downtown - The Austinot

Virtually Tour Austin Central Library’s Impressive Six Floors

August 8, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

There are six floors to wander through and explore at Austin Central Library (Credit: Amanda Gagnon)

Even though Austin Central Library has been open for a while now, I recently visited for the first time. The building itself is stunning and I was pleasantly surprised by what the library offers to visitors.

Of course, you can check out books and other media. It’s a library. But did you know you can record a podcast from one of the shared learning rooms? Or that there are reading porches and a rooftop garden? How about the newly opened cafe?

I could have spent all day at Austin Central Library and can’t wait to return for another visit. [Read more…]

Cyclist’s Guide to Austin’s Hike and Bike Trail Around Lady Bird Lake

June 18, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Credit: Christopher V. Sherman/Over Austin

People always say to me, “Hey Jonas, you’re always riding your bike around Lady Bird Lake. You must be an expert.” Flattering? Sure. But the truth is, anyone can do it. I’m just a normal guy. A normal guy who, after not owning a bicycle since childhood, rekindled an old love and hasn’t looked back.

What follows is my answer to the question of how to have the best cycling experience on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, a 10-mile trail of dirt paths, bridges, and boardwalk that wraps around Lady Bird Lake. Locals know it as [Read more…]

Be Transported to Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in Downtown Austin

April 13, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

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…]

Austin’s Food Hall Fareground Offers Quick, Tasty Options for Any Meal

January 29, 2018 by Danielle Fritz Leave a Comment

Fareground at One Eleven Congress is curated by ELM Restaurant Group and features six eateries and a bar

Austin’s food scene continues to grow. With so many tasty options, decision-making can be hard. Where do I take out-of-town guests? Who in the group is a picky eater? Which restaurant do I want to try next? What if I want to eat all the things?

Luckily, Fareground at One Eleven Congress cures indecisiveness. ELM Restaurant Group is the curator and manager of Austin’s first food hall, and the six vendors located there satisfy a variety of tastes and dining needs. [Read more…]

Where Are the Best Bloody Marys in Austin?

January 19, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle in Austin

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…]

Second Bar + Kitchen Flourishes Downtown, Adapting to Changing City

January 9, 2018 by Vi Chetan Leave a Comment

Second Bar + Kitchen in downtown Austin (Credit: Bread & Butter PR)

Second Bar + Kitchen landed in downtown Austin in 2010. From pizza to burgers, weekend brunch to happy hour, Second’s repertoire is extensive. The restaurant now has three locations, including a satellite at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, so you have plenty of chances to pay a visit. [Read more…]

Enjoy Austin Ice Skating on Whole Foods Rooftop

December 18, 2017 by Brittany Highland 3 Comments

Bring your friends and family for fun on the ice (Credit: Whole Foods Market)

Ice skate on the rooftop of Whole Foods Market, now through Jan. 15, 2018!

Austin ice skating has returned to the rooftop plaza at Whole Foods Market’s flagship store for its 13th season. Enjoy this festive, wintry activity at the landmark location on North Lamar Boulevard between 5th and 6th Streets. It is real ice, so Austinites can [Read more…]

These 5 Austin Hostels Are More Than a Place to Sleep

October 4, 2017 by Danielle Fritz Leave a Comment

The sun-filled parlor room at Native is perfect for co-working until the sun goes down (Credit: Charles Reagan)

As the market for alternative lodging accommodations continues to grow, many travelers are drawn to the affordable pricing and unique experience that hostels offer. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, looking for an affordable staycation, or welcoming out-of-town guests, local Austin hostels provide not just a place to sleep, but a communal experience fitting a variety of budgets. Some even provide cocktails, food, co-working, or live music for locals who aren’t looking for lodging at all. [Read more…]

Russian House Through the Eyes of a Russian Transplant in Austin

September 19, 2017 by Yulia Dyukova Leave a Comment

I distinctly remember the first time I stumbled across Russian House. Still new to Austin, I was walking around downtown when I spotted the familiar khokhloma pattern on the side of a building. Above the name Russian House on the outside side, smaller letters read, “Na Zdorovye.” “Noooo,” I thought to myself, “No, no, no, no, noooo…Et tu, Brute?”

I was surprised to find a Russian restaurant in downtown Austin, but even more surprised to find a Russian restaurant using the term Na Zdorovye. You see, “na zdorovye” is what foreigners believe Russians say as “cheers.” But no native Russian has ever said that while drinking.

The misconception probably finds its roots in the fact that “na zdorovye” is indeed used in some eastern European countries. But if you want to drink like a real Russian, learning one phrase and saying it over and over is not enough, my friends. Here’s what you need to do. [Read more…]

Before Austin Was a Foodie City, Chez Nous Served True French Food

July 24, 2017 by Yulia Dyukova Leave a Comment

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Sixth Street, with its never-ending chain of bars, live music pounding from open windows, and bright neon signs, is a restaurant that is quiet, cozy and feels like home. Our home. For that’s exactly what Chez Nous, the name of this French bistro off Sixth Street, translates to: “our home”, or “our place.”

How can such a cozy family restaurant operate in the Dirty Sixth district? Let’s rewind back to the late 70’s when three friends, Sybil Reinhart-Regimbeau, Robert Paprota, and Pascal Regimbeau, arrived in the capital of Texas from Paris, with hopes of introducing unsuspecting Austinites to the cuisine of their homeland. [Read more…]