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Revival Public House Blends Pub and Southern Comfort Downtown

June 16, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Bacon Wrapped Dates At Revival Public House

The bacon-wrapped dates are a must-try dish at Revival Public House (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Editor’s Note: Revival House has closed.

The corner of 2nd and Trinity can be a challenging one for new Austin businesses. When companies and trade shows invade the Austin Convention Center, profits soar. When they leave, it’s a different story. Located too far for the South Congress lunch crowd, and inconvenient for the Rainey/6th Street scene, blossoming restaurants have had a tough time maintaining a regular clientele.

Revival Public House hopes to change all that. Through an Austin-centric menu, décor and vibe, this new eatery offers up Southern comfort food with an ATX twist. The result is a delicious addition to the local foodie scene that’s well worth traveling the extra couple of blocks. [Read more…]

Free 2ND Street Soundcheck to Showcase Local Artists in Downtown Austin

June 13, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

On June 18, the 2ND Street District will fill with live music and vendors during free 2ND Street Soundcheck festival (Credit: 2ND Street District)

Guest article by Alicia Santiago

An Austin summer is filled to the brim with free movie screenings, swimming holes, brewery tours and live music. The summer live music scene feels different than it does the rest of the year. Attribute it to the Texas sun or UT students’ summer vacation, but summer in Austin feels like a time for locals to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World.

You’ve heard about Blues on the Green and Unplugged at the Grove, but the 2ND Street Soundcheck festival takes the cake for summer music festivals. This free family event offers live music, shopping, in-store performances and outdoor fun, all while supporting the local artistic community. [Read more…]

Creative Ways to Explore the Texas State Capitol in Austin

June 9, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Texas State Capitol Building at sunset (Credit: saneimpala)

Anyone who has been in central Austin has gazed at the architectural jewel in the heart of our city, the Texas State Capitol Building. Poised atop 22 acres of tree-filled land and elegantly framed by downtown buildings, this historic structure has been expertly maintained and curated by Texans since 1888 and is a lovely place to enjoy a day of learning, strolling and feeling the Lone Star love. [Read more…]

BaseCamp Aims to Elevate Austin Sports Bar Concept

May 30, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Live it up with drinks, eats and sports at Basecamp (Credit: Cultivate PR)

Sports bars can be overwhelming. Bar tops bathed in the harsh light of tightly packed TVs and beer sign neon. Average food options like bland wings, onion rings and the dreaded over-cooked nacho plate. Liquor ads serve as wallpaper, designed to distract you from the real mission: rooting on your favorite team. Sports bars don’t have to be “pinkies up,” but they don’t have to be blaring noise machines either.

With a cut above menu of comfort bar food, inspired cocktails and a modern yet welcoming ambiance, BaseCamp hopes to elevate Austin’s expectations of what a sports bar should be. [Read more…]

Mean Eyed Cat Brings Spirit of Johnny Cash to West 5th Street

February 4, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Warm and welcoming with a dive bar edge: welcome to Mean Eyed Cat! (Credit: Mean Eyed Cat)

For 90% of the world, there’s only one Man in Black. Forget the Will Smith movies; ignore the X-Files. Johnny Cash, one of country music’s original rebels, is the only one who matters.

While you can trek to Nashville to pay homage, there’s a joint right here in Austin that honors the legend through its décor, drinks and demeanor. With more than just a novelty name for a dive bar, Mean Eyed Cat Bar hides quality cocktails, great food and exceptional service behind its roughneck exterior. The result is your new favorite local hangout. [Read more…]

Swoon-Worthy Driskill Grill Reinvents Fall Menu

November 20, 2015 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Combozola Black with Sweet Onion Jam and Saba at Driskill Grill. (Credit: Susannah Haddad)

Roll up to The Driskill Hotel and try not to feel giddy. I dare you.

Located smack in the heart of downtown, this stately, behemoth of a hotel woos even the most cynical hipsters among us. The Driskill is the luxe southern darling here in the Capitol City, and the Driskill Grill is its culinary heartbeat. [Read more…]

Waller Creek Conservancy Lights Up Downtown Austin

November 13, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 1 Comment

Light installation created by Clark Richardson Architects for Creek Show 2015

“The Natural Unnatural” created by Clark Richardson Architects, located near 8th Street. (Credit: Waller Creek Conservancy)

Back for its second year, the Waller Creek Conservancy’s Creek Show 2015 celebrates downtown’s bright future. Despite last year’s cold weather, more than 5,000 people turned out to stroll along Waller Creek amid creative, site-specific light installations.

The event has been expanded this year. From Nov. 12-21, 2015, Austinites can explore the beauty waiting beneath Austin’s city streets. [Read more…]

Bartenders Earn Royalties For Creative Cocktails at The Townsend

July 14, 2015 by Adrienne Albregts Leave a Comment

A popular drink at The Townsend, the Reconstruction Julep (Credit: SJ Reid Photography)

Downtown Austin’s latest bar and music venue, The Townsend, is the place to experience cool vibes, spirited cocktails and unadulterated sound.

[Read more…]

5 Things You Never Knew About Ballet Austin

April 30, 2015 by Edwin Ochoa Leave a Comment

Ballet Austin Butler Dance and Fitness Center is located at 501 W 3rd St (Credit: Andrew Yates via Ballet Austin)

42,000 people attend Ballet Austin performances each year. Who knew that some of the most exciting works of ballet are being performed in our backyard?

You don’t have to be a diehard ballet geek to appreciate the cultural value Ballet Austin adds to our city. You don’t even have to be a current fan of ballet to enjoy what Ballet Austin has to offer.

Here are 5 things you never knew about Ballet Austin. [Read more…]

Waller Creek Pub House: Your Haven from Dirty 6th Madness

April 27, 2015 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Good food and great beer await you at Waller Creek Pub House

Picture this. You’re walking eastward on 6th Street in the midst of Friday night madness. People shouting drink specials. Pounding house music. The street is thick with UT kids and tourists. In desperation, you consider the 15 minute hike to East 6th for respite.

But imagine if there was a chilled out craft beer pub in the dark space between Red River and Route 35. A place with a relaxed vibe, quality beer and spirits and a yummy food menu.

Well, go ahead and open your eyes. Waller Creek Pub House, nestled on Sabine between 6th and 7th, will become your new favorite spot and a safe haven from the downtown hustle. [Read more…]