Paramount Theatre For the Performing Arts
Neighborhood: Downtown

713 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Jon S. writes: If I was Abraham Lincoln and there was a plot to assassinate me at Paramount Theater, I would still go. It's a beautiful theater, and it's not easy to get into SXSW screenings! A world premiere no less! Just let me enjoy the decor, the big screen,…

Continental Club
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1315 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Kimberly K. writes: Warning
According to the surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages including distilled spirits, beer, coolers, and wine during pregnancy because of risk of birth defects.  (Posted in the women's room at CC)

Door guy let us in for…

Hotel San Jose
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1316 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

jessica s. writes: Whether on a vacation or staycation (better for my budget), visit the San Jose Hotel.  It has the perfect little outdoor patio to enjoy a drink and snack with a date or a group of friends.  The micheladas are good, but not my favorite in town.  The…

Vain
Neighborhood: East Austin

1803 Chicon St
Austin, TX 78702

Erin B. writes: The single most traumatic thing about packing up and moving clear across the country is saying goodbye to that group of close friends that feels like family.  And for any gal who "enhances" her own natural hair color her hometown hair salon is that…

Barton Creek Greenbelt
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2201 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78746

Kevin N. writes: My dog is basically a giant dork.  I mean this with all inherent sensitivity to dorks everywhere, and in fact were they to accidentally come across my dog trying her best to act anything resembling cool, they no doubt would say something along the…

Draught House Pub & Brewery
Neighborhood: Rosedale

4112 Medical Pkwy
Austin, TX 78756

Don P. writes: Things Don loves:

Dogs.
Cool people.
Hippies.
Friendly people.
Diversity.
Genuine people.
Laid-back atmosphere.
Outdoors.
Varieties of beer/cider.
Brown and blue.

Things Don doesn't like:

Posers.
Egos.
Drunk dudes lookin' to hook up.
Meat markets*.…

Central Market

4001 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78756

Don P. writes: You're in new love.  You KNOW how it is with those damn belly-butterflies. Or maybe it's just gas or hunger pangs.  Hard to tell the difference sometimes.
.
Sometimes gas would be easier and more rewarding.
.
Whatever the case, Central Market has all the…

Grape Vine Market

7938 Great Northern Blvd
Austin, TX 78757

Matthew H. writes: For the most part, the employees are a rude bunch. On more than one occasion I've gotten the checkout guy who seems put out to be ringing up your drinks. But as rare as it is for me to say, they can afford to be rude, as they have one of the best…

Alamo Drafthouse

2700 W Anderson Ln
Ste 701
Austin, TX 78757

Jenn C. writes: As a lazy northwesterner I cannot attest to the quirkiness of the southron Alamos (having never been to any) but between this and Lake Creek, this one's the best.  Better fries with queso and fresh baked cookies!  Added plus, it doesn't smell like a…

Central Market

4477 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78745

Leslie L. writes: I witnessed tonight, at Central Market,  what is surely a sign of the End Times.  

Sweet Leaf Tea...has gone up a dollar.  
2 for $6.  Two weeks ago, it was 2 for $5.  

If that does not convince you, surely this will:  

Bing cherries...$6.99 a pound
At…

I Luv Video

4803 Airport Blvd
Austin, TX 78751

Mr Doctor X. writes: From the recondite to the absurd, I Luv Video is truly a glorious treasure trove of cinematic esoterica.

Try this.  Roll through the aisles grabbing movies at random.  Witness the weird delights!  What have you grabbed?  

The new Takashi Miike…

Barfly's

5420 Airport Blvd
Ste B
Austin, TX 78751

Jarrett R. writes: If only this place had one of those plaques on the wall for personal drinking mile stones. Not so much for how many beers or shots I have had there, but how many times Barfly's has been responsible for being behind the driver's seat when it comes to…

Quality Seafood

5621 Airport Blvd
Austin, TX 78751

Molly T. writes: It was $.25 Peel & Eat Shrimp night, and I had one of my worst first dates ever.

My companion insisted on ordering the following (and he ordered for BOTH of us, without even asking me what I might want.  Note to men-- only douchebags do this): five…

Town Lake Metropolitan Parks

Austin, TX 78701

J M. writes: I'm pretty sure this is going to be the easiest review I ever write, as the Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail is, without a doubt, one of the three things that make downtown Austin the greatest place on earth (the other two being live music and, of course,…

Elephant Room
Neighborhood: Downtown

315 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Monica O. writes: I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet after all their consistently incredible gigs!

For starters, the $5 cover is unheard of for most music venues. To continue, their bartenders have the magic touch because every drink is gold. Not too…

Cafe Josie

1200 W 6th St # B
Austin, TX 78703

Bing C. writes: I like this place. It's solid and consistently good. My wife doesn't like it so much...so...what are you gonna do..

Maybe I'll just take my girlfriend there............  (that was a joke.  )

*Update* - Wife says she does like this place. Either I'm a…

Wink
Neighborhood: Downtown

1014 N Lamar Blvd Ste E
Austin, TX 78703

Chad F. writes: Life is about proportions. Good to evil. Day to night. Jay-Z to Kanye. All hangs in the balance, in the proportions.

The next time I bring a foodie to town and we've made the rounds of Austin's great casual food, and they come back with a "but there…

Broken Spoke
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3201 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Kevin N. writes: It's not on the marquee, and it's certainly not what they lead with, but it's definitely true:  the Broken Spoke is Vegas repellant.  

After spending the past several days in Sin City, we came back craving all the things that make Austin comparatively…

Waterloo Records & Video
Neighborhood: Downtown

600 N Lamar Blvd Ste A
Austin, TX 78703

Ben P. writes: Great place, both for video and music.  
The video rentals offer a great selection of new releases and an awesome back catalog.  The staff is amazing, they remember my name when checking me out.  How cool is that! (Or does it say that I rent too many…

Castle Hill Cafe

1101 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Lumiere M. writes: Did my tastebuds take me hostage? I'm confused.  It seems like a lot of people like Castle Hill - both Yelpers and friends have highly recommended it.  And yet, I was completely unimpressed.  

1- Within the first ten minutes the waiter came to set the…

Alamo Drafthouse
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1120 South Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Erin L. writes: So, as a disclaimer, I'm not a huge movie fan. I don't know if it's adult on-set ADD or WHAT, but I can not sit still for the life of me. Add a room full of rowdy people with cellphones and I'd much prefer to stay home on my couch.
That said, I won't…

Caffe Medici
Neighborhood: Clarksville

1101 West Lynn st
Austin, TX 78703

Chad F. writes: You haven't seen the dissapointment that I have. Not until you've seen a Medici barista take twice the time you would expect at a Fourbucks to begin a latte, prepare some damn tasty espresso, steam the right amount of milk, pour it into a perfectly…

The Salt Lick

18300 Fm 1826
Driftwood, TX 78619

Lovey C. writes: Day 5 - Austin, TX - Lunch

We drove and drove and I couldn't help but wonder if we were even still in TX!  This place is in BFE, in the middle of nothing... but man... was it worth the drive all the way to Drfitwood!  And according to my friend Dawn,…

Koriente
Neighborhood: Downtown

621 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78701

Ryan S. writes: Sometimes you like it when you walk into an establishment and they recognize you, like on Cheers when you walk in and the guy pours your drink and has it waiting for you by the time you sit down.

And then there's Koriente.  

Don't get me wrong, I love…

Driskill Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown

604 Brazos St
Austin, TX 78701

Jaye J. writes: Some friends of mine came in town this weekend for a big party and stayed at the Driskill. Before we headed to the party, we decided to bring back cocktail hour at the Driskill Bar. This really is the perfect place to bring back cocktail hour.

For…

Bats under the Congress Avenue bridge
Neighborhood: Downtown

100 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701

Kim P. writes: This is the coolest thing you can do in Austin.  And it's free!  I always watch from the grassy area below the bridge, but I'm sure the overpass view is cool, too.

This is my bat advice so that you can get the full bat experience:

1. GET THERE AT THE…

The Best Wurst
Neighborhood: Downtown

6th St and San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Chad S. writes: I don't get down to this part of 6th Street very often, at least not late night with a healthy (or un-healthy, depending on how you look at it) buzz, and a grumbling stomach...but when that happens, Best Wurst is a must-stop.

I think that I get the…

Barton Springs Pool
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2101 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704

Christine A. writes: My heart belongs to Barton Springs Pool.  I fell in love with the icy water, beautiful trees, snack bar and even the moss on the bottom when I came to Austin to go to college. During the early years, I spent many great weekends with friends on "the…

Uchi Restaurant
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

801 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

henry w. writes: Holy Crap. Is it possible that a restaurant in Texas could outshine or play on an even field as the top notch Japanese fusion restaurants in NYC/SF? The answer is, unequivocally, HELL YAH!!  I had heard about Uchi and all the wonders of Tyson Cole…

Amy's Ice Creams
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1301 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

ruggy j. writes: It's 97 degrees and I've been walking around Congress for WAY too long. My vision is starting to get sketchy, and I swear the ground is beginning to resemble a bloody sponge. Lizards are playing poker, the Grim Reaper is hiding around the corner from…

Buenos Aires Cafe
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2414 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Jaime M. writes: Expectations met. Taste buds satisfied. A nearly perfect lunch experience.

I had heard a lot about this place from friends and Yelpers (some of whom are also friends!), so when I was in the neighborhood for an appointment, I thought I'd finally try…

Whip In Convenience Store
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1950 S I H 35
Austin, TX 78704

rob m. writes: The only thing that could make the Whip In better is if it had a dirty book store attached, sold boiled peanuts and lowered their prices.  Other than that, the place is a charming compliment to the I-35 corridor and an easy spot to make it to make it…

Four Seasons Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown

98 San Jacinto Blvd Ste 1
Austin, TX 78701

maiko h. writes: So, I don't really know why there are no benches along the path by the river.  While looking for a place to chill out in the sun, I inadvertently trespassed onto the well-manicured back lawn of the Four Seasons.  I decided to kick it on the wooden…

Vulcan Video
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

112 W Elizabeth St
Austin, TX 78704

Lisa A. writes: More than any other chain or big box store I hate Blockbuster Video. I tore up my card and sent back it to them once when they mailed me a bill for my late fees. Couldn't they just wait until I went in again? If I never went back couldn't they just…

Ten Thousand Villages of Austin
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1317 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Sunni Z. writes: I heart Ten Thousand Villages.

First, I did my holiday shopping on Sunday (primarily at this store alone!) and got a parking spot right outside the door. Okay, okay, I know the store wasn't personally responsible for this, but it still put me in a…

Uncommon Objects
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1512 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Kevin N. writes: I may have been the most uncommon object in this store this week, as there's nothing like digging through the year 1954 to bring out the surreal in each of us.  It's true, it does look a little like the Mother of all Grandmother's Rummage Sales, and…

End of An Ear
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2209 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Kevin N. writes: Awesome, simply awesome.  I didn't head into End of An Ear expecting Amoeba Records or even the exact local formula for Waterloo, and what I found was a heavily-local friendly version of a the formula for a great Austin record store.  

The place was…

Casa De Luz
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1701 Toomey Rd
Austin, TX 78704

Christine A. writes: It was a beautiful Saturday morning at Casa de Luz, a restaurant we selected for my vegetarian brother to try during his visit to Austin. Upon entering the lush gardens we felt instantly relaxed and peaceful. What a gorgeous place to dine!  I was so…