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, king cake, and Mardi Gras–themed trivia.

Rogue Running’s Fat Tuesday Pub Run
6–9pm • Rogue Running, 500 San Marcos St., #104 • Free
A four-mile run with stops at four bars. Bring cash and feel free to dress up in Mardi Gras attire.

Paper Cuts: Whiskey Shivers
7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Free food from Austin’s Pizza and beverages from Tito’s Vodka, Woodchuck Cider, and Sweet Leaf Tea. Music by Whiskey Shivers. RSVP was required to reserve a spot, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

Mardi Gras at Hotel Vegas        ***Event of the Week***
8pm–Midnight • Hotel Vegas, 1500 East 6th St. • Free
Free food, free Abita, and music by Gumbo Ce Soir and Roxy Roca.

Brazilian Mardi Gras
8pm–2am • Flamingo Cantina, 515 East 6th St. • $5
Catered food, special cocktails, and music by Os Alqumistas, Seu Jacinto, Morena Sou


Wednesday, Feb. 22
Schemer at SouthBy Pre-Party
5:30–9pm • Gibson Bar, 1109 S. Lamar • Free; RSVP required
Free drinks and food. See the link for RSVP details.

National Margarita Day with Republic Tequila at Santa Rita Cantina
6–8pm • Santa Rita Cantina, 5900 W. Slaughter Ln. and 1206 W. 38th St. • Free
Republic Tequila drink specials and tastings, all night happy hour, live music, trivia and prizes.


Thursday, Feb. 23
Take the EDGE Off Thursday w/ League of Rebels Clothing
6–9pm • Edge Boutique, 411 Brazos St. • Free; RSVP requested
Drinks by Leprechaun Cider Co., photo session by Phillip Leach.

ATX Vegan Drinks
7–9pm • The Brixton, 1412 E. 6th St. • Free
The Brixton will be offering a selection of vegan beers and cocktails, including a vegan White Russian, and Arlo’s Food Truck will be selling vegan food across the street from the bar.

The Worst Tattoo in Austin
8pm–2am • 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St. • $5
Contestants compete for $1,000 in tattoo prizes, with music by The Mole People, a burlesque half-time show, and cheap booze sponsored by Sailor Jerry’s.


Friday, Feb. 24
Beer Tasting at Rosedale Market
4–6pm • Rosedale Market, 1309 W. 45th St. • Free
Taste beer selections from Brooklyn Brewery and Harpoon Brewery.

ARTCRANK Austin 2012 | Opening Night Party
6–11pm • Pine Street Station, 1101 E. 5th St. • Free
Craft beers by Widmer Brothers Brewing will be available in ARTCRANK pint glasses, with proceeds going LIVESTRONG.

Fabricker Grand Opening Celebration
7–10pm • Fabricker, 4631 Airport Blvd., Ste. 119 • Free
Drinks by Chaos Cocktails and bites by SugaPlump Catering and Pastries.

Major Major Major Digital Release Party
8pm • Gypsy Lounge, 1504 E. 6th. St. • $5 w/ RSVP, $7 door
Free beer while it lasts and music by Major Major Major, Tiger Waves and Pre War.


Saturday, Feb. 25
Lee Leffingwell Campaign Headquarters Grand Opening and Rolling Roadshow
6–9pm • Leffingwell Campaign Headquarters, 2406 Manor Rd. • Free
Free BBQ, beer, live music, and the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Austin Wedding Party
7–10pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301-A Guadalupe St. • Free; RSVP required
Complimentary cocktails.

6th Annual Misprint Beard & Moustache Competition
8–11pm • Mohawk, 912 Red River St. • $8 advance, $10 door
Awards handed out at this awesome annual event include Fiercest Chops, Gnarliest Beard, and Sweetest Stache. Also: drink specials, celebrity judges, music by Andy the Mouth, and photography by Alison Narro. Hosted by Matt Bearden.

ZEALE Full Band Debut
9pm–Midnight • Beauty Bar, 617 E 7th St. • Cover?
Austin’s favorite hip-hop artist performs with his new live band. Plus: The Shears, Sphynx, and Prom Date.

Local Night for Local People
9pm–2am • Frank, 407 Colorado St. • $8 w/ RSVP; $10 door
Music by Western Ghost House, Dead Black Hearts, New Roman Times, Stereo is a Lie, and Oh No Oh My. A $20 VIP package includes beverages, merch, and gifts from Frank and Whitesiren.

Pisces Blacklight, PJ’s & Lingerie Party
9pm–2am • Club 606, 606 East 7th St. • Free
Dance party featuring UV body painting and beats by DJ Guardian, ExStus, Sir Jackson, and others. Donations for Safeplace accepted at the door.

West by West Campus Afterparty
9pm • Hole in the Wall, 2538 Guadalupe St. • Cover?
Free food + music by  Major Major Major, Waldo and The Naturals, and Auroravore.


Sunday, Feb. 26
BarCraft ATX
3–7pm • Pluckers Wing Bar, 2222 Rio Grande • Free
Free drinks for the first 160 people through the door, courtesy of SXSW and Game Republik.

Switched On 2-Year Anniversary/Analog Synth Party
4pm–2am • 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St. • Free
An all-day bring-your-own synth party, ending with a night of music by Pat A. Physics, The Synth Freq, Pailo, God’s Gun, and DJs Veronica Ortuno & Malcolm Elijah.

Hollywood at the Highball
6pm • The Highball, 1142 S. Lamar Blvd. • Free
Oscar party with bingo, movie trivia, and a prize for the table with the most accurate award predictions. Dress classy — Annie Ray will be snapping red carpet photos from 6–6:30pm.

Black Sheep Lodge Oscars Watch Party and Trailer Contest
6pm • Black Sheep Lodge, 2018 S. Lamar Blvd. • Free
Drink specials, prizes, games (including trivia and bingo), and a screening of the top 10 entries in the Oscars Trailer Contest.

theGlitoris Presents: Re-Vurse! at Beauty Ballroom
10pm–2am • Beauty Ballroom, 2015 E. Riverside Dr. • $3 after midnight for 21+; $5 for 18+
The first installment of Glitoris’ new Sunday night gig at Beauty Ballroom, featuring reverse Happy Hour after midnight.


Monday, Feb. 27
Band of Heathens In-Store Performance
5–6:30pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free
Free show with beer provided by Shiner.

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Shoutouts: Amber, Partay Peeps, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

Photo by Andy Castro (Flickr)

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 • Free
Complimentary food and drinks.

701 & 705 South Lamar Block Party
6pm • Howl Interiors, 705 South Lamar Boulevard, Ste. A • Free
Anniversary party for Moss Boutique and Howl Interiors with free drinks, live music, door prizes, shopping, and a raffle.

CsillaWear Holiday Soiree
6–11pm • The Mosaic, 4600 Mueller Blvd. • Free (RSVP required: Email)
Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Raffle benefits People’s Community Clinic of Austin.

Drought/Fire/Ash and Pattern Lands Opening Reception
7-10pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301A Guadalupe • Free
Local artists Marjorie Moore and Callen Thompson celebrate the opening of their new exhibits. Complimentary drinks by Dripping Springs Vodka, Texas Tea and Wunder-Pilz Kombucha Tea. Cheese provided by Antonelli’s Cheese Shop.

Film Night at Green House
8pm–Midnight • Green House, 701 E 53rd St. • Free
Screenings of “Meet the Feebles” and “Another Stakeout” with free cocktails and popcorn

90s Cuisine: Bayside High Homecoming
9pm–2am • The ND, East 5th at Brushy Street • $5 / $3 with costume
90s dance party with specialty drinks, friendship bracelets, and a photo booth.

BackSpin Records Closing Festivities    **Event of the Week**
Fri. 10:30pm–1:30am; Sat. 1–7:30pm, Sun. 11am–5pm • BackSpin Records, 4631 Airport Blvd., Suite 110-A • Free
BackSpin goes out in style with a three-day party featuring more than 30 DJs and MCs — and free beer. See the event page for full lineup.


Saturday, Dec. 10
Thirsty Planet Brewery Tour
11am • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Drive • Free (RSVP required)
Free tour and beer tasting. Make sure to reserve a spot online.

Live Oak Brewery Tour
11:30am–2pm • Live Oak Brewery, 3301 East 5th Street • Free (RSVP required)
Free tour and beer tasting. Make sure to reserve a spot online.

Big Medium presents “Fumes” — An Art Show by Doug Pollard
7pm-Midnight • Big Medium Gallery, 5305 Bolm Rd. #12 • Free
Free food & booze.

The Vagabond Collectives Ultimate Christmas party
8pm–Midnight • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $5
Music by Driver Friendly (aka Driver F), White White Lights, Major Major Major, and Glitta.

Ray Prim CD Listening Party
8pm–Midnight • One 2 One Bar, 121 East 5th St. • $5
Free Lone Star Tallboys while they last. Listen to the album and check out live performances by Kalu James and Ray Prim.

Trinity Hall Grand Opening: A Skank Family Affair
8pm–2am • Trinity Hall, 401 E. 6th St. • Free
Free show with performances by Mother Falcon, Little Lo, Marmalakes, Cryin’ Cole Wilson & Those Miserable Cowboys, and Dog Gone Dead.


Sunday, Dec. 11
“Office Christmas Party” Swing Dance with the Austin Swing Orchestra
9–11pm • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $5
The Austin Swing Orchestra plays classics from the ’30s and ’40s as well as some holiday favorites, followed by a set by Heaven for Betsy.


Tuesday, Dec. 13
Austin Chronicle Presents: Paper Cuts
7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Complementary Shock Top beer, desserts from the Frisco Shop, and Bacardi Oakheart Rum. Music by Marmalakes. RSVP to reserve your spot; additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.


SAVE THE DATE: CoolinAustin’s very first Free Week showcase is set for Jan. 2 at Swan Dive. We’ll announce the details next week, but suffice it to say, it will rock yo socks off.

Plugs: Like us on the Facebook, Tweet at us on the Twitter

Shoutouts: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

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 • Cornucopia, 1914 Guadalupe St., Suite B • Free
Try free samples of the new fall flavors: Pumpkin Pie, Biscuits and Gravy, Candy Corn, White Chocolate Cranberry, and Caramel Apple.

Left Coast Cellars Wine Tasting
4–7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free
Complimentary tasting of Left Coast Cellars ’09 Pinot Gris, ’06 Cali’s Pinot Noir, and ’06 Latitude 45 Pinot Noir.

Liberty Oktoberfest
7pm–2am • The Liberty, 1618-1/2 E. 6th St. • Free
Liberty is giving away 100 steins and offering Spaten beer specials to go with them. Bratwurst-eating contest starts at 8pm.


Thursday, Oct. 20
Icenhauer’s One Year Anniversary Party
4pm–2am • Icenhauer’s, 83 Rainey St. • Free
Taco bar provided by Tacos and Tequila from 6–8pm. Happy hour with Dulce Vida Tequila specials from 4–8pm. Special guest DJ from 9pm–2am.
 
Free Beer Thursday with D Madness
4:30pm • Double Trouble BBQ, 5300 South Congress Ave. • $5
Cover includes … you guessed it: free beer + music by D-Madness.

Austin Design Riot
6–9pm • Threshold Furniture & Design Studio, 801 W. 5th St. #100 • Free
Free drinks from Deep Eddy Vodka, giveaways, scavenger hunt, and gift bags. Architects, interior designers, and other members of the Austin design community will speak at the event.

Lamberts Patio Party
6–8pm • Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, 401 West 2nd Street • Free
Housemade sausages, Oktoberfest beers from Live Oak, Real Ale & Spaten, and music by The Fabulous Polkasonics.

Big-Ass Social Happy Hour (BASHH)
6–11:30pm • Hangar Lounge, 318 Colorado Street • Free; RSVP requested
Mingle with your fellow Austin social media peeps. One free drink ticket for the first 100 people. Annie Ray photo booth.


Friday, Oct. 21
Free Food and Wine Party
5pm • The Market at Steiner Ranch, 4300 N. Quinlan Park Road, Suite 120 • Free
Complimentary food, 15 wines to sample, and live music.

Block Party
5–9pm • Vanity Salon & Day Spa, 2118 Oxford Avenue • Free
Complimentary cocktails, food, music, raffle, and giveaways.


Saturday, Oct. 22
Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival
11am–8pm • Auditorium Shores • Free
More than 40 of Austin’s best food trailers convene in one place for maximum sampling efficiency. Each trailer will have a sampler menu item for $3 or less. There was a huge crowd (and long lines) at this event last year, so get there early.

Scarlet Waters IV: Inner Cuts
11am–11pm • DoubleTree Hotel University Area, 1617 IH-35 North • Free; Donations welcome
All-day mini-festival of indie horror and thriller films & shorts from around the world. Costume contest at 7:45pm.
 
Live Oak Brewery Tour & Tasting
Noon–2pm • Live Oak Brewing Co., 3301-B East 5th Street • Free
Get an in-depth tour of the brewery led by Chip McElroy and Brian Peters, followed by a tasting of Live Oak’s current selections (and maybe a few surprises).
 
Balcones Burner Bash
Noon–6pm • Balcones Recycling, 2416 East 6th Street • Free
Graffiti art competition to raise money for the Lady Bird Wildflower Center. Features live music + food and local beer for sale.

Jewelry by Artists & Cocktail Social at Gallery Black Lagoon
Noon–6pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 A. Guadalupe St. • Free
Complimentary cocktails, cupcakes & beverages provided by Dripping Springs Vodka, VitaminWater, Lick it Bite it or Both, & Third Coast Coffee.

Austin SUP Games
Noon–4pm • Pure Austin Fitness Quarry Lake, 4210 W Braker Lane • Free for spectators
Watch SUP Board (Stand Up Paddle Board) enthusiasts compete in a series of crazy events including an obstacle course, slalom course, jousting, and a massive water fight. Participants will attempt to break the world record for number of people on a SUP board at one time.
 
Uncle Billy’s Lake Travis Brewery Tour + Tasting
4–5pm • Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que, 6550 Comanche Trail • Free
Brewer Brian Peters leads a tour that features samples of Uncle Billy’s hand-crafted brew.

Independence Brewing Company 7th Anniversary Party *Event of the Week*
4–8pm • Independence Brewing Co., 3913 Todd Lane #607 • Free
Free samples of a special 7th Anniversary beer, rare beers from the Brewluminati series, and the regular Independence lineup. Entertainment will be provided by the brewer-led band as well as Austin rockabilly band Deuce Coupe.

House Wine 3rd Anniversary Party and Songbird Festival
4pm–1am • House Wine, 408 Josephine St. • Free
Free appetizers from 6–8pm, crafting projects, drink specials all day, and live music by local singer/songwriters.

Artslam! Return of the Undead!
7pm–2:30am • The ND at 501 Studios, East 5th and Brushy Street • $5
Free vodka + Red Bull from 7:30–9. DJ sets, visual effects, and professional make-up artists to help zombify the crowd.


Sunday, Oct. 23
HOPE Farmers Market 2nd Birthday + Food Day Celebration
11am–3pm • HOPE Farmers Market, E. 5th and Waller St. • Free
Free beer all day by 512 Brewing Company, demos, and healthy foods from local vendors. Live music by Chris Jamison and Bottom Dollar String Band.
 
Beer Olympics hosted by the Draught House
3–7pm • The Draught House, 4112 Medical Pkwy • Free
Compete for prizes in events such as Crap Beer Cornhole, Yeast Toss, Keg Lift, Blind IPA Challenge and Modified Arm Wrestling. Three people per team. This is part of the Austin Beer Week festivities.
 

Monday, Oct. 24
Austinist Presents: Live Music Trivia at Dive Bar
7–9pm • Dive Bar and Lounge‎, 1703 Guadalupe St. • Free
Dive Bar’s inaugural music trivia night will feature rounds centering on a variety of genres and tastes. Winning team gets a $50 bar tab. Sign up here.


Tuesday, Oct. 25
Austin Chronicle Presents Paper Cuts: Mike and the Moonpies
7-9pm • The Palm Door, 401-A Sabine Street • Free; RSVP requested
The Chronicle’s monthly free music series features complimentary Sapporo Beer, food from Curra’s Grill, and 42 Below Vodka. You need to RSVP to guarantee admission, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

Facebook! Twitter! More free stuff from: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512! Peace be da journey!