Let’s mock n’ roll 🥂

The W Hotel is offering two new zero-proof for Dry January. | Photo courtesy W Hotel Austin.

Whether or not you’re participating in Dry January — or “DIY January,” for that matter — knowing a spot with a great mocktail is always a handy trick to have up your sleeve.

If you’re looking for place to visit with an alcohol-free friend, trying to go light on the booze after the holidays, or just hankering for a delicious and refreshing drink, here are five places to try in Austin.

Note: We asked our readers for recommendations, too — their suggestions are marked with a 🍹.

🍹 High Noon | 2000 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Order a booze-free drink at this funky, retro-styled bar and relax on the back patio. Pro tip: Save some room for tacos and flautas from Texsueño, a food truck that often parks out front. You won’t regret it.

Hillside Farmacy | 1209 E. 11th St.
Add CBD to your mocktail for an extra relaxing meal.
Try This: The Pickpocket, featuring strawberry, basil, and balsamic

Vinaigrette | 2201 College Ave.
Take your pick from this healthy restaurant’s list of sodas, tinctures, tonics, and teas.
Try This: The Earth Bite, featuring red beet, ginger, pineapple, lime, bitters, and soda

Two drinks and a plate of food on a table — Vinaigrette offers a range of health-centered mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.

🍹 Yard Bar | 6700 Burnet Rd.
Both you and your pup will have a barking good time at this northside space — all mocktails are made with Seedlip Non-Acoholic Spirits.
Try This: The Afternoon Delight, featuring Seedlip Garden, Grapefruit Juice, and Cucumber Mint Syrup

W Austin | 200 Lavaca St.
This swanky downtown hotel is offering two brand new, zero-proof cocktails this January. Try the Hibiscus Jasmine Green Tea or A New Leaf, which is made with Lyre’s botanical syrup, lemon and cranberry juice, simple syrup, and elderflower tonic.

Don’t stop sipping yet — we have seven more spots to try, at the button below.

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Jan. 6

Austin Home + Garden Show | Friday, Jan. 6-Sunday, Jan. 8 | 12-8 p.m. | Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | $8-$10 | Shop for home-related projects, brainstorm new ideas, and get inspiration from displays at this three-day expo.
Paranormal Cirque | Friday, Jan. 6-Monday, Jan. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Barton Creek Square, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin | $20-$50 | Prepare to be wowed at this show combining theatre, circus, and cabaret with a European-style flare.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Jackie Venson with Kydd Jones | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 8 p.m. | Antone’s Nightclub, 305 E. 5th St., Austin | $20 | Dance to tunes from the Austin-based R&B artist.
Free Week: Alexalone, The Stacks, Harry & Emmy | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 8 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | Free | See these artists for free as part of the annual downtown music festival.
Booka Shade | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 10 p.m. | The Concourse Project, 8509 Burleson Rd., Bldg. 1, Austin | $20-$1,500 | This German duo is known for house music with a signature Frankfurt sound.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Telecom | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $10 | About You and Hot Cakes will perform alongside indie-rock artist Telecom.

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

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

75º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Eat

James Beard Award-winning Chef Edgar Rico is opening a new tasting menu concept called Flor Xakali, next door to his East Austin restaurant Nixta Taqueria. Rico and his partner Sara Mardanbigi also have plans to begin selling tortillas wholesale and retail this year. 🌮 (Austin American-Statesman)

Coming Soon

Every day can be a Holiday at this new cocktail bar opening soon at 5020 E. 7th St. Founded by experts behind Olamaie, L’Oca d’Oro and Kinda Tropical, the space will serve up a rotating menu focused on agave, amaro, and gin. (Eater Austin)
Pizzeria Grata, a wood-fired pizza place currently based out of a South Austin gas station, is moving to the former Gourdough’s Public House building at 2700 S. Lamar Blvd. The restaurant will open in the new space next month, and also serve breakfast and coffee. 🍕 (Austin Chronicle)

Sports

Austin FC II — Austin FC’s new MLS NEXT Pro team — announced the signing of its first three players yesterday: midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga, winger David Rodríguez, and fullback Cheick Touré. ⚽️

History

Austin’s O. Henry Museum is open again after a years-long renovation. Stop by the author’s former home from Wednesday-Sunday to learn more about his legacy.

Ranked

According to a report from the Inspection Support Network, Austin’s metropolitan area is growing at the fastest rate in the nation, with a population change of 14.1% between 2016 to 2021. Wondering how this could impact the area’s housing market? Read our 2023 predictions for Austin real estate. 📈

Plan Ahead

Superstar singer-songwriter Sam Smith is performing at Austin’s Moody Center for his “GLORIA” tour on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Tickets for the show, to be opened by Canadian artist Jessie Reyez, will go on sale Friday, Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. 🎶
Lyle Lovett, Asleep at the Wheel, and Jack Ingram are slated to play at next month’s Imagine Muny II gala, which is raising money for the Lions Municipal Golf Course. Last year’s inaugural event raised $800,000 — get tickets. (Austin American-Statesman)

Outdoors

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is honoring Texas’ state parks with a new exhibit opening tomorrow, Jan. 7. Dozens of Texas artists created works for the exhibition, which honors 100 years of the state’s park system. 🌳 (CultureMap Austin)

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Hearing from local leaders

12 interviews with Austinites who are changing the world

A graphic of a search bar reading "Who should we interview in 2023?"

Let us know which Austinites you want to hear from this year. | Graphic by ATXtoday

We’ve got questions — but luckily for us, Austinites have the answers.

In 2022, we interviewed 12+ local news-makers for our Q+A series and learned a lot about our fair city. Here are some of our favorites:

Brian Batch | The founder of Bird Bird Biscuit, which was named the No. 5 best place to eat in America last year, dishes out his secrets to becoming the “biscuit whisperer.”

Angel Flores | The “Queer Eye” star, powerlifter, and transgender rights advocate is working to help Austinites grow stronger, physically and emotionally.

Kenny Vaccaro | Vaccaro may have retired from the NFL, but he’s keeping busy running a new eSports company, clothing line, and high-end gym on South Congress.

Don’t worry, we’re not done asking questions yet. We have some exciting new interviews already in the pipeline for 2023.

Click the button below to send us your recommendations and read nine more of our favorite interviews.

9 MORE CHANGEMAKERS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: Thanks to everyone who filled out our Dry January poll and sent us recommendations for local spots with non-alcoholic drinks. As it turns out, almost half (49%) of you are participating this year — 38% of our readers said they won’t be doing Dry January, and 12% said they were still deciding.

Sending a special shoutout to the reader who shared their go-to drink recipe: a mix of Dr. Pepper and Pepsi. I gotta try that one.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Freshen up your social media feed with these 20 must-follow local accounts.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

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