02.21.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🎳 Blast from the past

A brief history of Austin businesses from the past

A neon sign of a bowling ball and two bowling pins lit up at night. Underneath, a sign reads "Dart Bowl. Dart — Bowl — Cafe."

The business — and Highland Lanes — was co-owned by John Donovan, whose grandparents opened Dart Bowl. | Photo by Matthew Rutledge via OpenVerse

Just because Austinites have been complaining about the city changing for more than a century doesn’t mean we can’t be nostalgic from time to time.

We asked our readers to tell us which now-closed Austin businesses you miss the most. In remembrance of Austin’s past, we wanted to tell you a bit about some of them.

A billboard of Armadillo World Headquarters behind a stoplight, in front of "The Skating Palace" on a clear day. — Austinites can see memorabilia of Armadillo World Headquarters — along with many other now-closed Austin businesses — at Sign Bar, 9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3.
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Photo by Steve Hopson via OpenVerse

Armadillo World Headquarters | 1970-1981
This short-lived, well-loved venue is having a bit of a resurgence with Austin FC’s new kit, but the venue made cultural waves long before the MLS team came to town. The music hall featured shows of all genres, famously hosting acts including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Willie Nelson for crowds of ~1,500 people. When its lease expired, the venue closed down to make room for the One Texas Center, and the city of Austin dedicated a plaque in its place to memorialize the venue in 2006.

Dart Bowl | 1958-2020
For 62 years, Dart Bowl was one of Austin’s premier entertainment centers, known for its 32 bowling lanes, enchiladas, and cameo in Richard Linklater’s film “Boyhood.” Although Dart Bowl closed during the pandemic, you can still visit the Donovan family’s other pin palaces: Highland Lanes and Westgate Lanes.

The empty patio at Shady Grove, with a sign that reads "BEER" and a mural that reads "Visit friendly Shady Grove." — Shady Grove’s Barton Springs Road backyard still remains empty.
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Photo via KVUE

Shady Grove | 1992-2020
Just east of the original Chuy’s, this largely outdoor Tex-Mex restaurant was built around the quirky spirit of Austin. Shady Grove was a cozy place to sit down at a picnic table and chow down on a burger, enjoy live music as part of the Unplugged at the Grove series, and people watch along Barton Springs Road. The restaurant closed as a result of the pandemic and still remains empty.

Which businesses would you like to hear about next?

Feeling nostalgic?

Events

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Thai Rivera and Friends | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 10 p.m. | The Creek and The Cave, 611 E. 7th St., Austin | $15 | Laugh along with comedians from Austin and beyond at this stand-up show hosted by Thai Rivera.

Thursday, Feb. 22

Austin RV Expo | Thursday, Feb. 22-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | $6-$10 | Peruse 250,000+ sqft worth of trailers while listening to live music at Central Texas’ largest RV show.
Artist Talk with Lawrence Jolly | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 6 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | Free | Enjoy complimentary cocktails while learning more about Jolly’s exhibit.

Friday, Feb. 23

Full Moon Women’s Circle | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Casa De Luz, 1701 Toomey Rd., Austin | $35 | This monthly women’s circle includes a cup of ceremonial cacao, an hour-long breathwork practice, and the sharing of intentions.
“A Year With Frog and Toad” | Friday, Feb. 23-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $22-$38 | Kiddos will love this performance based on the beloved Arnold Lobel book.

Saturday, Feb. 24

2024 Austin Modern Home Tour | Saturday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Addresses revealed 48 hours prior to the event | $45-$125 | Spend the weekend touring homes from some of Austin’s best and brightest design firms.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Early voting for the Tuesday, March 5 is officially underway from now until Friday, March 1. Aside from the president and US Senate, members of the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Senate, and Texas House are on the ballot. (Austin American-Statesman)

Travel

You can watch the upcoming solar eclipse from the sky with the help of a special Delta Air Lines route. Flight 1218 will allow passengers to spend as much time in the path of totality as possible, taking off at 12:15 p.m. from Austin to Detroit on Monday, April 8.

Community

Is your name Ryan? If the answer is yes, head down to Buck Wild at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 on for the official Ryan Rodeo. The event aims to gather as many Ryans as possible to break the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering.

Festival

Antone’s Nightclub will transform into UT Austin’s “Hook ‘Em House” during SXSW. Focusing on the theme “What Starts Here Changes the World,” the Hook ‘Em House will host five panels, nightly live music, a parade, basketball watch parties, and more from Friday, March 8 to Saturday, March 9.

State

H-E-B is looking for the best local businesses in Texas. H-E-B Quest for Texas Best is an open call for small food, beverage, and general merchandise suppliers to compete to have their products on H-E-B shelves and $70,000 in cash prizes. Applications are due Thursday, April 4.

Concert

Alt rock band Vampire Weekend will bring its “Only God Was Above Us” tour to Austin in October. Tickets for the Moody Center show go on sale Friday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m.

Sports

Start your engines, Austin: The NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will return to Circuit of The Americas from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 24. Attendees can expect a jam-packed weekend of racing, family-friendly activities, and live performances. Grab tickets.*

Listen

It’s time to talk about how Texas hockey players fit into the Best NHL Goalie Rankings. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Stars with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Drink

🍹 Did someone say margaritas?

Get your sip on for National Margarita Day

Take your own trip to “Margaritaville” with a $6 sip from El Cockfight. | Photo courtesy El Cockfight

Did you know the song “Margaritaville” was partially written in Austin, while Jimmy Buffett was sipping a margarita?

National Margarita Day is this Thursday, Feb. 22, and we know just where to celebrate.

Chuy’s, multiple locations | There will be drink specials and souvenir cups all day to celebrate at this Tex-Mex restaurant.

Edge Rooftop, 110 E. 2nd St. | Enjoy the skyline with a “Soco Marg” — made with salted watermelon and Luxardo Orange — for $5 off all day.

El Cockfight, 121 E. 5th St. | This Downtown “tequila oasis” will serve its house margarita, frozen or on the rocks, for $6 all day.

Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar, 2115 S. Lamar Blvd. | Enjoy a tangerine and yuzu twist on the classic drink. Psst — happy hour is 2-5 p.m.

Otopia Rooftop, 1901 San Antonio St. #1100 | Margaritas will be $9 at this margarita-themed party, where each drink gets you a raffle ticket for an exclusive giveaway.

The Buy

The Buy 2.21.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A comfy fit to curl up in while it’s still sweatshirt and hoodie season. We love: this pink + lime crop by East of These and this Blue Ridge Parkway sweatshirt from Burlaep.

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The Wrap

City Editor Figi poses with an adorable goat.

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

City Editor London and I had the opportunity to try Ramen Del Barrio last week, and I was thoroughly impressed. The James Beard-nominated, Japanese Mexican fusion restaurant was packed and we’re told has a tendency to sell out, so I’d advise arriving earlier rather than later. I highly recommend the mole tsukemen.

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