Welcome to Austin, TX HOW Design Conference Attendees – June 24-27, 2009

Quick post – The HOW Design Conference is in town this week from June 24-27…  If you are attending the conference, please remember to pick-up a copy of the Austin Chronicle… A new edition will be available tomorrow and will provide the best listings of live music and all the clubs…  Also feel free to search this site for bar/live music/food recommendations, as well as a few other suggestions on enjoying your time in Austin, TX…  Again, welcome to Austin, TX… Be safe and have fun!

The Place to be this Weekend in Austin, TX – The Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally 2009 – June 11-14, 2009

Another special weekend in Austin, TX… The Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally 2009 comes to town June 11-14, 2009.  If you love the big bikes and live music head over the Travis County Expo Center for a great time…  To all the bikers in town, please have a great time in Austin, TX and ride safe… and to all my fellow local drivers, please drive extra safe around town these next few days, and be extra aware at all times of our cool biker visitors… We want everyone to have a great weekend…

A Great Way to Spend a Saturday Afternoon in Austin, TX

For the first time in several months we went to the Continental Club yesterday afternoon for the 3PM matinee show. Redd Volkaert usually plays these Saturday shows, but yesterday James Hand played. James sounds like the second coming of Hank Sr. – James is very smooth. We forgot how much fun these afternoons can be. If you are ever in Austin over a weekend (and have the time), please do yourself a big favor and go to the 3PM matinee show at least once. To do the matinee show well, you need to plan lunch and maybe dinner around the matinee show timeframe. It is always a good thing to establish a food base before drinking. The doors of the Continental Club open at 3PM and the band generally start at 3:30PM. The bands play until 6:30PM (sometimes 7PM), and take at least two breaks. If you need/want a seat, we recommend that you get to the club early (between 3PM-3:45). If you like standing, then when you arrive doesn’t matter so much. Also, if you like to dance the matinee show is made for you; all the bands play music that will allow you to have some fun. The club even has a big jug cooler of ice water at the end of the bar near the dance floor so after scooting and twirling, you can cool down without bugging the waitress or bartenders for water.

Again, we recommend eating before and/or after the show. There are at least eight-ten places to grab a bite to eat within easy walking and parking distance from the club. Here are links to several of the restaurants:

Doc’s Motorworks

Zen

Moved to 6th St El Sol y La Luna

Jo’s

Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar Mars

Guero’s

Home Slice Pizza

South Congress Cafe

Historically, we have gone to Home Slice Pizza for a pitcher of Lone Star and a couple of slices. It is so cool to sit at the bar (drinking and eating) watching the guys hand toss the pizza dough, and the guys working the big oven. Yesterday we started at Wahoo’s for cold drafts, queso, and guac, then on to Home Slice Pizza for a pitcher of beer and slices. Later, after the music, we went to Billy’s for a pitcher/burgers, sat on the deck to watch the game (UT – TXTech), and enjoyed the beautiful Austin evening… This was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon…

We hope this post is helpful, and if you’re ever in Austin over a weekend, you’ll give the matinee show a try…

As always, comments are welcome…