Austin vacation....finally!

LeftyJack · #1 09-22-2006, 10:37 AM

It seems like it's taken forever but from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7 my wife and I will be in Austin on vacaction.

I know that there are a number of TBer's from the Austin area (Hi Cherie) and any recommendations on clubs, eats, areas to avoid (made that mistake is St. Louis once), and possible get togethers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

txbasschik · #2 09-22-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftyJack

It seems like it's taken forever but from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7 my wife and I will be in Austin on vacaction.

I know that there are a number of TBer's from the Austin area (Hi Cherie) and any recommendations on clubs, eats, areas to avoid (made that mistake is St. Louis once), and possible get togethers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

YAY!!!

I'll gather some info for you this weekend. I have a gig on 10/6. Its a lovely time of year to visit here, too!

Cherie

LeftyJack · #3 09-22-2006, 12:25 PM

Thanks Cherie, I was hoping that you would be playing somewhere while we were in town! Look forward to hearing from you this weekend.

txbasschik · #4 09-22-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftyJack

Thanks Cherie, I was hoping that you would be playing somewhere while we were in town! Look forward to hearing from you this weekend.

Do you know yet where you are staying? That will help in recommending restaurants and clubs. Also, if you're downtown, there are lots of nice parks, hike/bike trails, etc.

My gig will be way out north. It takes about 45 minutes driving to get there from downtown. Its an old-school Texas ice house beer joint, and is the band's "home bar", so the crowd will be fun and lively. Like I say, its kinda far, but is easy to find -- no getting lost on back roads. There are three good places to eat in the immediate area, and if you come up early, you can get in some lake time. :-)

Looking forward to seeing you!

Cherie

LeftyJack · #5 09-22-2006, 12:39 PM

The first 3 nights we're staying at the new Convention Center Marriott downtown and the last 4 nights we're staying in Round Rock. Your Friday night show sounds great and we've put it on our "must do" while in town.

The only other thing that I have on our must do list is to get some "ink" added to my sleeve at a tattoo shop downtown that I found.

jimb213 · #6 09-22-2006, 01:06 PM

Visit Bass Emporium. Lotsa pretty basses, although not much in the way of lefty instruments...

Maudie's is my favorite tex-mex place. definitely hit it up, and order the Don Julio - a margarita with real fruit juices rather than a mix.

Z-Tejas is a great restaurant as well, and the Ancho Chili Pie is an excellent dessert! The Mojito is pretty good there, too.

Take a drive down loop 360 to see the pretty hills and awesome houses of west austin.

South Congress (just south of town lake) has lots of local-flavor shops. Sorta the center of the Keep Austin Weird movement.

Avoid 6th Street at night. It's not the music mecca it was even a decade ago, much less the 70's and 80's when it got its reputation. It's ghetto and trashy now, with the exception of 1 or 2 clubs. It's where college students with fake IDs go to get hammered and laid.

The Red River District has a decent number of venues for metal, punk and indie rock, if that's what you're into.

The Warehouse District is more up-scale and adult oriented. Nicer clubs and restaurants, fewer annoying college kids. (I sound like an old fuddy-duddy and I'm only 27!!) But I generally prefer relaxing with a few friends and 2 or 3 good drinks than raising hell with ten 50 cent well drinks.

There's tons of outdoor stuff to do. Hike up the cliffs by the 360 bridge to watch the sunset over Lake Austin, or eat dinner at the Oasis (around the corner from my apartment!) to watch the sunset over Lake Travis (yes, there are 3 lakes in the austin area!). Tons of parks, hike & bike trails, barton creek, barton springs, lakes, etc.

As far as music goes, you'll have a hard time going wrong with Antone's. Fastball (had a big hit a few years ago called The Way) is playing there on 9/30, the day y'all get in. Stubb's probably has some good music, too. And Emo's is the place to go for punk & indie. The Red Eyed Fly has lots of local music, but it can be really hit or miss. I've seen great bands and terrible bands there. check auschron.com for music listings, and the tb'ers around here can probably send you in the right direction.

As far as places to avoid... I dunno how much there is to see in East Austin, east of IH-35, but you won't get gunned down going over there or anything.

I'll stop here and let some other austin TBers chime in...

LeftyJack · #7 09-22-2006, 01:46 PM

Thanks jimb213, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. You Austin TBers are great. I am planning on going to the Bass Emporium, and you being a fellow lefty know not expect much on the way of lefthanded basses (of any quality) hanging on the wall of our favorite bass stores.

That's probably why we both have basses on order.

I'll check out some of your recommandations for sure! Thanks

txbasschik · #8 09-22-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftyJack

Thanks jimb213, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. You Austin TBers are great. I am planning on going to the Bass Emporium, and you being a fellow lefty know not expect much on the way of lefthanded basses (of any quality) hanging on the wall of our favorite bass stores.

That's probably why we both have basses on order.

I'll check out some of your recommandations for sure! Thanks

Nuno's is a great bar for the blues and Southern rock. They're on 6th...they're among the good 6th Street places. Just behind them is Lovejoy's. Wonderful pub, great vibe, and a lovely selection of beers. I always have a Sparky's Ale on draft when I go there.

Oh, and in the Warehouse District, check out Beerland. I've never heard a bad band in Beerland.

When you come to Larry's Lone Star, there'll be an ice cold beer waitin' on ya, on me. We can all get together early and have dinner at True Grits, if you like. Lovely food, there. Excellent "Texas home cookin'", with some more-upscale things, beautiful salads and veggie dishes, and merenge pies THIS TALL!!! Eat your Tex-Mex in Austin, but save your "this space reserved for chicken-fried steak" 'til you get to True Grits.

When you're on S. Congress, be sure and visit Lucy In Disguise. With Halloween just around the corner, they will have their coolest stuff on display for sale. They're an awesome vintage shop. Mick Jagger's bought stage clothes there. You can find really cool and unusual stage wear in that place.

Oh, and visit The Continental Club, too! That place is a true Austin institution. Wonderful place for rockabilly, alt-country, and other such. SCOTS plays there every time they come to town.

More when it occurs to me...

I'll also post the address for Larry's, so you can MapQuest it from Round Rock. True Grits is close by, on the same side of the road.

Oh! Nearly forgot...Mt. Bonnell. Its a large hill/small mountain overlooking Lake Austin. There are stairs cut into the rock. Quite a climb, but the view is well worth it.

Cherie

LeftyJack · #9 09-22-2006, 07:39 PM

Cherie,
We'll meet you for sure for dinner, just give us the time and address of True Grits, sounds awesome. My wife loves halloween so I know that we'll go to Lucy in Disguise. This is the kind of info that you can only get from true locals and it's priceless. The best way to discover a town or cities real flavor is to find out where the people who live there go, which is what my wife and I always try to do when we travel. All of this great info is going to keep me going this weekend when we have to work on Sat. & Sun. to get all of our jobs out for the coming week at our printing business. However, we are going to San Francisco tonight to see a fellow bass playing friend's first gig with his new band. It should be alot of fun, even though they go on at 11:00 p.m.

Thanks again!
John (alias Jack)

txbasschik · #10 09-23-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftyJack

Cherie,
We'll meet you for sure for dinner, just give us the time and address of True Grits, sounds awesome. My wife loves halloween so I know that we'll go to Lucy in Disguise. This is the kind of info that you can only get from true locals and it's priceless. The best way to discover a town or cities real flavor is to find out where the people who live there go, which is what my wife and I always try to do when we travel. All of this great info is going to keep me going this weekend when we have to work on Sat. & Sun. to get all of our jobs out for the coming week at our printing business. However, we are going to San Francisco tonight to see a fellow bass playing friend's first gig with his new band. It should be alot of fun, even though they go on at 11:00 p.m.

Thanks again!
John (alias Jack)

Your buddy goes on at 11? Oh hon, be sure and get your gig nap! (Late night gigs demand naps, first.)

That's one of the great things about the web...when you go to visit a city, you can ask people who live there, directly, where the good places are. So cool!

Your wife will LOVE Lucy's! I find a lot of cool stuff at the local Goodwills, too. There's a really good one on Lamar, just off 45th.

This time of year, they put out all their really cool stuff because of Halloween.

Let's see...

Avoid the 311 Club. It used to be a great blues venue. But the widow of the former owner, and her manager, have just driven the place into the ground. They won't treat bands right, so now, they have a hard time booking good ones.

Friends is a good blues place on 6th. Seen lots of good bands in there!

OK...food...

If you can get out southwest a lil ways, the Green Mesquite (http://www.greenmesquite.net/) has good food. I haven't been to Threadgill's (http://www.threadgills.com/, on Lamar) in a while, but I imagine they're still good. And The Magnolia Cafe is a *wonderful* place for breakfast. Their omelets alone are worth the visit. Juan In A Million (http://www.juaninamillion.com/) has awesome breakfast tacos.

Cherie

LeftyJack · #11 09-23-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

Your buddy goes on at 11? Oh hon, be sure and get your gig nap! (Late night gigs demand naps, first.)

That's one of the great things about the web...when you go to visit a city, you can ask people who live there, directly, where the good places are. So cool!

Your wife will LOVE Lucy's! I find a lot of cool stuff at the local Goodwills, too. There's a really good one on Lamar, just off 45th.

This time of year, they put out all their really cool stuff because of Halloween.

Let's see...

Avoid the 311 Club. It used to be a great blues venue. But the widow of the former owner, and her manager, have just driven the place into the ground. They won't treat bands right, so now, they have a hard time booking good ones.

Friends is a good blues place on 6th. Seen lots of good bands in there!

OK...food...

If you can get out southwest a lil ways, the Green Mesquite (http://www.greenmesquite.net/) has good food. I haven't been to Threadgill's (http://www.threadgills.com/, on Lamar) in a while, but I imagine they're still good. And The Magnolia Cafe is a *wonderful* place for breakfast. Their omelets alone are worth the visit. Juan In A Million (http://www.juaninamillion.com/) has awesome breakfast tacos.

Cherie

Thanks Cherie,
Last nights show was rockin', his band, Absinthe Boy, just killed everyone. Unfortunately they were the last band and didn't start until midnight! Got home at 2:00 A.M. and here I am at work wondering if I'm a little too old to be doing this late night stuff:hmm Not really, it was well worth it. I'll keep in touch before we hear out next Sat. Have a great weekend.
John

Spector_Ray · #12 09-23-2006, 06:53 PM

I know this is a small note, but if you have any respect at all for the blues, don't forget to visit the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue on Town Lake.

LeftyJack · #13 09-23-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

I know this is a small note, but if you have any respect at all for the blues, don't forget to visit the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue on Town Lake.

I live for the blues, thanks for the heads up. Picture proof of my visit to see SRV will posted when I return.

txbasschik · #14 09-24-2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

I know this is a small note, but if you have any respect at all for the blues, don't forget to visit the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue on Town Lake.

Definitely! That statue is wonderful.

Cherie

txbasschik · #15 09-24-2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftyJack

Thanks Cherie,
Last nights show was rockin', his band, Absinthe Boy, just killed everyone. Unfortunately they were the last band and didn't start until midnight! Got home at 2:00 A.M. and here I am at work wondering if I'm a little too old to be doing this late night stuff:hmm Not really, it was well worth it. I'll keep in touch before we hear out next Sat. Have a great weekend.
John

I'm glad they had a great show! A good show like that is worth staying up for.

I'll PM you our home phone number, and my hubbie's cell, so you can get ahold of us.

Cherie

kobass · #16 09-24-2006, 09:20 AM

Make sure you check out the "bat bridge."

Cheers,
Kevin

jimb213 · #17 09-24-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

Juan In A Million (http://www.juaninamillion.com/) has awesome breakfast tacos.

Cherie

THE DON JUAN!!!!!!

that was me & my college buddies' sunday morning/afternoon hangover cure. Two dollars and thirty seven cents for a giant pile of eggs, bacon or something (some kind of misc. pork product, I guess), potatoes, and cheese. Greasy and filling. So awesome.

Oh, and I have to mention my favorite bar/burger joint in town: Casino El Camino. It's pretty much the only reason I still go to 6th street. It's on 6th between Red River and Neches, the 2nd block from the highway. The burgers are the best I've ever had, no exaggeration, and the bartenders know how to take care of you, ifyouknowwhatimean...

LeftyJack · #18 09-24-2006, 09:54 PM

Hey thanks everyone, I've been working all weekend so we can get away next Saturday. It's going to be a heck of a week at work.

I'm so beat I haven't even touched my bass in 3 days. I really appreciate all of your recommendations and will try to do as many as we can. I'll look for your PM Cherie and will give you guys a call. You guys all rock! Keep the info coming, we'll need all the help we cna get. I gotta hit the sack, I can hardly even type....

txbasschik · #19 09-25-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobass

Make sure you check out the "bat bridge."

Cheers,
Kevin

Yep...the Congress Avenue bridge is the one. But the bats are fixing to be gone, so I hope there are still some there to see when he's here. They leave for Mexico in the fall, as soon as it starts to cool off and the mosquito population drops. Its already cooling off, so there might not be many bats left.

Cherie

txbasschik · #20 09-25-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimb213

THE DON JUAN!!!!!!

that was me & my college buddies' sunday morning/afternoon hangover cure. Two dollars and thirty seven cents for a giant pile of eggs, bacon or something (some kind of misc. pork product, I guess), potatoes, and cheese. Greasy and filling. So awesome.

Oh, and I have to mention my favorite bar/burger joint in town: Casino El Camino. It's pretty much the only reason I still go to 6th street. It's on 6th between Red River and Neches, the 2nd block from the highway. The burgers are the best I've ever had, no exaggeration, and the bartenders know how to take care of you, ifyouknowwhatimean...

Ahhhhh yes, the Don Juan! Sustenance for college kids and musicians for many years. Viva la Don Juan!

I LOVE Casino El Camino! They have the best juke box, ever. We like to go in there as a respite, to kick back and have a burger and a beer.

Cherie