The best place to consume, store, stay and play.
Every musicians, filmmakers, creatives, techies and the people that love them flock to Austin, Texas for SXSW year. In the event that you’ve never ever gone to the famous event (taking place March 10-19 in 2010), Southern By (as locals and regulars call it) overlaps per week of Interactive (read: online and app-based panels, occasions and events) using its movie and comedy offerings (screenings, programs, a lot more parties) and its particular line-up of respected artists and buzzed-about new acts, with every record label, life style business, podcast and YouTube channel clamoring to protect who’s next.
In a town understood for the love of real time bands and BBQ, Austin-philes additionally hail this musical mecca for its wonderful weirdness, which truly talks to its queerness. Notwithstanding Austin’s regular LGBTQ events and choices throughout the 12 months, SXSW is amongst the most readily useful times to consult with, as throughout the event, the town not just bustles with interesting individuals trying to satisfy brand brand brand new faces, but hands over Southern hospitality with its everyday haunts.
We asked some Austin locals to offer us the lowdown on the best place to consume, remain, store and play whilst in city for SXSW, or other time you should result in the visit to the queerest city in Texas.
Stay
First thing’s very very very first: You’ve gotta know Liz Lambert. The out hotelier has a few various businesses both in and away from Austin, but she’s a fixture for the town, along with her resorts would be the coolest places to keep or stay in for a glass or two when you look at the Lone celebrity state.
“She’s basically Austin’s most well-known and lesbian that is badass, ” said Austin dweller and author Krista Doyle. “She’s known for renovating resort San Jose on Southern Congress. Their yard courtyard patio is where you can expect to take in the most useful michelada in city. ”
Resort San Jose and Lambert’s other Austin spot Resort Saint Cecilia are colorful, cool and contemporary: sleek and stylish by having a touch that is tasteful of ‘n roll. You’ll desire to simply just take bits of the knowledge house with you, and you’re in luck—both places offer very very carefully chosen items that are local the mini-bar and apothecary within their present store. (Bonus: Dogs welcome! )
Hotel San Jose via formal web web site
Eat
Liz can be the master of Jo’s Coffee which not just serves Stumptown Coffee and banging break fast tacos, but its original location close to Hotel San Jose can also be your website of numerous an Austin photo op and “a cool, sweet section of Austin’s LGBTQ history. ”
“The famous ‘i really like you a great deal’ Austin mural is regarding the part with this cafe, ” Doyle offered. “The story being that the regional musician called Amy Cook spray painted it regarding the wall surface after her and Liz, her girlfriend, found myself in a battle. ”
Jo’s Coffee via Twitter
A free celebration that everyone can go to, featuring “live music, neighborhood vendors and happy times. During SXSW, Jo’s parking great deal hosts Southern by San Jose”
Whenever you’re to locate meal, hitched few LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem‘s Los Angeles Barbeque is really a certain thing. “The beef rib and chipotle slaw are to literally perish for, ” said filmmaker Lisa Donato.
Los angeles Barbecue via bisexual guy Facebook
She additionally advises The Urban Cowboy, a meals vehicle owned by out trans man Chris Trapani providing exactly exactly just what Donato called “the hangover food that is best in town—greasy tacos, beer mac and cheese, praline bacon sticks and avocado fritters. ”
Vegans, Austin is more friendly than you may think. Plezzure Island organizer Ashley Marshall shows Bouldin Creek Cafe, that provides a menu that is mostly vegan she stated is “definitely family. ”
Enjoy
4th Street is Austin’s unofficial gayborhood, lined with LGBTQ nightclubs and pubs like city basic Oil Can Harry’s. This club is actually for all identities and hosts lots of SXSW’s happenings that are queer. Across the street, Rain delivers a comparable environment but with a lot more dance. (whenever getting cocktails, search for Frot Vodka, a nearby LGBT-owned brand. )
The ladies are guaranteed in full to be en masse at Cheer Up Charlie’s, Austin’s lesbian-owned venue that lends its phase to musicians and storytellers nightly. During SXSW, they’ll host Empress: employer Babes ATX & GirlFriend Showcase among other cool can’t-misses.
Cheer Up Charlie’s via Facebook
BT2 Austin (or Bout That Time) is just a good spot for games, if you’re into that kind of thing. Enjoy pinball, pool, darts or volleyball only at that fave that is gay.
For anyone who is enthusiastic about a few more chill literary vibes throughout the day, Austin hosts Booklady, a bookstore that is feminist by out lesbian Susan Post that provides artwork, tees, posters as well as other things you or some one you realize may want as a souvenir. In North Austin, collective-owned Monkeywrench Books normally saturated in queer-friendly collectibles. “They focus on content associated with politics, oppression and privilege, ” Donato said.
Bookwoman via Facebook
In the event that you don’t mind a drive that is tiny of town limitations, Whirlaway Farm and Garden is a recommended stop. Out owner Francesca Hernandez had been prompted to get the three-acre plot and begin her very own farm while being employed as an Austin town planner, and today it is house to a greenhouse, fully-functioning farm in addition to yurt by which she dwells. She additionally dedicates the room to web hosting workshops and community tasks, and offers goat’s milk hand ointments and soaps, in addition to providing a CSA Harvest Share.
Whirlaway Farms via Facebook
SXSW Certain
Among the attractions that are main this year’s SXSW Interactive is Lesbutante & The Boss + Lesbians whom Tech certified SXSW Soiree 2017, March 10 in the Highland Lounge. Managed by way of a woman that is queer this newish homosexual nightclub has “three floors, a killer straight right back patio, and all sorts of the lights and fog a club kid could want, ” and also the event will be organized by Austin energy couple celebration promoters (and founders of Plezzure Island) Michelle Solorzano Daly and Kelly West. There’s also an LGBT in Tech Meetup, a Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) Meetup, LGBTQIA+ Gaymers & Geeks hook up, a panel on LGBT storytelling as a result Gets Better, the business enterprise Case for LGBT Equality, LGBT Community Driving Digital wellness Innovations, Selling Out: Anti-Oppressive Queer Style advertising and utilizing Tech to get rid of LGBT Youth Homelessness.
This year’s film fest offerings are stellar with all the premiere of Fawzia Mirza‘s lesbian-themed, multi-cultural wrestling love story “Signature Move, ” “Easy Living, ” featuring out actress Jen Richards, and “The Light of this Moon” starring bisexual “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Stephanie Beatriz. Bonus: These females will all attend the Austin lgbt Global movie Festival’s yearly filmmaker brunch on March 11. Some movie panels and meet-ups never to be missed: Queer Voices off and on Screen and Virtual Life’s a Drag: Queering VR.
Via “Signature Move”
If you’re trying to find some musicians that are local groove to through the week of concert events, out singer Gina Chavez will perform her salsa-pop at Maggie Mae’s on March 14 and heart rocker Emily Wolfe takes the stage at Trinity Hall at Old class on March 19. Non-locals but performers that are queer discover consist of Loamlands, Krudas Cubensi, Johanna Warren, The Spook class, Aye Nako, Marika Hackman, Jay Som, as well as the Shondes.
See SXSW for seats, activities and updated occasion information.