Downtown Archives - Page 5 Of 8

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…]

Downtown Austin Comic Relief: Shows at The New Movement

March 31, 2015 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

The New Movement Theater Downtown Austin

Headed to The New Movement on Lavaca

In a basement off Lavaca sits The New Movement comedy theater and conservatory. Originally located east on Rosewood, The New Movement was started by comedians Chris Trew and Tami Nelson in 2009. Since then, their success has led to a second location in New Orleans.

The New Movement has created a kingdom of comedy where patrons can catch improv, sketch and stand-up shows produced by talented and driven comedians.

Getting to Know the Shows at The New Movement

There is a lot of ground to cover when introducing anyone to The New Movement because of the huge variety of shows taking place onstage from Wednesday through Sunday every week. [Read more…]

Make Lady Bird Lake’s Eastside Loop Your Go-To Route

March 6, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 5 Comments

Lady Bird Lake’s 4-mile eastside loop (Credit: Jim Innes courtesy of The Trail Foundation)

Back in the 1990s, the trail around Town Lake (now known as Lady Bird Lake) had real issues. Maintenance of the crushed granite pathway wasn’t at its finest, sections were confusing, crossing I-35 dangerous, and the eastside segment was pretty much only populated by serious souls covering the full 10-mile loop.

But as Austin has grown, trail usage exploded, and The Trail Foundation (TTF) upped its stewardship, everything has changed. When the new Boardwalk section opened in 2014, the rechristened Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail took the loop experience to 11.

If you’re looking for a taste of the new Boardwalk, beautiful scenery, bountiful bird watching, hassle-free parking, and fewer crowds, all rolled into a shorter distance loop, try the eastside loop. Here’s a step-by-step tour of what can be enjoyed when covering this 4-mile trail option in the heart of Austin. [Read more…]

Before MTV, There Was…

November 26, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

The Moody Theater, home of Austin City Limits (Credit: Andy via Flickr CC)

The concept of music television existed long before MTV was created. The award winning PBS series Austin City Limits has been shaping the way we experience music for 40 years.

ACL began with a vision to highlight local music and has grown into an international sensation. Musicians and fans from around the world look up to ACL’s simple – yet sophisticated – take on music. What started Austin on its journey to becoming the “Live Music Capital of the World” remains a pillar in our culture today.

As ACL begins its fifth decade of live music broadcasting, I want to pay tribute to the show’s legacy by examining where it came from and what its existence has meant to local Austin musicians. [Read more…]

New Waller Creek Will Revitalize Downtown Austin

November 4, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

An urban oasis is reimagined in this Waller Creek concept photo (Credit: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates)

You could say that the Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake is the heart of Austin, Texas. The ebb and flow of runners and cyclists of all ages making their way along the 10 mile trail is like blood coursing through veins.

With the boardwalk now finished, the 1.3 mile gap at the south shore is closed and the loop is complete. So now what?

Enter the Waller Creek Conservancy, a nonprofit partner of the City of Austin, established in 2010 with a mission to transform and sustain Austin’s Waller Creek. The Waller Creek Conservancy is in the process of revitalizing the area that runs from Waterloo Park at 15th Street all the way down to Lady Bird Lake, connecting to the Hike and Bike Trail. [Read more…]

Getting to Know the Shows at The New Movement

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