Plus, Highland Lanes will stick around for an extra 18 months.
 
July 24, 2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE

Today’s Forecast

88º | 30% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:45 a.m. | Sunset 8:29 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

⚓️ Novelty nautical rentals
A boat with a bar and barstools floats on Lake Austin on a sunny day.
This floating bar is around 25 ft long and can seat up to 10 passengers.  | Photo by Floaties Floatin’ Saloon
Summertime is synonymous with boat season, and in Austin, there are plenty of unique ways to spend a day on the water.

Next time you’re planning a picnic, date night, or party with friends, consider making the lake your venue with these four local businesses.

A floating saloon

A bar and boat hybrid, Floaties Floatin’ Saloon is a 25-ft watercraft and watering hole on Lake Austin. It’s equipped with a bar top and seating for 10 passengers — all you have to do is bring the booze.

Customers can book a weekend ride for four hours or a sunset float for two hours.

Two girls wearing sunglasses smile on a swan boat on Lady Bird Lake with the Austin skyline behind them.

Explore Lady Bird Lake on the water from the wings of a swan.

|

Photo by Katherine Vaiden

A buoyant bird

Groups of two or four people can explore Lady Bird Lake from a birds eye view — in a swan-shaped boat, that is. Pedalers can bring coolers of picnic foods and drinks for their excursion with Capital Cruises.

Pro tip: The wind makes all the difference when you’re sailing these swans, so choose a day with a soft breeze.

Two women wearing dresses and sunglasses sit and laugh in a blue retro car boat on Lady Bird Lake.

Retro Boat Rentals ATX has a range of colorful car boats, including this blue ride named Dorothy.

|

Photo courtesy Retro Boat Rentals ATX

A retro ride

Perfect for impressing a first date, a sunset cruise, or even a proposal, Retro Boat Rentals ATX offers a fleet of fiberglass boats that resemble nostalgic vehicles.

Before setting off on your cruise around Lady Bird Lake, all you have to worry about is choosing your color. Will it be red, orange, yellow, pink, or blue?

A donut party

Love and Boats thoughtfully prepares parties on its pastry-shaped vessels, stocking them with tableware, games, an ice bucket, water, glasses, a speaker, and more.

The team collaborates with other local businesses to create a tablescape and experience fit for specific celebrations on Lake Austin with up to six guests.
 
Asked
 

What’s the best body of water in Austin?
A. Lake Austin
B. Lake Travis
C. Lady Bird Lake
D. Something else
 
Visit Conroe
 
Events
 
Wednesday, July 24
  • “Tony Takitani” + “Burning” | Wednesday, July 24 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $12 | This double feature, presented by the Austin Asian American Film Festival, will take you on an emotional journey.
  • The Struts | Wednesday, July 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Stubbs Bar-B-Q, 801 Red River St., Austin | $32 | Experience the British rock band’s “The Pretty Vicious Tour” with special guest Barns Courtney.
Thursday, July 25
  • Meet the Maker: Bourbon Pairing Dinner with Dan Garrison | Thursday, July 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St., Austin | $228 | Dig into a multi-course dinner of expertly curated dishes paired with Garrison Brothers small batch cocktails.
  • Comedy Bang! Bang! | Thursday, July 25 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $35-$60 | Experience the award-winning podcast in an improvised format with a live audience.
Friday, July 26
  • NBC’s Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony | Friday, July 26 | 12:30 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin | $20 | Kick off the 2024 Olympics by watching the opening ceremony on a screen the size of Texas.
  • Dream Con | Friday, July 26 | 2-10 p.m. | Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | $60-$269 | Celebrate your favorite fandom with games, art, music, and more festivities at this anime + gaming convention.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Announced
  • After canceling last week’s event, President Joe Biden’s visit to Austin has been rescheduled for Monday, July 29. He’ll deliver a speech at LBJ Presidential Library, and his trip will likely impact traffic flow and airport operations. (KXAN)
Transit
  • Years after its approval, the pieces for Capital Metro’s police department are falling into place. Eric Robins has been appointed as its chief of police and the program is anticipated to launch in 2025. (Austin American-Statesman)
Biz
  • Highland Lanes, which was set to shutter by the end of the year to make way for a new mixed-use development, has been spared for an extra 18 months thanks to a lease extension. The bowling alley has been a north Austin mainstay for 48 years. (Austin Business Journal)
Eat
  • Bacalar, a high-end Mexican restaurant in the Rainey Street District, has closed temporarily citing “exciting changes” in the works. The eatery, helmed by “Top Chef” winner Gabe Erales, opened in September at 44 East Ave. (Austin American-Statesman)
Today Is
  • National Tequila Day, and local establishments are celebrating accordingly. Enjoy specials and themed parties at Corner Restaurant, Azul Rooftop Lounge, Idle Hands, Parlor + Yard, and Otopia Rooftop Bar — details are in our events calendar.
Giveaway
  • Did you know Austin City Limits gives away tickets to its tapings? Winners are selected at random to fill available seats. Right now, you can enter to win tickets to see Gracie Abrams on Tuesday, July 30.
Sports
  • The Dallas Mavericks may have made the NBA Finals — but which players have the most to prove next season? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Mavericks with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
     
     
    Drink
     

    🌈 Sip in technicolor

    A beer with a lime, a fizzy orange drink, a pink frozen cocktail, and a negroni sit together on a wooden table.
    Lustre Pearl East’s drink menu is full of colorful concoctions.  | Photo by ATXtoday
    We don’t make the rules — drinks taste better when they’re colorful.

    In honor of Drink Up Week, we’ve selected a boozy beverage for every stripe of the rainbow.

    Red: Why settle for one glass? Grab a flight of red wine at The Grove Wine Bar + Kitchen.

    Pink: The lychee martini at Lin Asian Bar has the perfect pigment.

    Orange: An Aperol Spritz is the ultimate orange drink — enjoy them at Taverna with a side of French fries.

    Yellow: It’s the mimosa’s time to shine: grab a carafe full at Better Half Coffee + Cocktails on Saturdays and Sundays.

    Green: Home of the avocado margarita, Curra’s Hyde Park will have you wishing every drink had a chunk of the creamy fruit mixed in.

    Blue: Try the Blue Hawaiian on draft at Busty’s Bar + Jukebox.

    Violet: In Austin, the purple drink of choice must be Baby A’s Famous Purple Rita. Psst — each person is limited to two.
     
    The Buy
     
    The perfect shoe for the rest of summer: Birkenstock’s waterproof slide sandal, which comes in bright and cute colors like purple fog, coral peach, and popcorn.
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    ATXtoday-morgan-headshot.jpg

    Today’s edition by:
    Morgan
    From the editor
    While today’s newsletter may have you daydreaming about a boat day, I believe you’d be hard pressed to find an Austinite who isn’t thankful for this week’s rainy forecast. Here are five indoor summertime activities to keep you entertained amid the showers.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Advertise with us to stand out.     ›
    Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More     ›
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY