Austin Style Guide

SWIMSETTER'S GUIDE: AUSTIN

Off the beaten path in the Lone Star state. Guide to some of best local and under the radar (for now) restaurants, bars and boutiques around Austin.

Local brews and amazing tacos in East Austin- Lazarus Brewing Co.
This industrial space is bright and open. Teal blue accents, rich wooden mid-century furniture, and pin-tucked leather under a mounted buck set the tone for this east Austin brewery and restaurant. Retractable glass curtain walls bring together the indoor/outdoor space, where locals spread about, working on their laptops on high top wooden bars and picnic tables, sipping beer and noshing on street tacos under the rainbow glass mosaic ceiling mural.

Beers to try
Blushing Bride- sweet but powerful Belgian, aged in cherry wood- triple infused with honey, pear, banana and clove! Devious and highly drinkable.
40 days & 40 nights- balanced IPA. Description reads “if we were lost in the wilderness, with only one beer to drink for the rest of our life, this would be it.” I fully-heartedly believe them. It’s that good.
Like most Austin staples, they offer a variety of street tacos. I tried all five- my favs were the Al Pastor and Carne Asada... but to be honest, they’re all AMAZING!
Cheers!!

Get your man cut and styled on the fly- SHED Barber and Supply
In town for a friend's wedding, I needed to get my scruffy better-half looking a little more dashing. After a little internet and instagram research, we walked over to SHED Barber on Cesar Chavez, down the street from Lazarus. Another high ceiling industrial space with retractable glass doors leading outside (common in this neighborhood) you discover a rainbow floor-to-ceiling mural, flanking a men’s retail shop carrying American & Aussie menswear labels like Duvin Design, Native Youth, and TCSS.
Upon entering they offer you a beer while you wait to get styled out (win) and their hair talent definitely matches the ambience, because my man came out well very coiffed (win-win!) 

Services range between $15-$35

Happy Hour with a side a taxidermy and secret mezcalaria- Whisler's 
Yeah, you too will press your lips together when you find this nevoriche 17th century castle meets hipster bar and patio nestled amidst Austin’s up and coming east side. kick back in indoor/outdoor areas- both with great tunes. Weekends boast live music and secret mezcalaria upstairs- available for tastings and private reservations.
Drink-tears of the sun. Not because I love tequila, or because it’s available in the happy hour menu from 3-7. Do it because it is the perfect amount chilli pepper, basil and strawberry sweetness!
Do- Pop into the topless photo booth to create your own tiki bar pin-up influenced souvenirs. (shhh) It's okay, its happy hour right?!

South Austin Caffeine fix- Seveth Flag Coffee
Local house turned coffee destination with modern, minimalist Southwest decor (neutral color palette and reclaimed wood) is “like stopping by your stylish friends place for a good, home brewed cup of joe” Seventh Flag Coffee has a welcoming west coast vibe and very friendly staff. The motto here “All Welcome, All Ways”
On trend with the area, the space offers Indoor/outdoor seating, string lights, picnic tables, fire chimney and communal work space.
Do- take home hand-made greeting cards ("oh my darling", "you had me at tacos" ) or a purposely faded baseball cap ("Austin", "tacos, ya’ll," ) for cheeky local souvenirs.

Instagramable oddities and antiques shop- Uncommon Objects
This place kept coming up in all my searches of "must sees" in Austin and it did not disappoint one bit! Oddities and antiques would be an understatement, as this eclectic assortment is almost overwhelming. I sure the (very) hospitable (and patient) staff are tired of people swarming in to take pictures of their taxidermy animals dressed like storybook fables, but if you dig deeper and want to find a truly original vintage decor piece- this is the place. Very well curated.

East Austin House turned lush casita bar- Licha's Cantina
String light adorning palm trees transports you straight to Roserito Mexico. Tell the bartender what you like and let them make you a custom cocktail from scratch. Check out the back bar and open-air space with, you guessed it, panic tables, graffiti art and locals eating epic Mexican fare.

Japanese izakaya that won’t weigh down your wallet or belly- Fukumoto Sushi
Very affordable and delicious Japanese izakaya specializing in traditional sushi and yakitori. Drink cold sake out of mini bowls and feel lite and ready to continue the party even after multiple brown rice rolls!
Eat-“Name your price” chefs sashimi plate. I was throughly impressed with their selection of thick, fresh fish!

Upscale cocktails and service in Downtown Austin- The Roosevelt Room
Unpretentious yet uber classy cocktail lounge and event venue located in an industrial warehouse space in the business district of downtown Austin, with a prohibition style vibe. The staff is on point with their service and recommendations. Expertly crafted cocktails from different eras and a small plates kitchen open til 1:30am on weekends that will help to you keep sipping til last call.
Drink-the poet’s muse- it tastes like a fresh pressed green juice that someone spiked with gin.... except it doesn’t taste like gin. At all. Secret ingredient- pistachio milk! Shhhh...

The morning-after bar hopping juice fix- The Soup Peddler
Multiple locations throughout Austin offering fresh juices & smoothies, handmade soups & salads, & pressed sandwiches- everything you need to cure what ails ya!
Take a shot- the Royal flush: ginger, lemon, and canyanne pepper
Drink- Afternoon delight: "The juice to cure your hangover" refreshing and healing with a bit of spice. Watermelon, beet, ginger, pineapple, mint, and rose water will bring you back to life.

SWIMSETTER OUTPOSTS: My top picks for shopping boutiques on South Congress.

Feather’s

 One-of-a-kind pieces and colorful southwestern women’s vintage . A mixture of new and reworked garments.