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Editor’s Pick
Sushi Roku’s summer menu brings seafood and colorful cocktails to a new level. | Photos by ATXtoday
Sushi Roku’s summer + happy hour menus are here andwe’re soy excited for you to try them.
Editor Figi here. I taste-tested their offerings ahead of time — here’s what I recommend (especially during the daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.).
• The “Matcha Miruku Sour” cocktail is as colorful as it is flavorful, thanks to its ube foam. • The brussels sprout chips are irresistible and tossed in truffle oil. • The spicy tuna hanabi (aka crispy rice) have the perfect duality of texture. • The panko seabass sliders are ideal for a quick summer bite. • All rolls are 30% during happy hour — our favorite is the “Katana” roll.
“The Bear” Watch Party | 6 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Watch the first three episodes of the hit TV show’s new season with a slice from Gozney Pizza and a cold beer.
Tuesday, July 1
Funniest Person In Austin Competition | Tuesday, July 1-Wednesday, Aug. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Cap City Comedy Club | $20+ | Join in on the search to find the best comedian in Austin through a series of shows throughout the summer.
Wednesday, July 2
“Zodiac” | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $12 | See a different side of the Zodiac Killer era with a star-studded cast of Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo.
Thursday, July 3
Star Spangled Fest: Independence Eve | 7-11 p.m. | Dell Hall at The Long Center | $30+ | Kick off Independence Day with performances from Jack Ingram, Kelly Willis, Calder Allen, and Ellis Bullard.
Friday, July 4
Fourth of July Celebration | 12-8 p.m. | The ABGB | Cost of purchase | Celebrate America’s birthday with a watermelon eating contest, hot dogs, jello shots, food specials, and a bike ride.
Friday, July 18
George Lopez | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $48+ | The actor and comic known for his eponymously named show will have you in stitches all night long.
Austin is a top food truck city in the US, but we already knew that. Nine Austin-based food trucks made it onto Yelp’s list of Top 100 Food Trucks 2025, including Jim’s Smokehouse — coming in at No. 2 overall.
Number
72.2 million. That’s how many Americans are expected to travel for the Fourth of July, a 2.4% increase from last year. This includes an estimated 5.84 million people traveling by air — if you’re one of those flyers, familiarize yourself with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport before departure. (AAA)
Film
“Jaws,” often credited as the original summer blockbuster, is now 50 years old. Steven Spielberg’s thriller debuted on June 20, 1975, but it seems a comeback is lurking. The film will be screened on the water at Volente Beach this summer — watch if you dare. (USA TODAY)
Eat
It looks like Texans believe in the power of chia seeds. That’s the most popular superfood in the state, based on Google search data compiled by Eachnight. If you want to buy some, or see what other goodies are growing in WNC, head to a local farmers market.
Ranked
No. 15. That’s where Austin ranked on Resonance’s list of America’s 100 best cities. The ranking used data ranging from a city’s GDP to content on Tripadvisor and Instagram + highlighted Austin’s bustling tech hub, dropping price of entry, and “ecological paradise.”
Answered
Y’all are sharp about your local history, because 73% of readers correctly guessed that President LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson had their first date at the Driskill. They hung out there a lot — brush up on the hotel’s history.
Sports
Cooper Flagg is now a Mav — how will he fit with the rest of the team? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Mavericks with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Community
Uh-oh, short-staffed again? Don’t sweat it — the ATXtoday Job Board has your back. Post your job, reach awesome local talent, and get that role filled fast. Oh, and did we mention it’s totally free? Yep, like zero dollars.
You can try Still Austin’s cask strength bourbon at BOA Steakhouse. | Photo courtesy Innovative Dining Concepts
We’re raising a glass and toasting to local sip-worthy spots shaking things up in the happy hour department.
Think:deals on drafts, half-off cocktails, and majorly discounted bites.
Bar Toti | All night Monday + Sunday-Thursday, 5-6 p.m.
It’s all about 50% off smashburgesas at this new east Austin classic, but you can also get $2 off aperitivos, signature cocktails, and wine by the glass.
Uchi | Daily, 4-6 p.m.
Try dozens of Uchi staples at a discount, including cool and hot tastings, nigiri and sashimi, handrolls, beer, cocktails, and sake. TenTen | Daily, 4:30-6 p.m.
This Downtown happy hour has it all: good eats and deals on cocktails, wine, beer, and sake. Psst — don’t skip the chili salmon skewers, spicy tuna, and lychee martini.
Péché | Sunday-Friday, Times vary
You won’t want to pass on a $6 cocktail from this Downtown French restaurant — the spot also offers half off of certain dishes.
We’ve got all the Fourth of July essentials you need and won’t immediately throw away after the holiday. (Think: Family-friend games you can play all summer long, a reusable + safe alternative to fireworks, and grill accessories that last). Buy these items today for the chance for them to arrive before the holiday.
🍖 Get the grill ready with this scouring stone that cleans better and faster than a brush.
🔥 Speaking of the grill, trade your old pocket lighter for this windproof one.
🎆 This light up bubble blower serves as a safe, kid-friendly replacement for fireworks.
🇺🇸 This red, white, and blue reusable tablecloth is stain-resistant and waterproof.
☀️ No summer holiday is complete without a fun backyard game like Spikeball or lifesize Jenga.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Did I mention how impressed I was about my visit to Papercut? The east Austin bar feels very upscale with its gallery walls, the cocktails were very colorful, and they were served to us by bartenders named Bear and Dragon. Those are their real names — I asked.
