May 2012
5 posts
9 tags
The Week in Cool: May 31 - June 4
Thursday, May 31 Lumineers In-Store Performance 5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Free show and free Shiner. Learning Secrets w/ Baio 10pm–2am • The Belmont, 305 W. 6th St. • Free Free show, plus a free Sailor Jerry Rum drink for the first 100 people with the SceneTap iPhone app. Friday, June 1 Friday Happy Hour with My Fit Foods 4pm • Prize, 202 Colorado St. • Free Summer...
8 tags
The Week in Cool: May 23-27
Our next showcase is this Sunday evening at Club DeVille! Some great bands are playing and there will be free beer for those who show up early enough. Click the poster for more details and to RSVP. Wednesday, May 23 Great Lake Swimmers In-Store Performance 5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Free show and free beer from Shiner. The Wine Down at ACL Live: Hudson Moore 5–7pm • ACL Live...
5 tags
The Week in Cool: May 17-22
Thursday, May 17 Sideshow Tattoo Likes to Party 6–9pm • Sideshow Tattoo, 45th and Airport • Free Free beer and BBQ. Attendance Records Benefit Show 6pm–2am • Mohawk, 10th and Red River • $5 donation Music by Guns of Navarone, Mother Falcon, The Sour Notes, Matt Hines of the Eastern Sea, Whiskey Shivers, Shakey Graves, and Hello Caller. Benefits the Attendance Records program. Sigur Ros Listening...
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The Week in Cool: May 10-15
Thursday, May 10 Kendra Scott Trunk Show 5–8pm • Gap Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd. • Free Complimentary cocktails from Tito’s Vodka and cupcakes from Hey Cupcake. Presmer Trunk Show 6–9pm • Estilo Boutique, 234 W. 2nd St. • Free Complimentary champagne and Delish cupcakes. Art Over Alzheimer’s 6–9:30 • Platinum Office, 360 Nueces St. #40 • Free Food, drinks, silent auction of 10 original...
9 tags
The Week in Cool: Cinco de Mayo Edition
Friday, May 4 Serious Whimsy: Paintings by Jeana Baumgardner & Maggie Kleinpeter 7–10pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 A. Guadalupe St. • Free Complimentary drinks and food, with DJ’ing by Jeff Strange BacardiPlus Fest 7pm–2am • “The Main” (original Emo’s), 603 Red River • Free; RSVP required Free Bacardi drinks and music by Big Gigantic, Paper Diamond, GOBI, and Richard Gear. RSVP...
April 2012
4 posts
12 tags
The Week in Cool: April 25-30
That’s right … the Party of the Week is in San Marcos! Plot twist!!
Wednesday, April 25 Mel’s Meals Round Rock Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting 4–6pm • Mel’s Meals, 1208 N. IH 35 Suite W • Free; RSVP requested Complimentary skinny margaritas by Z Tequila, soda by SANS soda, and music by Daniel Park. Heartless Bastards In-Store Performance 5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and...
7 tags
The Week in Cool: April 18-23
This week is brought to you by the color green. Wednesday, April 18 The Wine Down: Ariel Abshire 5–7pm • ACL Live at Moody Theater, 310 W. 2nd St. • Free Free show with food by Coal Vines. Tom Angleberger: “Fake Mustache” 6–7pm • BookPeople, 6th and Lamar • Free Talk and book signing with free Austin’s Pizza. Thursday, April 19 Joe Pug In-Store Performance 5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th...
5 tags
The Week in Cool: April 11-16
Here’s a rundown of the best free n’ cheap fun this week.
Wednesday, April 11 Dry the River In-Store Performance 5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Free show and refreshments from Shiner. The Wine Down: Speak 5–7pm • ACL Live at Moody Theater, 310 W. 2nd St. • Free Free show by Speak + sushi from How Do You Roll. Uncle Billy’s Monthly Brew Tour 6pm • Uncle Billy’s,...
2 tags
The Week in Cool: April 5-10
And … we’re back!
Thursday, April 5 All American Rejects Album Listening & Pizza Party 1–2pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Congress • Free Eat some free pizza from Austin’s Pizza while listening to the new All American Rejects album, “Kids in the Street.” Egg White Cocktail Presentation 6–8pm • Twin Liquors Marketplace at Hancock Center, 1000 E. 41st St., Ste. 810 • Free...
March 2012
9 posts
6 tags
Cool at SXSW: Saturday, March 17
Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Reverb Party 11am–5pm • Dirty Dog Bar, 505 E. 6th St. • RSVP requested; still open Free Colorado craft beer. Music by Typhoon, Bass Drum of Death, and Com Truise. Do512 and Shiner Present: The Big One 2012 Noon–?? • The Belmont, 305 W. 6th St. • Free with RSVP Free Shiner Beer, Deep Eddy Vodka, Jack Daniels, and Southern Comfort. Music by Bright Light...
4 tags
Cool at SXSW: Friday, March 16
All Things Gold: SXSW Edition 11am-6pm • The ND, 5th and Brushy • RSVP requested; now closed Penguin Prison, Chiddy Bang, Walk the Moon, Clock Opera SpokesBUZZ Showcase 11am-6pm • 512 Bar • RSVP requested; still open Free beer. Sonicbids SXSW Party 11:30am-5:30pm • Maggie Mae’s • RSVP requested; still open Core Power Day Party Noon-5pm • Skinny’s Ballroom, 115 San Jacinto St. •...
4 tags
Cool at SXSW: Thursday, March 15
Bloody Mary Morning 10am–Noon • ACL Live at Moody Theater, 310 W. 2nd St. • RSVP required; still open Bloody Marys by Tito’s Vodka; tacos by Tacodeli; music by Ben Kweller and others. Unrefined Hype: Extended Play Showcase 11am–6pm • Bat Bar, 218 East 6th Street • RSVP requested; still open Free food + 35 hip-hop acts, including Talib Kweli. Air Show: Austin Independent Radio Day Party...
5 tags
Cool at SXSW: Wednesday, March 14
Here’s our list of the best free stuff going on today at SXSW. Note the RSVP status for each event, as some parties have closed their lists. (“Free with RSVP” usually means RSVP is not required, but do it if you can just in case.) As always, keep an eye on our Twitter feed for more party info as it comes in.
The Good Danny’s + Navigational Society Day Party 10am–6pm •...
7 tags
Cool at SXSW: Tuesday, March 13
Here’s our list of today’s top free events. Take note that some of the RSVPs have closed, as noted. Have fun! As always, keep an eye on our Twitter feed for more party info as it comes in.
Spotify House Noon–6pm • 1010 E. Cesar Chavez • RSVP required; still open Free drinks and food; music by Yellow Ostrich (1pm) and others. Watch the @SpotifySouth Twitter account for lineup...
4 tags
Cool at SXSW: Monday, March 12
Here are a few suggestions of cool n’ free events worth checking out tonight. As of 3pm, all the RSVPs are still open — but hurry! Watch our Twitter feed for more party info as it comes in.
Strange Brew 2pm–2am • Hotel Vegas, 1500 East 6th St. • Free w/ RSVP Free beer, food, and music by TV Torso, Whiskey Shivers, and others. The Barbarian Group & Tumblr present: Robo Trip...
5 tags
Win Passes to the SPIN @ SXSW Party!
We’re giving away a pair of passes today for SPIN’s SXSW party at Stubb’s, featuring Santigold, Best Coast, Big K.R.I.T. and other cool acts. To enter, just tweet @coolinaustin with a photo of anything you think is cool in Austin (get it?!) by 5pm TODAY.
In your tweet, make sure to mention @coolinaustin and @SPINsxsw, and include the hashtag #SPINStubbs. If you’re not into the whole Twitter...
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SXSW RSVP Roundup 2012: Free Drinks Edition, Part...
It’s not too late! Here is the RSVP info for 22 more SXSW parties with free booze, plus 12 other shows we think are worth going to. As with the first batch of RSVPs (31 parties), all of these are free and open to those without badges or wristbands. Keep an eye on the CoolinAustin Twitter feed for even more party updates from now through festival week. Home stretch! Multiple Days PureVolume...
February 2012
7 posts
10 tags
The Week in Cool: Feb. 29 – March 5
Wednesday, Feb. 29 CityBidz.com Happy Hour Mixer 6–8pm • Draft Pick, 1620 E. Riverside • Free; RSVP requested CityBidz.com hosts a happy hour with food, beer and networking. Macallan Whisky Tastings Wed. 6:30–8pm / 8:30–10pm; Thu. 6:30–8pm • The Marchesa, 6406 N. IH-35, Ste. 3100 • Free; RSVP required Private tastings of The Macallan Single Malt. Top Chef: Texas Finale Viewing Party...
9 tags
SXSW RSVP Roundup 2012: Free Drinks Edition
If you’re planning to head to SXSW 2012, you’ve probably spent the last few weeks getting bombarded with party info. How do you sort it all out? In our opinion, the best place to get started is by RSVPing for the open bar parties. It’s hard to go wrong with free booze. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of the 31 best open bars that have been announced thus far. All of the events...
13 tags
The Week in Cool: Feb. 20-27
Tuesday, Feb. 21 Lucy’s Mardi Gras Celebration 11am • Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar, 506 West Ave. • Free Live music by Boogaloo, Austin Knights Brass Band, and The Twalls. Special menu and cocktails — including a crawfish boil starting at 3pm. Mardi Gras Gibson Style 4pm • Gibson Bar, 1109 S. Lamar • Free Cajun food from Luke’s Inside Out, Abita beer, Hurricane specials,...
5 tags
The Week in Cool: Feb. 17-20
Here’s a last-minute roundup of some fun things to do this weekend! Friday, Feb. 17 KVRX (91.7 FM) 2012 Pledge Drive Benefit Show 8pm–midnight • 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House, 2906 Fruth St. • $5 Support UT’s student-run radio station at this show featuring These Are Words, Cactus Peach, Shivery Shakes, Western Ghost House, and Ringo Deathstarr. Red River Noise Presents Sorne with...
11 tags
First Impressions: Brew Exchange
It’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride recently for West Sixth Street. Katz’s Deli and Momo’s closed; 219 West moved in as Union Park packed up and relocated to The Domain, and this Thursday, Brew Exchange will open in the old Annie’s West.
The Brew Exchange concept is simple enough: drinker demand sets the price of the beers. Everyone is ordering Great Divide Espresso...
16 tags
The Week in Cool: Feb. 7-13
Tuesday, Feb. 7 Free Cheese by Antonelli’s Cheese Shop Each night this week • Multiple locations • Free Antonelli’s celebrates its second birthday by offering free cheese plates (while they last) at multiple locations around Austin this week. Tuesday — 24 Diner, Fino and Hopfields; Wednesday — Bartlett’s, Fion Wine Pub, House Pizzeria; Thursday — Chez Zee, Max’s Wine Dive, The Steeping Room;...
16 tags
The Week in Cool: Feb. 1-5
Our next showcase is this Friday! Click the poster (designed by CiA’s own Eric Pulsifer) to RSVP on Facebook. Wednesday, Feb. 1 Wine Down Wednesday 6–8pm • DuO, 225 West 2nd St. • Free Complimentary glass of wine from Cru wine bar while you shop at DuO. Afterwards, head to Cru with your DuO receipt and get 20% off your meal. Living Record Music Documentary Night Presents “Don’t Look Back”...
January 2012
3 posts
8 tags
First Impression: The Beauty Ballroom
Better late than never, the Beauty Ballroom, a spinoff of the Beauty Bar on 7th Street, is celebrating its grand opening tonight with Theophilus London, Treasure Fingers, L.A.X, Vegas Banger and Rickey Jean Francois. We stopped by last Saturday during the soft opening to catch RAC (Remix Artist Collective), a group of DJs who put a slick, often minimal dance twist on indie rock tunes. It ended...
12 tags
The Week Ahead: Jan. 24-31
By our count, there are 17 ways to get free drinks this week. Good luck out there…
Tuesday, Jan. 24 Kenichi VIP Event 5–7pm • Kenichi, 419 Colorado St. • Free; RSVP requested Complimentary cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. Text your name and phone number to 512-430-4339 to join the VIP List; then RSVP by emailing: marketing@kenichiaustin.com Paper Cuts Live Music Series: Not In...
13 tags
The Weekend Ahead: Jan. 20-22
Friday, Jan. 20 Art Attack by Amity 5-8pm • Duo Austin, 225 W. 2nd Street • Free Local art showcase with a build-your-own cupcake bar, cocktails, and a drawing for 25% off a custom commissioned piece. Blowout VII Opening Reception 7pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 Guadalupe Street • Free Complimentary drinks, food, live music, and displays of works by UT art students. Elizabeth Engelhardt...
December 2011
4 posts
10 tags
12 tags
The Week Ahead: Dec. 12-18
Holiday party season is in full swing. This week you can make your own chocolate martinis, stumble around East Austin dressed as C-3PO, and squeeze back into that ugly Christmas sweater for another year of yuletide festivities.
Monday, Dec. 12 Dub Academy’s First Annual Christmas Party 8pm–Midnight • Parkside, 301 East 6th St. • Free; RSVP required Complimentary drinks and raffle tix for...
11 tags
The Weekend Ahead: Dec. 9-13
Friday, Dec. 9: W Hotel 1st Anniversary Celebration 3–10pm • W Hotel, 200 Lavaca Street • Free Happy hour with $1.29 specialty cocktails from 3-5pm; champagne toast at 6; disco dance party at 9. Free Spanish Wine Tasting 4pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free Five wine selections to taste. Aussie’s Beach Bar Customer Appreciation Party 6pm • Aussie’s Grill & Beach Bar •...
November 2011
6 posts
13 tags
The Week Ahead: Nov. 29-Dec. 5
Hey, it’s the first wave of holiday parties! If you’re not into the whole eggnog and ugly sweater thing, you can still sip cocktails, watch some silent films with a live soundtrack, dance through the decades, and play with puppies while drinking beer.
Tuesday, Nov. 29 Moonshine Molly Tuesdays 6pm • The North Door, 501 N. IH-35 • Free First 25 people get a free sample of...
8 tags
The Week Ahead: Nov. 23-27
It’s Thanksgiving week, so most of this week’s events are related to food and/or shopping. Now get out there and chow down on some fried turkey, mac n’ cheese, BBQ or anthropomorphized liquor-soaked hams.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 Tasting: Food Wines for Thanksgiving 4–7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free Free tasting of Il Cavaliere Pinot Grigio ‘09, Mont Tauch...
13 tags
The Week Ahead: Nov. 14-20
This week we celebrate pizza, mustaches, and the birthdays of everyone’s favorite hipster hotspots.
Monday, Nov. 14 “Drink Local” with Treaty Oak Rum and Waterloo Gin 5–7pm • Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. • Free Complimentary liquor tastings and appetizers, with music by DJ Mel. Tuesday, Nov. 15 Grand Opening of Honeycomb Hair Boutique 5:30–8:30pm • Honeycomb...
14 tags
The Week Ahead: Nov. 9-13
Party arty, dudes.
Wednesday, Nov. 9 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. In-Store Performance 5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Live music by a fun band in a cool record store. Free Wine Tasting at Cool River Café 5–6:30pm • Cool River Café, 4001 W. Parmer Lane • Free Complimentary tastings of Chappellet Mountain Cuvee and William Hill Chardonnay, plus free hand-passed appetizers. arkFit...
6 tags
A 1-Minute Guide to the 22 Most Fun Acts of Fun...
Back, bigger than ever and in a better (?) location, the little festival that could is back for year six of public intoxication and Fun to the third degree. We take a look at the funnest of the fun with our 1-minute guide to Fun Fun Fun Fest, 20 Twitter-length microreviews of the sets we hope to catch this weekend.
Active Child: A red-headed, harp-playing solo artist who mixes high-pitched...
10 tags
The Week Ahead: Nov. 1-6
This week you can celebrate the Day of the Dead, sip some free Shiner, test your Sunny knowledge, and party at the moontower. And that’s not even counting the hijinks related to Fun Fun Fun! More on that later this week … but until then, check out Ultra8201’s recommendations, and get started on the fun early at the parties below.
Tuesday, Nov. 1 Dia De Los Muertos Happy...
5 tags
La Zona Rosa to remain open through SXSW 2012
Last week news came out that Warehouse District live music venue La Zona Rosa, which has been in operation for more than 30 years, appeared to be up for sale. Then the new owners released a statement that no immediate changes are planned but options are being explored. Last night an employee at La Zona Rosa confirmed that the venue’s future is uncertain. The source said staff have not been told...
October 2011
5 posts
9 tags
The Week Ahead: Oct. 24-31
There are so many free drinks up for grabs this week that, much like fishing with dynamite, it’s not even fair. Local breweries are offering all kinds of samples as part of Austin Beer Week, which runs through Sunday, and of course, Halloween is right around the corner. So, go out and enjoy some free tastings, embrace the costumed chaos, and keep an eye out for zombies (word on the street...
12 tags
The Week Ahead: Oct. 19-25
It’s a good week for local beer lovers: You can find free Independence, Live Oak, (512), and Real Ale at various events around town. Also, Austin Beer Week kicks off this weekend! For everyone else, there’s a trailer food festival, a zombie dance party, an indie horror movie marathon, and as always, loads of free beverages.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 Free Popcorn at Cornucopia 10am–8pm •...
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The Week Ahead: Oct. 13-16
This week’s highlights: whiskey shots, wedding cake, sauerkraut, playscapes, and a human petting zoo. (Disclaimer: We do not recommend trying those all at once.)
Thursday, Oct. 13 Revolving Door Gallery October Group Show 7–10pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free Have some free drinks from the Palm Door Bar while you check out paintings, prints, mixed media, and abstract work....
8 tags
The Week Ahead: Oct. 5-9
Taste local brews, listen to music outdoors, watch a fierce pedicab race — just another fine week in Austin. Pace yourself: Thursday is a doozy.
Wednesday, Oct. 5 In-Store Show: Portugal the Man / Blind Pilot 5–9pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Waterloo’s in-stores are always a good time, and this one’s a doubleheader. Texas vs. OU Torchlight Parade and Rally 8pm • Parade Starts at...
September 2011
3 posts
9 tags
The Week Ahead: Sept. 28 - Oct. 2
Rawwr! I need a drink!
Wednesday, Sept. 28 The Liberty End of Summer Luau 8–11pm • The Liberty, 1618 1/2 E. 6th St. • Free Free drinks from Sailor Jerry Rum from 9–10:30; roasted pork belly by East Side Kings for $2/plate; limbo and hula hoop contests. Fantastic Fest Prom 10:30pm • The Highball • Free Bowls of spiked punch; prom montage & music videos hosted by the Action Pack;...
11 tags
ACL Weekend Events: Sept. 15-18
Whether you want to enhance your ACL experience or avoid the fest altogether, here are some events that will let you keep your party going and cost little or nothing to attend. Thursday, Sept. 15 Grand Opening of Prize 5–8pm • Prize, 202 Colorado St. • Free, RSVP required Complimentary cocktails and sushi. RSVP by emailing info@prizeaustin.com LePA Grand Re-Opening Cocktail Party 7–10pm • LePA...
10 tags
The Week Ahead: Sept. 7-11
Hooray, UT won its first game of the season! I feel so full of… What’s the opposite of shame? Less shame! Let’s celebrate!
Wednesday, Sept. 7 Free Wine Tasting 4-7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free Free tasting of Steele and Shooting Star wines. Palm Door Open House 7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine Street • Free; RSVP required Free food and drinks by Pink Avocado,...
August 2011
3 posts
11 tags
The Week Ahead: Aug. 30 - Sept. 4
We’ve finally cracked the record for most 100+ degree days (suck it, 1925!), but in the immortal words of James Murphy, “If you’re worried about the weather, then you picked the wrong place to stay.” With that in mind, let’s go have some drinks.
Tuesday, Aug. 30 New Belgium 1554 Promo at The Draughthouse 5pm • The Draughthouse, 4112 Medical Pkwy Free BBQ, ice...
6 tags
The Week Ahead: Fashion Week Edition
Austin Fashion Week kicks off this weekend, and as per tradition, there are dozens of events offering complimentary beverages. The full schedule of free Fashion Week happenings is available here. Here are a few highlights:
Sunday, Aug. 21 KaRu presents: Fly By Nite 6–9pm • KaRu Salon, 3500 Jefferson St., Suite 101 Complimentary cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres Wolf Pack Fashion Frenzy 6–9pm...
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The Week Ahead: Aug. 15-21
Fly, my pretties, fly — to get some free stuff at these awesome events!
Monday, Aug. 15 CineMondays: “Camp Nowhere” 10pm • 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House, 2906 Fruth Street Free movie night presented by I Luv Video, with cheap drinks and $1 pizza slices. Tuesday, Aug. 16 Austin Chronicle presents: Paper Cuts 7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401-A Sabine Street • RSVP for priority entry...
May 2011
1 post
11 tags
The Week Ahead: May 10–15
Now that last week’s freak cold front is behind us, we’re ready to proclaim that summer is here. Now get out there and enjoy it! Tuesday, 5/10 The Wagoneers In-Store Show 5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th & Lamar • Free Free music and Shiner. Free Beer at I Luv Video 5pm • I Luv Video, 4803 Airport Blvd. • Free Self-explanatory… Wednesday, 5/11 Free Wine Tasting at Cool River Café 5–6:30pm...