Here's a look at new Austin eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces for all types of summer entertaining and events. The new and renovated Austin venues are available for corporate parties, fund-raisers, outdoor events, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, weddings, and more.
The Sydell Group transformed the former Radisson Hotel into the stylish Line Austin Hotel, which opened downtown in early June. Overlooking Lady Bird Lake, the 428-room property has 20,000 square feet of event space and an upgraded pool. The largest event space is the Onyx Ballroom, which offers 6,000 square feet and floor-to-ceiling windows. There is also an intimate screening room, as well as rentable kitchen space for dinners, tastings, and cooking demonstrations. The flagship restaurant, Arlo Grey, is courtesy of Top Chef winner Kristen Kish, and the hotel is also home to Austin’s first location of the Los Angeles-based Alfred coffee shop. Still to come are two restaurants, one on the rooftop and the other a casual burger and beer spot on the ground floor. This is the group’s third hotel after Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The stylish crafting space Upstairs Circus opened its first Texas location in late spring, complete with a full cocktail bar. The project menu features leatherworking, woodworking, jewelry making, and more activities suited for events such as teambuilding activities and bachelorette parties. Instead of classes, the venue allows customers to work at their own pace with staff at hand for assistance. The space accepts bookings for groups or is available for buyouts. It seats 80 or holds 125 guests for indoor receptions or larger groups when the patio is used. In total, the indoor and outdoor spaces cover 2,100 square feet.
Spin, the ping-pong restaurant and bar with locations nationwide, debuted in Austin in late May. The downtown space spans 9,000 square feet with 14 Olympic-style ping-pong tables. At the center of the massive open room is the center court with stadium-style seating. Tucked to the side is a small patio with a ping-pong table and a private room with musical icon murals. The menu offers Austin-specific cocktails and dishes such as Pork Jack tacos and the Muddy Waters drink.
James Beard-nominated chef Bryce Gilmore opened Sour Duck Market, his third Austin restaurant, in early May. The concept functions as multiple spaces in one location. There’s the market serving up loaves of freshly baked breads and pastries, as well as to-go meals and retail flour. There's the restaurant with an all-day menu focused on casual Texas fare and smoked meats. The bar and beer garden feature draft cocktails. Communal tables and television screens are everywhere, and there are two separate indoor spaces with air-conditioning.
Rosewood has brought South Texas cuisine to East Austin since mid-May. The remodeled Victorian home features a variety of rooms, including the eight-seat bar, dining room with 12 tables, private dining room for 10 guests, and front outdoor porch. The open kitchen features the seven-person Chef’s Counter.
Austin’s popular New York-style pizzeria Home Slice opened its second location in the North Loop neighborhood in late May. Unlike the original Home Slice, the new restaurant’s space features both dine-in and take-out menus. The space’s eclectic 1970s- and 1980s-inspired decor features chandeliers made with grape swag light fixtures, brass peacock screens, red upholstered booths and banquettes, and vintage gilt mirrors. There’s a patio as well, both indoor and outdoor bar seating, and a quirky outdoor play area with hilly AstroTurf and tunnels. Along with the concept's beloved pizza and subs, the new restaurant includes its first full bar with cocktails.
Owners of one of Austin’s favorite barbecue restaurants, Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, opened a new restaurant out in Dripping Springs in mid-June. The Switch focuses on smoked meats and Cajun cuisine, delivered counter-service-style. The sprawling farmhouse-inspired space, measuring 5,600 square feet inside and 2,500 square feet outside, features bar seating, covered outdoor seating, and a private dining room that fits 100 people. Overall, the space holds 250 people.
Lin Asian Bar brought Chinese food and dim sum to Austin in late spring. The menu features noodle dishes, meat entrees, and giant seafood soup dumplings. The stylish house features a patio with a ceiling of red lanterns, an indoor dim sum bar, and a private dining room for eight people.
Wanderlust opened its second Austin studio up in the Domain in early July. Yoga classes range from beginner to power classes. For private events, there are two rooms available, as well as the front lobby, which includes a bar area and lounge. Special to this location is the first branch of South Carolina-based Southern Pressed Juicery, featuring juices, smoothies, and breakfast bowls, as well as catering for rentals.
Crafting and art studio Crafts & Drafts opened in Austin in mid-June, boasting of crafting classes and B.Y.O.B. event space. Classes are offered in the evenings and weekends, covering specialities such as making jewelry, wood-burning, nail-string art, and pipe lamps. During the daytime, the venue is available as an event space, suitable for meetings, workshops, or trainings. There is a refreshment station available with non-alcoholic drinks and cookies or doughnuts. The space includes Wi-Fi, whiteboards, and chalkboards.
