photo by Zeke Barbaro
Roast gods at Barrett’s Coffee not only sling the best brown in town, but feature it prominently at their satellite cafe, Double Trouble, the North Loop coffee shop with the best backyard in Austin. And while this is a bold ruling by us, the quality content that they host on their patio speaks for itself: Tarot Tuesgay, Mario Kart tourneys, Babe ATX Open Deck Femme and NB DJ night (a mouthful fo sho!), and more. Or, heck, maybe you just want a fresh morning cup with just the right amount of sunshine peeking through the trees. Oh, us? We’re just over here crushing orders of vegan flautas and a half-dozen frozen cocktails while listening to the grackles fight.
Double Trouble
103 E. North Loop
512/270-1955
www.instagram.com/doubletrouble.atx
view this award on its own page ›
Vanessa Vaught’s two-stepping lessons are the portal you pass through to be inducted into South Austin's thriving country scene. Anyone who has felt intimidated by the whirling dance floor at Sagebrush or Sam’s Town Point is guaranteed to melt their fears away by attending one of her weekly beginner lessons. Vaught’s approachable and concise teaching style, combined with her handy Instagram calendar of country music to dance to each night around town, has made her a mainstay of the scene, symbiotic with the musicians. Once you've gotten your sea legs, you can move on to intermediate or advanced classes, take a private lesson, and bust a move at any honky-tonk with confidence.
www.doubleornothingtwostep.com
view this award on its own page ›
via Facebook
photo by Jana Birchum
When the Spider House Cafe closed in 2020, Tweedy’s rose from its ashes. Decorated with vintage concert posters and twinkling Christmas lights, the revived dive bar revels in its dark (literally) rock & roll atmosphere. Enjoy a casual night out with the revolving rotation of punk and New Wave and a wide selection of cocktails and draft beers to choose from. The spacious outdoor patio is the ideal spot for socializing and smoke breaks, while the Counter Culture on-site food truck and arms-length-away Zucchini Kill Bakery make for optimal late-night munchies.
Tweedy's
2908 Fruth
www.instagram.com/tweedysbar
view this award on its own page ›
Actor, model, spiritual guide, event producer, and drag queen: Vida Santina can pretty much do it all, and that includes emceeing the always-fun monthly lotería night at Revival Coffee. Santina entertains her guests with jokes and lip-synching and bouncing off special guest performers, such as Cynthia Lee Fontaine from RuPaul's Drag Race. Want to take a breather? Peruse the wares from new partner La Cooltura Market and sample the eats from on-site food truck Pinches Tacos. A celebration of queer and Latino culture, Lotería With Santina is a win.
view this award on its own page ›
Photo by Jesus Luevano
photo by James Renovitch
It's fitting that this illuminated shrine to "old" Austin is halfway between the heart of the city and Elon Musk's Gigafactory. The premise of the bar smacks of manufactured nostalgia, and at first glance, it's hard not to wince at the walls, chockablock with signage from beloved local haunts, past and present. However, bring a few friends, have a seat, and let the reminiscing begin. It's impossible to avoid and undeniably pleasant. Also, if the lights get too bright, and you hunger for something a bit more "authentic," there's a convenient path that leads right to Donn's BBQ.
Sign Bar
9909 FM 969 Bldg. 3
www.signbartexas.com
view this award on its own page ›
From poetry readings to burlesque, the Cathedral ATX has become one of Austin's most fascinating venues. From the outside looking in, it's innocent enough. Carved from the sacred bones of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, it now acts as an art gallery-slash-shared workspace for artists and their ilk by day. Then when night falls, it transforms into something unholy. While all the good boys and girls flavor their lips with whispered prayers before bedtime, the patrons of Cathedral ATX sip stronger spirits, appreciating art from local woman-identified masterminds and taking in the sights and sounds of a night-tipsy Austin.
The Cathedral
2403 E. 16th
www.thecathedralatx.com
view this award on its own page ›
photo by Chris Tyre
photo by Lauren Johnson
Like dead babies? They’ve got ’em! Well, their likeness at least. There are so many creepy baby dolls hanging above your head at Mama Dearest that we would not venture to count them. There are other eerie dead things to take in – think Norman Bates’ office meets Leatherface’s cocktail lounge – but the baby dolls are so prominent that the bar has been forced to lay down the law for patrons. “Mama’s Rule: Don't Fuck the Dolls.” Fear not: If you’re looking for dead things you can put in your mouth, the food truck serves chicken and beef.
Mama Dearest
515 Pedernales St.
www.instagram.com/mamadearestatx
view this award on its own page ›
“Best New Brewery” is a coveted title in the craft beer industrial complex and no amount of coaxing from my editor could entice me to change the title of this here award to something “more interesting” or that has “something, anything to do with Nightlife” because dangit, “BEST” and “NEW” and “BREWERY” are three words that any plucky upstart beer maker gets a shot at but once in its entire lifetime! Prost Alehouse is kicking so much ass tonnage with their turn-of-the-century, two-story brick masterpiece that overlooks a charming small-town main street that Texas is so famous for. This Pflugerville outfit is brewing a variety of inspiring lagers and delicious ales and is unafraid to take a schwarzbier into the summer season. We love that for us. They also host a banger of a Mexican hamburguesa truck in their courtyard that we fuck with. (Ed. note: All of which you can enjoy ... at night.) So, yeah, they’re getting the most basic, yet most alluring award title we dole out because they’re those three things: “Best New Brewery.”
Prost Alehouse
115 E. Main St.
Pflugerville
www.prostalehouse.com
view this award on its own page ›
courtesy of Prost Alehouse
via Facebook
Some smart scientists say fire is what made us human. So imagine being tipsy outside, listening to a live local band, and gobbling up a fat fried-chicken sammy without a fire. The inhumanity! Luckily, Armadillo Den gets it. They're not the only watering hole in Austin that prioritizes the pyromanics among us, but between the quality and quantity of their firepits, they're at the top of the flame game. And if you can't find a seat near the flames, they've thoughtfully distributed hardy blankets around the whole joint so you can stay warm while you wait for a spot to open up.
Armadillo Den
10106 Menchaca Rd.
www.armadillodenaustin.com
view this award on its own page ›
Long Play Lounge not only boasts the sexiest selection of wax on tap, but also hosts a heck of a fun bingo night brought to the folx of Crestview and Highland by Bat City Bingo each Tuesday night. Free to play, provided you’re 18+, the prizes range from records to clothing to plants to books, and a new game starts each half hour between 7pm and 9pm. Grab a partner and a cocktail, then bingo-up with all the other flirty bingoheads waiting for the best call of the night: O-69.
www.instagram.com/batcitybingo
view this award on its own page ›
via Instagram
Photo by Dani Parsons
Tucked in a quiet Brentwood block, you'll find the Violet Crown, a sunny and airy destination for wine aficionados and newbies alike. Owners Grant Richardson and Chris Nagelhout focus their list on natural wines, which they source from all over the world. Their staff knows these wines inside and out and lends their expertise in a way that feels genuine and friendly rather than know-it-all-ish. Tell your bartender which wines you generally prefer, let them choose an ideal low-intervention bottle for you, and enjoy Violet Crown's serene vibes and excellent cheese and charcuterie selection.
The Violet Crown
7100 Woodrow
www.thevioletcrownatx.com
view this award on its own page ›
It ain’t saying much, and yet, it really, really is. In a pissy pinch, there’s probably no better place to relieve yourself on Dirty Sixth than San Jac Saloon. These guys have toilet paper. We repeat: There is toilet paper. Pee on the seat? Not usually! The doors close properly. The sinks work well. And crucially, the lighting is bright – a good indication they have nothing to hide. Women love giving compliments and spilling the beans in bathrooms, but when you’re hurrying to escape your own gag reflex on Dirty Sixth, it’s hard to connect. Now here’s a watering hole you can actually make friends in.
San Jac Saloon
300 E. Sixth
512/431-1491
www.sanjacsaloon.com
view this award on its own page ›
