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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.
Build the stage, bring the bands, and your audience will follow (Credit: Parker Jazz Club)
Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in downtown Austin. Situated underground like all the coolest clubs, Parker Jazz Club acts as an incubator for the music and the sensibility of another era. Set your sights on a whole new music experience, complemented by classic cocktails and a sultry aura.
Despite Austin’s outspoken love for live music, we are somewhat lacking in world-class, traditional jazz. Parker Jazz Club intends to change that. Jazz music evokes a host of strong feelings for many, calling to mind a different time and place. Walking down the staircase into the dark, elegant club, I felt as though I could be in Chicago, New York, or Paris in the ’20s or ’50s. By design, Parker Jazz Club stands apart from the typical downtown Austin bar. [Read more…]
Get haunted by the Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle (Credit: @dollarsaenz)
Whether you want to sip a socially acceptable cocktail with breakfast or nurse a brooding hangover, the Bloody Mary has become the standard go-to. The drink that has been around since approximately 1921 has incredible diversity, and it seems as though just about every restaurant has their own version–with our city being no exception. So whether you’re looking for the classic version, a peacock of garnishes, or something more exotic, here’s our guide to the best Bloody Marys in Austin. [Read more…]
Overlooking the Colorado River on Tillery’s East Austin patio (Credit: Joleen Jernigan)
If you live in Austin, you likely have a hankering for the outdoors, whether that means hiking the Greenbelt, taking the dog or the kids for a walk, riding your bike, or swimming at one of our outstanding swimming holes. After all that brisk exercise, it’s time to head for a patio and enjoy a cold drink. Patio culture is Austin culture. Here are a few of my favorite patios for happy hour on the east side. [Read more…]
School House Pub
It’s a shame that more people aren’t talking about Manor Road. Located in northeast Austin, across I-35 from The University of Texas, these few blocks are packed with shops, bars, bakeries, and restaurants.
Actually, there are over a dozen spots to grab a cold local beer or unique cocktail. Some are classic Austin dive bars, while others are funky joints where you can bring the whole crew. High-end dining options are also available for extraordinary happy hours.
Starting at the 1800 block and heading east, the bars and restaurants below come one after another on Manor Road. It really is a perfect spot for a bar crawl or night out, and it’s easy to tailor your adventure to what you want to eat, drink, or do! [Read more…]
Mueller Lake Park
Mueller in Northeast Austin started 10 years ago as a 700-acre community. It has grown into a thriving, developed neighborhood. With public parks, farmers’ markets, and some of Austin’s hottest businesses, Mueller has it all.
It’s about time someone created a bar crawl guide for the expanding Mueller neighborhood. The Austin spots on this list are nestled within a small, walkable area on the east side of I-35, in the main Mueller development. [Read more…]
What a deal at Buddy’s Place
There are many types of bars in Austin, offering different things for different people. The hipster bars have the creative, infused cocktails. The frat bars have top 40 music and cheap shots. Whatever the theme, each new bar of its type tries to outdo the competition with stranger cocktails, or cheaper shots, and the list goes on.
One bar on Burnet Road stands out by taking the opposite approach. This Texas bar is distilled to the essentials. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. [Read more…]
Bartender Andrew Campbell mixes a cocktail at Garage (Credit: Julie Cope Photography)
When I venture out for a stiff drink in a short glass, I seek a setting that rouses a sense of romance and sparks my imagination, where skillfully crafted cocktails are served. As someone who finds herself mired in the aesthetics of a room, the ambiance of a bar is important.
Sometimes you just want a beer and burger at the neighborhood joint, but other times you want to embark on an upscale, booze-fueled adventure that transports you to another time and place. In the case of the latter, here are my top five picks for the most stylish bars in Austin. [Read more…]
I’m a recovering wine snob. Years ago, I only drank high-end bottles with other wine snob friends. We would eat cheese while sipping, sniffing and discussing wines. Then I moved to Italy, where delicious wines cost as little as $5.
And then it hit me.
It’s not about this varietal or that vintage, or even what pairs best with what. It’s simpler than that. Much like any alcoholic beverage of choice, you drink it because you like it. And the reason you drink is to celebrate friends, family, careers or life events.
Here are some top-notch spots to sit and sip a glass of wine in Austin with your closest friends, family or colleagues. They aren’t necessarily the most high-end in town, but they’ve got soul. [Read more…]
Antone’s by night, home to the Blues (Credit: Marco Figueroa)
Are you interested in exploring the depths of the music scene here in Austin? You don’t have to be a classically trained musician to appreciate amazing blues and jazz. In fact, all you need is an open mind and–optionally–a pair of dancing shoes.
Austin is home to some of the greatest venues and artists around. Grab a friend and head to one of these cherished institutions. [Read more…]