Weird Wild Austin
I’ve lived in Austin for almost ten years, and I often have a love-hate relationship with it. I treasure when family and friends come to visit because it gives me a chance to shake off my daily grind, re-embrace everything I love about this city, and experience it like it's new again. For all, you Austin newbies or vacationers here's a guide on how to do Austin like a 10-year pro.
DAY ONE
We decided to go all out this year and planned a four-day, festivity-filled, staycation. First up, was where to stay. We settled on the luxury JW Marriott in the heart of downtown Austin. Completed in 2015, it's one of Austin's newest and largest hotels with 1,012 guest rooms, a beautiful spa, a rooftop pool, two on-site restaurants, and a hotel bar. I'm typically fond of smaller more boutique hotels. Other stays that make my list of favorites are South Congress Hotel, also fairly new, Hotel Van Zandt on Rainey Street, and the electric Hotel Saint Cecilia. However, if you're looking to be pampered there is no denying JW has their service down to a fine art. During check-in, we were upgraded to a suite that provided stunning wall-to-wall views of downtown from the 36th floor. If given the option, splurge on a corner room. You won't regret the view.
JW MARRIOTT
We kicked things off Friday night. After settling in, we headed to Rainey Street to meet a few friends for drinks. Every true local knows the history of Rainey Street. It used to be nothing more than a side road with quaint houses. In 2009 Bridget Dunlop had the genius idea to turn her corner lot into a house bar called Luster Pearl. She single handily revolutionized the bar scene in Austin. Quickly others followed suit creating the pub crawler’s dream that is now Rainey Street. Luster Pearl has since been replaced by luxury condos but fear not, Bridget had her whole home moved to a larger property in East Austin. The new Luster location is a little further from downtown but worth the trip. You can sample a bit of history while enjoying outdoor activities and tasty cocktails.
The first stop on Rainy was Craft Pride. Some might be tempted to dismiss Craft Pride as a simple dive bar but don't be fooled they boast an impressive selection of local and specialty tap beers. However, the true gem of Craft Pride is their onsite food trailer VIA313. Located on the back patio, VIA313 is by far the best pizza in Austin. I know those are strong words but if you're a fan of deep-dish Detroit style pizza, beeline it to Craft Pride and order yourself a Carnivore. You can thank me later. Another recently opened Rainey favorite is minority-owned and operated garden lounge Reina. Chill DJ vibes and excellent cocktails make this is a must-see spot.
CRAFT PRIDE
After our tasty casual dinner, we decided to turn things up a notch and head over to West 6th Street. Another popular area of town known for its cocktail and bottle service lounges. If you're looking for a dance and DJ scene, this is the area for you. Two bars currently dominate the street, the recently reopened Kung Fu Saloon and Greenlight Social. Kung Fu has been a staple in Austin for quite a few years and just relocated to the larger space. They're known for their signature sake bombs and gaming center. Pac Man, oversized Jenga, and foosball keep you entertained while sipping cocktails. It's impossible to not have fun at this bar but if you decide to head next door Greenlight will keep the party going. On a Friday/Saturday night, this spot is hopping so be prepared to get your dance on. The name is a play on the old prohibition era term when green lights were meant to signify an open speakeasy. If you look closely, you might spot the secret bar within the bar known as Benny's Room. Past a hidden wall and curtain, you'll find a dimly lit speakeasy. The one-way glass allows you to see the merriment in the main bar as you sip sophisticated cocktails in privacy and comfort.
*Note: If making the rounds on Rainey or West 6th be sure to AVOID Unbarlievable. Staff and owner Brandon Cash have a known history of misogynistic and racist behavior towards employees and clientele. Let’s do our best to support bars and restaurants that are doing right by our communities. Learn more.
KUNG FU SALOON
DAY TWO
Due to the oppressive Texas heat, outdoor summer activities can be tricky. You absolutely must be near water, or you'll find yourself quickly melting. Thankfully in Austin, we're blessed with an abundance of natural swimming holes where you can cool off. Barton Springs Pool, Town Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Travis are just a few within the nearby area. Lake Travis is the largest and very popular in the summer for its epic boat parties. The drive out from town is about 30 minutes and gives you a glimpse into the stunning hill country of Austin. If you don't have a boat no worries, you always have the option to charter one for the day. On Saturday we set sail from Paradise Cove. Keep in mind a day on the lake in the summer is an all-day affair and can last well into the evening since the sun doesn't set till around 8 pm. Be sure to leave your evening open. The sunsets on the water are gorgeous. If you happen to make it out there on a holiday weekend such as Memorial or Labor day you're in for some all American fun and one heck of a fireworks show.
LAKE TRAVIS
We had plans to attend a concert that evening, so we jumped ship a bit early to head back to town. No trip to Austin would be complete without catching a live music show at one of the signature venues. It was just our luck that Phantogram was playing that night at Stubbs. Stubbs is one of my favorite music venues. It's outdoor but on the smaller side. The space creates a more intimate experience and allows you to get prime listening and viewing vantage points. The show was incredible! The perfect mix of psychedelic beats, showmanship, and mesmerizing visuals. They're such a unique group of artists, and I'm so glad I finally got to experience them live.
STUBBS
PHANTOGRAM
Famished from our long day of boating and music we needed a nice sit-down dinner, so we headed over to Justine's Brasserie. I am obsessed with Justine's. To me, it embodies everything that makes Austin strange and loveable. How to describe it. For starters, they serve a full menu till 2 am, but you have to leave the downtown bubble. Though not far, it's well hidden. When driving over, you'll be tempted to think you've gone the wrong way, but just before you give up, you'll see the twinkling lights. When you step past the vined gate, you'll be greeted with an open courtyard and a quaint bungalow house in the center. Justine's is a true French bistro complete with escargot, French onion soup, and steak frites. The inside is cozy while the outside grounds are spacious. We sat on the open patio under the hanging lights and after ordering took a few minutes to explore. There's a picturesque gazebo at the back of the property as well as the most delightful mini photo booth house. The walls are mirrored from top to bottom, and red carpet covers the floor. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and stuffed wild cats stare at you from their lofty counter perch. It's the strangest little room you'll ever step into and over the years has been decorated in wildly different ways. Dinner was delicious, but towards the end, I was so tired I nearly fell asleep in my empty bowl of Bolognese. Vacationing is hard work.
JUSTINE’S BRASSEIRE
DAY THREE
The next day we planned to take it slower. After resting up, we headed to the pool for lunch and some relaxation in the sun. The JW Marriott pool is Olympic-sized and located on the 5th floor with a beautiful view of downtown. Plenty of lounge chairs line the water, and private cabanas are available along the wall. We spent the afternoon cooling off while snacking on watermelon and shrimp tacos. The pineapple cocktails are to die for. What are those you might ask? Well to start, you take a whole pineapple and hollow out the center. Then you fill it with ice, fresh fruit a specialty cocktail of your choosing, and voila. As an added bonus, you get to keep your pineapple throughout the day for refills.
JW MARRIOTT
When the sun began to set we decided to head over to the Long Center for "Symphony in the Park." Austin does a wonderful job of providing weekly free events around the city during the summer. There's "Blues on the Green" in Zilker Park a weekly music concert and "Movies in the Park" which also takes place at the Long Center. The Symphony this week featured the strings section of the orchestra. They played a collection of classical and contemporary pieces including popular scores from famous shows and films like Harry Potter. We sat on the grassy hill sipping wine and watching the sunset.
LONG CENTER
That night, I had made a special reservation at Midnight Cowboy. It's one of Austin’s oldest and most authentic speakeasies. I made sure to plan ahead by making a reservation several weeks in advance as they tend to book out quickly on the weekend. When we arrived, the only visible marker was the small green light above the door signifying they were open for business. The building appeared to be a rundown apartment complex with an old buzzer and intercom system on the door panel. We were instructed via email which bell to ring for access. The door cracked open, and we were asked if we had a reservation. After confirming we were allowed entry. The space was surprisingly small. A long hallway greeted us with black leather booths on either side. Black and gold wallpaper provided decoration and hanging lamps and candles served to light the way. Towards the back stood a small bar with every manner of liquor under the sun. It had a simplistic but elegant old-world charm. After being seated an elaborate drink cart was wheeled our way. The bartender carefully explained the ingredients of each cocktail as she made them, adding finishing touches such as citrus peel, herbs, and spice to create a complete sensory journey. The drinks were both powerful and exceptional. We chatted and lost ourselves to time in the small cozy booth.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
DAY FOUR
On our final day, we started off with coffee at Hounds Tooth. A quiet, modern coffee spot, walking distance from the hotel. Cafe Medici is also one of my favorites and is just across the street. No Austin visit would be complete without a trip to Barton Springs Pool. The Pool is a natural outdoor swimming hole that's fed by the Edwards Aquifer spring. The spring maintains a constant temperature of 68-70 degrees making it a perfect spot to cool off during the hot summer months. Grassy hills shaded by large trees keep you cool while you nap in the sun.
BARTON SPRINGS POOL
After a refreshing dip, we headed to a fun spot called Kitty Kohen. Originally a house redesigned as a bar with a small above-ground pool in the center of the patio. If you're in a group of four or more, they'll serve you a crystal punch bowl with matching glasses filled with a cocktail of your choice. My favorite is the basil, mint, gin. Later we headed for some good old-fashioned Texas BBQ at East Side Tavern.
KITTY KOHEN
In search of relaxed entertainment, we headed over to Violet Crown Cinema. It's a beautiful independent theater with a full restaurant, bar, and modern ambiance. To wind down, we spent a quiet evening having cocktails and dinner at the hotel bar. I was sad to check out the next day, but all great vacations must come to an end. Thankfully, I was reminded that this was my home and there was so much to love about this weird wild town.
VIOLET CROWN CINEMA