How to get into downtown Austin speakeasies

Three cocktails lined up on a table at Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy is one of City Editor London’s favorite places to take out-of-town visitors. | Photo by @sippinprettysa

Punch in the secret code. Ring the buzzer for Harry Craddock. Sneak in through the door disguised as a bookshelf.

Follow these steps, and you’ll find yourself inside one — or many — of Austin’s most exclusive, most reputed, most secluded speakeasies.

Not sure where to start? Here’s how to get into four covert bars in Austin.

Midnight Cowboy | 313 E. 6th St.
This prohibition-themed cocktail bar was a working brothel until 2011, masquerading as Midnight Cowboy Modeling Oriental Massage. The space leans into its tawdry history, maintaining its old sign out front.
How to get in: Make a reservation online + ring the buzzer marked “Harry Craddock” to earn entry. No reservation? You might be able to sneak a spot on the back patio, if the red light out front is turned on.

Firehouse Lounge | 605 Brazos St.
This secret bar in a former fire station is a well-known local favorite, and is hidden behind a sliding bookshelf in the lobby of the Firehouse Hostel.
How to get in: Slide the bookshelf aside from Wednesday-Sunday — spaces are first-come, first-served.

The Floppy Disk Repair Co. storefront at nighttime — City Editor London’s experience at the horror-themed Floppy Disk Repair Co. was spooky but delicious.

Floppy Disk Repair Co. | 119 E. 5th St.
The website for this horror-inspired downtown speakeasy, also known as Red Headed Stepchild, earnestly ensures visitors that it’s a full-service floppy disk repair company + suggests making an appointment by telephone — only to inform them there is no number to call.
How to get in: Input the code (which changes frequently) on the unmarked door out front. To get the code, you may be able to swing a spot on the bar’s distribution list — or steal it from a fellow visitor waiting in line out front.

Garage | 503 Colorado St.
That’s one way to get real estate downtown. Aptly named, this cozy speakeasy is tucked away deep inside a parking garage.
How to get in: Enter the parking garage on Colorado Street, veer left, and follow the sign for “cocktails.”

These may be speakeasies, but there's no need to keep them secret. Use the buttons below to share these secluded spots with friends.

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Today

Watercolor Basics and Beyond | Mon., Sept. 12 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | $239 | This seven-class series, which takes place on Mondays throughout the fall, will teach you how to paint like a pro — all levels are welcome. 🎨
Will Southern | Mon., Sept. 12 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | San Jac Saloon | Free | Tune into Southern’s country + hillbilly-style music.

Tuesday

HAAM Day | Tues., Sept. 13 | Times vary | Locations vary | Free | Join in on 200+ free concerts around Austin to participate in this fundraising event for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
Iron Maiden | Tues., Sept. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Moody Center | $89.50+ | The iconic rock band brings its “Legacy of the Beast” world tour to ATX.

Wednesday

“The Inheritance,” Pt. 2 | Wed., Sept. 14-Sun., Oct. 9 | Times vary | ZACH Theatre | $25+ | If you saw the first part of this Tony-winning play based on E.M. Forster’s work, now’s your chance to see the ending. 🎭
Ben Sollee | Wed., Sept. 14 | 8 p.m. | 3TEN at ACL Live | $20+ | The Kentucky-born cellist has an Emmy Award + six studio records. 🎻

Thursday

Rufus Wainwright | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $83+ | The iconic songwriter just released his latest album, “Unfollow the Rules.”
CAM | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 6 p.m. | Historic Scoot Inn | $25+ | CAM will be joined by Amythyst Kiah on this stop of “The Otherside Tour.”

Friday

Texas Volleyball vs. High Point | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | Gregory Gym | $12+ | Cheer on the Longhorns as they take on the North Carolina team. 🏐

Plan Ahead

Harry Styles | Mon., Sept. 26 | 8 p.m. | Moody Center*
Amy Schumer | Sat., Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

93º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain 🌤

Sports

It wasn’t a loss — not entirely, at least. Texas football lost to No. 1 Alabama 20-19 Saturday, but the game became the most-streamed regular season game in Fox Sports history, brought record-breaking attendance + helped the Longhorns move up to a No. 21 spot nationally. 🏈 (Austin American-Statesman + KXAN)

Coming Soon

A New York developer announced plans to build two office buildings on Lady Bird Lake’s south shore by 2025. One tower will be built on Barton Springs Road and rise 15 stories, while the other, a five-story tower, is planned for South Congress Avenue. 🏗 (Austin American-Statesman)

Development

Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink is in the process of constructing a multi-building facility near Del Valle. The property, about 20 minutes from the Tesla Gigafactory, is set to contain 86,000+ sqft of lab and office space. 🧠 (Austin American-Statesman)
The Borden Dairy Company site in East Austin may soon be transformed into a mixed-use development featuring a hotel, offices, and retail + residential space. The proposal is currently under review by the City of Austin. (Austin Towers)

Real Estate

A new ultra-luxury development in West Lake Hills will contain homes designed by local, high-end architecture firms. Home prices for the Wildcat Club begin at $11.75 million, and the largest property includes an elevator, spa, and three second-floor patios. 🏘 (Austin Business Journal)

Opening

Mexican restaurant Masa Y Más is opening at 1817 S. Lamar Blvd. this fall. The counter service space will serve up tacos, tortas, birria, and handmade tortillas. 🌮 (Eater Austin)
Just down the road, Australian breakfast restaurant Proud Mary is also setting up shop on South Lamar. The new location, which opens this week, features a cafe menu + morning cocktails and a coffee bar. (Eater Austin)

Award

T3 Founder Gay Gaddis will be honored with the Legacy Award at the Austin Business Journal’s 2022 Best CEO Awards. Learn more about Gaddis’ career in ATX’s advertising scene. 🏆 (Austin Business Journal)

Plan Ahead

“Belonging,” an aerial dance show on the side of a parking garage, is coming to Seaholm District Plaza this week. Get tickets to see the performance, which features dancing, acrobatics on power plant stacks, and light projections.

Sports

Are you a Chicago Bears fan in need of an Austin game-day crew? Check out this list of 18 team-specific groups for watching NFL games in ATX. 🏈 (CBS Austin)

Biz

ICYMI, registration is open for Playbook 2022. The virtual conference is geared toward small businesses to help them learn how to lead, manage, systemize, and scale effectively. Bonus: It’s free. Secure your spot.*

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Arts

Like 28,000 glowing wildflowers ✨

The Field of Light art installation uses solar power and fiber optics to illuminate 28,000 glowing orbs. | Photo by ATXtoday

The Field of Light, an art installation featuring 28,000 neon-bright glowing orbs, is now open at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

The installation by artist Bruce Munro is meant to celebrate the landscape + highlight the intersection of art, technology, and nature.

Using solar power and fiber optics (thin, flexible strands of glass that transmit light), the glowing orbs slowly fade in and out of range of colors. Walking paths weave through the 16-acre installation, offering visitors several up-close views of the magical scene.

🌅 Pro tip: We were lucky enough to check out the Field of Light in person last week. We highly suggest arriving at sunset, in order to watch the lights slowly illuminate against an orange sky.

Get your tickets here.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: I’ve been reading about Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Austin in 1991. Did you know she was the first — and currently, the only — British monarch to ever set foot on Texas soil? Learn more about her trip here.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Apparently not everything is bigger in Texas.

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