around town Archives - Downtown Austin Blog

amber gugino | June 25, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Where to Watch the World Cup – Downtown Austin Sports Bars

I’m not real into soccer. Matter of fact, first soccer game I ever watched was Sunday’s World Cup Match between the USA and Portugal. What an exciting game, though! I literally stood up and cheered when the US made that second goal, and then I moaned and beseeched the soccer gods when Portugal scored to tie.

It was enough to get me excited about the upcoming match against zee Germans, happening this Thursday at 11am (tomorrow!). But, where to watch this epic game in downtown Austin? I have a couple of suggestions.

1. Liberty Tavern, in the Hilton Downtown: 500 E 4th

photo by Diana Nogueira

Remodeled in 2012, with 11 big screens, and an airy and spacious atmosphere. Great local beers, and ample breakfast / lunch food. Extremely convenient for those living in the 5 Fifty-Five Condos or Sabine Condos in downtown Austin.

For the World Cup, they’ve also added a 16′x9′ Jumbo HD screen!

photo by Diana Nogueira

And drink specials galore, including $2 Lonestars!

2. Takoba (downtown adjacent), 1411 E. 7th

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

112″ indoor projector screen
75″ TV outside
covered outdoor seating / misters
$15 buckets a beer

Need I say more?

3. The Mohawk, 912 Red River

Mohawk Exterior

Inside big screen with surround sound

Second TV in Bar Area

Green Room Upstairs

The Mohawk has multiple screens, including an indoor screen with surround sound, along with beers and bubbles, and noshes by Frank. Nice dark and cool atmosphere for the big screen area, too!

Don’t like any of my suggestions? Check out a more comprehensive list from Austin Culture Map, which includes my top three, plus other downtown venues like Russian House, Holy Mountain, Fado, and Bar 96, plus places in other parts of the city.

Filed Under: around town, austin bars, austin lifestyle, austin restaurant reviews, downtown austin, life in austin

amber gugino | May 21, 2014 | 6 Comments

Downtown Austin Delivery Services

Seems like every other week I’m hearing about some slickly marketed new service that will deliver something to my house. Dollar Shave Club, BarkBox, BirchBox, the list goes on and on and on.

Delivery is the new rage and I have to say that I love it. Like, I love it like Ron Swanson loves breakfast food and brunettes.

I’m particularly seduced by services that deliver food to my door. There are three services in particular that I’ve been using (or am about to start using), and all of them make me pretty happy:

[Read more...]

Filed Under: around town, austin lifestyle, life in austin

amber gugino | April 22, 2014 | 1 Comment

Cuban Restaurant in Downtown Austin – Pleasant Storage Room

As far as I know, there aren’t currently any Cuban restaurant concepts in downtown Austin proper. Well, there WASN’T before this week, anyway. There’s a new one popping up in the warehouse district, where the now defunct Stack Burger Bar used to be (one of the restaurant concepts owned by the now infamous Yassine Enterprises).

Let me introduce you to Pleasant Storage Room, officially opening TODAY: [Read more...]

Filed Under: around town, austin bars, austin lofts, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, downtown austin, life, life in austin, small business, Warehouse District

amber gugino | March 19, 2014 | 1 Comment

Art in Downtown Austin – Different Strokes for Different Folks

We like to highlight good and interesting art on DAB. I’ve recently written about the cool little Art-O-Matic found at a couple of downtown locations, and the public art piece High Water Mark.

Back in 2012, Jude bought out the entirety of Austin Java when he learned about Mike Johnston aka “Truth”, and throughout 2013 we admired the work at The People’s Gallery showcase at Austin City Hall.

Last month, the REATX office acquired a very special work that had been showcased next to the City Hall elevators for the past year. It’s called Different Strokes for Different Folks, and is the concept of up-and-coming artist Hallie Rae Ward.

Artist Hallie Rae Ward with DAB Publisher Jude Galligan

Artist Hallie Rae Ward with Jude Galligan in the REATX Realty office

Different Strokes for Different Folks was one of two pieces Hallie had featured in the 2013 People’s Gallery. Hallie will be showcasing more of her work at this year’s West Austin Studio Tour - so, please check it out!

Below, I ask Hallie a few questions about what inspires her work. You can learn more about Hallie on her website or Facebook page.

amber gugino | February 20, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Girls Night Out in Downtown Austin – Eat at Chavez

I never thought I’d say this, but if you want to check out a really cool new restaurant, you should hit up The Radisson at Congress and Cesar Chavez.

No kidding.

The Radisson is now the home of the simply hip and delicious new restaurant, Chavez, owned by Parkside’s (and Backspace’s) own Shawn Cirkiel.

amber gugino | December 29, 2013 | 2 Comments

Girls Night Out – Things to Do in Downtown Austin

Me and some of my lady friends enjoying culture at The Contemporary.

Note: This evening’s itinerary also works for date night!

I like to do a group outing with girlfriends once every week or two, but sometimes we get into a rut – where we are doing the same things, going to the same places, etc. So, for 2014, I’ve made a commitment to try and mix things up a little (nothing too crazy) and try to do something a little different each time we get together. Last night was our first night since the holiday madness, and me and gals decided to hit up the northern edge of Congress near the Capitol – frankly, a seeming no man’s land in the evenings.

Me and some of my lady friends at the beginning of girls night. At The Contemporary.

Stop 1 – 6pm: The Contemporary – The Jones Center at 7th and Congress

An artistic shot of the staircase at The Contemporary – The Jones Center. Photo by Lindsey Strobel.

For a steal at $5, you can get in to The Contemporary – Jones Center, and view the exhibitions on site (apparently, your receipt gets you [Read more...]

Filed Under: around town, austin art, austin lifestyle, austin recreation, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, Congress Avenue District, girls night out, life in austin

amber gugino | December 21, 2013 | 1 Comment

Last Minute Christmas Gifts You Can Buy Downtown

Christmas is in four days, y’all. If you want to live dangerously – you can try doing your last minute shopping online and cross your fingers that it gets shipped to you in time OR you can go to the mall and get something completely lackluster, but why risk it?

You can pick up unique gifts right here in downtown without biting your nails about when it will arrive. One of the many benefits of shopping local.

But Amber, you say, I don’t have the time to visit a lot of unfamiliar stores, look through all their wares, and make a decision. Never you fear – Amber is here! I’ve done a little of the heavy lifting for you, and below provided you a curated list of some cool shops and some cool stuff they’ve got so you can run in, get a special gift, and run out.

REMEMBER – Check the websites for the store hours! If you are unsure about something, probably also a good idea to call ahead!

My list, of course, is not exhaustive – if you know of a cool downtown / downtown-adjacent shop – feel free to tell us in the comments below!

Fred Schmidt | November 20, 2013 | 4 Comments

List of Google Fiber Proposed “Community Connection” Sites Released

In an update to the story below… Austin City Council elected to postpone adoption of the List of 100 Community Connection Sites until its Dec. 12th meeting saying they wanted to review and tweak the list some more with Google. KUT has more on Council activity here.

Also floating around out there in the Fibersphere is this post from Google Fiber Chief, Mark Strama, that discusses how the construction process is being envisioned as it makes its way around the city starting sometime mid 2014.

ORIGINAL STORY – Here is a link to the PDFs of the LIST & Council RESOLUTION of Proposed Google Fiber Community Connection Sites coming before City Council tomorrow, November 21st.

And here are those sites neatly MAPPED courtesy of KUT.

After spending only about five minutes reviewing the list, some inexplicable glaring omissions would include:

University of Texas – the 40 acres and other facilities like the Pickle research campus, ATI, IC2, etc.
Austin Community College – all of their campuses and, in particular, the new Highland Center that will be a major central city magnet for the tech and creative industries over the next 5+ years.
Austin Studios – film and production facilities on East 51st St
Hospitals in our emerging health care services growth cluster
…and no doubt much more!

How is this possible? These are all mega bandwidth users and fit the criteria for inclusion in the Community Connectedness program of public service locations intended for free Fiber service. St. Edward’s, Huston-Tillotson, Concordia are all on there – appropriately – but not UT or ACC. Seriously?