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Sitting just off the main drag of clubs on Sixth Karma is hidden in more way than one. When walking on 8th there is a good chance that you might walk right past this place if you aren't looking for...
Sitting just off the main drag of clubs on Sixth Karma is hidden in more way than one. When walking on 8th there is a good chance that you might walk right past this place if you aren't looking for it pretty intently. When you find it though you will be very glad you did.
Karma Lounge is a very classy and well designed place. The decor is tasteful and elegant, large rd plastic rods dominate the walls and the huge glass tank in the center of the bar is hard to take your eyes off. The tank isn't for fish, it is for the drunken girls at the end of the night and seeing as how Karma Lounge is one of the only spots in Austin offering after hours you can guarantee that this place and that tank will be packed most any weekend night after 2am.
The main room is a decent size, a little dark since there are no windows in the club, but it has a good vibe. It has two smaller "rooms" or seating areas attached to it that offer a brief escape from the many party denizens. Once you pass the bar you will find to additional rooms, both very classy and very well equipped. The availability of these rooms really depends on the night though.
Karma Lounge also now has a secured night with Tracey Laughlin promoting and her nights always bring out the best people. Karma Lounge is a great place to head late in the night or for after hours but you HAVE to head there.
Located on 8th and Colorado.
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My first experience with the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was one that would have a lasting effect on me and was something that I will never forget.
I had been hired by Scion to promote the Scion...
My first experience with the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was one that would have a lasting effect on me and was something that I will never forget.
I had been hired by Scion to promote the Scion xPress Fest being held at the Drafthouse. I had never been to nor even heard of the Drafthouse but I was very pleased with what I found.
The staff was incredibly nice and very easy to work with, they went out of their way to accommodate us and take care of us. The theater itself was amazing, a good size screen 40', great projection and the setup can't be beat. Unless a giant sits in front of you you won't have to worry about your view being blocked. There are slim tables in front of you and they serve some great beers and food while you are watching your films.
The food is good and not average in anyway, prices are pretty decent, but it is smarter to get a beer than a $3.50 Soda.
We only had one hiccup when the server dropped the credit card and couldn't find it. We found it after a quick search and the server refused to let us pay and even gave us a bunch of free tickets to future shows.
At the end of the night I was thrilled to find Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez in the lobby, after a short talk I joined them for a middle of the night screening of Carrie back in the theater. My one night at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was something I won't soon forget and it certainly won't be my last.
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A friend suggested me meet at a bar a little off the beaten Sixth street path one night. That bar was The Brown Bar. It is a pretty strange name for a place that is not overly brown in color or in...
A friend suggested me meet at a bar a little off the beaten Sixth street path one night. That bar was The Brown Bar. It is a pretty strange name for a place that is not overly brown in color or in any other real fashion, but it is still a pretty catchy name.
The decor is classy, nothing kitschy here, nothing over the top, just good and classy. The drinks are good and strong, the servers are good and cute. This is a great place to take a close friend and have a sit down drink or go there to make a new friend.
Weekends are the best to drop by this hot spot and grab a great drink off the strip.
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Speakeasy
Category:
Entertainment & Arts
412D Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 73301
(512) 477-2789
One of the strangest locations I have ever seen for a club is the home for Speakeasy. The entrance to the club lies in a smelly alley between 4th and 5th on Congress. The location might be strange...
One of the strangest locations I have ever seen for a club is the home for Speakeasy. The entrance to the club lies in a smelly alley between 4th and 5th on Congress. The location might be strange but the club itself is one of the best in the city.
Speakeasy is an absolute pleasure to visit, have a great drink, and work with. We had done a showcase at Speakeasy during South by Southwest this year and spending 14 hours at the bar didn't seem to get old. The drinks were great, the staff was very good to everyone there and the most impressive part was the sound.
The sound system at Speakeasy was impressive everyone sounded amazing the sound guy was a consummate professional. It was very strange to find a room shaped as this at this size sound so utterly amazing. The club is a good size with a nice mezzanine level and a good main floor. The decor is very authentic early 1900's and it really feels like a Speakeasy. The old elevator next to the stage is almost creepy in it's perpetual hover but it really adds to the feel of the bar.
This is a great escape on most any night from the clubs of Austin. It is a welcome addition to any bar hopping plans and should be a mandatory stop for tourists making the bar rounds downtown.
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Seems like I am out on Sixth there is this strange magnetic force that draws me to Jazz. Maybe it is King out on the street slapping that bass silly and playing it up for the tourists or maybe it...
Seems like I am out on Sixth there is this strange magnetic force that draws me to Jazz. Maybe it is King out on the street slapping that bass silly and playing it up for the tourists or maybe it is the wickedly dangerous Rum Runners waiting for me inside. Whatever it is, it is never a bad idea.
Upon entering you will notice almost garish but frighteningly authentic decor. For me Sixth Street already reminds me of New Orleans entering Jazz only strengthens that feeling. The staff is friendly, quick and professional all the way around and they never fail to bring a smile to my face.
The menu is heavy on the seafood and spicier Cajun fare but there is something for everyone here. Everything tastes great, the portions are generous and nothing is made hastily. I highly recommend the stuffed zucchini appetizer!!
The drink menu on the other hand should come with a huge warning label, not because they are bad but because they are GOOD! The Bermuda Triangle being my favorite largely because of how great it tastes and secondly because it seems almost exciting to suck down a drink that clearly says "Limit 2 per person". The drinks are devilish and will put you on your behind if you aren't very careful.
I also have to add that the staff is very accepting and willing to let you have a good time if you don't get too out of hand. I have a lot of bands come to town and stay with me and those boys can get rowdy but I always take them to Jazz. We have had a whipped cream fight in Jazz, we have had a singer crawling on the floor at high speed looking for his contact and the staff has never said a word. Great place, great people and a great time.
Jazz gets me all jazzed ;)
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My first experience with Latitude 30 was the day before South by Southwest started this year. It was a strange first impression to say the least.
When I first entered I couldn't help but...
My first experience with Latitude 30 was the day before South by Southwest started this year. It was a strange first impression to say the least.
When I first entered I couldn't help but notice the young college age crowd, but these college kids seemed to be more on the hippie end of the spectrum than the usual Abercrombie carbon copies you usually see at clubs.
All of this clashed with the very stylish interior of the club. From designer tables and chairs to the very nice layout of top shelf liquor behind the bar everything seemed to say swanky martini lounge but the crowd said something else. Then the band started....
This was where I was really confused. As the band started to play I realized they were a kind of reggae Sublime rip off which further confused the identity of the bar. It was a classy LOOKING bar with what seemed like the completely wrong crowd for the establishment.
Regardless the crowd was amazing, the people very friendly, the bar and door staffs very professional. The drinks were very good and the service was even better. I am not sure as to what kind of bar I would call this but whatever it is, it seems to work. Even if it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Latitude 30 also claims to have live music every night with "Late night lounging" later on. The bar is located just off Sixth on San Jacinto behind Darwin's.
Oh wait did I mention $2 Jager Bombs every night? Yeah that kind of rules.
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Touche'
Category:
Foundations, Clubs, Associations, Etc
417 E 6th St
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 472-9841
Much like owner CJ's other bar, Darwin's, Touche is another welcome stop on the long stretch of Sixth street bars. It is average size for a Sixth street bar but like Darwin's has a much more laid...
Much like owner CJ's other bar, Darwin's, Touche is another welcome stop on the long stretch of Sixth street bars. It is average size for a Sixth street bar but like Darwin's has a much more laid back and friendlier atmosphere than most of the bars on the street.
Recently they built a small stage for South by Southwest which now goes mostly unused but when it is used you can sometimes catch some pretty amazing acts here.
The bar staff and door staff are very friendly, quick to become your friends and within a moment or two of hanging out here you will find yourself making it a point to stop by and see them you are downtown.
The drinks are strong, the selection is excellent. They don't serve food here, but then again who needs food in a BAR!! The music is never too loud but never too quiet either and if you don't like it just tell the bartender and she can probably find anything you like.
This is a great place to take a break from Sixth street or to start your night. The people will become your friends quickly and have you coming back every weekend. Stop in for a quick drink and you just might make a friend for life.
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Somewhere in the middle of the Sixth street chaos lies a nice little getaway from the what can sometimes be overwhelming masses outside.
The first time I hung out at Darwins I was actually just...
Somewhere in the middle of the Sixth street chaos lies a nice little getaway from the what can sometimes be overwhelming masses outside.
The first time I hung out at Darwins I was actually just looking for a decently clean and quiet place to cool my heels during South by Southwest. Right away the very open floor plan made the bar feel very inviting and casual. The bartender was incredibly friendly, skilled and quick. It wasn't until later that I found out that our bartender CJ was also the owner. It was kind of cool to see a bar owner working in his own bar in the middle of the day.
Darwins has a single pool table in the front corner next to a very cozy corner booth, there is a stage in the opposing corner that sometimes features everything from acoustic bands to full on rock acts. The crowd is always very friendly and much more laid back than a lot of the people on the street on a weekend. The atmosphere always makes you want to just sit around and share Austin stories.
This is a great first stop on any trip downtown and a great place to escape from the crowds outside and just take in a little quality bartending and simple evolution.
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Great people tend to congregate in great places. The oldest bar in Seattle has live music seven days a week and it varies from one day to the next what kind of music that will be!! The food is...
Great people tend to congregate in great places. The oldest bar in Seattle has live music seven days a week and it varies from one day to the next what kind of music that will be!! The food is decent but not as good as neighboring Med-Mix or the J and M. But decent, more like bar food less like gourmet.
The drinks are priced well and the staff is incredible. Talk to Tina and/or Kelly during the day and you won't be disappointed. Talk to Sarah and/or Bethany at night and you will leave drunk, happy and content!!
This is a great place to hang out and have a great time but don't bother coming here if your are a stuffy person looking for a martini, this is a working class bar with a high percentage of bikers, construction workers and local service industry folk.
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The Fenix Underground has been a staple in the Seattle scene for many years. After the earthquake in 1996 it was moved to it's current location in Occidental Park. Since the move it has struggled to...
The Fenix Underground has been a staple in the Seattle scene for many years. After the earthquake in 1996 it was moved to it's current location in Occidental Park. Since the move it has struggled to find an identity among the clubs in the joint cover group.
Sometimes goth (Moonday) sometimes techno (Fri and Sat Downstairs) and sometimes uncertain. Depending on WHEN you visit the Fenix will largely determine what kind of experience you have there. Generally they have some kind of live music upstairs on the weekends but it is very hit or miss. Most of the time you will find bands you thought long dead playing the stage (Berlin for example) or local rock acts who THINK they are the biggest thing since sliced bread but have yet to grip the reality that they are now 40 and have not made it yet.
Thursdays are the highlight of the week with the weekly Bedroom Club by local starlets Burning Hearts Burlesque. This is the one night it is okay to just sit back have a drink (overpriced) and watch a true show. Most nights though, you are really gambling by walking in the door.
It is a great club, well designed, very interesting interior, but is struggling to find a modern voice. Worth a visit, at least to see what it looks like to spend millions on a new club. Oh and they do have the free pool downstairs!!
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