Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Guest article by James Lipari
A short day trip to Texas Hill Country is always a good idea, and one of my absolute favorite destinations is Vista Brewing. The big, rolling property is perfect for a family outing. Here’s why.
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Austin patios are joyous gathering places for eating, drinking, people-watching, and–ideally–basking in the golden glow of the setting sun with a glorious view. Happily for us, we have Gabriela’s Downtown for all of the above.
Gabriela’s seems to have hit the ground running, almost immediately attracting friendly crowds to its beautiful patio. Besides tasty margarita flights, massive micheladas with over-the-top extras, and homemade horchata that alone is worth a visit, Gabriela’s also has great food.
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Guest article by James Lipari
With the new year approaching, I asked several Austin breweries to gaze into their crystal balls (or planning software, whatever), and tell us what magical things we can expect in 2020. Here’s the inside scoop on what they told us.
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For the latest installment of my Austin speakeasy series, I visited Garage, a cocktail bar in–you guessed it–a garage. Like so many speakeasies in Austin, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you may miss it.
Look for a parking garage on Colorado Street, directly south of Dirty Sixth. There, set back away from the street, is a set of doors where entering may stop time altogether. At least, I learned, that is the intent.
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Speakeasies tend to latch on to the creepy and salacious. During the course of my speakeasy series, I’ve visited horror film-themed bars, heard multiple stories of ghosts haunting the premises, and learned that brothels existed in the heart of Austin not long ago. When I found out Austin’s newest speakeasy is named after J. Stephens, who came to his end in the late 1920s via suicide, due to drinking the equivalent of Lysol, it felt rather on-brand.
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Everyone has a home base, a place in town where they feel welcome, comfortable, and relaxed. For me and many of us at The Austinot, that place is Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches.
It’s easy to explain why. Not only does Batch produce exquisite baked goods, but the exceptional craft beer tap list, awesome bottle selection, and family-friendly environment sets it apart from the rest. Whenever I’m planning to meet friends, Batch is my go-to recommendation.
But with a new brewery open as of this past weekend, our venerated local hangout is wading into uncharted waters. Luckily, Batch has approached this new venture with the same heart and spirit of adventure that created Austin’s kolache haven in the first place. And with an initial offering of brews you won’t find anywhere else, there’s nowhere to go but up.
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More people are incorporating CBD into their regimen for its reported benefits. Its applications are wide and varied. Many modern spas offer CBD as a topical add-on you can incorporate into your massage. There are CBD oils, creams, and lotions you can apply yourself. There are capsules and tinctures.
Another common way to receive CBD is by consuming foods and treats we already love. CBD can be infused into smoothies, pastries, candy, and basically anything your heart desires. CBD and coffee is becoming a more widely available combination, much to the delight of both CBD and coffee enthusiasts.
Al Mortada is an enthusiast of both. With his Austin-based CBD coffee company, Ott Coffee, he is able to share both of these passions with the world.
[Read more…]Fall is the best time of year in Austin! It’s when we can finally lean into crisp, cool weather and sip on cocktails outside. When it comes to fall-themed cocktails, my expectations are quite high. But I was shockingly pleased to find plenty of drinks creatively crafted for the season.
Here is a list of 11 fall cocktails so special, you’ll plan your next night out around a chance to taste these enchanting escapes.
When it comes to deciding where you spend your time and money, labels are important. A fine dining establishment offers a different experience than you get at a food truck. Similarly, one would expect different things from a visit to a cocktail bar as opposed to a speakeasy, as opposed to a tiki bar. Labels, names, and categories are important. And yet, there are those places that defy categorization. They won’t be pigeonholed into just one.
The first time I visited Small Victory, I was under the impression this was a tiki bar that also called itself a speakeasy. When I had trouble finding the entrance, it made sense: speakeasies are hidden. By the time I made it to the bar and found a menu full of tiki drinks, I was sure: this was a tiki bar. As has been my experience on this speakeasy tour, however, not everything is as it seems.
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Whiskey lovers, rejoice! There’s a new heir to the whiskey throne, Milam & Greene. If you like whiskey, then you will love Milam & Greene, brought to you by the team behind Ben Milam Whiskey and a new partner, whiskey goddess Heather Greene.
Launched on Sept. 17, 2019, Milam & Greene is the new flagship product. The Milam & Greene brand represents the direction the company is moving in the future. And the future looks bright.
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