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The college kids dig Sixth Street, hip cats dig the east side, and shoppers flock to South Congress or The Domain. But there’s a rad collection of bars, restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment in the heart of downtown, in Austin’s 2ND Street District.
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Throughout the course of my Speakeasy Secrets series, I’ve been reminded over and over that the term “speakeasy” can be earned in a number of ways. Some speakeasies get the distinction because of their devotion to craft cocktails. Others offer Prohibition-era decor and an early 1900s vibe. Then there are the speakeasies that pride themselves on secrecy. Maybe they require a code or a password. Maybe they’re hidden, perhaps even behind a storefront that could only be described as outdated. Like a floppy disk repair shop.
The first time I noticed Floppy Disk Repair Co. on East Fifth and Brazos, I did a double take. New to Austin, I wondered what most people who aren’t in the know must wonder: how does a floppy disk repair shop survive in 2019? Only later did I hear rumors of a speakeasy behind the confusing storefront.
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Come March, the excitement of South by Southwest Conference & Festivals will take over Austin. Behind all our fun is a team of specialists and volunteers who make everything come together. This happens at the new SXSW Center on Lavaca Street, where the general public can enjoy SouthBites year-round.
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Guest article by James Lipari
On Sept. 28, 2019, at Fiesta Gardens, Austin will once again proudly host the state’s largest beer event, Texas Craft Brewers Festival.
If you’ve ever been to a beer festival, you may know what to expect. With over 75 breweries in attendance serving samples of their hard work, you are bound to find your next favorite beer. If you haven’t been to a beer festival, then this is the one you really shouldn’t miss. Even if you don’t think you like beer, it could just be that you haven’t had the right one yet.
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You can’t just walk into Midnight Cowboy on a Saturday night and expect to get the experience, or the cocktails, everyone raves about. Certain steps are necessary. This may be why it took me three years to visit what is perhaps Austin’s most well-known speakeasy. Planning ahead has never been my strong suit.
When I made my reservation, found the hidden door, rang the bell, and sat in a booth for the first time, it didn’t take long to figure out why so many people recommended Midnight Cowboy over the years. For the sixth installment of The Austinot’s Speakeasy Secrets series, I’ll teach you how you too can have this same experience, and why you should make it a priority to do so.
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The first time I went to Texas Hill Country as a wine destination was about 15 years ago. It was akin to visiting a small farm, and I left without bothering to dream of what it could become.
If this story were made into a romantic comedy, a montage would now begin of Texas wine makers learning the Texas grapes, testing and finding the grape varietals that were going to work best in Texas, and building beautiful tasting rooms and properties. People from all over the world would hear of the Texas Wine Country region, as the number of wineries grew to more than 260. I would return a decade later, and fall in love.
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If the spirit of Austin could be materialized into a spirit, then Dulce Vida tequila packs the right type of punch. It’s crafted with care, low-carb, vegan, and mellow yet flavorful. It even has a positive impact on the Austin community through partnerships with nonprofits.
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For the fifth destination on my Austin speakeasy tour, I visited DuMont’s Down Low in the Warehouse District. Be warned: you may miss the entrance if you aren’t looking for it. But once you make your way down the dark stairs off West Fourth Street and into this basement bar, you’ll be glad you made the effort.
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I tend to crave sweet things more often than I should, but I’m also constantly on the lookout for healthy food or drink options to balance out my diet. Luckily, there are plenty of choices here in Austin.
One of my newest health adventures involved a trip to Jugo, where I enjoyed a fresh juice and food item. Not only was the juice delicious, but all of the ingredients were sourced locally. Being healthy while supporting local businesses? That’s a combination I can’t pass up.
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Next stop on Jonas’ quest to shed light on the underworld that is Austin’s speakeasy scene: Firehouse Lounge. As my Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets series continues, I’m noticing some similarities among my subjects.
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