Where’s your preferred place to get a drink in Austin? | Photo by ATXtoday
$12.4 million. That’s how much folks spent on alcohol at the JW Marriott from January to September 2025, making it the top-selling alcohol vendor in town.
Alcohol sales in Austin amounted to around $578 million in the first six months of 2025 — about $3 million less than the same period in 2024 — as venues have been grappling with a “softening” decline in drink sales since 2022. Here’s a peek into what the stats say about the state of beverages in ATX.
Top months
From January to October 2025, it seems that alcohol sales follow the trends of festival season. The biggest month for alcohol sales was October, during which folks purchased ~$118.9 million worth of beverages.
March was the second-highest month at ~$109.9 million, marking the start of the most consistent sales period, which hovered around $108 million through the end of May.
In case you’re wondering, January saw the lowest sales at $75.3 million. Psst — stay tuned for some Dry January recommendations.
$735 million. That’s how much Austin Energy will invest in improvements to the electric grid over the next decade as part of its Electric System Resiliency Plan. To start, Austin Energy will spend $60 million next year on overhead line replacement, wildfire circuit-hardening, underground cable replacement, and more. (KXAN)
Biz
Austin City Council authorized a $150,000 incentive for Matthew McConaughey + Woody Harrelson’s upcoming TV show, “Brothers,” marking the first award as part of the Creative Content Incentive Program. Local film incentives have been a hot topic this year — read our interview with the founders of Media for Texas. (CBS Austin)
Opening
International cafe chain Black Sheep Coffee will launch its first Austin location (and sixth overall in the US) in January. The shop will start its soft opening period on Saturday, Dec. 27, offering matcha pastries, Norwegian waffles, and of course, coffee.
Tech
3D printing and manufacturing company 3D Creative Technologies Inc. is slated to move its headquarters from Austin proper to Cedar Park, where the startup will build an 18,000-sqft office space. The company also plans to create 45 new jobs over the next two years. (Austin American-Statesman)
Development
The land under Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co., aka The ABGB, has been rezoned to vertical mixed-use, which allows for the construction of condos or apartments. However, the bar isn’t moving or closing, and no developments are planned — it just makes the possibility easier in the future. (Austin Business Journal)
Ranked
We’re No. 1. Austin is the best city in the US to launch a startup, according to a study from CommercialCafe, thanks to its business growth rate, high percentage of college-educated residents, and impressive survival rate of new establishments.
Sports
How do playoff chances look for Texas NFL teams? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
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There’s a new, family-owned taquería open in Downtown Austin.
Taco N Maíz, located just off Old 6th Street, has been running in Mexico for 50 years. Plus, it’s pretty much always open, serving tacos, quesadillas, papas, tortas, and more from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. every day.
Our favorite way to stay warm in the winter? With a little added heat. We love this heated vest that provides up to 12 hours of continuous heat with a battery that doubles as a power bank. We pair it with these top-rated rechargeable hand warmers on extra chilly days.
Nail polish makes a fantastic stocking stuffer, and in case you didn’t know, you can buy it from an Austin brand. Prism Parade peddles holographic shades for your digits — the shade “Absolutely Arcane” caught my eye but you can also get a gift card.
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