Hero Circle, a tap and cigar room, blends the comfort of a neighborhood hangout with the elevated feel of a curated cocktail and cigar lounge.
The story
When the team behind Hero Park and Fired Pizzas found themselves with an unused taproom next door, they saw potential for something special and jumped on the opportunity.
Hero Circle was born as a natural extension of Hero Park’s spirit, but with a deeper, more personal meaning.
Hero Park drew inspiration from the comfort and fun of classic superhero movies, creating a space where people could unwind in good company. Hero Circle builds on that theme while honoring the real heroes in owner Steve Harvey’s life, including teachers, mentors and family members.
“All my relatives were active service members at some point, ... and all of them had amazing stories,” Harvey said.
That combination of imagination and authenticity comes through in the atmosphere and genuine sense of belonging that define the space.
What’s on the menu?
Hero Circle’s bar features some of Austin’s top local taps, including:
- Twisted X McConauhaze
- (512) IPA
- Electric Jellyfish
“Our bartenders are extremely proficient in both the classic cocktails and custom cocktails that we’ve created, especially for Hero Circle,” general manager John Hardie said.
Each drink is handcrafted with fresh ingredients, never pre-mixed or batched. Signature creations such as Valor and Vice, The Arch Enemy and The Phantasma, a smoky mezcal Negroni, showcase the team’s creativity and skill.
The cigar menu was built from top-rated, 100% handmade brands, ranging from small minis to full-sized giants.
Hardie recommends pairing cigars with:
- Whiskey, aged rums and scotches from every region of Scotland
- Pre-prohibition style cocktails, such as old-fashioned Manhattans and rusty nails
- The popular phantasma cocktail, as mentioned above
The layout
Hero Circle’s charm extends beyond the bar. The space offers a patio with a waterfall, games, TVs for watch parties and a relaxed, communal layout designed for conversation.
“It’s somewhere that [people] can come, hang out all day and have a great time,” Hardie said. “Because we have such a local crowd too, it’s communal. ... Having this shared space that’s sort of a back patio away from [their] back patio has been such a driving force for why our guests feel so comfortable here and [why they] meet new people here.”
Smoking is reserved for the outdoor patio, ensuring a comfortable environment for all.
“There’s no smoking inside the bar,” Hardie said. “Even if you’re not a cigar lover, we have space for you.”
The perks
Hero Circle is dog-friendly, with water stations throughout the park. Beginning in November, the venue will also launch live music, with solo artists and full-band performances. Regular UT and Cowboys watch parties keep the weekends lively, rounding out the sense of community connection.
“I want people to feel like they found a place where they can really feel comfortable bonding with their community,” Hardie said.
Additionally, Hero Circle emphasizes fair pricing, ensuring their menu items remain accessible.
To enhance this, their happy hour offers $5 house drafts and $2 off house wines and craft cocktails.
Visit Hero Circle for handcrafted cocktails, local brews and an atmosphere built for community. Click here to learn more today.
Location: 11160 Circle Dr., Unit A., Austin
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
