This weekend, another quirky community event will tee up for its sixth annual tournament: the East Side Mini Open on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Austin is no stranger to the mini-golf craze — but the East Side Mini Open takes the sport to another level. Here’s how it works.
Twelve bars in east Austin will build their own mini-golf hole, and putters and balls will be provided at each stop. Golfers can play solo or in a group, conquer the putting greens in any order (after checking in at Kinda Tropical), and must keep track of their own scores.
Below are the participating venues and their respective hole numbers. Keep in mind — the venues are competing too. Players cast votes for which bar should win East Side Mini Open’s Most Unique Hole Trophy.
Kinda Tropical
The Cavalier
Murray’s Tavern
Kitty Cohen’s
Yellow Jacket
Daydreamer
The Grackle
Zilker Brewing Co.
The Liberty
Hotel Vegas + Volstead
Low Down Lounge
Latchkey
Tee time is at 12 p.m. and the last putt is at 7 p.m. To help competitors get around, designated pedicab pick-up areas will be located at The Grackle and Kinda Tropical.
Ready to par-tee?Tickets for the 21+ event are going fast — they’re $45 per person and benefit Healing with Horses Ranch. However, you can always bar-hop to watch the action unfold for free.
Asked
Which local restaurant do you miss the most?
Austin is home to plenty of culinary gems, but there are also several wonderful restaurants that have closed in recent years.
We want to know — if you had a time machine, which restaurant would you visit + what would you order?
Two Door Cinema Club | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 8 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater | $28+ | “What You Know” is a good time awaits at this show from the indie pop rock band.
Friday, Sept. 27
Deadeye | Friday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 a.m. | The ABGB | $25 | Austin’s Grateful Dead tribute band will have you rocking out.
QuiltFest | Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center | $15 | Wander into the world of quilting to see stitched works of art.
Saturday, Sept. 28
The Hispanic Heritage Show | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 7 p.m. | Hideout Theatre | $13+ | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by tuning into “Los Buddy Cops,” a buddy cop show set in the 1970s.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Outdoor Gear Shop & Swap | Sunday, Sept. 29 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Crux Climbing Center - South | Free with RSVP | Bring your camping, climbing, and hiking gear to swap with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Monday, Sept. 30
“Fun & Slutty” with Jonathan Van Ness | Monday, Sept. 30 | Times vary | Emo’s Austin | $34+ | Join the Austin local and “Queer Eye” star for a show uncovering “all the sides of JVN you haven’t seen.”
It’s wine o’clock somewhere. After closing its original location earlier this year, House Wine will reopen on Friday, Sept. 27. The new bar is located in the former home of the Art for the People Gallery, and will employ several staff members from shuttered restaurant Aviary Wine & Kitchen. (Eater Austin)
Sports
The full schedule for Texas basketball’s 2024-2025 season is here, giving fans a closer look into the team’s Southeastern Conference debut. Nonconference play begins Monday, Nov. 4 against Ohio State, and the SEC schedule kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 4 versus Texas A&M. (Austin-American Statesman)
Open
Hyde Park has a new coffee shop tucked inside the historic Barker Center, a former school built in 1911. Terrible Love, which once operated out of a horse trailer, is slinging Terrible Lattes, Texas French Bread pastries, El Xolo tacos, and more at its first brick-and-mortar. (The Austin Chronicle)
Announced
A new private event destination called Tiger Lilly will open in the space where cocktail bar Estelle’s once operated. According to the venue’s website, the layout, furniture, and decor inside the locale remains nearly identical, and the team plans to open Tiger Lilly to the public in the future.
Number
$65 million. That’s how much dough Circuit of The Americas needs to build COTALAND, its upcoming amusement park. The COTA Emerald Fund LP has already raised $46 million, and a COTA representative told the Austin Business Journal they plan to “share the development with Austin in 2025.”
Outdoors
Enchanted Rock, a popular state park ~96 miles from Austin, will expand by 630 acres thanks to the acquisition of an adjacent ranch property listed at $18.9 million. Details about the new land are still forthcoming, but adventure seekers can expect new experiences ahead. (Texas Monthly)
Community
Could Austin soon be home to a Major League Baseball team? Local officials hope so — and they have until Tuesday, Oct. 15 to submit a plan for a new stadium. Plus, a local group called the Austin Baseball Commission already launched an MLB expansion plan + wants you to join the movement. (San Antonio Business Journal)
Listen
After impressive performances the past two weeks, some Bears fans think coach Dave Aranda should name Sawyer Robertson as the new starting quarterback. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Baylor Bears with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Beauty
You don’t have to break the bank to attain strong, silky-soft hair. Pantene’s Keratin Leave-In Conditioner can repair split ends + protect against future damage for less than $20.*
City
🌳 Stitching Austin’s future together
Our Future 35 to unveil cap and stitch plans
When I-35 is sunken, “caps” and “stitches” over the highway will create an opportunity for new public spaces. | Rendering via TxDOT
30 acres. That’s how much new public space could be coming to the heart of Austin in the form of parks, public squares, outdoor markets, and art and cultural havens.
As TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express project looms, local initiative Our Future 35 has been working to build its Vision Plan for “caps” and “stitches” over the new, lowered highway between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard.
Here’s a look at what could be included:
Flexible open space
Retail shops
Hike-and-bike trails
A food hall
Art installations
Our Future 35 collected and implemented public feedback on its plan over the summer. Now, project leaders are ready to present the Vision Plan to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Canopy Austin. Anyone is invited to bring friends, view the plan, and enjoy free food + drinks.
After this final public presentation, the plan will head to Austin City Council for approval.
The Buy
The Buy 9.26.24 (Affiliate)
A set of glass cups with bamboo lids and straws. These fan-favorite drinking cups are great for ciders, mocktails, and cocktails, plus they’re perfect for year-round iced coffee fans (we know you’re out there).
One thing I don’t love about Austin is our annual cricket infestation — they’ve taken over my apartment’s balcony. However, after reading a deep dive from KXAN, I relate to them more. They also hate the heat and love to party at sundown.
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.