Here's a closer look at Austin's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated Austin venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Granduca Austin
Hotel Granduca, the West Lake Hill luxury hotel, is in the process of undergoing a property-wide renovation this fall following its grand opening in 2015. Eventgoers can expect a brand-new restaurant and bar, Laurel, which features a modern, coastal Italian Hill Country menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with 1,721 square feet of space and 263 square feet of private dining accommodations that can host up to 12. The forthcoming spa—which should open later this fall—will boast eight treatment rooms. And the 3,600-square-foot outdoor courtyard (pictured) can accommodate up to 200 in a space notable for its fireplace, fairy lights, and live greenery. Other meeting spaces range from 300-3,450 square feet for anywhere from 12-300 attendees. The lobby and pool areas are undergoing an update as well—the latter with pool cabanas, an alfresco fireplace, a poolside cafe, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Granduca Austin
Dante’s HiFi
Members-only hotel SoHo House Austin turned its existing pre-screening room into a new listening bar in August. Dante's HiFi is located within South Congress’s Music Lane development and is an expansion of the hotel brand’s Miami bar, which features a record bar, cocktails, and snacks in a lounge space. The 1,107-square-foot space, which fits 125 people, is decked out in a high-quality sound system built by Miami’s Soundlux Audio, including vintage Klipschorn speakers with custom crossovers and a vintage 1960s McIntosh MC 275 tube power amplifier. The private vinyl listening bar is currently accessible for SoHo members, their guests, and Dante’s HiFi members, who all have access to SoHo’s full catering menu. The space, which boasts its own entrance and private bathrooms, is also available for private events, ranging from cocktail receptions and panels to listening parties and dinners.
Photo: Cristina Fisher
The Moody Center
The University of Texas at Austin's new basketball arena and concert venue, The Moody Center, opened in April. There are several meeting spaces available throughout the 53,000-square-foot venue, which has a massive capacity of more than 15,000. The largest gathering space is the arena floor—perfect for concerts with various stage setups, seated dinners, trade shows, and receptions. With use of the arena floor comes access to an AV setup with large digital boards and sound/lighting equipment. There are also four premium indoor clubs, including the Germania Insurance Club, which features oak and mahogany details, and the Dell Technologies Club with interactive technology features. Meanwhile, the design for the Indeed Club is inspired by local music venues, while the Moët & Chandon Impérial Lounge features luxury plush seating. Outside is the Brown Distributing Texas Terrace and the Dell Technologies Plaza, both with views of the city that make for great settings in the background of activations or receptions. Catering throughout the arena is provided by OVG Hospitality, and there are specific loading docks—five for production purposes and two for food and beverage—as well as ample opportunities for digital signage.
Photo: Ryan Vestil
Max Headroom
Earlier this year, coffee shop and bar Spider House Cafe closed its doors, but kept its venue space, Spider House Ballroom. With it, the owners decided to debut Max Headroom in June, a new rentable speakeasy bar that revamped Spider House's old kitchen area. The space can accommodate 30-35 guests in a space noteworthy for its arcade games, lounge seating, and colorful lighting. Here, eventgoers will also have access to a private bartender and AV engineer, customizable lights, music with a full PA system, plus indoor and outdoor bars. For foodie groups, there’s also access to on-site food trucks.
Photo: Courtesy of Max Headroom
The Dirdie Birdie
The Dirdie Birdie is slated to open at The Domian in the coming weeks. The concept is an immersive miniature golf course designed by architecture firm Clayton Korte with vintage golf memorabilia. There will also be a full-service restaurant and bar helmed by local chef Nick Yanes, who's known for menus at Austin's Juniper, Verbena, and Uncle Nicky’s. The 9,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor course includes 12 holes and is available for groups large or small. Planners, rejoice: Some of the holes are customizable for branding decor.
Renderings Courtesy of The Dirdie Birdie
RR12 Supper Club
Out in the Hill Country, private-public restaurant RR12 Supper Club opened in Wimberley in July. The 2,300-square-foot restaurant's New American menu features starters such as seared scallops, imported burrata, and escargot en croute; with entree dishes spanning shellfish and caviar to pasta, wagyu beef cuts, and salad specialties. The restaurant is open only to private members on Tuesdays, but is open to the rest of the public for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, with brunch offered the last Sunday of every month. There’s also an indoor private dining room with a 20-person capacity and an 800-square-foot pavilion that can fit up to 100. The entire space is also available for private dining buyouts; inquire within for pricing.
Photo: Courtesy of RR12 Supper Club
Second Bar + Kitchen at East Austin Hotel
In September, the East Austin Hotel replaced its original restaurant, Sixth and Waller, as well as its bars, the Upside and Pool Bar, with sibling restaurant Second Bar + Kitchen. The New American restaurant is serving food and drink throughout the 75-key hotel, including room service and banquet dining. The 4,000-square-foot Second Bar + Kitchen also boasts a projector with AV capabilities, floor-to-ceiling windows with a wraparound patio, and a 1,765-square-foot rooftop, which can accommodate up to 75 for an outdoor affair. While the weather is still warm, an adjacent pool deck spans 2,900 square feet for a pool party of up to 200.
Photo: Courtesy of Second Bar + Kitchen
Hi Sign Brewing Company
Austin brewery Hi Sign Brewing Company relocated into a larger space in July. The 13,000-square-foot venue is a blank canvas for event planners scouting a space for imbibers to enjoy pints or pitchers of lagers, ales, and IPAs. (Don't worry, there's wine, cocktails, coffee, and alcohol-free beverages available too). Also on-site, Hi Sign boasts a taproom, brewery production, and outdoor areas with a food truck outside courtesy of Burro Cheese Kitchen. Here, find grilled cheese sandwiches—a perfect beer pairing.
Photo: Jane Yun
Electric Shuffle
London hi-tech shuffleboard bar and restaurant Electric Shuffle is opening a location in Austin later this October. The 7,100-square-foot space has capacities for groups of 15-250 with 10 electric shuffleboard tables, access to food and cocktails packages, AV capabilities, and a private DJ. Naturally, the bar will feature the classic shuffleboard tabletop game, but levels it up with tech (expect interactive elements and a computer-tracking and -scoring system). Electric Shuffle also boasts a full restaurant and bar with classic cocktails and sharing plates that are quintessential to game play. (Think: burgers, fries, pizza, nachos, tacos, and more.)
Renderings Courtesy of Electric Shuffle
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
American comfort food restaurant and bar chain Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar opened its first Austin-area outpost in early September. Located in the Round Rock area, the kitchen serves up lunch, dinner, and brunch with a focus on Texan dishes, such as shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. The 7,950-square-foot space is available for buyouts; inquire within for pricing.
Photo: Courtesy of Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
