Downtown Archives - Page 6 Of 8

3 Affordable Downtown Group Fitness Classes

October 7, 2014 by Adrienne Albregts 3 Comments

Maybe you’ve noticed: Austin is a good looking town. The locals take care of themselves, which might have something to do with combatting the BBQ and Tex-Mex that’s always on the menu. Also, our weather doesn’t require us to put on that “extra layer of fat” in the winter months. It’s fantastic.

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Austinites are obsessed with supporting local businesses. We keep it close to home. Personally, I keep it literally as close to home as possible because I don’t own a car. So when I started looking for a downtown gym, I thought I’d be out of luck [Read more…]

9 Most Amazing Rooftop Photos of Austin You’ll Ever See

August 6, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena 13 Comments

200 feet above Rainey Street, the traffic on I-35 doesn’t seem quite as bad. Almost tranquil even. I am following one of Austin’s most daring rooftop photographers as he makes his way across the roof of a Rainey Street highrise.

This image was captured solo using a tripod with a 15 second exposure. On the unfinished JW Marriott looking westward.

[Read more…]

Spotlight on the Darkest Bar in Texas

May 23, 2014 by Lizzy Newsome 1 Comment

The Cloak Room, known as the darkest bar in Texas

Have you noticed how much Austin has changed? In the past 10 years, Austin has risen to become the 11th largest city in the nation, and it has the stretch marks to show for it.

An ever-increasing metro population has led to growing pains in the form of construction cranes, an increased cost of living, and traffic that seems to go nowhere. It’s great to live in a popular city, but it can be a bit exhausting.

Still, if you search hard enough, you can find pockets of the old Austin, thriving amid the development and high-rises. Case in point: Austin’s darkest bar [Read more…]

Austin B-cycle Brings Bikesharing to Austin

April 7, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena 1 Comment

Ideal location for B-cycle, across from la Barbecue. Bike in, BBQ out.

Ah, springtime in Austin. It’s a magical time of year. Lady Bird Lake is overflowing with all manner of water craft, bar and restaurant patios all around the city have a one-hour wait, and bikes reclaim their status as a viable form of transport around town.

About five weeks later, the brutal heat starts smoldering our fair city, but what a glorious five weeks! The Austinot has written several articles on how to beat the heat, and even a few others on how to get around town. But this spring and summer, Austinites will have another option to add to the list. In characteristic Austin fashion, it’s a thinking “outside the box” kind of approach.

Want to get around town quickly and cheaply, but don’t own a bike? No problem! Austin’s new B-cycle program, part of a nationwide network spread around over 20 cities, quietly launched late last year. They have just completed their initial 40 station roll-out and are more than ready for the inevitable onslaught of new riders. [Read more…]

New Cafe Causing Coffee Ruckus in Downtown Austin

February 21, 2014 by Lizzy Newsome 2 Comments

Cafe Ruckus is located at 409 W 2nd St.

Editor’s Note: Cafe Ruckus closed in July 2017.

Every day, the population of Austin is growing. I have heard many different numbers thrown out, but they all point to the same thing. A booming population. While opinions vary on the growing influx to our fair city, one thing is certain…we are going to need more coffee.

If seating is scarce at your favorite wi-fi-enabled caffeine dealer, there is a new spot for you at Cafe Ruckus. Located in Austin’s new “Coffee District” (aka the 2nd Street District), this fresh locale is eager to win over new regulars. [Read more…]

Three Stories of Graffiti for HOPE on Castle Hill

February 11, 2014 by Jessica Pino 15 Comments

A graffiti artist at work on Castle Hill

Editor’s Note: The HOPE Outdoor Gallery closed on Jan. 2, 2019. A new location will open later in the year.

There are a few mainstays in Austin I like to take visitors to when they visit. My list includes the impressive Capitol Building, which is taller than the U.S. Capitol Building in D.C., Whole Foods headquarters, where you can get a $5 smoothie, Zilker Park to fly a kite, and anything on South Congress. But there’s one place that embodies the true spirit and weirdness of our city, and every resident and visitor must experience it: the graffiti wall at Castle Hill.

Tucked away on Baylor and 11th near Whole Foods, this is one of my favorite places in Austin because it has a great energy and amazing art. When I say graffiti wall, I don’t mean just one wall like the “i love you so much” graffiti at Jo’s Coffee Shop or the Austin Postcard at Roadhouse Relics. I’m talking about a three-story playground for artists. [Read more…]

Austin’s Best Downtown Happy Hours Ready to Wet Your Whistle

January 10, 2014 by Lizzy Newsome 5 Comments

According to Wikipedia, the origins of “Happy Hour” are shrouded in mystery, but we are grateful nonetheless. Just as mysteriously, finding the perfect happy hour can be difficult in a city full of watering holes, but the well informed won’t have to travel far.

Believe it or not, some of the city’s more affordable cocktail hours happen to be in the heart of downtown, conveniently close by to that afternoon meeting of yours. Maybe happy hour should even be combined with the meeting?

The following four locales are a great place to start any evening, but this list is just the tip of the happy hour iceberg. [Read more…]

Peche Belongs on Your List of Go-To Cocktail Spots Downtown

December 5, 2013 by Brittany Highland 1 Comment

Peche in the Warehouse District downtown (Photo credit: Tim Meaney via Flickr CC)

Your downtown business meeting or special event just ended, and now all you want is a place to relax and enjoy a hand-crafted drink. If this is you, I recommend Peche.

Located in the Warehouse District, on 4th Street just east of Lavaca, Peche’s unpretentious exterior is easy to pass without a second look. But step inside and you’ll be greeted by a low-lit, romantic interior with decor that hints at times past.

The menu is filled with a variety of cocktail, food and wine selections. The venue’s claim to fame is its status as Austin’s first absinthe bar. Cocktails are pre-prohibition style, inspired by owner Rob Pate’s historical studies and time abroad. In fact, your visits to Peche will likely transport you to another time and place. [Read more…]

Departure Lounge Takes Dine and Dash to a Whole New Level

November 25, 2013 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

Departure Lounge in downtown Austin is cozy and comfortable

Editor’s Note: Departure Lounge closed its downtown location in July 2017. Owner Keith Waldon plans to open a new location in the airport.

Austin loves to mix things up. We want great food and drinks while watching the latest releases at the Drafthouse, or a quick round of embarrassing karaoke after rolling a few frames at The Goodnight. Austin entrepreneurs are taking mixed-use concepts to a whole new level. The latest to hit the downtown scene is a travel agency with a wine bar built in. Or maybe it’s the other way around? [Read more…]

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Often Imitated, Never Duplicated

October 23, 2013 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Tim League is the mind behind Alamo Drafthouse (Photo credit: Wikipedia.org)

People love movies. Just ask them. They love seeing Rocky beat the odds against Apollo Creed. They love seeing an underdog truck driver win an arm wrestling contest and the heart of his son. They love seeing Rambo avenge the woman he loves by taking down a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp and freeing long lost soldiers. They might even love my love of Sylvester Stallone movies. Yet few people love movies as much as Tim and Karrie League.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

In the late 1990’s, Tim and Karrie wanted to share their love of movies, food and beer with Austin. With a bolt of inspiration, they opened a small, one-screen theater downtown. Their enthusiasm was infectious and drew the attention of directors like Richard Linklater and Quentin Tarantino. From there, their venture blew up. The Leagues expanded Alamo Drafthouse Cinema with multiple locations around Austin.

[Read more…]

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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

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