Nolan’s Shining Moon Saloon

It is a Dive Bar with the best locals and locos…
Come here to enjoy the cold beer and byob buy a set-​up as well mature good looking people smoky and stinky JUST RIGHT no bars in Austin are like this one.
OLD PATRON

Ever since we moved up to the Arborteum area, we’ve been in search of a low-​key dive bar. So many bars in this area are actually restaurants, or overpriced. So after scouring the internet, I came across Nolan’s Shining Moon Saloon.
If you weren’t paying attention, you’d drive right by it. It’s in a very small little shopping center which is basically it, and a corner store on the edge of a neighborhood. The sign is small and not lit, and there are all black windows out front.
So we parked and walked in to a wall directly in front of us, which was a bit confusing. Then you turn around the wall into what was a trip back 40 years. On the bulletin board to the right you’ll find all the information about Veteran’s events, bingo, and other senior activities.
We sat at the dark bar and waited for the bartender to notice us, which didn’t take long since we were most likely the only people in the bar under 60. He said made a joke about «snoozing» behind the bar. There were some regulars playing dice or something on the bar, cigarette hanging from their lips.
The bar closes early at midnight so we didn’t really stay for too long, but it was worth it. If you are looking for a quiet dive bar — this is totally your scene. If you are young and loud, don’t stop.

It’s your typical dive bar. Older crowd and quiet. If your bar hoping definitely stop in.

Can’t go with stating~its a Dive bar~Friendly people~Jute boxx has an excellant selection and most of all~By yourself or a friend good place to hold out. The bartenders are way good looking (female only) and I’m being nice here. It feels a (w)hole like Austin when Austin was cool~

A girl I know brought me here and I don’t think I’ve ever been near the place and definitely wouldn’t have gone in on my own. It’s incredibly divey and I secretly love that. They have pool tables and darts as well as a jukebox and the people are really friendly.
They have beer and wine, but no liquor. However, you bring your own if you want and just buy some inexpensive set-​ups and have at it. I’ve only been once, but it seems like the type of place where if you drink a little too much, that may be the norm. Your bar tab will never be that high, so that’s a bonus.
Not for people who are sensitive to smoke, so if smoking disdains you, don’t go. It’s a nice, dark, place and reminds of somewhere you go when your friend from out of town is in legal trouble and you need a place to talk things over, get schlammered and plan your next move =)

I love this place because it’s a total dive bar — it’s dark, it’s smoky, it has a mixture of people from varying age groups — they have pub food, cheap beer on tap, a decent selection of set-​ups to bring your own liquor. Nolan (the owner) is a funny character and he employs sarcastically but humorous bartenders (at least at night). If you’re looking for a place to «be seen» this isn’t the place. If you like to people watch, have a few drinks, and openly socialize with all walks of human life and love dive bars — this is the place!
The only downside– they close at midnight 6 days a week and 1 on Saturdays.

It is what it is: smoky, poorly lit, full of people who know the bartenders by name (bartenders that pay attention and aren’t afraid to throw out a trouble maker). The beer is cheap and the bar is great for leaning on. Great place to hang out and have a cold beer.

If you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet you never heard of Nolan’s before. It was new to me when someone recommended we visit.
Nolan’s is, indeed, a dive bar, and the textbook example of one. It’s located in a strip mall next to a poorly lit gas station right off the bottomless construction that is the Pond Springs Road expansion. The characteristics of a dive bar are all there.
Smoking? Check. Ashtrays galore.
Cheap beer? Check. They’ve got mini-​pitcher deals. Actually I couldn’t figure out if you are supposed to drink from the pitcher directly, since they are about as big as those giant beers at Logan’s downtown. To each’s own I guess.
Pool? Check. Takes quarters. Bring cash, the staff will be happy to change ‘em out. Decent cue sticks too.
Karaōke? Sort of. There’s occasional live music, but if you’re nice enough, they might do a cover and let you come up to sing.
Regulars? Check and check. In fact, some of the regulars have claimed their own spots at the bar. When they’re not there, you can look for the metal placards adorned with their names AND portraits.
Nolan? Yes he’s here. White hair, white beard, smokes — obviously. Nice guy, say hi to him.
Limited menu? Check. Actually they’ve got their own pizza oven. They make a mean Red Baron’s thin crust!
The staff is really nice. This is no biker bar, although there are usually a few bikes parked up front. Don’t let that scare you off. These guys are a bunch of softies. Just be sure to check the attitude at the door.
If you go – and at this point I assume it’s a formality — be sure to get there early. They close at midnight.