Your guide to the land of barbecue and live music.
Let me just start off by saying, this ain’t my first rodeo (!). I love Austin—it’s one of my favorite cities. In fact, if I didn’t absolutely adore Raleigh, I’d choose to live there (though, honestly, I don’t know if I could stand that scorching heat…).
Nevertheless, it’ll be easier than ever to pop over for a long weekend getaway thanks to Delta’s extra added flight to ATX taking off in April.
Similar to Raleigh in many ways, Austin and its “weirdness”—or quirkiness, if you prefer—is exactly what makes it so attractive. Each hip sector of the city boasts its own distinct vibe—from Sixth Street’s (aka the famous entertainment district) lively bar scene to South Congress Avenue’s kitschy shops and restaurants to East Austin’s diverse cuisine and culture.
NTM the Live Music Capital of the World is, well, a mecca for music lovers (see, namely, South by Southwest and ACL Fest that attract top talent every year) and food and bev fans alike, what with its ever-growing cast of sip and sup spots gaining national attention. In the same vein as our own City of Oaks, ATX is also home to a variety of green areas and outdoor activities.
A sister city of vibrance, entertainment, excitement and all around fun, Austin promises to be a weird—er, exhilarating—getaway. Here, a few spots to set the soundtrack of your trip.
Rowing Dock
DO
Rowing Dock Row, row, row yourself gently down Lady Bird Lake via kayak, pedal kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard rentals as you feast your eyes on Austin’s skyline—and get a pic for the ’Gram, natch. Relax and meander through the water, or BYO bait to try your luck at catching a fish or two. Bonus: You can even paddle with your pooch via canine-friendly SUPs. rowingdock.com
Barton Springs Pool Splish, splash! One of Austin’s crown jewels, this natural spring-fed watering hole remains at a cool 68–70 degrees, making it ideal for a year-round dip. Located within Zilker Park, its teal waters are surrounded by grassy embankments for those itching to soak up some rays, while various trees offer shade for when the sun becomes too unbearable (it’s bound to happen).austintexas.org
Bat Bridge Kayak Tour The 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bat colony that emerges from under the Congress Avenue Bridge nightly is quite the sight to see—and even cooler from a POV on the water. Observe the natural wonder by kayak as your tour guide schools you on the nocturnal creatures, all while enjoying a beautiful Austin sunset and superior skyline views. #GoneBatty! lonestarkayaktours.com
EAT
Granny’s Tacos I could write an entire dissertation on Austin’s breakfast taco scene (So. Many. Great. Options.), but Granny’s Tacos might be my favorite. Served out of a simple food truck on East 7th and East Caesar Chavez streets, these bad boys are the real deal thanks to family recipes passed down by generations and scratchmade salsas, marinades and seasonings. My go-to is a bacon, egg and cheese brekkie taco, but the migas is also delicious. Taco ’bout a great way to start the day!grannystacosatx.com
Gabriela’s Downtown For immaculate brunch vibes, look no further than this happenin’ Mexican spot boasting locations in East and South Austin. Post up on the spacious outdoor patio and groove to the beat of a live DJ while chowing down on authentic fare (pro tip: Order the choriqueso) and sippin’ on elaborate drinks (see: the signature “Sparklers” served in a literal blender). It’s giving clubby Miami resort—and I’m here for it. @gabrielasdowntown
Terry Black’s Barbecue You can’t go to Austin without eating at Terry Black’s. Period. The inevitable long line is beyond worth it for the legendary Central Texas pit-smoked meats and housemade sides. For the full experience, order the melt-in-your-mouth brisket, juicy sausage, and creamy mac and cheese. But really the best way to do it is to bring a crew and try it all. terryblacksbbq.com
Ramen Tatsu-Ya It’s not all tacos and BBQ in Austin—the city’s ramen game is also strong, and one visit to this noodle haven touting five ATX locations is all the proof you need. The “Japanese soul food” spot is a collab between local chefs/DJs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto—and you can bet their heart-warming bowls put that 10-cent grocery store ramen to shame.ramen-tatsuya.com
DRINK
Flat Track Coffee Roasters Rise and grind with a visit to this industrial biker-themed coffeehouse and cafe serving up all your fave coffee and espresso bevs made with freshly roasted beans and custom house blends. The cute and quaint patio is the ideal perch for enjoying a cuppa, along with baked goodies like croissants, cookies and kolaches. flattrackcoffee.com
Cosmic
Cosmic An escape within an escape, both Cosmic locations are nationally recognized wildlife habitats showcasing local art, music, purveyors and craft beer in a lush outdoor-focused setting. Backdropped by serene water features, flora and fauna, and various vibrant art, the all-day oasis makes for the perf gathering space to enjoy a coffee by day, or something a little stronger by night. cosmichospitalitygroup.com
Upstairs at Caroline Where my rooftop bar lovers at?! You could—and should—spend the whole afternoon whiling away at this “urban backyard party” above Caroline Restaurant offering comfy lounge spots, colorful picnic tables and games galore (think giant Jenga, foosball, cornhole and checkers) in a secluded yet funky AstroTurf-covered terrace. NTM refreshing drinks and snacks that are a perfect match for day (or night) drinking. carolinerestaurant.com
Low Down Lounge I’m a dive bar gal at heart (cheap drinks FTW!), and luckily Austin has no shortage of them. This retro-esque East Sixth drinking den has it all: decently priced cocktails, shots (they make a mean pickleback), beers and seltzers; pool; a hangworthy patio; and a plethora of pop-up events with food, music, comedy and more. The lowdown? No matter what’s going on, you can always expect a good time. lowdownlounge.com
A new partnership is brewing in the Little City Brewing space.
Little City Brewing is entering a new era. The local favorite Local Icon Hospitality brewery in Smoky Hollow will be transitioning into a brand-new operation dubbed Flour & Barrel, a collaboration between local restaurant guru Anthony Rapillo (of V Pizza, Flask Cocktail Bar and The Side Door Craft Cocktails fame) and current owner Jon Seelbinder—opening at the end of May. A modern-day meet-cute, the partnership began on Instagram.
“I was incredibly fortunate to meet Anthony after he reached out via a heartwarming Instagram message as a young entrepreneur,” recalls Seelbinder. “I have seen few with as much grit, enthusiasm and genuine love for the business. He will undoubtedly continue to excel and grow in this space.”
Seelbinder emphasizes the Little City location has always been a natural fit for a crafted food-driven concept—and Flour & Barrel will certainly fit that vision. Rapillo plans to add a full kitchen; demo one of the bars; and update the bar tops, floors and chairs, giving the entire space a face-lift.
The name a nod to its split intention (read: housemade pasta and bread and barreled spirits), Flour & Barrel will lean heavily on rustic Italian small plates highlighting flour-based dishes—think focaccia sandwiches and deconstructed lasagna, plus different types of meatballs and chicken dishes, with ingredients repeated throughout to create a zero-waste kitchen. And for those who get hungry in the after-hours, a late-night menu will serve up pizzas, sandwiches and more after 9pm (!).
Photo by Sean Junqueira
On the “barrel” side of the menu, F&B’s cocktail list curated by Flask’s beverage director will bring barrel-aged trends like bourbon and mezcal to the forefront. The microbrewery in the back will continue to play a huge part in the new restaurant/bar under head brewer Josh Wing, who was also part of the original Trophy team and ended up at Little City via a 20-year connection between Seelbinder and Trophy’s Woody Lockwood, Wing’s first cousin.
In keeping with its trend-forward, industry-competitive MO, the beer lineup promises to stay fresh and delicious, with new flavors like an Italian Lager to complement the Italian-based menu.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to work with Anthony and to lean on the continued mentorship of Jon to bring crafted food and an expanded cocktail program into this space,” says Wing. “I think the oven-fired menu and Anthony at the helm fill a much-needed void in this part of town—and I can’t wait to brew new beers, reimagine existing brands, and just get really creative to match the innovation that will surely flow from the kitchen and bar programs.”
Also gone is the OG LCB regularly front-parked Virgil’s food truck—because full kitchen—making way for a streetside patio a la parklet (think like Clockwork’s), adding extensive outdoor seating come the warmer months.
With the alfresco op and upscale food and bev menus, Rapillo hopes to add a new upscale flair to the cherished space, separating itself from the DJ-dense Glenwood South party scene and draw in locals looking for a more “adult” outing—sans the shooters, party vibes and hangover. “We don’t want to cater to a college crowd—or even kids who are 22 or 23 just looking for loud music or a DJ and a place to go get really drunk,” says Rapillo. Instead, it’s more of a hot spot for a date, GNO wine night or a friendly group outing over craft cocktails.
“When I first moved here—I lived a couple blocks from [Flour & Barrel]—I was the exact clientele we’re looking for,” Rapillo continues. “We’re going for the working professional living in Smoky Hollow or other nearby apartments or even the condos directly above us. You pay all this rent and there’s not a ton of places within walking distance that fit the vibe you’re looking for… like an elevated cocktail bar.” And there’s no doubt that Flour & Barrel will deliver that high-quality experience. Cheers to change! flourandbarrel.com
If Meg Paradise told you she was opening a nonalcoholic bar in Raleigh two years ago, you’d probably tell her she was insane—and many people did. Fast-forward to now, and her just-bowed Umbrella Dry Bar has been accepted with open arms by sober and sober-curious Raleighites eagerly awaiting such a concept.
But despite the initial Dry January buzz, are spirit-free sips enough to sustain an entire enterprise? Paradise is willing to bet a full-blown bar business on it—and emphasizes the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
“The amount of strangers I’ve spoken to who say, ‘We’re so ready for this,’ or ‘There’s something for me now…’” she says. “I don’t even think [the sober movement] is really trendy—it’s just immersed in our culture these days.”
To wit, the “movement” isn’t just black and white: You’re sober or not. Even Paradise doesn’t put boundaries on her own drinking. “I don’t identify with the term sober,” she says. “I’m just not called to drink.”
And she’s not alone. Hence the trend. Often—and many—people just want a night out sans alc for any number of reasons. So much so that “mindful” or “sober curious” or “damp” drinking has taken off in popularity as of late, supplemented with more and more bars both in Raleigh and countrywide expanding menus with nonalcoholic options to include mocktails; NA beer, wine, spirits; and more.
Leading the charge—and speaking volumes—is one of America’s biggest party towns. Austin has leaned into the passion for spiritless potions since the pandemic. See its Sans Bar, the first-ever NA bar in the U.S., bowing its brick-and-mortar last year and surging since. “Sans Bar has captured the spirit (no pun intended) of a bar by providing a gathering space with tasty libations, live music, trivia and comedy nights,” says Austin MonthlyEditor-in-Chief Madeline Hollern. “The point of a bar was never really about getting drunk—it was always about connection and entertainment.”
Even before Umbrella opened its doors—or began pop-ups in 2022—Raleigh was no stranger to sober-curiosity. Perhaps ahead of its time, Killjoy first bowed with a largely zero-proof concept in 2020, with half its opening menu consisting of spirit-free cocktails—all but unheard of at the time. While NA drinks remain a huge focus, owner Josh Gagne recognizes it might’ve been a bit too early to full send.
“When we were initially developing the concept of Killjoy, we had spent a solid amount of time discussing whether or not we wanted it to be nonalcoholic only,” he says. “But I didn’t see a way it could be sustainable financially, so that’s why I really want to support [Umbrella]—and I hope they kill it. It’s challenging more concepts to have more options, which is making it more relatable and comfortable for people who don’t consume.”
Beyond the country’s mindset shift toward drinking—and nodding toward timing—Paradise also emphasizes the sheer increase in volume of spirit-alternative product availability, including beers, wines and spirits that genuinely taste pretty close to the real thing. Not to mention two years of research, testing, events and infinite conversations. And, so, with Umbrella, she’s not only investing in a great zero-proof beverage program for sober appeal, but robust mocktails for all. Proclaims Paradise: “We want this to be the best beverage program in Raleigh, whether you drink or not.”
Further investing in Downtown, LM Restaurants founder Lou Moshakos recently purchased another building—this time the property best known for housing the Poyner YMCA on Fayetteville Street.
LM acquired the mixed-use office tower for a cool $14.9 mill in an online auction. The news comes on the heels of the Carolina hospitality titan’s announcement of a full-service yet-to-be-named restaurant in partnership with Highwoods Properties slated to open this spring on the first floor of 150 Fayetteville.
Further demonstrating a clear commitment to Downtown—and especially the Fayetteville Street corridor—Moshakos and his wife, Joy, aren’t concerned with the reported troubles of DTR. Case in point: LM Restaurants (think Carolina Ale House, Vidrio, Taverna Agora) has always had an eye toward supporting Raleigh and all revitalization efforts—and gives kudos to the city for taking steps to make Downtown vibrant again.
“We believe in Downtown’s future and we see great things coming… and real estate is a stepping stone into the next great project,” says Moshakos. “The city understands what is needed and sees the changes that need to be made to make Downtown a viable place to live, work and play—and we believe in that mission.”
The 10-story 227 Fayetteville building is 100% leased, and LM currently has no plans for further development. But, clearly, they’re buying into the city core’s growth. “We have always been a big believer in Raleigh,” Moshakos emphasizes, “and are happy to take on this adventure.” lmrest.com
Scott Crawford is going underground—literally. The esteemed restaurateur has taken over the lease of former The Atlantic Lounge space on Person Street (located right below his Jolie restaurant), with plans to reopen as Sous Terre—French for “underground”—after a redesign + new menu in early 2024. Happy New Year to us, indeed!
Shaking things up with elevated classic craft cocktails is Crawford Hospitality Beverage Director and four-year Crawford and Son veteran Jordan Joseph, who will be leading the spirited program. “We hope Sous Terre will be a thoughtful addition to the neighborhood, to our hospitality brand, and serve as a showcase for Jordan Joseph’s cocktails and the area’s most exciting bar talent,” Crawford emphasizes.
Key-holding members of The Atlantic Lounge will still have access to the creative ’tails down under via the bar’s original key membership. And guests of Jolie and Crawford and Son will continue to have access to the space as well. Pre-dinner drink or nightcap, anyone?!
