10 New Venues in Austin for Fall Meetings and Events

A new “American-Texas” restaurant, BackYard at Waller Creek at Sheraton Austin Hotel, opened in June. Combining regional Texas cuisine with general contemporary American fare, the menu includes dishes such as chorizo and pepper jack grits cake Benedict, pork chops with sweet potato hash, and tacos, along with cocktails and tequila flights. The over 6,000-square-foot outdoor space includes a beer garden and auditorium-style seating, as well as a separate kitchen and full bar in an Airstream. The al fresco area holds 300 seated guests or as many as 500 standing.

Austin proper is getting its first whiskey distillery with Still Austin Whiskey, which will open in September. Visible within the Yard—a growing creative development in South Austin—by the prominent 50-foot whiskey tower, the distillery features a tasting room that offers whiskey classes with free tastings. Guests will be able to purchase whiskey flights and cocktails from the tasting bar. There is also the Whiskey Garden, a patio outfitted with picnic tables and a food truck. That space, which fits 40 standing guests, hosts events from live music to yoga to dinners. The interior space, where the tasting room is 1,500 square feet, fits approximately 80 standing guests. Adjacent to the distillery is an additional 3,000 square feet of event space, which has audiovisual capabilities.

Fairmont Austin will become Austin’s largest downtown hotel when it opens in September. The 1,048-room property is next door to the Austin Convention Center, which connects to the hotel via the Red River Canopy Walk, a suspended walkway between the two facilities. The new Fairmont features 128,815 square feet of event space, including the 26,082-square-foot Congressional Ballroom, which fits as many as 2,430 theater-style or 1,200 classroom-style; it offers city views. On the seventh floor is event area Palm Park, which has large glass doors leading to the pool terrace, which accommodates 1,000 standing guests across 13,410 square feet. The outdoor area also includes a separate roof deck pool as well as five restaurants and bars serving steaks, beer, pastries, and more.

Holy Roller became downtown Austin’s newest funky all-day diner—with a focus on comfort foods, baked goods, and cocktails from chef Callie Speer—when it opened in July. Mixed seating options include sofas in the lounge area and banquettes in the back room. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant accommodates 220 standing or 66 seated, plus there are 24 bar seats. The semiprivate dining area in the back fits as many as 40 guests; it’s separated from the rest of the eatery with a velvet curtain.

Nickel City, which opened in July in East Austin, pays equal attention to cocktails, beers, shots, wine, and frozen cocktails. The approximately 1,650-square-foot space includes banquettes and bar seating, as well as a small narrow patio, which fits 89 standing. The on-site food truck Delray Cafe, from the people behind popular pizza spot Via 313, serves up Detroit-inspired dishes like chili-topped hot dogs and sliders. The back features a pop-up bar space called Cash Bar, which hosts traveling guest bartenders for single-evening events. 

Austin restaurant Contigo opened Contigo Ranch in June. The Hill Country property features event space, lodging, and outdoor areas; it holds as many as 350. The Event Hall includes a full kitchen, a fire pit, and television and audiovisual capabilities. The 6,000-square-foot venue includes 3,400 square feet of indoor space and a 2,600-square-foot covered patio. There are 10 renovated guest cottages that are available for rentals as well as for overnight events or regular hotel seekers.

Serving upscale Mexican fare, downtown restaurant ATX Cocina debuted in July with a focus on housemade ingredients, especially masa. The 6,077-square-foot restaurant seats 220 and includes two bars—including one dedicated to crudo—plus a wine table, chef’s table, open kitchen, communal tables, and nooks for smaller groups. There are multiple areas that can be converted into private dining spaces. Outside are two patios: The front is 383 square feet, and the back is 1,692 square feet and features oak trees. 

DK Maria’s Legendary Tex-Mex, which opened in June, features 6,000 square feet of bright and colorful space and holds as many as 200 seated. The menu focuses on Tex-Mex fare and margaritas. The “legendary” section draws inspiration from historical recipes. Private dining can be arranged in the Flag Room, which accommodates 65 people. It offers audiovisual and Wi-Fi capabilities, as well as a drop-down screen. 

South Austin’s Juliet Ristorante underwent a menu and design overhaul in July that resulted in a name change to Juliet Italian Kitchen. Cuisine switched from modern Italian to Italian-American food served in a bright and colorful space. The Cantania Room, in the back of the restaurant, can be converted into a private dining room and now features banquettes instead of booths. It accommodates as many as 44 seated. Fabric panels contain sound, and there is an audiovisual cabinet with a television screen. The entire restaurant holds as many as 300 standing guess, inside and out.

Classic French fare will come to downtown Austin in September when Le Politique opens. The brasserie, bakery, coffee shop, and raw bar will serve lunch, brunch, and dinner in a 6,000-square-foot space that features 131 seats throughout the dining room and bar/lounge areas. Additionally, the 2,400-square-foot wraparound patio holds 110 seated.