At Quality Seafood Market, patrons can get two seafood tacos and a Landshark tallboy for $10 all day on Thursdays. | Photo by JD Hancock via Openverse
Craving a taste of “old Austin”? Behind the cranes and shiny new builds, the Capital City is full of nostalgic charm.
Today, we’re stepping into the time machine to spotlight locales where time seems to stand still. 1933 | The Tavern
“Austin’s most famously haunted bar” started slinging burgers and beer in 1933, but it was first established in 1916 as The Enfield Grocery Store. A neon sign advertising “air conditioning” remains outside as a cheeky reminder of its historic roots.
1938 | Quality Seafood Market
Quality Seafood Market began as a humble stall in Starr’s Fruit and Vegetable Market near the Texas Capitol. Over the decades, it evolved from a to-go kitchen into a full-service market and restaurant, serving fresh seafood from Texas and beyond.
Our order at Sandy’s Hamburgers? An old-fashioned hamburger with cheese, French fries, and an Oreo sundae. | Photo by ATXtoday
1946 | Sandy’s Hamburgers
When this family-owned establishment opened nearly 80 years ago, frozen custard, popcorn, and peanuts were on the menu. Today, the retro drive-thru honors its roots while serving diner classics.
Free Book Swap | 6:30 p.m. | Stargazer | Free with RSVP | Bring used books and take home new-to-you reads — plus, grab freebies like bookmarks and stickers.
Buena Vista Orchestra | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $25+ | Head to the historic theater for a night of Cuban hits and deep-dive cuts.
Thursday, Sept. 11
“Classic Rock on Strings” | 6 + 8:15 p.m. | ConcertDome | $45+ | Relive your Guitar Hero days at this show featuring 360° visuals and songs by Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin.
Sureni Weerasekera | Thursday, Sept. 11-Saturday, Sept. 13 | Times vary | Cap City Comedy Club | $26+ | Lots of laughs are in store with this stand-up comedian featured in “Netflix is a Joke.”
Friday, Sept. 12
“Lilo and Stitch” | 7-10 p.m. | Community First! Village | Free with RSVP | Bring lawn chairs and blankets, grab popcorn and candy, and watch the 2025 film under the stars.
Saturday, Sept. 13
Yoga with Jenna | 8-9 a.m. | Mañana Dos - Downtown | Free with RSVP | Meet new friends at this beginner-friendly practice and enjoy 20% off coffee and tea.
UTEP Miners vs. Texas Longhorns Football | 3:15 p.m. | Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium | $62+ | Don your burnt orange and cheer the Longhorns on to victory against the team from El Paso.
With crisp mornings and comfortable afternoons, autumn sets the stage for unforgettable memories with family, friends, or colleagues. | Photos courtesy of Omni Barton Creek
As cooler breezes sweep across Central Texas and the Hill Country begins to glow with golden light, fall is the perfect time to plan a getaway close to home.
Just minutes from downtown Austin, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa offers a luxurious escape, featuring:
Championship golf | For golf lovers, Barton Creek is a destination in itself, featuring four championship courses designed by legends Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw, and Arnold Palmer. The Championship Golf Package enhances the experience with daily rounds for each adult guest — perfect for those looking to maximize time on the greens.
Rejuvenation at Mokara Spa | Fall is a season for renewal. Seasonal treatments like warm stone massages or autumn-inspired body scrubs melt away stress. For an extra touch of indulgence, try the Harmony in the Hills package.
A culinary journey through nine restaurants + lounges | From fine dining to casual bites, guests can savor locally-sourced seafood, craft cocktails at happy hour + more.
Whether you’re seeking a romantic weekend, a friends retreat, or a family staycation, the resort invites you to savor the season.
Heads up, trail users. A new detour on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail will be introduced in October to accommodate I-35 Capital Express Central Project construction. Additionally, the free parking under the north side of the I-35 bridge will close on Monday, Sept. 15 and remain closed through 2033.
Biz
Chef Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue will open an event venue with his wife, Stacy Franklin, inside the former Contigo and Redbud Ice House space in east Austin. The duo plans to renovate the property together and begin booking events in November. (Austin Business Journal)
Eat
Austin’s food scene is dishing out excellence. Lao’d Bar and P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles were featured in the New York Times’ 50 best restaurants in America, a list compiled after the staff dined at more than 200 restaurants in 33 states.
Concert
Get ready to “Just Dance” — Lady Gaga will bring “The Mayhem Ball” to the Moody Center this spring. Tickets for the shows on Sunday, March 8 and Monday, March 9 go on sale this Monday, Sept. 15.
Quoted
“The time feels right to pass the baton to someone else who will take it to further heights.” Those are the words of Austin Symphony Orchestra music director Peter Bay, who plans to step down after 30 years at the helm. He’ll continue conducting independently after the 2026-2027 season. (CultureMap)
Asked
Is there a small business you’d like to see in ATXtoday? Whether you’re an owner or simply a lover of all things local, you can nominate a local business for a chance to be featured.
Try This
Need an updated photo for your LinkedIn or dating profile? Head to Open House Austin’s Pics + Sips Happy Hour this Friday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy drinks, light bites, and a craft station, then strike a pose.*
Sports
Can America’s Team overcome early-season chaos? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Several of Buck’s pieces, like this bolo tie, are perfect for an “Austin chic” dress code. | Photo provided by Claire Sommers Buck
The results of Eliza Page’s Austin Shines jewelry competition are in.
Jamie Turner Designs took home the Judge’s Shining Star Award, and Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry earned the People’s Choice Shining Star Award. ATXtoday caught up with Claire Sommers Buck to chat about her winning collection and what this recognition means to her.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What inspired your collection?
“This particular collection is named Flora, and so flowers were a theme. A lot of my work has different symbolism of objects. This year was kind of hard at the beginning of the year in a lot of ways, and I wanted to highlight beauty within that.
Flowers are the perfect thing to showcase the beauty, but they don’t just stand by and look pretty. They’re resilient — like, you’ll see flowers growing out of cracks in sidewalks. So, it was sort of this balance between beauty and power and resistance.”
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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.
Speaking of local jewelers... I’m off to shop the Leatherology pop-up at Kendra Scott’s flagship store on South Congress, running today through Sunday, Sept. 14. Both brands will donate 20% of the proceeds to Kerr County Flood Relief.
