I’VEALWAYSCRINGEDwhenIheardthecliché“Here’sto thenightswewon’t remember with thefriends we’llnever forget.” It’s so absurdly saccharine—and feelslikethe type of thingsomeone with framed “Live, Laugh, Love”artwork in theirhomewouldsay.Butatage40,aftertwodecadesofgoing to dive bars in Austin,I sort of getit. As much as Idislike the saying,it is hard to remember theindividualnights. Ijust recall avignetteofsmall momentsetchedinmybrain
Likeviewingthe“CountdowntoChristmas”clockticking awayatLala’sLittleNuggetduringapal’sbirthdaycelebration oneJune. Swirling andspinningour friendsaroundwhile seatedinrollingchairsasastrangerbeltedout“CanYouFeel theLoveTonight?”duringkaraokeatEgo’s.Watchingaplayful game of pool andhearing my coworker fire up some Johnny CashontheDeepEddyCabaretjukebox.Pausingaconversation with adatetoeavesdrop on hotpolitical gossip atable away atCloakRoom.Andtwo-steppingunderthetwinklinglights at Donn’s Depotasa geriatricbandstole ourhearts.
With theirdim lighting,cheap drinks,memorable patrons,andfunky-coolaesthetic,divebarsharkenusback to asimpler time—whether it’s ouryouth,orjusta bygone erawhenbeersdidn’tcost$10apop.Theirlaid-back,offbeat vibe perfectlymatches theethos of thecapital city,making them especially lovedbythe longtime locals here.Inour newcover feature, “The Best Dive Bars in Austin”(page 40), writer AnthonyHead(theauthorof TexasDives:Enduring Neighborhood Bars of theLoneStarState)and executive editor BryanC.Parkerchronicle 25 of thetop divesinthe city,fromiconicstalwarts andspots with thebestbites to “upscale dives” (a delightful oxymoron).
Astemperaturescontinuetospikeandtheheatbecomes unbearable this summer,sidle up to oneofthese airconditionedestablishmentsforsomecooldrinksandlaughs withyourpals.Orjustwalkintoadiveat4p.m.andseewhat characters youmeet. Ican’t promisethatyou’llremember theevening,but theindelible sentimentjustmight endure.
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Nevermindtedious skincare routines. AnnieVallely andKathryn Bain foundedtheir newbeauty brandwiththe singular belief that less is more.Launchedthisspring during SXSW, LONA features just threeversatile products activated by native Westerningredients:the DesertDustwithexfoliatingdesert clay andyucca stems, theCactus Silkwithhydratingpricklypearand eveningprimrose, andthe Babe Balm with nourishing blue agave andcalendula.“Everystepthatwe have hasa priority to take away at leastone step,” Vallelysays. “For example, ourCactusSilkisa twoin-one oiland serum, anda lotof folksare usingitastheir moisturizer.” Alreadya cult favorite,the brandisavailable on theFreePeopleand CredoBeautywebsitesas well as lonabeauty.com.And as befitting thecowgirl aesthetic, the namepayshomagetoitsTexasroots. “It’sanodtoLoneStar,”Vallelysays Yeehaw!—Madeline Hollern
NaturalSelection
Stay thenight underthe starsatthisrestorative property with artful European cabins
BY MADELINE HOLLERN
NESTLEDONA HILLTOP in DrippingsSprings, LagomRetreat brings an international flairtothe bucoliccountryside.The Scandinavian-inspired property wasconceived by Leslie Martin,a fourth-generationTexan Swedewho left alengthy career in tech to pursue herpassion forhospitality andarchitecture.“I[chose]thisoutdoorspacewhere Icould providea greatlanding placefor others to experience nature alittlemoreeasily,”she says.“If COVIDtaughtusanything, [it’sthat] beingoutside is really therapeuticand beneficial.”
Thescenicpropertybrimswithverdantwalking trails,roamingfaunalikewildturkeysandarmadillos,andtwinklingconstellationsworthyofitsDark SkyCommunity designation. Butthe true starsof theretreatareits10uniquecabins,fromaWildwood tentmadeinAustriaanddesignedwithcedarshake wood (3)toclear Stargazerunits from Spainthat featurecurvedfloor-to-ceilingwindows(2).“You’re literallysurroundedbytrees andsky,and it’s areally immersiveexperience,”Martinsays. VersatilityispartoftheappealatCabinAnna(1), astunningstructure from theNetherlands with a retractableshell.The lodgingfeaturesadjustable outerwalls that cantransitionfromanenclosed spacetoanopen-airpavilioninthe middle.The modern domicile also features aprivate wellness deckwithahottub,coldplunge,andsaunaforguests. Thoughtfullyspacedthroughouttheretreat,the individual cabins allowplentyofprivacy whilestill feelingcohesive.Whendesigningthelayout,Martin drew inspirationfromher Scandinavian heritage, upholdingthe tenets of connectivity,coziness, and minimalism:“That’s wherethe name came from, lagom,which means“nottoo much,not toolittle, just right.” lagom-retreat.com
TRAVISCLUBAUSTIN COMES TO
Travis Club has exceeded everyexpectation. Homesites have soldfasterthan projected, anda growing numberofresidents arealreadydeepintothe design andconstructionoftheir dream homes.What wasoncea visionfor the TexasHill Countryisbecoming athriving reality
PastPerfect
Thesefive Austin shopsare reviving vintageWestern-inspired menswear to meetthe style’s resurgentmoment.
BYPAULL. UNDERWOOD
Full Circle Vintage
Native TexanJoeyMedinadeveloped an affinity forWestern style earlyon,inspiredbythepercussive thud of oil fieldworkers’boots on thewornwoodenfloorsofhis grandparent’sbeerjoint.Today, Medina’s well-patinaedvintage boots—from traditionalropersto pairswithinlaysofplaying cards, eagles,orThe Alamo—have found theirway onto thewell-heeled feet of KaceyMusgraves andmanya characterintheYellowstoneCinematicUniverse.
Lauren Owen ofTexas
Thisdowntownshopharkensback toagoldeneraofTexascraftsmanship.Here, thewares have afocus on Texas-made bootsand hats, alongsidevintage pieces crafted withnaturalfabricslikecottonand linen.(Nottomentionafewshelves of rare bookswithTexas themes.) Thestore is thebrainchildofLaurenand MatthewOwen, whohave planstoexpandtooriginalofferingssoonwithabone-snap,madein-Texas oxford shirtcreated with Italianand Japanese fabrics.
Lauren Owen of Texas
Outpost
This recently opened Allens Bootsspinoff features cowboyapprovedapparelfromthe’50sthrough’90s,includingvibrant WesternshirtsfromHBarC,animpressivecollectionofLevi’s, andlotsofboots from alloverthe Lone Star State. Thecollectioniscurated by managerPaulWalker, amusic industry vetwho toured with Jimmie Vaughanand CharleyCrockett. TheSouth Congress shop hasalready become afavoriteof localmusicians,whoyou’relikelytobumpelbowswithwhile reaching forthatperfectly fadedpairofbluejeans
Howdy’s
WithalogothatriffsontheMarlboroMan,ColbyCook’sshop onManorRoadevokesanold-schoolmasculinitydefinedby open skiesand rugged landscapes.But Howdy’shas wide appeal,stockingthreads forlittleonesand alluring women likeactressEmmaRoberts,whooncepickedupvintage501s here.The storeboastsclassic Texana—fringed andstudded leatherjacketsorembroideredmerchfromthelikesofGeorge Strait andLoneStarbeer—butCookhas noticed“apreppy heritagethinghappeningrightnow”andhasadded’90sgems like rugbyshirts, RalphLaurenoxfords,and loafers.
AmericanDrifter
WhenthelikesofMargoPriceandEricBurton of theBlack Pumasneedthe perfectpiece to wear on stage, American Drifterisoften their firststop.OwnedandoperatedbyKristenLucio, thestore is nestledintoa ’40s-era houseon SouthFirst Street,where Wranglersand rare Harley Davidson tees live next to Prussian militaryjackets andleather cafe racers.The wares also attractout-of-townerslooking forsomethingspeciallikeafestiveboloinsteadofjusta regulartie.“We geta lotofpeoplethatcomein fora wedding,”Lucio explains,“andtheywant to feel Austin,Texas–like.”
Outpost
Howdy’s
American Drifter
hattoDoinGal eston
Dip your toes in the sand and ride the waves on this delightful Gulf Coast island
BYMADELINE HOLLERN
FEATURING ALAID-BACK charm, 32 milesofpublicbeaches,and thrill ridesfor thewhole family, Galvestonisanideal escape during thedog days of summer.Located abouta three-and-a-half-hourdrive fromAustin,thecoastaldestinationbeckonsvisitorswithfreshseafoodandplentyofwateractivities:Race down slides,goona harbor tour,bookaninternational cruise,orjustsplasharoundinthe ocean.
STAY
Equalparts stylishand unpretentious, HotelLucine exudes afunky-coolvibethat feelsstraightout of thecapital city—fitting, sincethe former Treasure Isle Motelwas convertedintoa midcentury modern boutique hotelby Austin’s ownKartwheel Studio in 2023.Takeadip in itsheated courtyardpool, anddon’t miss happyhouronthe breezy rooftopbar overlookingthe Gulf of Mexico.Amiledownthe road (and aworld away), theritzy GrandGalvez dazzleswith Gatsby-esque Jazz Agedecor The115-year-oldhotel has hosted four U.S. presidents and HollywoodstarssuchasFrank Sinatraand SammyDavis Jr., andthe pink-huedpropertywas even featured in ascene on Taylor Sheridan’s hitshow 1923 Knownfor famedon-site hauntings, GrandGalvezleans into itssupernaturalreputation with year-round guided ghost tours. hotellucine.com; grandgalvez.com
EAT
Relish aromanticdatenight on theharborsidepatio of Katie’s SeafoodHouse as youwatch thevibrant sunset with your better half.Withfresh daily catchesfromtheir fishing boats, this Gulf Coastkitchen demands tastingabit of everything.Our recommendation?Order the samplerplatespiled high with snapperwings,dockside oysters, bacon-wrapped “shrimpfrogs,” andspicy boiled blue crab.The crabcake sandwich on apretzel bunisa must during lunchat Sugar& Rye,while BLVD Seafood satisfies seafoodcravingswith dishes like crab-stuffed shrimp bitesorgarlicbutterand white wine linguini with clams. Fora nostalgictreat,stopby Star Drug Store,the oldest drug storeinTexas,and ordera BrownCow with vanillaice cream, chocolatesyrup,and Coke from thesodafountain. katiesseafoodhouse.com; sugarandryegalveston.com; blvdseafood.com; galvestonstardrug.com
LAUGH
Welcometothe jungle!Beloved by GenZ—and millennialswho grew up frequentingChuck E. Cheese—the Rainforest RiverAdventure Ride hasfound aviral resurgence thanks to itsnascent discoverybyTikTok creators.Buy ticketstothe floatingriver raft adventure—theonlyrideof itskindatany Rainforest Cafe in theworld—toswirl past animatronic snakes,monkeys,giraffes,and elephantsonaneight-minuteexperience filledwithwhimsy. rainforestcafe.com
DRINK
PLAY
Whetheryou’remoreintothrillor chill, Schlitterbahn has26acres of aquaticattractions suitable for kids (and theyoung at heart).Kick back on thecontinuouslazyriver, splash around thewavepool, or walk 123steps up thestairsto bravethe MASSIV Monster Blaster, an eight-storywater coasterthatundulates through twists andturns before its triple-drop finale. Thosewho aren’t afraid of heightscan take a ride on theTexas Star Flyerat GalvestonIslandHistoric Pleasure Pier.The towering swingrideglidesup200 feet and spinsfor aspectacular 360-degree view of thegulfand thepier. Forafamily-friendly activity on thewater,spy dolphins andsee iconic shipsasyou embark on thehourlong Historic Harbor Tour andDolphin Watch sixflags.com/ schlitterbahngalveston; pleasurepier.com; galvestonhistory.org
When thesun goes down andtemperaturesdropatnight,graba spot at therooftop baratluxe TremontHouse,which hastables with cozy firepitsonits outdoorterrace.Pairthe sweetnessof island cocktailslikethe BloodOrangeMai Taiand Bird of Paradise with agiant soft pretzel, served with asideofbeercheesefor dipping. thetremonthouse.com
Mix&Mingle
BYMADELINEHOLLERN
AUSTINMONTHLYISSUE RELEASEPARTY
CLEAREYES,fullhearts,can’tlose!Inhonorofitslatest summer funissue, Austin Monthly hosted alivelypanel onMay14withATXTVFestivalco-foundersEmilyGipson andCaitinMcFarland and Friday NightLights star AdriannePalicki,whochattedwithexecutiveeditorBryan C. Parker aboutthe growth of thefestival, the FNL cast reunion, andnew projects on thehorizon.The spirited bashatthesleekLorenHotelfeaturedlibationsandsnacks from thehotel alongwithgorgeousbalcony views overlookingthedowntownskyline.Afterthemainevent, guests minglednextdoorduringa stylishreception at PaggiHouse.Special thanks to oursponsors, TheLoren Hoteland ATXTVFestival.
1. AustinMonthly executiveeditorBryan C. Parker chatswithactress Adrianne Palickiand ATXTVFestivalco-founders CaitlanMcFarland andEmily Gipson 2. Ruth andMadelineHollern, AbbeyPenningtonKatzen 3. Vivian andHughForrest 4. Jonathan andJacyNicholas 5. Covermodel MounaDoukoureposes with thenew issue 6. MichaelEkrot snapsapicture with Evan LeRoy 7. Erin Portman, Lauren Halpern, andAbbyDavis
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OURCHILD LIFE EXPERTSGUIDE CHILDREN THROUGH VIRTUALORIN-PERSON SESSIONS THAT HELP THEM:
Much like theraw crackleofa record,a greatwineistiedtoa specifictimeand place. At OnlytheWildOnes, anewgardentuckedawayoffthemainSouthCongressstrip,thatanalogphilosophyguidesboththecellarand theDJbooth.Creativeduo HeatherTierney andSarah MeyerSimon have crafteda Moroccan-style courtyard definedbylimestone,liveoaks, anda sunken pitbuilt forconnection. Designed to "liveand breathe" with the Texaslandscape,the spaceactsasa breezy neighborhood living room whereneedledrops andnatural bottles arethe stars. Wine director Kate Harringtoncurates story-driven labels organizedbymood, like “Somewhere Beyond theSea”for brinybottles and“Wild Thing” foroff-the-beaten-path finds. Theseselectionspairwith executivechefDimitriVoutsinas’European-inspiredsnacksandsmallplates,suchaslavender-toastedalmonds, bresaola andcaperberries,and pancon tomate with burrata. Beyond thevino, thebar stirssavorylibations includingwhitemezcalnegronisandsakevermouthmartinis.Theheartbeatofthespaceisacustomhi-fidelity systemwith59-inchredoakspeakers,wheretastemakersspinvinylspanningeverythingfrombluegrasstorare internationalfinds.“Thecommonthreadisconnectingthroughmusic,wine,andservice,”Tierneysays.“That’s what’smissingnowadays.”Learnmoreatonlythewildones.com/austin.—DarcieDuttweiler
KingRanch
With itscrisp effervescenceand refreshing citrus kick,the tequila-based RanchWater went from an Austin original to anationaltreasure.
BYRUVANI DE SILVA
WHEN ASKEDABOUT thecity’smost famedcocktail,mostAustiniteswouldreliably name theMexican Martini. Afterall, themargarita served with amartini glass andskewerofolivesisaperfectcomplement to aTex-Mex feast. Butwhile thebeverage hasgarneredthemosthypeinCentralTexas,manylocalsdon’t realizethataneven more popularlibationalsohails from Austin: theRanch Water.
FoundedbylaterestaurateurKevinWilliamson, theoriginalRanch Waterrecipe hitthemenuatRanch616inFebruary1999. Thecocktailwas basedona concoction Williamsoninventedonhuntingtripswith hisfather, mixing tequilaand lime in his waterbottletoppedoff with crispchilled TopoChico.Therestaurantownersurmised that hisown refreshing treatwould slake thethirstofother parchedTexans, andhe workeduphisoriginalrecipewithtwoparts reposado tequila, onepartorangeliqueur (Sauza Hornitos andJalisco 1562,respectively), andone part lime,servedoverice with afreshly popped Topo Chicoonthe side to be poured to taste.
ForthosewhohaveyettotrytheRanch 616classic,thisrecipemay sounda little differentthanotherRanchWatersfoundon menusthroughoutthe state—andindeed across theU.S.The inclusionoforangeliqueurhasbeendroppedbymanybartenders in favorofa sharperdrink that’s simplerto make with just threeingredients.But JonathanHall, barmanager at Ranch616, challengesthatvariation.“Thedrinkceases to be aRanch Waterand becomes atequila soda,” he says.“Youneed thesweetnessoftheorangeliqueur tosoftentheacidofthelime.”He’s also bullishonthe useofTopo Chico,whichhesaysissimplymore effervescentthananymineralwater
To be atrue Ranch Water, barmanager Jonathan Hall (pictured) says the drink must include Topo Chico and orangeliqueur.
AswitheverygoodTexasmyth, differentversionsofthedrink’soriginstorycirculate,includinga rumorthatitbegan at thefamousWhite BuffaloBar at Marathon’s Gage Hotel. However, Ranch616 co-owner Pam BlantonconfirmsthatWilliamsonhimself broughtRanch WatertotheGagewhenaskedtorevamptheirmenuin2010
Otherstories of West Texascowboys mixing thedrink can’t be confirmed or denied,but it wasWilliamson’smenuitem that broughtthe drinktonationalattention andlaunched themanyspinoffsand canned versions we’renow familiar with.Someofthose iterations swap outreposadotequila for blancooradddifferentflavorslikepricklypearorblackberry ButHallremainssteadfastinhisconviction:“There’snoreal riff on aRanch Waterinmyopinion,” he says.“It either is or isn’tone,and so far, theonlyrealone I’ve triedisours!”
Thebalance andcomplexityofRanch 616’sRanch Water speaksforitself,garneringnotablelocalfansincludingArch Manning,BijanRobinson,andevenMayorKirkWatson.“The RanchWaterisoneofthosealmost-perfectAustinblessings,” Watsonsays.“Itmixescreativity,fun,individuality,anditwas givenbirth at oneofAustin’siconicestablishments. Plus,it’s oneparteffervescence,twopartscelebration,andasplashof alittleweird.”
“The
Ranch
Waterisone of those almost-perfect Austin blessings. It’s onepart effervescence,two parts celebration, anda splash of alittleweird.”
—MAYOR
KIRK WATSON
RawPower
Savorfresh oysters, lobsterrolls,and seafoodtowersatthisnew East Side gem.
BYRUVANI DE SILVA
AUSTINITESLOVEANimmersiveexperience, whetherit’sslippingintoa velvet-drapedmezcaleriastraightoutofMexicoCity,relaxinginachic Parisian-inspiredcafe, or slidingintothe booth at aNew York–style diner. With thearrivalof Austin Oyster Co.’snew brick-and-mortar space, dinerscanexploretheNewEnglandcoast,where therawbarrulesandthelobsterrollisking.The area’s famedraw barculture is what founder BrendanYancyandpartnerandgeneralmanager Drew Ahumadahaverecreated in astylish bungalowintheheartoftheEastSide.
“WewantedtoopenatrueEastCoastrawbar with very intentionalsourcing, with avibeand aestheticpulledfromthe best East Coastraw bars we love spending time in,” says Yancy, an entrepreneur with atechbackgroundwho launched thebusinessasa pop-up during the pandemic.While restaurantsstruggled with COVIDrestrictions, Yancy’smobilesetup gave himthe flexibility to catersociallydistanced
With the arrival of Austin Oyster Co.’snew brick-and-mortar space, dinerscan explorethe New England coast, wherethe rawbar rulesand the lobsterroll is king.
outdoorevents,buildingstrong relationshipswithsuppliers andcultivating asignificant localfanbase.“Whilethese were less-than-idealcircumstances, we hadthe creative freedomtojumpintothemarketandgivepeoplesomething to seeand do andtookadvantage of [that] opportunity.”
Thebusinesswas so successfulthattheysecuredspots at high-profile events includingACL Fest andLuckReunion. “Peoplekeptasking ‘Where’stherestaurant?’”says Yancy, so they begantoplanfor oneintheir second year.Makingthe spaceauthentically Northeastern—withsustainablysourcedoyster varietiesand gently nautical interior centered around theraw baraction—wasessential.“It took time to putintention into thespace,but what really gets us goingisthe sourcing:workingdirectlywithfarmers,” Ahumadasays. “We cancallthemand addthingstothe menu that nooneelsehasbecauseoftheserelationships.”
Thefresh oyster menu rotatesdepending on availability,but guests canexpectuptoeight Northeastern varieties, each labelled with itslocation of origin,and staff areprimedtoanswer questionson flavor andtexture.Froma subtle Schoodicofferingalightbrininesswithnotesof kelp andseaweed to Damariscotta River’ssoft, butteryBlackstonePoint,the rawbar pops with freshflavors,readytobroadenlocals’oysterpalates
KappoKappo puts aFrenchtwist on Austin’s omakasescene
BYBRYANC.PARKER
FORGET WHAT YOU thinkyou know about omakaseexperiences.Anintimatenew25-seat restaurant,Kappo Kappo, hasa freshtakeon theapproachthataddslayersofdepth to this popularstyle of dining
TherestaurantisrunbytwinbrothersHaru andGohei Kishi, Japanese chefswho grew up inParis.Overthecourseoftheircareers,they’ve worked alongsidegustatory masterslikeJoël Robuchon andGordonRamsay. Andtheir resumesincludesstintsattoprestaurantsinTokyo, Versailles,London,andLosAngeles.Butbefore allthat, they gottheir startworking in their parents’JapaneserestaurantinParis,wherethe brotherslearnedaboutfaretraditionaltotheir ancestralculture whilebeing immersed in French society. That personal historyinforms KappoKappo througha culinary experience that elegantlycombinesthose twoworlds.
From thechicreception area of theAustin ProperHotel,ahallwayleadstoaheavywooden doorthatopensintothetucked-awayroomthat holdsKappoKappo.Thetwinbrothersarebusy with prep tasksastheygreet guests whotake theirseats around theintimatesushi bar. The roomissoftlylitwithdarkwooddecoraccented by traditionalshoji,lattice framed doorsand windowscoveredwithglowingtranslucentpaper.
“Itreallybringsbackthe memories of my childhood,”Haruexplainsashebeginstorecountthe menu forthe nightwithanod to the VeuveClicquotonthewinelist,whichherefers to as “the flavor of hisyouth.”
Thechefholds up awasabiplant,which vaguelyresembles askinny, tubularpineapple “Ittakesaboutthreeyearstogrowonethissize,” hesays,beforedetailingtherestaurant’sprocess formakingfresh wasabi in house. It’s the first in aseriesofingredients Haru previews from theupcomingmeal. Next,hehoistsa hearty chunkofdry-agedbluefintunaand aslabof gorgeously marbledA5wagyu.The mouthwateringdisplayprovidesanearlyindicationthat thisexperiencewillbeabitdifferentfrommost omakasemeals in Austin.
Kappoisa Japanese word that means“cutandcook,”referringto astyle of restaurant that beganin Osakaaroundtheearly1900s.The trademarkelement of such estab-
Twin brothersHaruand Gohei Kishiprepare ingredients such as freshwasabi for serviceatKappo Kappo.
lishmentsisthatthe food is preparedandcookedinfrontofguests. Oftentheofferingsareomakase meaningchef’schoice—butnot necessarily.
What makesKappo Kappo differentfrommanysimilarrestaurantsinAustinisthis:Whilethere aresomedelicious sashimiand nigiribites(dry-agedkanpachiand bluefin, respectively), most of the coursesinvolvecookingtechniques thatgobeyondsushi.Ratherthan justslicingfreshfishfromToyosu, dishes bringinadditionalelements, flavors, andstyles.
Everycourseisa winner,but therealshowstoppercomesrightinthemiddleofservice—a “treasurebox”boastinga varietyoftastings, includingacrispywagyucroquette,asmallfilet of blackcod with amisoglaze,and snow crab salad. Butthe bite you’ll find yourself thinking aboutmonthslateristhesmallcubeofsalmon micuit.First,thefishiscuredinsaltandsugar for12to18hours andthensousvidefor another 12 hours. Theresultisworth thewait, as the
rich,savorysalmondissolves sumptuouslyinyourmouth
Youfinishthe main courses with awagyu beef checkbitecoveredwithpotatofoamandthentwo differenttypes of wagyustrips served with rice.These arethe heartiestportionsofthemenu,and thoughtheyareperhapslesstechnicallyinvolved, they certainly make theprice pointfeelworth it Inotherwords,thisisoneomakase that youwon’t leavehungry.
Themealculminateswithnot onebut threedesserts—icecream, awhite chocolatedish, anda bitesizedcake—alldelicious.And on topofthe excellentcuisine,the restaurant hasanimpressively thoughtfulwineandsakemenuthat includesrareofferingslikealow-intervention Cabernet Sauvignon from Yamagata,a citrusysparkling sake from Hiroshima, anda Sicilian orange wine
Allthingsconsidered,KappoKappopresents an 11-coursediningexperiencethatblends cultures,spans time,and makesthoughtful decisionsabout everyingredient. Haru and GoheiKishi’s rootsstretch back to Japan, and they were raised in Paris, butAustinislucky thattheyhavelandedheretohelmarestaurant so immersiveand unforgettable.
Elegant French technique distinguishes this chef’s tasting menu from others of its kind in Austin.
EnemyattheGate
Live Nation andTicketmasterhavebeenoperating as an illegal monopoly,according to afederal court. Austin offers aperfect case studyfor howtheybuilt theirempire.
BYBRYANC.PARKER
ABLUELINEcrawlsacrossmycomputerscreen atanexcruciatinglyslowpace.Anaccompanying number of potentialcustomers waitinginthe queueticksdownwithequalsluggishness.Then, suddenly,it’smyturn.Amapofthestadiumpops up,and it’s littered with glorious blue dots symbolizingseatsstillavailablefortheshow.
ExcitementcoursesthroughmeasIclickone inthelowersection.Sheesh,that’stooexpensive. In thebalcony? Nope,still toomuch.I make a desperateattemptbycheckingthegeneraladmission floorstandingroom. OK,those aresell-akidney prices Istare at thescreendefeatedly, weighingtheoptionsofmissingoutononeofmy favoriteartistsordippingintothemeagersavings Ishouldbesettingasideformykid’scollegefund
So,how diditcometothis? Just take alook in ourown backyard:The Live MusicCapital of theWorldoffersagoodexampleofthewaythey builttheir empire.
Inthemid-aughts,abigdry-eraseboarddown atWaterlooRecordslistedalltheconcerttickets youcould purchase inpersonandhaveprinted onsitefromsmallervendorslikeStarTicketsand homegrowncompany FrontGateTickets.ACL Fest hadrecentlybeenfounded by agroup of localentrepreneurs,whosoonafterformedevent promotions companyC3Presents. Thelocal musicbiz waspopping.
In2010,LiveNationmergedwithTicketmastertoconsolidatethepoweroftwooflivemusic’s most dominant companies. Thepairhad just earned acollective$5.6billion in revenuethe previous year,generating$4.1and $1.5 billion, respectively.
Thenewly formed entity didn’t take long to startexpandinginthelivemusiccapital,beginning with theacquisition of acontrolling 51% stakeinC3Presentsin2014for $125 million. TheyfollowedupbypurchasingFrontGateTicketsin2015and promotions upstartScoreMore Entertainmentin2018.Allthreewereindependent,Austin-born companieswithexcitingenergy driven by thevibrant localmusic scene.
Morerecently,LiveNationpurchasediconic musicvenue Stubb’s, includingthe coveted downtown land it sits on,in2021. Andithas securedexclusivebookingandticketingcontracts forthe city’s threenewest, largestvenues: GermaniaInsuranceAmphitheater,MoodyAmphitheater, andMoody Center
In simple terms, becausethe conglomerate controlssomuchofthemarket,theydictatethe terms, from theprice of admissiontowhich artistsgetopportunities.Citiesaroundtheglobe mirror what hashappenedhereinAustin.
“Therearejustsomanylayerswherethey’re controllingsomanypiecesofthebusinessthat itmakesithardforotherbusinessestooperate,” says Graham Williams,owner andfounder of Austin-based independentbooking andpromotionscompany ResoundPresents.
ButLiveNation’sgriponthemusicecosystem doesn’tstopwithvenues. Thecompany also manageshundredsofartists—and they’veeven made strategicinvestments in otherbusiness
holdsa sign protesting LiveNation and Ticketmaster outsidethe U.S. Capitol.
Dominating live music delivers some eye-popping numbers.
$25billion
Live Nation’s totalrevenue in 2026
646million
Ticketssoldby Ticketmaster in 2025,per TheNewYorkTimes
ventures.IfyounoticedthesuddenproliferationofLiquid Deathwatersatconcerts, youshouldknowthatthe beveragecompany had$15 millioninSeriesC investments that came in part from Live Nation,which givesthema vested interest in stocking theproduct
“I’venoticed,nationwideand in Austin,LiveNation doinga lotmorevenue andclublevel shows,”Williams says.“It used to be just larger-scaleevents, andthere’s definitelymore300-person,500-person-typeshowsthey’re doingtotryandgrowthoseartistsuptotheirvenues.”
InAustin,venuesofthatkindincludeStubb’sindoors andScootInn.It’sacommonoccurrenceforLiveNation’s artistdevelopmentandmanagementteamstosignnascent musicians, book them in smallvenues, pour promotion dollarsintothem,andhelpthemgraduatefromonetier of venuetothe next,makingstops at keyfestivals along theway.StateslikeNew York andCaliforniahavestrict laws that prohibit some of thesemaneuvers by disallowingamanagertoprocureemploymentfortalentwithout goingthrough aseparate, licensed bookingagent LiveNation’sverticalandhorizontalintegrationallows themtoflextheirmusclesacrosstheindustry.Forexample, TheNew York Times reported that when Matchbox 20 toured thecountry in 2013,anAtlanta venuealleges thatLiveNationhadthebandeschewthearenabecause ithadrecentlymovedawayfromTicketmasterinfavorof aprimary competitor,AEG.
It’spracticeslikethisthatlandedthecorporationon theDepartmentofJustice’s radar, andinMay 2024,the federalagency, alongwitha cadreofmorethan30state attorneysgeneral from both politicalparties, filedan antitrustlawsuitagainstthecompany.Justmonthsafter the2024election, thecasestalled outamidmassive turnoverinU.S.governmentaloffices,andinMarch2026, theDOJ announcedthata settlement hadquietly been reachedwithLiveNation.Thedealrequiredsomechangestothebusinessalongwithapayoutof$280millionin damages.Butthemusicpowerhousecouldstillcontinue to operate, largelyunchecked
However, most of thestate attorneysinthe lawsuit snubbedthesettlementdealanddecidedtopersistwith thecase. Alittleovera monthlater,a jury ruledagainst Live Nation, findingthemliableonall antitrustclaims in an overwhelming victoryfor theplaintiffs.
Now, thecasemoves into aremediesphase to decide what happensnext, whichcould includeseparatingthe twomajorcomponentsofthecompany,alongwithhefty fines. Butdon’t expect things to change overnight: The case is likely to be appealed,and implementation of the changescould take yearstoaccomplish.
“Itwashopefuljusttoseeit,”Williamssays,“butthings moveslowly,andtheyhavealotofpower,soI’mnotsure what will happen long term.”
Here in Austin,morecompetition is alreadyrearing itshead. RivalAEG is building anew 4,000-capacity venueonRiversideDrive,andnewsrecentlybrokethatit wouldtakeoveroperationsofthepreviouslyLiveNation–runEmo’s venuejustdownthe street.
TicketmasterandLiveNation’sdefeatincourtwillhave apracticaleffectontheconcertjuggernauts,butthemost damagingfalloutmightbepsychological.ThenegativePR couldmotivateartists,music industry businesses,and customerstodistancethemselvesfromthecompany.
Foryears,concertgoersfeltliketheywerebeingripped off when they clickedpurchasetosee theirfavoritemusicians. Now, they have acourt ruling that proves they were right.
BabyGotBag
More than simple accessories, these iconic totescommunicate an entire personality.
BYROSE McMACKIN
LAST YEAR,TRADER Joe’stotebagswent viral. At $3.99, thesesacks make aperfect souvenirfroma grocerychain with acult-like following that only operates in theUnitedStates. Abroad,thetotesbecameastatussymbolbecause they offered proofthatthe wearer hadtraveled stateside. In some cases, they even resold on eBay forthousands of dollars.
Of course,thishumbleaccessory hasalways communicated more than practicality.Likea personalizedbillboard,itofferssmallcluesabout thepersoncarryingit, includingtheir habits, tastes,routines, andallegiances.These days, businesses andinstitutionsalike sell branded merchthatletspeoplebroadcast theirregional loyalties.Here,atotebagcansayalmostasmuch abouta person as wheretheyget theircoffee or whatneighborhoodtheylivein.Thesearesome of thecity’smostrecognizablebags—andwhat theymightrevealaboutthepeoplecarryingthem.
H-E-B
Theseheavy-dutyplastic bags migh forgroceries,but they work forcarry anything.Infact, most Austinites co measuretheir time living here by th “bag of bags.” At onetimeoranother ried one, sinceitturns outthese 30-c cles arejustasgoodfor cartingfrisb Park or atowel to Barton Springsa bringing home fresh-bakedtortillas favorite grocerystore
LoLoWine Bar
Whileanabstractprint LoLo Wine Bartoteisavailable forpurchaseatthe bar, the most devotednatty wine crowdmight carrythe more elusivestyle from theLoLo Wine Club,agiftfor membersofits curatedmonthly service. Like thetrendsetting baritself, thesefolks areaware of what’s en vogue in Brooklyn thanks to Substack, buttheybelieve in thedown-to-earth charmofa picnic tableinagravelbackyard.
ive(andimpeccable) selecscreated forholidaysand smusic people.Ifsomeone’s carrying this,there sa decent chance they’veconsideredbecominga vinyl-only DJ
Z er are for om Texas’
essed with music, nctive circu ev of an Ear
KUT/KUTX
SXSW
Roughlyfourdecades of this iconic festival have produced anew original design with each annual event. They’vevariedfrom psychedelictocutesytogeometric to rustic,but it’s theprinted year that says themostabout thewearer. Anything that pre-dates20 (and thelaunchofTwitter)signals someonefromAustin’sorigi “weird”era,while newerversionstendtosymbolize thecity’s n tech regime—don oneatyourown risk!
Austin Pickle Ranch
Brandedbagsfromthispickleballclubare idealfor haulingapaddlestraightfromthe morningcoffee shop rave to thecourts. Thewearers arelikelytoclose out theirworkday with ajog alongLadyBirdLakein94degree weather, andtheyprobablymet theirpartner througharun club insteadofHinge
This regional varietal of theNPR tote bagcomes as afreegifttothose who donate to theoutlets andisthe carry-allofchoicefor locals with asense of civic responsibility.Support forthe belovedpublicradio stationcutsacrossnearly everyAustindemographic,soalmostanyonemight carryone—but it’s most likely to be your dad, whohas votedinevery localelectionsince 1964,has never heardoforangewine, andinsists he sawWoody HarrelsonatH-E-B last week
Austin Public Library
Hyping alocal public institutionisone of thepurestforms of Austin pride. This doesn’tproject ascene so much as aparticularset of habits,likereading Ulysses at Barton Springsduring thesummer. They were likely way aheadofthe clothtotetrend,inpart becausethese sturdy bags areso perfectfor haulingaroundall that summer reading.
Austin City Limits (Vintage)
Austin City Limits is theraretourist eventthatlocalsgenuinely love,which is whyyou’llsee theseprinted totes around town year-round.Often,these arethe “in-between” transplants, who didn’t grow up here butnonetheless arrivedbeforethe town blew up,before thecity’sbooming 2010sgrowth. In fact,theyprobablyrememberwhen thefestivallaunchedin2002, andhave nevermisseda year.Theymight have startedafoodtruck or hosted a backyard show.Are they NeworOld Austin?That’sall relative
HotWheels
VintageminitrucksfromJapan have fueled acraze in Austin andbeyond.
BYBRYANC.PARKER
THESURGING POPULARITY of tiny Japanese trucks is buckingtheaxiomthateverythingisbiggerinTexas.Imported keitruckshavedrawninterestintheU.S.duetotheirsurprisinglypowerfulperformance andlow cost.Despite beingonly about11feetlong,their6-foot-longbedscanhaulnearly1,000 pounds.Withno-frills,utilitarianconstruction,thediminutive vehicleshaveonlyrecentlybecomestreetlegalintheLoneStar Statethankstolastyear’sSenateBill 1816,whichwaspioneeredbyHoustonresidentDavid McChristian. Sincethen,they’veappealedtoboth Texans whoworkonranches and farms,aswellascitydwellerswho’ve startedclubsforownerstomeetup, hangout,andshowofftheirrides
Indeed,localshavefoundinventiveusesforthevehicles—like KyokoCoffee,amobileshopthatservesbrewsoutofamodified modelthatresembles asmall VW van. Themintgreen mini truckisemblazonedwithadorablepinkbubblelettersandparks attheHighlandCollectiveonAirportBoulevard.
“Austinlends itself well to keitrucks,”Churchill says, “because it’s acommunity that focusesonthinkingdifferentlyand having funexperiences.”
In North Austin,kei trucks sitonthe lotatToybox, whichfrequentlyhosts meetupsfor ownersofthe trendy vehicles.
Here in Austin,a hubfor thesespecializedautomobileshascroppeduponAirport Boulevard, whereToyboxGarageand SunshineImports sitjustovera mile apart. Becauseofsafetyregulations,modelsthe dealershipsbringinareolderthan25years, whichallowsthemtoaccessaloopholefor oldercars.Bothbusinessesopenedin2025 andhavequicklyfoundacustomerbase.In fact,their biggestchallenge is keepingthe minitrucksinstock,accordingtoSunshine ownerJackChurchill.“Thisisaplacewith creative people,and alot of people just doingweird differentstuff,” he says.
Deep Eddy Cabaret co-owner Will Bridges with his 1951 Ford Mercury, Mickey, named after one of the bar's original proprietors.
athedinneonlight,coveredinkitschydecor,andboastinganaroma of slightly stalebeer, dive bars possessa grittybutcharmingmystique.Hometoequalpopulations of collegekidsand hippie holdovers, Austin hasan abundanceofsuchbelovedlocales.Andthey’vehelped solidify thecity’sidentityasa funky, laid-backplace to pass thetime.
Pinningdownanexactdefinitionfortheseestablishmentsisasmurky as your vision afterspendinga few hoursinone—thoughmanybarstoolphilosophershave tried. Some insist that aplace must have logged at least twodecades,and others maintain that acocktailmenu isexpresslyforbidden.Butgettinghigh-strungaboutthe requirements seemsanathematothe wholeessence of theselow-stakeswaystations
Thehistory,asenseofplace,theoddballcharacterof both thespace andsometimes thecustomers—those things can’tbebottled butare common denominators in Austin’s thriving dive barculture.Throw in good conversation,affordabledrinks, andanabsence of pretentiousness,andit’seasytoseewhythese25offbeatdive bars have stoodthe test of time
Opened in 1951, Deep Eddy Cabaret celebrates its75th anniversarythis year.
ICONIC DIVES
Forthousands of years, cool naturalsprings have drawnpeopletothe hillsofCentral Texas.One such enclavealong theColorado River, DeepEddy, became thefirstswimming pool in theState of Texasin1915. Andin 1951,justupthe road,Raymond andMickey Hickmanopeneda differentkindofwatering hole that borrowed thenameofthe nearby pool andserveda similarrole: offeringa refreshing respitefor locals to hang out, socialize, andcooloff.The belovedoasis offered cold beer andair conditioning to keep Austin’shot summersatbay
That connection to thenatural world isn’tlostoncurrent co-owner Will Bridges. “Our indigenous ancestorshavebeen hangingout here formillennia,” he says.“It’s an energy vortex,and that’s what makesit feel so special.
This year, Deep Eddy Cabaretcelebrates 75 years, andnot muchhas changed since its debut.Patrons sipaffordably priced pintsbeneath alatticework of multicolored string lights.The clacking of pool ballsonbilliardtables punctuates musicfromavin-
tage jukebox. Glowingneonsigns anddecadesofmemorabilia adornthe walls. The consistencyisthankstothe stewardship of Bridges, whohas insisted that thehistoricspotmaintainits OldAustinflavor
DEEP EDDY CABARET
“Inother cultures,peoplecallita pub, derivedfrompublichouse,which is just this placethatpeopleconvene forcamaraderie,”the proprietor explains.“In Texas, we call it adivebar,but at itsessence,it’sa spacethatharbors communityand the cultureofday-to-daylife.”
Near theentryway, around tableofregularsgathers everyweekday to catchup whilewatching Gunsmokeon aTVabove the bar. Aflyswatter hangsonthe wall forthe crew to dispatch theoccasional nuisance if it drifts throughthe door (which sees alot of action,given thespot’spopularity)
Whilethe bardoesn’t offer food,Pool Burger opened next door in 2017,and guests aremorethanwelcome to pick up a bite andbring it back overtothe bar. If you’re making an Austin bucket list,there arefew more essentialexperiences than taking arefreshingdip in thenearby 68-degreespringwater,feastingona scrumptiouswagyu burger,and washingitdownwithacolddraft pint of Lone Star at Deep Eddy Cabaret. 2315 LAKE AUSTIN BLVD.
LALA’S LITTLE NUGGET
Here in Austin,the chancesofstumbling into agreat dive barare astronomically higher than thelikelihoodofsnow. Butyou canalways getintothe ChristmasspiritatLala’s Little Nugget,whose wallsare decked in holidaydecor all12monthsofthe year.Fromthe oversizedSanta chairand theleg lamp from A Christmas Story to thethousands of multicoloredlightsstrungabout theplace,the NorthAustindivetransportspatrons to the yuletide season,eveninthe throes of summer. Butifyou ever findyourselftruly lost in time,justlookabove thebar,among thetinsel and thecandy cane–striped wallpaper, whereanLCD screen displays acountdown to thebig dayinDecember.
Theloungehas been in operationsince 1972,and no onecan sayfor sure exactly what inspired original ownerFrances Lala to startthe holidaytheme.Whateverthe reason, theappealisobvious:It’simpossibleto feel dour in aplace this festive, andwho doesn’tneeda little extrajoy in theirlife? If youreallywanttoembrace thegivingseason, treatanother patron to adrink with the Secret Santachalkboard
ExtracrowdsalwaysturnupinDecember(especially forcompany holidayparties), butLala’sstays pretty full year-round.“Jolly Hours” prices like $3 domestic beer and$5 housebloodymarys certainlycontributeto that trend.
Thebar hasbeensosuccessfuland belovedthatitentered rare dive territorybyinspiringasecondlocation. Lala’s SouthPole opened on theoppositesideoftownin summer2024. Now, if we couldonlyget Christmas to come twicea year 2207 JUSTIN LANE
Nestledinabasementadjacent tothe TexasState Capitol, this hidden dive hasbeenattracting politicosand in-the-knowAustinites sinceitopenedin1979. Whilethere’s asignwiththe bar’s monikeralong with an illustrationofahandpointingdirectlyat the unobtrusiveflight of stairs leadingdowntoits entrance,it’s stilleasytomissThe Cloak Room unless you’re actively lookingfor it.But what you’ll find is worththe hunt.Inside, candelabra- stylewallsconces cast a dimglowonwarmwoodpaneling—decorthatevokesa bygone era andfeels borrowed from ascene in a’70smob movie.
Otherthantwo smallTVs that usuallystreamlegislative proceedings from thenearbyCapitol,The CloakRoomeschews frivolousentertainmentlikebar gamesorthemednights. However, it does have an incredible Rowe AMIjukebox that givesyou four playsfor abuck, a pricethatwillmakeyou feel like atimetravelerjustasmuchasthe ambience.Mostly, this is aspotthatencouragesearnest conversations, andasa result,the room hasundoubtedly hosted plenty of clandestinetête-à-têtesbetween boot-wearing,Stetson-cladstate senators hashingout theparticulars of apolitical deal
If youwanttodrink in thefulleffectofthe bar, youcould bravegoing when thelegislature is in sessionand thediveisat itsbusiest.But if you’re just searching for yourown covert space fora heartfeltrendezvous with an oldfriend, angle forthe offseason 1300 COLORADO ST.
CLOAK ROOM
Thefirsttimeyou make thetriptoEgo’s,you’lllikely thinkyou'vemadea wrongturnalong theway Tucked undergroundinsideaparking garage,the location feelsmoreapt fora poorly placed elevator than awell-knownhangout.But thejourney is part of thecharm,and visitors have alimited amount of time to undertakeit. Thesitehas been slated fora 2-million-square-footmixed-use projectthatwill includeresidences, apartments,retail, and commercialspace.While thequintessentialAustindive hasbeenpromiseda spot in thenew building,the days arenumberedfor Ego’sasweknowit.
Inside thecave-dark bar, concrete wallsare sparsely adorned, andseating consists of rolling chairs that look purchasedfromanoffice supplies store. Ego’smight be themostcrudely furnished drinkery in town—a true dive amongdives.Awellworn pool tableand vintagepinball machineoffer
opportunitiesfor recreation
Butone cornerofthe main room boasts abright muraldepicting Stevie Ray Vaughan,a longhorn, and theState Capitol, and that s wherethe real magichappens.Every nightfrom8p.m.to2a.m., Ego’sbecomesone of thecity’spremier spotsfor karaoke. From Journeyand QueentoThe Killersand blink-182, thevibeisright forsweltering, beer-fueled, top-of-your-lungs-stylesing-alongs.The kind of nights that turn strangersintofriends forlife.
Thegoodnewsisthatthe evenings usually dissolve into such ablurthatthe warm feelings will linger,evenifnoone quiteremembers howoff you were with that renditionof“IWantItThatWay.” 510S.CONGRESSAVE.
DIVES WITH MUSIC
SAM’S TOWN POINT
Opened in the’80sasa private club fordancing that laterbecame abiker hangout, this SouthAustin outposthas astoried past.In2017, founderPenny Grossman turned thebar overtoRamsayMidwood, whohas kept itsno-frills ethos alivewhile making it oneofthe most intriguing musiclocales in thecity—if notthe country. Weekly residenciesbelongtothe Guthrie Girls(granddaughters of folk hero WoodyGuthrie), LindaGailLewis (Van Morrison collaborator and sisterofJerryLeeLewis),andLittle Elmore Reed BluesBand. Every Saturday,Midwood himselfplays hiswoozy brandofhonky-tonk rock that sizzleswiththe same energy as Doug Sahm.There’s no betterplacetosipaLoneStar,twostep,orbaskunder redneonasthe nightmeltsintoa dive barfever dream. 2115 ALLRED DRIVE
It’s been apiano barand dancehallsince 1972,but Donn’s Depot startedout as areal-life traindepotinMcNeil, Texas(hencethe oldred cabooseand parlor car) Donn Adelman, whoboughtthe barin1978, hasbeenticklingthe ivoriesonFridaynightswiththe StationMasters sincethe place opened.Other evenings,lively acts play rock ‘n’roll, countryand western, andboogie-woogie for youngand oldonone of Austin’s liveliest dancefloors.Adelman mightbethe engineer,but it’s TammiSchissler—who’s been bartending at Donn’s Depotfor more than 35 yearswitha smile as bright as alocomotive’sheadlight—that makessurethings don’tgotoo faroff therails 1600 W. FIFTHST.
DONN’S DEPOT LITTLELONGHORN SALOON
Lookingatthe exterior of thebar from Burnet Road,you can’thelpbut notice thewhite steepleatopThe Little Longhorn Saloon.Speculation persists that thebuildingwas likely achurchatsomepoint in thepast, butithas been abar forso long nowthatnoone canbesure. Since1963, thecommunion in this diminutive dive hasbeenaroundice-coldbeerand live musicwithnotable musicianslikeJakePenrodand Dale Watson gracingits stage. Thesedays, thehistoricbar has anotherclaim to fame as thehomeofChicken Sh!t Bingoalmostevery Sunday afternoon. Forthe uninitiated, afew buckswillget youanumberedsquareona boardina chickenpen—all that’s left to do from thereissip your beer andwait to seewhere thebirddoesits business 5434 BURNET ROAD
HOLEIN THEWALL
Sittingatthe edge of theUTcampusonThe Drag this historic dive hasbeena gathering placefor college kids andaspiringsongwriters alikefor more than halfa century. LucindaWilliams, Stevie Ray Vaughan, andTownesVan Zandthaveall performed on thesmall stagetuckedinthe frontcornerofthe room just beside theentrance. Andthe barhas been thetopic of apocryphal taleslike Courtney Love lockingherself in thebathroomfor a quickbumporDon Henley jumpingonstage fora surprise performance. In theearly aughts,weekdayhappy hourswithrisinglocal countryartists hada majorroleinspurringAustin’srecenthonkytonk renaissance. Aftersomenearclosuresover theyears,the barsecured anew 20-yearlease in 2023,and aduo of musicindustryvetstookover ownershipearlier this year to stewardthe barinto thefuture. 2538 GUADALUPEST.
CAROUSEL LOUNGE
Formorethansix decades, Carousel Lounge hasservedbeerand wine (plusmixerstogowiththe “bring your ownliquor” policy)ina big-top settingthatfeels like it’s doingmostofthe heavylifting on thewhole “KeepAustinWeird”concept.Lucille,the pink elephant that dominates thesmall stage, haswelcomedcountless genres of music—punk,country,prog-rock,spokenword, bellydancing,and everyfourthFriday, it’s theVariety JonesSoulRootsWave.Owner NickiMebanebooks allthe musicand is open to almost anything except vulgarity. Afterall, with clowns,liontamers, andcarousels,plusone of thecheapesthappy hoursaround, Carousel hasn’t outlastedevery othercircus-themed dive barbyallowingfoullanguagetomuckthingsup. 1110 E. 52ND ST.
DIVES WITH FOOD
CHILI PARLOR
Inside this unassuming downtown spot,weathered floorboards,unfussy wooden tables,and vintagebeersigns recall abygone eraofeateries. Thenamesakedishappeals to puristswithits all-beef-and-no-beansrecipe. It comesinmild, medium andhot (XXX)varieties andhas been an Austin staple sincethe restaurant’s doorsopenedin1976, whichisone year before chilibecamethe official statedish(afactthe menu doesn’thesitatetotout).Pastits trademarkfare, TheChili Parlor serves ice-cold beer andexpressly forbids“foofoo drinks”—butyou cangetaMad DogMargarita,avariant made with mezcal and commemorated in versebysongwriterGuy Clark. 1409 LAVACA ST
CASINOEL CAMINO
Punk neverdied. It’s been comfortablynesting at Casino El Camino,nearthe fareastedgeof DirtySixth,since 1994.Punkisthere on the wallswiththe Mexicanmovie postersand gargoyles,and it’s on thebig screenswiththe Russ Meyerand QuentinTarantino flicks. It’s definitely in thekickass Encore jukebox, andit’s even outbackonthe patio, chillin’ with theAztecmonkeygod.Mostofall,punkhas been growingfat andhappy on theburgers.Whether they come smotheredinbleucheese, smoked shallotaioli,sautéed onions,Buffalosauce,ora beer-braised pork belly, Casino El Camino’s three-quarter-poundburgers will putenough meat on your bonestokeepsmashingthe system. 517E.SIXTH ST
CROWN & ANCHOR
OldAustinhippies and localmusicians rub elbows with collegekidsand professors at this laid-backhangout situated just northof UT at thesouthernboundaryofHydePark.
Crown&Anchorhas somethingfor everyone—patronscan select from abountyof draftbeeroptions whilepartaking in a roundofpoolordarts,watchinga football game,orjustenjoyingthe weatherwitha four-leggedfriendonthe spacious porch. Butthe thingthatreallysetsthisdiveapart is thegrub, especially theaward-winning burger,which is made from locallysourced, double-groundbeef. Topped with lettuce, tomato,pickle, andonion,the classicfare echoes thebar’s overallethos:Sometimes thesimplest things in life arethe best 2911 SANJACINTO BLVD.
Hangingout on theHighway 290frontageroadonthe NortheastSide, SilverMedal is aneighborhoodbar in want of aneighborhood(notcounting thePattonCourtsMotel next door). Still, plenty of people findthe place, attractedbyhappyhourdrinksatthe baroroutside on thebreezypatio Forhungrycrowds, thesmall kitchendeliversbig time with quarter-pound burgersand hotdogs(includingvegetarianversions) topped with the works, like chili, bacon, BBQsauce,grilled onions,and Sriracha slaw.With everything it offers, this booze and burger jointdeservesa placeatthe top of thepodium.
7100 E. HIGHWAY290
SILVER MEDAL
TRUE DIVES
BARFLY’S
ThenameofthisMidtown baris borrowed from thetitle of a1987 filmwritten by andabout Charles Bukowski,the legendarywriter anddrinker.(Themuchnewer spot beneath Barfly’s, theGolden Horn,isnamed aftera barthatappeared in themovie.) Thespace is soothingly dark inside,withmost illumination coming from thelights abovethe pool tables andthe soft glow of thejukebox.Brick walls, hardwood floors, andleather booths show off thebuilding’s strong character. Sure,maybe sometimesthe bartalkgetsa bit toograndiloquent fora place namedafter aboozer-poet,but afterits first 25 years, Barfly’smanages to stay low-keyand affordable.Pro tip: Aftera fewroundsof drinks andbilliards,takeyourtime descending theflight of stairs beneaththe recognizable greenawning printedwiththe bar’smoniker. 5420-B AIRPORTBLVD.
LA PERLA
G&SLOUNGE
Even amongbar aficionados,G&S Lounge is an acquired taste—apure, uncutdive. No food,nolivemusic,nokaraoke no agenda.Not only does it sitnexttoavacantbuildingadjacent to an emptylot,G&S does nothingtocontradictall the rumors surroundingits infamy.That’sbecause ownerJimmy Samon, Jr.is blissfully unconcernedabout anyone’s opinion. “Theyhatemeortheyloveme, Idon’t care,” he says Theproperty’sbeeninhis family since1958. Samonemploysnoone else,and he fixes almost everything in thebar himself, includingthe vintagearcadegames.Somesay the prices aretoo high at G&S, buttheyonlyget to sayitonce. Yougot aproblem with that? 2420 S. FIRSTST.
Lookinglikea hauntedhouse on thecornerofEastSixth Street and Comal, La Perlaisajewel in Austin’sdivebar crown. Since 1973, generations of patrons have packed into the front room with barely enough space for asix-seat bar,an ATM machine,and an altarwith candles andportraits of OurLadyof Guadalupe, Jesus,and Saint Martin from Peru. It’s usuallystanding room only around thepooltable andthe dustybackpatio fills up most nights as well.Why such crowds?LaPerla is thehomeofthe Ar-Modelo, aracy, savory beer cocktail with lime juiceand hot saucethatowner EddieCostillainvented.Itoutsellseverythingelse in thebar—ifyou canget inside to tryone 1512 E. SIXTHST.
If youhaven’t been to Buddy’sPlace in the last couple of years, it’s time forareturn visit. Newownership took this longtime stapleonBurnetRoad andrefurbished the interior—including the furnishingsand everydamnwallinthe place. Afterthe facelift,whatremains is thebestofBuddy’s original character: theEncorejukebox filledwithbothcountry and westernmusic,Jasper(themannequin youmay never getusedtoseeing),and plenty of John Wayne. Alongwith newair conditioning andafullbar,there’s arefurbished bandstandwhere AlvinCrow, Glen Collins, andother localmusic legendsare helpingmakeBuddy’s Placethe “homeofhappiness.” 8619 BURNET ROAD
BUDDY’S
PLACE
04 LOUNGE
FewAustindivebarsdoabetterjob of hiding from thepublicthan04Lounge. Thesamesingle-storyconcretebunkeron SouthCongresshas flown underthe radarsince theearly 1960s, when it ceased to be arestaurant(andalleged brothel) andbecameDonna’s Lounge,followedbyDee &Jim’s Barinthe mid-1980s. BennyPezzi purchaseditin2008and kept the same dark,comfortable interior,but sprung forafullliquorlicense andalong, elegantlycrafted bar. There’sa smallpatio on theside, butyou risk beingseen. Better to stay inside,shoot pool,and know that therestofthe worldhas no idea where youare 3808 S. CONGRESS AVE.
BY RAF MIASTKOWSKI
Dive barpurists will debate thedefinition of thetermmore fiercely than whogets thedogafterabadbreakup.Theymaytake issuewitha spot's age, location,menuofferings, or vibe—but notevery dive fits neatly into awell-definedbox.While these threeneighborhoodbarsmay skirtthe official criteria,they're well worthyourtime.
NICKEL CITY
Frequent enoughAustinwateringholes, andyou'lleventuallyspota"Nickel City's Nota Dive Bar" stickerplastered somewhere. That's afairassessmentgiven Nickel City's cocktail-forward menu and appearance on thecover of Bartender magazine.But spendone nighthere knocking back highballs, ordering too many sliders, andadmiringthe beautiful wooden bar, andyou won'tevencare. 1133 E. 11th St.
BUSTY'S BAR& JUKEBOX
Thecomfy booths,classic jukebox, cig machine, andwoodpanelingatBusty's offer afun,vintage atmosphere.Drink toomanyMillerHighLifes at the CameronRoadbar,and youmight end up gettingaBob Segertattooonyour butt cheek. At just twoyears old, Busty'sdoesn't have thelayersof grimethatmostold-schooldives do, butit'sheadedinthe rightdirection 6214 CameronRoad
DIRTY BILL'S
On anygiven Tuesdayafternoon at Dirty Bill's,you'llencounter stalesmells, visiblescuffs, andthe soundoflongnecks clinking throughthe quietbar.But on Saturday nights,thisWestSixth Street hangoutispackedlikeMopac during rush hour,witha DJ spinning Top40hits andsororitygirls chugging MD 20/20s It's anight-and-day difference,and you should checkout both to getthe full Dirty experience 511Rio Grande St.
UPSCALE DIVES
It mayonlybe12years old, butThe Aristocrat’s pedigree is pureblood: This NorthAustindiveevolved from thePoodleDog Lounge,a beer jointthatopenedinthe same spacein1964. Theownership andnamechange came exactly50years later, as didaliquor licenseand airconditioning, butplentyofthe oldcrowd neverleft. Youngerbarflies appreciate theinterior’saging aes-
thetic—industrialmeets Westernsaloonmeets Marilyn Monroe.There’s shuffleboard,billiards,darts,and foosball forkilling time.Plus, The Aristocrat oftenfeatures matineeshows,whenbands andDJs elevatethe vibes forcustomers whocan either make it home at areasonable hour or just stickaroundalittlelonger.
BURNET ROAD
6507
THEARISTOCRATLOUNGE
THE LIBERTY
SinceIndependenceDay 2009,thisEast Sixthbar hasbeengrowing as a“tell your friendsbut not all your friends” destination forbeer-and-shot nights.The interior is dark andits layout is both spacious and—when youfind theright nooksand crannies—quite cozy.Muchofthe artwork, like theshadowboxofpilot C. A. “Mac”McGuire’s uniform from WorldWar II,explainswhy “Liberty became thebar’s name.The dog-friendly patiohas lots of coveredpicnic-tableseating, providingplentyofopportunities to sharetimewithfriends,furry or otherwise.
1618 E. SIXTHST.
It takessomegutstonameyourselfafter such anoteworthyAustin mascot.But this East Austin dive livesuptothe reputation of these stalwart,boisterousbirds.Known forawideselection of draftbeerand whiskey, TheGrackle exudes agrittyedgewithout rufflingany feathers Thebar somehowmanages to accommodatethe old-school locals transplant hipsters,and unruly tourists whofind themselves sharing thesecommonnestinggrounds.Mostimportantly, TheGrackle has survived formorethana decade andahalfonthe rapidlychanging East Side withoutlosing itscharacter—and that’s somethingtocrowabout.
1700 E. SIXTHST.
THE GRACKLE
MEAN-EYEDCAT
If this OldWestAustinbar does indeed have nine lives, it hasalready spenta few. Mean-EyedCat was once theCut-RiteChain Saws storeand wasprominentlyfeaturedasa location in the1986movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2.Thatclaim to fame hasmadeita must-visit spot forhorrormovie fans stilltoday.In 2004,the shop wasre-imagined
as aJohnnyCash–themed bar, andits wallsare nowcoveredinmemorabiliadepicting theMan in Blackalongside vintagechainsawparaphernalia Whileimbibingacoldbeeramong allthe historic decorisenjoyable,the bar’sbestseating mightbe beneaththe 300-year-old live oaktreethatshades thepatio 1621 W. FIFTHST.
Adoption
Meghan Alexander GottfriedAlexander LawFirm 1505 W. SixthSt. 512-494-1481
It’s an honor to be recognizedfor the thirdyearina row as oneof AustinMonthly’sTop Attorneys.I’veenjoyed servingthe Austin Communityasa prosecutor andas acriminaldefense attorney forover20years. At GBA Firm, we prideourselvesonour level of service and communication providedtoour clients andtheir families. Fighting forour clients’ rights andworkingtowardsjustice is apassion foreveryone at my firm.Our resultsshow it. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. It’sour job to make it right.Doing so isn’ta nine-to-five job nor is it a one-manshow. Iwouldn’tbehereifitwasn’t for the team of professionals that work alongsideme. If you needuswe’re here;use theQRcode to save ourcontact information
Thank you!
GeneAnthes
Gunter,Bennett &AnthesP.C. & The CohenParole LawTeam
Criminal DefenseLitigator and Professional ParoleRepresentation
Alan Bennett (Criminal DefenseLitigator)
Gary Cohen (Parole Representation)
CamillaBanda (Paralegal)
Christopher M. Gunter (Criminal Defense Litigator)
SheliahCromeans (Paralegal)
ChristopherR.Mugica JacksonWalkerLLP
100CongressAve Ste. 1100 512-236-2016
TimP.Ribelin HuschBlackwell LLP 111 Congress Ave.,Ste.1400 512-479-1153
Joshua A. Romero JacksonWalkerLLP 100CongressAve., Ste. 1100 512-236-2035
ClientscometoHusch Blackwellseeking legaladviceand quicklyrealize they arealsogetting ateam of selfless, uncommon advocateswho areinvestedintheir success. We areproud to congratulate the attorneysinour Austin office whosededicationtouniquelypersonalclientrelationships andthoughtful approaches have earned them recognitionas2026 Austin Monthly TopAttorneys.
EIGHTH ROW: Emilio B. Nicolas,Raman N. Dewan, Temple Keller
SEVENTH ROW: Jennifer Freel, MichelleMoore Smith, Andrea Thai Egan, Timothy C. Taylor
SIXTH ROW: Alicia R. Duleba, Anne Derrig, Scott W. Weatherford
FIFTH ROW: Tyson Ehlinger, Tara A. Potts, Erin N. Tuggle, Noah M. Galton
FOURTH ROW: Jennifer F. Wertz, SarahChristian, PaigeWelch,Bradley S. Knippa
THIRD ROW: Marilyn Brown, AliAndrews, W. Brad Anderson
SECOND ROW: Danica L. Milios, Alicia R. French, SarahPai, Adam Aston
FIRSTROW: Meghan E. Griffiths, Cassie Ross, JeffreyL.Oldham, Lenora DuBose
NOTPICTURED: Alisha MehtaAdams,JuanM.Alcala, MichaelJ.Baldwin,AronR.Burnett, Taylor Cummins, JamesMatthew Dow, Sean F. Gallagher, AlycaGarrison, PeterC.Hanson, BreckHarrison, SamK.Hildebrand, Lindsay Killeen, Pamela Madere,Michael F. Meskill, Steven D. Moore, Christopher R. Mugica, AmandaL.Neinast, Jessia Palvino, JamesL.Pledger,Brian K. Prewitt,Michael Roberts, Joshua A. Romero,DeniseRose, JackE.Skaggs, Cody LeeVaughn
*Top to Bottom, Left to Right
T CH KIMBROUGH, ESQ TYCHA KIMBROUGH,ESQ BROUGH, FOUNDING T ORNE KIMBROUGH, ESQ FOUNDING ATTORNEY
CONGRATULATIONSTO CO TYCHA KIMBROUGH TY
NamedATopAttorneyFor The Sixth ConsecutiveYear
Managing the Present. Securing the Future. Tycha Kimbrough and the Kimbrough Family Law team focus exclusively on family law — helping professionals navigate divorce and family matters while protecting what matters most: their children, their assets, and their peace of mind.
With offices in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Round Rock, Kimbrough Family Law delivers strategic, client-centered advocacy across Central Texas and the Greater Houston area.
YOUR FAMILY'S FUTURE IS WORTH FIGHTINGFOR.
Travis L. Turner
BurnettTurnerPLLC
6034 W. CourtyardDrive Ste. 140 512-472-5060
Brooke B. Ward
LawOffice of Brooke B. Ward 1616 WilliamsDrive Georgetown 512-371-6375
Broc White Heritage Law 1625 Williams Drive, Bldg.1 Georgetown 512-930-0529
Workers Compensation
Chadwick Lee TheChadwickLee LawFirm 1000 Heritage Center Cir. RoundRock 512-419-1234
RichardPena
LawOfficesofRichard Pena PC 2211 S. IH-35, Ste. 300 512-327-6884
HOWTHE LIST IS MADE
Usinganonlinesurvey, Austin
Monthlysolicited peer nominationsfromattorneys in theAustinarea, asking them to nominate up to threeattorneys perpracticeareawho they would trustwiththe legalcareof themselves or theirfamily. To ensure thenominationprocess is peer-based,fullcontact informationwas requestedbefore nominating,and attorneyswere askedtolimit theirnominations to lawyerswhose work they’ve personally witnessed. Austin Monthlythen talliedthe results, selectingthe toppercentageof vote recipients in each practice area before submitting thefinal list to ourfact-checking process, whichincludesareviewofgood standing with thestate bar association.
Attorneysdonot andcannot paytobea part of thelist. We recognizethatmanygood attorneysare notincludedonthe list;thisisonlya sampling of the huge arrayoftalented professionalswithinthe region We encourageall consumersto do theirown research before selectinga lawyer
AustinMonthly uses best practicesand exercisesgreat care in assembling contentfor this list.Itdoesnot warrantthat thedatacontained within thelist arecompleteoraccurate. Austin Monthly does notassume, and hereby disclaims, anyliability to anypersonfor anylossor damage caused by errors or omissionshereinwhether such errors or omissionsresultfrom negligence,accident, or any othercause.All rights reserved No commercial useofthe informationinthislistmay be made withoutwritten permission from AustinMonthly. If yousee an errorinthe informationlisted, please contactinfo@ austinmonthly.com.
ATTORNEYS:
Congratulations! If you’dliketo displaythisaccomplishment with aplaque, please visitour official storeataustinmonthly .com/plaques
EVENT GUIDE ONGOING JULY
Thebestparties, festivals, concerts, andbenefitsinAustin this July and August
Spendanalfrescoeveninglistening to live musiconthe Long Center lawnasyousoakinincredibleviews of thedowntownskyline.Thisfree outdoorconcertseriesfeatureslocal actsincludingJackieVenson,Ruthie Craft, Hayden Butler,and Paige Plaisance. TheDrop-In takesplace everyThursdaynight except July 2. ThroughAug.13,701W.Riverside Drive,8p.m.,thelongcenter.org
ParamountTheatre
Summer ClassicFilmSeries
As temperatures spike, there’sno better placetobethanthe cool confinesofa movietheater.Watch screeningsofdozensoficonicfilms allsummerlongasParamount TheatrebringsbackitsClassicFilm Series.Due to renovationsatthe theater, thescreeningswill take placenextdooratState Theatreas well as othervenues. Snackon candyand popcornasyou experience timeless cinema Through Aug. 30,various locationsand times,austintheatre.org
4
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
Celebratered,white,and blue with theRed Headed Stranger himself. Iconic musician Willie Nelson headlinesthisfestiveannualevent, whichwillincludeperformancesby BillyStrings,Wilco,SherylCrow, LukasNelson,andMargoPrice.9201 Circuitofthe Americas Blvd., Del Valle,3:30p.m.,germaniaamp.com
10
Singin’inthe Rain
What agloriousfeeling!Bring the familytoZilkerHillsideTheaterfor thisannualsummermusicaltradition.The belovedmovie hasbeen adaptedintoa free stageperformancethatincludesanon-stage rainstorm. Seethe show Thursday throughSundaynightsatduskand be sure to bringblanketsorchairs andbug spray. ThroughAug.15, 2206 WilliamBartonDrive,8:15 p.m.,zilker.org
16-18
HotSummerNights
Savorsultrynightsandincredible livemusicastheRedRiverCultural District brings back itspopular summer three-dayfestival. See dozens of localbands at locations suchasMohawk,Stubb’s,Elysium, Swan Dive,and Kingdomfor free, andshopfor handcraftedwares during itsnight market at Liberty Lunch, whichfeaturesa pop-up versionofThe FrontMarketfrom Future FrontTexas Variouslocationsand times, thelongcenter .org/hot-summer-nights/
World Cup Events
The Drop-In
Willie Nelson’s4th of JulyPicnic
Hot Summer Nights
THANKSTOOUR SPONSOR WITH SUPPORTFROM
AustinMonthlyIssue ReleaseParty
Come swig alongneckand fire up thejukebox as Austin Monthly celebrates therelease of its“Best Dive Bars”issue at iconic Deep Eddy Cabaret, whichisringing in its75thanniversary this year Mingle with theeditors,photographers, andwriters behind the issueasyou enjoydrink specials andlivemusic.(To read aboutthe best dive bars in Austin,turnto page 40.) 2315 Lake Austin Blvd., 6p.m., austinmonthly.com
AUGUST
Ella Langley
Oneofthebiggestbreakoutstarsof thelastyear, Ella Langleybecame asmashsuccessafterseveralofher biggesthitswentviral on social media.Singalongtopopulartunes like“Choosin’Texas”and“youlook likeyouloveme”asthecountrystar takesthe stageatMoody Center alongwithopening actKaitlin Butts.2001RobertDedmanDrive, 7p.m.,moodycenteratx.com
26
Best of ATXParty
PBRGambler Days
Blinkandyou’llmissit:TheAustin Gamblershaveeightsecondstostay atopa2,000-poundbullasitbucks andleapsacrossthearena.Cheeron theprofessionalbullridingteamas they go head-to-head in an exhilaratingthree-daytournament.2001 Robert Dedman Drive, various times,austingamblers.com
28-29
Olivia Dean
Austin PRIDEFestival andParade
Frompoolpartiesanddragshows torooftopbashes,thereareplenty of festivewaystocelebrate Pride acrossthecapitalcitythissummer Don’tmissthe signatureevent of theseason,theAustinPRIDEFestivaland Parade,which begins at theTexas StateCapitol andpro-
29
Ignite
Ball
Hangoutwiththecrèmedelacrème of thecityas Austin Monthly and the Austin American-Statesman combineforcesfor ourBestof ATXawards! Hobnob with editor’s pick winnersand seewho nabbed firstplacefromourreaders’pollas youenjoy lightbites,Champagne, andplentyofsurprises 1500 E. FourthSt.,timetobeannounced, austinmonthly.com
Afterawhirlwindyearthatincluded aBestNew Artist awardatthe Grammysand her firstACL Fest appearance,OliviaDeanreturns to thecapital city during her“The ArtofLoving” tour.Catch the spirited singer-songwriterasshe croons hits like “Man INeed” and “SoEasy(To Fall in Love)” during atwo-nightstintatMoodyCenter. 2001RobertDedmanDrive,8p.m., moodycenteratx.com 21 13 21-23
Donyour finest gown or tuxedo as BigBrothersBig SistersofCentral Texashostsitsbiggestfundraiserof theyearattheJWMarriottAustin Enjoyaseateddinner,cocktails,live andsilentauctions, andplentyof dancingattheafterpartyduringthis stylishend-of-summer gala 110E Second St 6 pm bigmentoring
Forafleetingmoment, Bikinis, Texas, wasGillespie County’s most controversialplace to visit.
BY ROSIENINESLING
WHENAUSTIN-BASEDrestaurateurDougGullerfirstlaid eyes on therural,uninhabited Hill CountrytownofBankersmith,hehadonevision:toturntheuntouchedlandinto amecca forswimsuit-clad womenand theiradmirers.
It wasn’t an easy feat.After supposedly purchasing the ghosttownin2012froma Craigslist ad,Guller’s firstorder of business wastochangethe name to Bikinis, Texas—an homage to his“breastaurant”chain,Bikinis Sports Bar& Grill. Locals from nearby Fredericksburg were shocked, but theirdisbelief turned to rage when he plannedtohosta busty,day-longinaugurationparty.Wordquicklygotoutthat BaywatchstarCarmenElectrawouldbeinattendance,which amassedhundredsofRSVPs.Notonlywouldthesexsymbol be stopping by,but herbreasts wouldbecastinbronzeand inductedintothetown’s“BikiniHallofFame.”“Ididn’teven thinktwice when they askedme,”Electra told the Austin American-Statesman.“I’mlookingforwardtoTexasshowing me howit’sdone. Iwanttobeschooled.”
Despiteprotestsoftheevent,theshowwenton.Naturally,thatincludeda daytimeswimsuitcompetition andan eveningperformance by theone andonlyJerry Jeff Walker Therewas no runningwater on-site, butthe beer flowed freely.Inebriatedattendees stumbled to theircars, passing theplacardsthatHill Countryresidents haderected:“Bikinisare forthe beach. Need directions?”
Guller soon realized therewould be no successwithout thesupport of hisneighbors,who tirelessly pushed back againsthim.Hespent thefollowing yearsattemptingto mendfencesbeforefinallychangingthenamebacktoBankersmithand listinghis town forsalein2017. “We’dloveto seeitrealize itspotential,” Guller said in the Statesman Today, Fredericksburg promotes Bankersmithasa family-friendlydestination,completewithlivemusic,dancing, anda rustic saloon.While theirefforts to draw in visitors is admirable, perhapsthere’s onething missingthatcould make thetownstand out: thebronzed imprintofCarmen Electra’sbust, whichhas long sincedisappeared
Volume 34/Number4,July/August2026, Austin Monthly(Publication No.001-163), is publishedbimonthly,six timesa year,byHearstNewspapers.Subscriptions are$14.95per year forsix issues.For customer serviceinquiries or to changeyour address, contact: Austin Monthly,POBox 2127, SanAntonio,TX78297-2127, 512-387-6234,orsubscriptions@austinmonthly.com.Periodicalspostagepaid at Denver,CO, andatadditionalmailing offices. Copyright2026 by Hearst Newspapers, LLC. No part of this publicationmay be reproducedwithoutwritten permission from thepublisher.DISCLAIMER:Advertisementsinthe publication do notconstituteanoffer forsale in states whereprohibited or restricted by law.
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Forthe first time ever,the Austin American-Statesmanand Austin Monthly have teamed uptobring youa bigger andbetter Best of ATX, celebrating theverybest of Austin. SUPPORT
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