Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that some of the best watering holes in town are in North Austin. Tucked away in strip malls and surrounded by business parks, these gems north of 183 are easy to overlook.
I’ve compiled my list of favorites for those who call North Austin home, and those who are unfamiliar with the area. So take a look at this guide to North Austin bars to see why up north is the place to be. [Read more…]
There’s a new trend in Austin, with businesses playing convenience store, restaurant, bar and neighborhood hangout all in one (Credit: gina pina via Flickr CC)
Where can you go to buy locally sourced groceries, hang out with friends, have a fresh cup of espresso, grab a beer, hear good music and eat breakfast, lunch or dinner all under the same roof?
As you try to imagine what sort of establishment might be able to pull all that off, you’re probably thinking it has to be a large location or national chain. Well in Austin, that’s just not the case. Turns out, we have quite a few places that bring all these things together in a one-stop-shop for the surrounding community. You’ve probably heard of a couple of them, like Whip In and Quickie Pickie.
These types of stores/restaurants seem to be becoming a trend in Austin. They’re the result of a conglomeration of concepts from around the world like the American general store, the Indian dhaba, the Spanish bodeguita and others, but with a distinctive Austin vibe. [Read more…]
A glass of fantastic beer welcomes you at Hops and Grain (Credit: Hops and Grain)
Walking into the Hops and Grain taproom is like stumbling upon a hip family barbeque. Long picnic benches line the modest space. Board games are stacked up, ready to be played. A psychobilly band plays circus rock from the brewery loading dock.
Not only is this East Austin original one of the best breweries in town, but it’s also one of the most well rounded. With a fun vibe, great brews and an eye towards ecological sustainability, Hops and Grain has quickly become one of the crown jewels in the Austin beer scene. [Read more…]
Monkey Nest Coffee at 5353 Burnet Road (Credit: Jim Nix/Nomadic Pursuits via Flickr CC)
I’m a sucker for monkeys. Their expressive eyes, curious nature and playful demeanor have captured my heart since childhood. And so it was no surprise the day my car veered into a parking lot off Burnet when I saw an animated circular face with tiny ears, resembling the classic 80’s stuffed sock monkey.
The little primate’s paws and curled tail grip a circular sign with bold letters identifying the establishment, Monkey Nest Organic Coffee and Bakery. [Read more…]
It’s official. On February 2nd, Armadillo Bob predicted that spring is right around the corner! This means we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy happy hours out on the patio before the scorching summer arrives.
But you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy drinks and appetizers after work. Here is a list of 6 half price happy hours in Austin.
Half-priced Spinach Gorgonzola Ravioli (left) and Mango Habanero Rita (right) (Credit: Jack Allen’s Kitchen)
Does Spinach Gorgonzola Ravioli sound good to you? How about smoked beef rib quesadillas or BLT sliders? What if I told you these are all half price during happy hour at both Jack Allen’s Kitchen locations? You’ll also enjoy daily drink specials. [Read more…]
Vieux Carre at Peche
When it’s time for happy hour or date night, how do you choose between the overabundance of adult drink choices around town? All in the name of “the job,” Austinot.com’s team of bloggers have scoured our fair city and come up with this collection of the best cocktails in Austin.
Bill Tucker
In the immortal words of my bartender, this cocktail is as if a Manhattan and a Sazerac had a delicious love child. Very appropriate. Built on the back of a rye and cognac base, the Vieux arrives with a sweet yet subtle orange aroma. The whiskey backbone is balanced out by a healthy dose of sweet vermouth and bitters, giving the cocktail a perfect balance.
Add to the mix an upscale vibe in the heart of downtown, and you have a winner. Accessible, delicious and full of rich [Read more…]
Deep inside your your favorite bars in Austin, tucked away in cool, dark corners, are some of the rarest beers in the city. These brews are made in extremely limited quantities and are typically the priciest beers in a brewery’s lineup. They will be stored, or “cellared,” for years to allow time to enhance the unique qualities of each brew.
This is the subculture of aging beer—and it is big business in Austin and throughout the rest of the country. The practice of saving limited-release beer has taken off over the last few years, as Austin’s best breweries and overall distribution networks have matured.
To be clear, these aren’t your pale ales and lagers that are being aged for years at a time. If you’ve ever opened a Firemans 4 that has been hiding in your refrigerator’s veggie tray for too long, you’ll know why some beers have an expiration date. Instead, Austin’s bars store your stouts, porters and dark ales. The boozier, the better.
Don’t stop reading now. You’re about to get a behind the scenes look into the cellar programs for storing rare beers at some of the top bars in Austin. [Read more…]
East Austin is at the forefront of Austin’s explosive growth, and that includes the bar and restaurant scene. Residents, startups and long time neighborhood businesses are coming together in an effort to try to control and plan the somewhat chaotic development.
This is a list of new east Austin restaurants and a trailblazing brewery that have recently opened or are about to open in early 2015. Prepare your palettes, ladies and gentlemen. Here’s what’s on the menu for late winter/early spring in east Austin. [Read more…]
Bags of Casa Brasil coffee are available at Wheatsville Co-Op and Central Market (Credit: Casa Brasil)
Uchi, Uchiko, Lenoir, and Torchy’s Tacos have something in common (other than being wildly successful eateries in Austin): they all source their coffee from Casa Brasil.
Austin coffee roaster Casa Brasil has evolved into an organization committed to finding, roasting and selling high quality coffees from Brazil. But with so many similar outfits in town, why should you pay attention to this particular one? Why should those who just want a regular cup of joe take interest in coffee that’s bought directly from growers? I sat down with Casa Brasil’s owner Joel Shuler to get some answers.
Just a lil’ neighborhood pub (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
Have you ever wanted to be the teacher’s pet? Now’s your chance! Grab a desk in the front row and get educated about libations, cocktails and spirits.
No matter how you say it, we’re buying into the art and creativity behind these boozey concoctions and School House Pub is handing out the grades. You may not receive a paper certificate or a gold star, but you will get a 101 style education about some of the cocktail worlds most recognizable trends, classic techniques and the history behind recipes, plus fun tasting sessions.
“Libations 101” is a twelve part educational series hosted on the second Monday of each month at School House Pub (2207 Manor Road). For roughly $10 per month, you can participate in an adult and social learning environment, in the comfort of your neighborhood pub. [Read more…]