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Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): The Good Life Bar Bar

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The Good Life Bar Bar in Austin, TX

The Good Life Bar Bar, one of Austin’s speakeasy-style bars

Sometimes you don’t know what you’re looking for until you’ve found it. One day you’re getting a haircut at the barbershop you’ve been going to for 10 years, and the next you have an offer to open your own bar behind said barbershop. If that feels like a fairly specific example, it’s because…surprise!…it’s based on a true story. Meet Brian Hummer, owner and operator of the The Good Life BAR BAR, a cozy and unique speakeasy in the heart of downtown Austin. [Read more…]

Oz. Tap House Adds Clever Twist to Craft Beer Bar Concept With Self-service Tap Wall

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Oz Tap House Craft Beer Flight in Austin

Oz. Tap House gives you the freedom to go from flight to pint in a matter of minutes (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Finding your groove in the Austin restaurant scene is a challenge. With hundreds of amazing eateries slinging booze and food, aspiring businesses need a unique hook to stand out from the crowd. Enter Oz. Tap House, northwest Austin’s newest beer garden. By combining a state-of-the-art self-service tap wall with a rock star menu of pub favorites, this Four Points spot is poised to become a neighborhood favorite. [Read more…]

Elevate Your Spirits With These 5 Local Vodka Companies

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Austin Texas Vodkas

Jalapeño-infused Tito’s Vodka with lemonade (Credit: Tito’s Vodka)

Texas vodka has become a thing, and I’m not just talking Tito’s. Everyone is trying to get in on distilling this clear liquor. While vodka is traditionally made with potatoes in Russia, most vodkas made here are corn-based. These four in particular are all made in or close to Austin, and are sure to quench your thirst.

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Cheer Your Favorite Team at These 5 Sports Bars in Central Austin

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Best Sports Bars in Central Texas

Outside at 8 Track on Manor Road

We’re entering the few cold(ish) months of the year here in Austin. So what are we to do when it’s too chilly to kayak on Lady Bird Lake and we’ll only jump into frigid Barton Springs after losing a bet?

Here’s one guy’s solution: Grab a friend or 10 and head to your favorite sports bar. Below is a list of my five central Austin recommendations.

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Ciclo Restaurant Dances With Latin Flavor Downtown

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Ciclo Menu Dishes Downtown Austin

Ciclo is located inside The Four Seasons Hotel downtown (Credit: Galdones Photography)

Introducing Ciclo restaurant and neighboring Live Oak inside Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Austin! Ciclo is the latest concept from world-renowned restaurateur Richard Sandoval, led by Chef de Cuisine James Flowers (TRIO, Wink, Asti Trattoria, Cipollina).

Ciclo and Live Oak dance with Latin flavor, with the latter taking menu inspiration from Guadalajara, Mexico. I had the pleasure of experiencing both concepts. The way they complement each other makes Four Seasons a superb destination for dinner and drinks.
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Family Business Beer Company Defies Expectations With Quality and Vibe

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Family Business Beer Company Flight

Flight of Family Business Beer Company’s core lineup (Credit: Bill Tucker)

When an actor with a rabid cult following opens a brewery in Central Texas, it’s not just local news. It becomes a national sensation.

Within a week of opening the doors, Family Business Beer Company, co-owned by Jensen Ackles of “Supernatural” fame, exploded in popularity. It also drew the ire of a small, but vocal, corner of the Austin beer scene.

The narrative was silly one: how dare some tiny brewery in Dripping Springs get more popular than Jester King, all because it has a celebrity owner? Could this upstart brewery in a market full of them possibly meet the expectations set by its social media reach? [Read more…]

Moviehouse Elevates the Cinema Experience With Comfort, Cuisine, and Care

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Moviehouse & Eatery Southwest Bowl

Moviehouse & Eatery’s Southwest Bowl adds a touch of spice to a sizable portion of chicken, rice, and veggies
(Credit: Bill Tucker)

Love you to pieces, Amazon Prime, but there’s something magical about going to the movies. Whether it’s the communal experience of watching a film with a large audience or the sheer size of the screen, “Netflix and chill” will never fully replace the old school theater experience.

But the formula can always be improved upon. By combining the comforts of home with top-notch eats and a cinema experience that rivals the best in the industry, Moviehouse & Eatery is rapidly becoming Austin’s new go-to for a dine-in movie going experience. [Read more…]

5 Canned Cocktails You Can Conveniently Sip Anywhere

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Best Canned Cocktails From Austin Texas

It’s easier than ever to take adult beverages along

Adult Austinites consume an average of 14.6 drinks per month. On any given day, there’s a plethora of hike and bike trails, swimming holes, tailgating events, and backyard barbecues to frequent, so maybe that’s why.

Here are five locally canned 21+ beverage options you can take with you, and responsibly enjoy anywhere, any time.

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Tradition and Innovation Meet Head-on at Independence Brewing Co.

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Independence Brewing Co. Native Texan

Independence Brewing’s newest year-round offering, Native Texan

These days, it feels like craft beer is ruled by the almighty trend. Be it session IPAs a few years back or the current haze craze, breweries seem to scramble to meet the whims of the drinking public. After all, IPAs that taste like mimosas are the hot new thing. Why not jump on the bandwagon and give people what they crave?

Independence Brewing Co. has a different philosophy. The local craft brewery delivers consistent, quality products peppered with original ideas and new ways of thinking. By blending expert craftsmanship with a Texan never-say-die attitude, this elder statesman of the Austin beer scene continues to impress with rock solid traditions and inventive off-shoots.

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6 Refreshing Mojitos to Beat the Heat in Austin

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Best Mojitos in Austin at Hula Hut

You won’t find a better view or mojito than at The Hula Hut on Lake Austin

Austinites love margaritas, but it’s time we talk about the perfect patio sipper we’ve all been neglecting…the mojito.

You just can’t go wrong with this rum, mint, and lime cocktail that hails from the Caribbean! So go on and give your palate a break from the marg with these six mojitos in Austin, sure to save you from the scorching Texas heat.

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