Flying Saucer Review

[westtechsan]

I went to the Flying Saucer Thursday night with some of my coworkers.

The place is divided into two rooms. One has tables, a bar, and a couple of dart boards. The other room is set up like a large living room with several couches and lounge chairs. Outside there is a patio, but it has not been furnished yet.

There are several flat screen televisions around the place, but not enough to be distracting.

The beer selection is amazing. The menu categorizes by style and region. Prices range from $3 to $40. Apparently they have a daily "Fire Sale" special priced at $2.75. That night it was the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Appetizers include chip and salsa, wings, pizza, and freshly baked "huge" pretzels. We didn't try anything on the regular menu.

Things ran fairly smoothly for an opening night. There were a lot of people there. Several servers were from the San Antonio store. At first they said they only served beer. However, later in the night they gave us another menu with wine and a small selection of top shelf spirits.

I do wish the place had a little more room. Perhaps they expect a smaller regular crowd. The bathrooms need a couple more facilities. (That beer has to go somewhere.)

You might want to pay with cash until things shake down. One person in our party had his credit card run several times with items not on his tab. The server put items from other people at the same table on his tab even though the rest of us paid separately. I'm sure it was an honest mistake.

It seems to be a nice addition to the Austin bar scene. I plan to patronize it regularly in the future.

 

[KaiserSoze]

I was there last night too. Good place.

 

[Benson32]

excellent. i frequent the fort worth establishment quite a bit and always leave satisfied.

 

[utexas_61]

the flying saucer in houston is the only place that i regularly visit. that and lupe tortillas

 

[Gordon Shumway]

where is this place?

 

[twid]

i went last night, and i definitely prefer the gingerman for my money.

 

[GakFoo]

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[jbentley0813]

I also went on opening night. The St. Bernardus Abt. 12 was quite tasty. As far as the TVs go, I don't think they had any in the back room, which was kind of nice.

I had a good experience. I don't think it's far to compare a place on opening day to the Gingerman, so I don't have a preference yet. The Saucer is certainly closer for me.

 

[jbentley0813]

I gave a quick count of the taps. I think there were about 70. My memory is pretty beer-addled, but I think the G-Man has more taps. The bottle selection seems to be where the Saucer makes up ground.

 

[TomTerrific]

Alright, what is the "triangle"?

I have lived here for 22 years but now live out west of the Lake, so I guess I have missed it.

Some hip new shopping area?

 

[bluto]

tom,
'serious clark?' The triangle is one of the more publicized hot austin development topics of recent years due to it really hammering on mixed use development (shops/restaurants/retail on ground floor with apts/condos above). it is at the 'triangle' where guadalupe and lamar cross over right around 45th street. it seems pretty cool and is somewhat of a pioneer for austin development.

Everything along side the main corridor streets of north/central austin has been rezoned for mixed use trying to mimic the base philosophy employed there. A lot of people hate it, but Austin will develop and this way is better than just about any other.

 

[TomTerrific]

that is the only place that I could think of that was triangular in shape.

Yeah, calling it "the triangle" as part of the Austinite vernacular has completely passed over my head.

I am becoming my father.

 

[bluto]

It's all good Mr. Terrific

I like the idea of being able to walk 'downstairs' and grabbing a beer at a place like F.S. then just going back upstairs to my home... and not having to live downtown to do something like that.

 

[Vibro_King]

I'm like Tom. I used to think the Y in Oak Hill was a big YMCA.

I too am becoming my old man.

 

[westtechsan]

"The angle of the dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of the beat."

- Beavis

 

[TomTerrific]

Ok, drove through the "triangle" today.

I had no idea.

I used to shag golf balls out in the field where all of that high end development is happening.

I thought "the flying saucer" restaurant would look like something out of the Jetson's, but it looked more like an Irish Pub from the outside.

I wanted to go in, but I couldn't tell if they were open or not, a couple of guys were sweeping up out side and there were a couple of "exit only" signs on the doors that I could see....so I went on home to beat traffic.

 

[Jim Anchower]

Nowhere near the ambiance or atmosphere of a place like Draught House or Dog N Duck. More beer. Burger is white-castle bad, drinks took upwards of 10 minutes. Victory Golden Monkey is one of the best beers I've ever had but not enough to make me frequent this place very often.

 

[Fanny McLonghorn]

If you're a big fan of the gingerman, this place is bound to be a disappointment. The fact that they have printed "WE ARE NOT A CHAIN" on their menu is fairly indicative of the atmosphere.

The pretzels were good. But I will be spending my money elsewhere.

 

[utexas_61]

the only atmosphere i see is alot of beer

 

[Sii]

I havent been to the one in Austin yet but the one in SA is great

and the food is good too...at least the burgers I've had are good...fries too

give it some time

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[Mr.Wizard]

G-Man forever, regardless of tap count.

 

[unpaintedhuffhines]

if you go there for the atmosphere you officially suck. I mean that in the nicest way possible. If you are able to discern between Austin, Houston, Dallas or SA when you walk in the place you deserve a medal

with that said, it's less than .5 miles from Hyde Park so I will drink beers there.

 

[Sii]

flying saucer is to go pound beers at and have the largest selection of taps that I have seen avail in Texas

not admire and be in awe over the interior

 

[Jim Anchower]

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[Texoz]

hmm, I live about .5 mile from there as well, I'll have to check it out.

Tonight Mamma Fu's is having a big opening there as well. I'd like the Triangle a lot more if it had movie theater. Seems like a movie theater could do very well considering the proximity to dining and campus. Plus, you have Hyde Park, Rosedale, Allendale, and east Austin hoods all nearby. I would guess that demographic goes to a lot of movies.

 

[jbentley0813]

Flying Saucer's a good place to have a beer in central Austin. The G-Man's still my favorite, but the Saucer's a heck of a lot closer. I don't get all the negativity in this thread.

 

[westtechsan]

I don't get the negativity either. Both the Ginger Man and The Flying Saucer are both chain bars. The Draught House is an independent.

One of the qualities of Austin that I appreciate is the fact that local and chain places can coexist.

 

[Jim Anchower]

What's so 'negative'? Nobody is saying they don't have a right to set-up shop and do business if they want. I'm just saying it didn't have the vibe of a place like Dognduck, Crown or Draught House. I guess I'm allowed to have this opinion? I guess I'm overly negative if I don't think its just gosh darn golly the greatest thing ever?

 

[Mavs41]

Everyone can make known their opinions of which place they like better, but the most important fact is that there is finally another quality beer bar to frequent, without having to go downtown.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I went on Saturday night, did not dig it. Felt like I was in Houston or Dallas. Sure, tons of beers on tap, but no warmth.

The uniforms of the servers and the decor were lame.

Just not a fan, sorry.