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Custom metalwork greets customers at Lustre Pearl on Rainey Street (Credit: Dunlap ATX)
The bar that launched the bustling, booming Rainey Street entertainment district is turning 10 on Feb. 21, 2019. They grow up fast, don’t they?
Here’s the story behind the bar that started it all.
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 Hummel, 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 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…]
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.
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.
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.
[Read more…]
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 & 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…]
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.
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.
