Drink Archives - Page 26 of 30

Big Top Candy Shop: Rare and Massive Selection on South Congress

October 24, 2013 by Brittany Highland 1 Comment

Big Top Candy Shop on South Congress

You don’t have to be a child to be dazzled by the sight of shelves brimming with colorful candy. Walk off the sidewalk of South Congress into Big Top Candy Shop, and chocolate-covered happiness will whisk away any troubles you were carrying around outside the door.

This isn’t your shopping-mall-style candy store. And it isn’t your toy/candy variety store. Since 2007, Big Top has concentrated on candy, candy, and more candy with the kind of laser-beam focus that tends to lead to success.

And lead to success it has. Though the store’s average sale is around $6.50, there’s almost always a line on weekends and during special events. Customers are able to find candy that reminds them of their childhood, or candy that they’ve only ever seen overseas. A soda fountain with Blue Bell ice cream and various drink offerings is the other aspect of Big Top’s unique business model that keeps visitors coming back (especially on hot Texas days).

What other local business has won an Austin Chronicle “Best Of” award before they even opened for business? [Read more…]

Cenote: Not Your Average Coffeehouse

October 18, 2013 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Cenote is located at 1010 E. Cesar Chavez in Austin

This guest blog article is by Madison Torres.

How is one of the newest coffee shops in Austin already one of the best? Austinite owners, Cody Symington and Mary Jenkins, are doing more than just a few things right.

From firsthand experience and an interview with one of the owners, I have the delight of sharing with you a few of the reasons why Cenote (seh-noh-tay) is one place you don’t want to pass up. [Read more…]

The Goodnight in Austin Refines Playground for Adults

October 16, 2013 by Eric Highland 2 Comments

Editor’s Note: As of May 2018, The Goodnight on West Anderson Lane has closed. A new location is planned for West Sixth Street.

The Goodnight in Austin sits an arrow’s flight away from Alamo Drafthouse Village on West Anderson. It’s an adults-only playground (18+ until 9 PM, 21+ after 9 PM) with an upscale menu, massive bar, bowling, ping pong, karaoke, shuffleboard and more.

Just shy of a year ago, our contributing blogger, Laura Darby, made a visit to The Goodnight in Austin. She was searching for a temporary replacement for The Highball, which was undergoing a long-term renovation project. Laura’s article, combined with the mixed comments left by readers, peaked my interest enough to want to check out The Goodnight for myself. [Read more…]

HandleBar: Where Your Liquor Is ‘Stached

October 15, 2013 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

HandleBar offers first-rate cocktails, without the bourgeois attitude

This guest blog article is by Alex Shapanka.

With October well underway, facial hair aficionados are gearing up for their most cherished month – Movember. To the casual beard-grower or the lazy shaver, the calendar may be irrelevant. But a sense of anticipation and even anxiety builds within the moustache lover as we approach the eleventh month.

How you choose to style your ‘stache says as much about you as the books you keep on your shelves. It’s a public display of self-expression. Be artistic and commit to the narrow, pointed Dali? Or don the walrus in hopes of giving off an air of scientific investigation, like MythBusters’ Jaime Hyneman. Perhaps one of Austin’s unique bar’s can help you decide. [Read more…]

Best Austin Craft Beer Joints: Wright Bros. Brew and Brew

October 10, 2013 by Edgar Barguiarena 2 Comments

Wright Bros. Brew and Brew is located at the former home of Progress Coffee, 500 San Marcos St.

The craft beer scene in Austin is blowing up. For every new brewery that opens, there are at least three bars that pop up, eager to serve you the best local beers that Austin has to offer.

Continuing the tradition that Eric started with his Best Burger Joint in Austin series, I’m profiling and reviewing the best craft beer joints in Austin, with the occasional stop or two at bars that have room for improvement.

I’ll take into consideration everything from beer selection to ambiance to overall value, and everything in between.

Please join me as I try to catalog your favorite watering holes in Austin, and let me know what you think in a comment below.

First Impressions: Wright Bros. Brew and Brew

[Read more…]

Escape City Bustle with Charming Krave Wine Bar in Round Rock

September 12, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Historic exterior of Krave Wine Bar in Round Rock

Take a trip to see our northern neighbors, down the humble, brick lined Main Street of Round Rock’s up and coming town center. There you’ll find Krave Wine Bar & Bistro on a bustling block of inviting, dimly lit picture windows overflowing with the warmth and charm you would expect from one of America’s safest and fastest growing cities.

Sister act Susan Mendenhall and Kim Hiler began scouting for this perfectly placed gem in 2011 with visions of a pastry shop venture.

Instead, the two conjured up a different kind of sweet spot. Krave Wine Bar & Bistro offers quality cuisine and a thoughtful menu of wine and craft beers that challenge downtown Austin wine rooms and leave the commute and overzealous crowds behind. [Read more…]

Is North Loop’s Workhorse Bar Great or Grimy?

September 10, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 3 Comments

Workhorse Bar and Grill in Austin

This post is inspired by Austinot Eric’s search for the best burger joint in Austin, a series on the Austinot. As always, the search isn’t only about the quality of the burger. It’s about the experience and the vibe of the burger joint as well.

This review is completely independent and my own. Feel free to comment with your opinion if you disagree with it!

The Workhorse in Hyde Park

If I had a TV show about my favorite things like Oprah, most of the show would be about burgers and craft beer. Forget artisan chocolate and Coach bags. I am a simple man with simple tastes.

Luckily for me, Austin is a wonderful place for these favorites of mine. [Read more…]

Best Austin Craft Beer Joints: Craft Pride

August 27, 2013 by Edgar Barguiarena 4 Comments

Family crest of Craft Pride on Rainey Street

This guest blog article is by Edgar Barguiarena.

The craft beer scene in Austin is blowing up. For every new brewery that opens, there are at least three bars that pop up, eager to serve you the best local beers Austin has to offer.

Continuing the tradition that Eric started with his Best Burger Joint in Austin series, I’ll be profiling and reviewing the best craft beer joints in Austin, with the occasional stop or two at bars that have room for improvement.

I’ll take into consideration everything from beer selection to ambiance to overall value, and everything in between.

Please join me as I try to catalog your favorite watering holes in Austin, and let me know what you think in a comment below.

First Impressions: Craft Pride

It’s the smell that hits you first, which wouldn’t make a good first impression at most bars. But as you first step into [Read more…]

Enjoy the Simple Things at Draught House Pub and Brewery

August 16, 2013 by Dustin Vegas Leave a Comment

Opening a bar in Austin is like entering the Thunderdome: two bars enter, one bar leaves. I have watched them come and go through the years. Themed bars, dives, sports bars, college bars – many pop up, trying to dominate their niches, but few have have staying power. Personally, no bar has held my attention long enough to make me a regular. All save one: Draught House Pub and Brewery.

The Draught House is my go-to tavern. It’s my watering hole, my place where everybody knows my name. I didn’t quite understand why, though, for a long time. I’ve been showing up to this pub for years without analyzing what made it so special. [Read more…]

Cocktails with Somersault at The Domain Will Make You Flip

August 15, 2013 by Cris Mueller 3 Comments

Mixologist Ryan Baird at Somersault at The Domain

Mixologist extrordinaire, Ryan Baird

In cocktail terminology, the word “flip” is one that has been in use since 1695. But when you want to turn that flip into a sexier, hand-crafted cocktail of 2013, you’ll find it at 11601 Domain Drive at Somersault.

Still in its early stages of creating innovative cocktails for fans of infusions, molecular cocktail gastronomy and gourmet edibles, Somersault is far from adolescent. With the creativity and sheer skill of Bar Manager and mixologist Ryan Baird, you are in for a unique and sometimes upside-down cocktail experience. [Read more…]

First Impressions: Wright Bros. Brew and Brew

The Workhorse in Hyde Park

First Impressions: Craft Pride

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