W Austin’s lobby, called The Living Room, is both a spot for daytime co-working and a nightlife destination with musical performances. | Photo by Michael Kleinberg
Multi-million dollar renovations are officially complete on W Austin, the Marriott Bonvoy hotel adjacent to ACL Live in Downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District.
The best part? You don’t have to book a stay to enjoy everything the social hub offers. With a new coffee shop, restaurant, and cocktail bar, we expect 200 Lavaca St. to be a go-to destination for Austinites for years to come.
2nd & Roast
2nd & Roast features locally roasted coffee by Medici Roasters, Spirit Teas, and pastries.
Photo by Michael Kleinberg
Coffee shop 2nd & Roast was designed as a space for locals and hotel guests to get their morning fill or afternoon recharge before embarking on a Downtown adventure. Think: locally roasted coffee, chef-crafted bites, and pastries.
Blue Room
The Blue Room aims to transport guests to an exclusive hideaway with top-notch cocktails.
Photo by Michael Kleinberg
Every luxury hotel needs a swanky cocktail bar and the W Austin delivers with Blue Room, a reservation-only lounge for those seeking an elevated libation. Sip both classic and custom signature cocktails like the “Desert Wish” and “NOLA,” dreamt up and shaken by experienced mixologists.
A Night to Remember | 7-9 p.m. | Riverbend Centre for the Arts | $25 | Dance the night away to live swing music at this party benefiting The Lighthouse.
Braincell Battle Music Trivia | 7-9 p.m. | Tweedy’s Bar | Cost of purchase | Put your knowledge of rock, metal, and punk music to the test for a chance to win prizes.
Wallice | 8:30 p.m. | Parish | $21 | The indie-pop songstress and “jazz school dropout” will serenade folks in east Austin with special guest Closebye.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
An Evening with Fran Lebowitz | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $40 | The author, actor, and public speaker will sit down for a conversation with journalist Andy Langer.
Thursday, Jan. 30
South Austin Chess Club | 7-10 p.m. | The Buzz Mill | Cost of purchase | Players of all skill levels are welcome to grab a cup of coffee and compete against fellow Austinites.
Corinne Austin’s second location is now open within The Westin Austin at The Domain. In addition to serving up American fare, the restaurant hosts weekly happenings like Evening Sessions on Thursdays and Wine Down Wednesdays.
Closed
It’s the end of an era for an east Austin neighborhood staple. The food kitchen inside the Manor Food Mart #1 convenience store, aka “The Gizzard Store,” closed its doors on Saturday after nearly 20 years in business. The owner said the kitchen’s future is currently unknown. (KVUE)
Number
2,461. That’s how many Austin-Round Rock area homes sold for $1 million or more in 2024, according to a new Texas Realtors report. Combined, these homes garnered $4.1 billion in total sales.
Drink
Round Rock restaurant Cork & Barrel has a new secret... speakeasy, that is. Hidden within the craft kitchen and microbrewery’s former wine cellar, The Dead Poet features classic + signature cocktails and curated small bites. Psst — find and click the black-and-white door on its website to make a reservation.
Award
Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission received a national accolade for work on its new Equity-Based Preservation Plan, the city’s first plan of its kind in more than 40 years. The commission, comprised of volunteers, was given a Commission Excellence Award in Best Practices: Public Outreach/Advocacy.
Ranked
Do you have a potty mouth? Maybe we all do, because Austin landed the No. 10 spot in a new Preply list ranking cities where Americans swore the most in 2024. According to the study, the average Austin resident swears ~19 times daily. Dang it.
Edu
Happy birthday, Bevo. The Texas Longhorns’ mascot turned 10 years old on Friday and took to Instagram to celebrate with a carousel of memories, including a photo of baby Bevo.
Sports
Can the Mavericks beat the Washington Wizards tonight? You’ll have to tune in at 7:30 p.m. to find out, but you can get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Mavericks with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Home
Leaks don’t just ruin your day — they can damage your home. Get a free quote from Remodel Your Home to connect with roofing pros who specialize in leak-proof solutions.*
Category
Biz
🖼️ Art you glad?
Find a new treasure for your wall at one of these local galleries. | Photo provided by West Chelsea Contemporary
From live music to murals, Austin is brimming with art.
Much of that art makes its way onto the walls of dozens of art galleries in Austin, turning these spaces into forums for creative exploration. Next time you’re in need of a little inspiration, take a stroll through one of these 12 local galleries.
DORF, 218 S. Lamar Blvd.
Local artists take center stage in this nonprofit space, which is on a mission to foster community and advocate for Austin’s art scene. Fun fact: its 10-year lease costs just $1 per year. Upcoming exhibition:Táhila Moss: “Without Borders / Sin Fronteras”
Unchained.Art, 1601 E. Cesar Chavez St., Unit 101
Personal connection to art is key at this east Austin exhibition room, which focuses on European art and aims to support both emerging and established artists. Upcoming exhibition:Juliette Lepage Boisdron: “Tales in Ink”
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t exi… Enter: Squishmallows. From ages three to 103, we’re pretty sure these ultra-soft, best-selling stuffed animals will make any age smile. We’re loving these five love day-inspired Squishmallows:
Who do you want to see at ACL Fest 2025?Organizers want to know. The lineup census collects input from fans to inform the festival’s talent search. Add a comment to suggest your favorite artist — City Editor Figi will thank you if you advocate for Lana Del Rey.
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