer, accounting for 41% and 48% respectively.
Opportunities for New Establishments
With 1,405 establishments spread across 43 zip codes, there's a potential opportunity in areas with fewer establishments but a healthy sales volume. For example, zip code 78719 boasts sales of $2,646,037 but only has 22 establishments, indicating room for growth. Another area to consider is 78759, which has 44 establishments and sales of $2,005,192, suggesting a strong market presence.
Interesting Patterns and Insights
Zip code 78713 stands out with its unique sales mix, heavily skewed towards wine at 59%, albeit with the lowest total sales of $2,568. Meanwhile, areas like 78730 and 78722 show a strong preference for liquor, with sales mixes of 71% and 70% respectively. These trends can inform targeted marketing strategies and inventory decisions for businesses looking to enter these markets.
Austin Alcohol Sales Trends: Last 12 Months
| Month | Establishments | Total | Liquor | Wine | Beer | Monthly Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 1,366 | $103,765,273 |
$64,064,771
|
$14,065,773
|
$24,940,837
|
13.4%
↑
|
| Feb 2026 | 1,449 | $91,463,976 |
$56,073,030
|
$13,189,237
|
$20,038,279
|
18.7%
↑
|
| Jan 2026 | 1,440 | $77,036,995 |
$46,762,480
|
$11,376,821
|
$17,750,846
|
17%
↓
|
| Dec 2025 | 1,444 | $92,788,029 |
$57,727,373
|
$14,553,198
|
$19,406,207
|
1.9%
↓
|
| Nov 2025 | 1,453 | $94,604,540 |
$58,094,139
|
$14,062,412
|
$21,359,489
|
20.2%
↓
|
| Oct 2025 | 1,442 | $118,556,998 |
$69,943,539
|
$15,705,179
|
$30,181,263
|
29.7%
↑
|
| Sep 2025 | 1,436 | $91,405,577 |
$55,965,148
|
$12,320,851
|
$21,969,970
|
1%
↑
|
| Aug 2025 | 1,415 | $90,514,768 |
$57,313,043
|
$10,925,022
|
$21,108,834
|
8.3%
↑
|
| Jul 2025 | 1,405 | $83,582,676 |
$53,248,359
|
$10,103,927
|
$19,433,401
|
4.1%
↓
|
| Jun 2025 | 1,426 | $87,148,719 |
$55,044,487
|
$10,983,714
|
$20,087,355
|
19.9%
↓
|
| May 2025 | 1,417 | $108,801,978 |
$67,745,008
|
$13,711,527
|
$24,593,568
|
0.3%
↑
|
| Apr 2025 | 1,418 | $108,431,229 |
$66,210,737
|
$14,139,359
|
$25,926,496
|
0%
↑
|
Overview of Alcohol Sales Trends in Austin
Over the past 12 months, Austin's alcohol sales have exhibited some interesting trends and fluctuations that could offer valuable insights for businesses. The year kicked off with a high note, as October 2025 marked the peak of sales, totaling $118.6 million. This month alone saw a significant boost in liquor sales, which contributed to the overall spike. However, as the months progressed, there were noticeable shifts in both sales volume and the number of establishments.
Seasonal Patterns and Sales Mix
The data reveals a strong seasonality in alcohol sales, with peaks around major holidays and events. October's record sales suggest a possible link to Halloween festivities, while December's figures hint at holiday celebrations driving demand. Liquor consistently dominated the sales mix, indicating a preference among Austinites for spirits, particularly during high-spending months. Beer and wine sales, while significant, showed more stability and less dramatic fluctuations.
Market Dynamics and Establishments
One of the fascinating aspects of this data is the dynamic between the number of establishments and total receipts. Despite a small decline in the number of establishments in March 2026, total receipts jumped by 13.45%, suggesting that the remaining businesses captured more market share or perhaps benefitted from increased consumer spending. Conversely, February saw a rise in establishments but only a modest increase in total sales, indicating a competitive market environment.
Implications for the Industry
For businesses in Austin, these trends suggest several strategic considerations. The consistent dominance of liquor sales indicates a strong market for spirits, which could guide inventory and marketing strategies. The data also highlights the importance of capitalizing on seasonal peaks and adjusting operations accordingly. Finally, the interplay between the number of establishments and sales receipts suggests that efficiency and customer loyalty may be key differentiators in a competitive landscape.
Economic Overview
Austin, Texas stands out as a vibrant hub of economic activity, driven by a diverse mix of industries. Known as the "Silicon Hills," Austin is home to a thriving tech sector, including major players like Dell, IBM, and Apple, which have established significant operations in the city. The presence of these tech giants has spurred a surge in startups, making Austin a magnet for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Beyond technology, Austin's economy benefits from robust sectors in education and government, thanks to the University of Texas at Austin and the state capital's presence. The city's business-friendly environment, characterized by a lack of state income tax and a skilled workforce, continues to attract investors and entrepreneurs alike. Recent trends indicate a growing interest in sustainable energy and biotechnology, further diversifying Austin’s economic landscape.
Cultural Scene
Austin's cultural scene is a dynamic tapestry of music, arts, and festivals that reflect the city's eclectic spirit. Renowned as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin hosts the iconic South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits (ACL) festivals, drawing global audiences and performers. These events not only showcase musical talent but also highlight innovations in film, interactive media, and technology.
The city's cultural vitality is also evident in its numerous art galleries, theaters, and museums. The Blanton Museum of Art and the Bullock Texas State History Museum offer enriching experiences that celebrate both local and international artists. Austin's commitment to preserving and promoting diverse cultural expressions makes it a compelling destination for tourists and locals alike.
Lifestyle
Living in Austin offers a unique blend of urban excitement and laid-back charm, with diverse neighborhoods catering to various tastes. Downtown Austin is known for its bustling energy, high-rise living, and proximity to entertainment districts like Sixth Street and Rainey Street, which are famous for their vibrant nightlife and eclectic dining options.
For those seeking a quieter lifestyle, neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Travis Heights offer tree-lined streets and historic homes. The city's emphasis on outdoor activities is reflected in its extensive parks and trails, such as the Barton Creek Greenbelt and Lady Bird Lake, where residents enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking. Austin's commitment to maintaining its local character while embracing growth makes it an attractive place to live and work.
Future Outlook
Austin's future outlook is marked by continued growth and strategic development plans aimed at sustaining its economic momentum. The city is projected to see significant population increases, necessitating infrastructure enhancements and housing developments. Projects such as the expansion of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the implementation of the Project Connect public transit plan highlight the city's focus on improving connectivity and accessibility.
Austin's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its investment in smart city technologies and green initiatives, positioning it as a leader in urban development. As Austin navigates the challenges and opportunities of rapid growth, its vibrant economy and cultural richness ensure it remains a compelling destination for investors and newcomers alike.