Where you should consume, store, stay and play.
Every 12 months, artists, filmmakers, creatives, techies therefore the individuals who love them flock to Austin, Texas for SXSW. In the event that you’ve never ever gone to the famous event (taking place March 10-19 this season), Southern By (as locals and regulars call it) overlaps per week of Interactive (read: online and app-based panels, activities and events) using its movie and comedy offerings (screenings, programs, a lot more parties) as well as its line-up of respected artists and buzzed-about brand new acts, with every record label, life style business, podcast and YouTube channel clamoring to protect who’s next.
In a town recognized for the passion for real time bands and BBQ, Austin-philes additionally hail this mecca that is musical its wonderful weirdness, which undoubtedly talks to its queerness. Notwithstanding Austin’s regular LGBTQ events and choices throughout the year, SXSW is amongst the most readily useful times to go to, as through the event, the town not merely bustles with interesting individuals seeking to satisfy brand new faces, but hands over Southern hospitality in its haunts that are everyday.
We asked some Austin locals to offer us the lowdown on where you should consume, remain, store and play whilst in town for SXSW, or just about any other time you might like to result in the day at the town that is queerest in Texas.
Remain
First thing’s very first: You’ve gotta know Liz Lambert. The out hotelier has a few different businesses both in and outside of Austin, but she’s a fixture associated with the town, along with her resort hotels would be the coolest places to remain 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 badass lesbian around, ” said Austin dweller and journalist 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 michelada that is best in the city. ”
Resort San Jose and Lambert’s other Austin spot Resort Saint Cecilia are colorful, cool and contemporary: sleek and classy with a tasteful touch of stone ‘n roll. You’ll desire to just just take bits of the ability house or apartment with you, and you’re in luck—both places offer carefully chosen items that are local the mini-bar and apothecary in their present store. (Bonus: Dogs welcome! )
Resort San Jose via formal web web web site
Eat
Liz can also be who owns Jo’s Coffee which not merely serves Stumptown Coffee and banging break fast tacos, but its original location close to resort San Jose can be the website of several an Austin photo op and “a cool, sweet section of Austin’s LGBTQ history. ”
“The famous ‘Everyone loves you a great deal’ Austin mural is in the part for this cafe, ” Doyle offered. “The tale being that a musician that is local Amy Cook spray painted it in the wall surface after her and Liz, her gf, found myself in a battle. ”
Jo’s Coffee via Twitter
During SXSW, Jo’s parking great deal hosts Southern by San Jose, a free of charge celebration that everyone can go to, featuring “live music, neighborhood vendors and good times. ”
Whenever you’re to locate meal, hitched couple LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem‘s Los Angeles Barbeque is a yes thing. “The beef rib and chipotle slaw are to literally perish for, ” said filmmaker Lisa Donato.
Los angeles Barbecue via Facebook
She additionally advises The Urban Cowboy, a food vehicle owned by out trans man Chris Trapani providing just exactly what Donato called “the most useful hangover food in town—greasy tacos, alcohol mac and cheese, praline bacon sticks and avocado fritters. ”
Vegans, Austin is more friendly than you might think. Plezzure Island organizer Ashley Marshall indicates Bouldin Creek Cafe, that offers 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 for all identities and hosts lots of SXSW’s queer happenings. Across the street, Rain offers a setting that is similar with a lot more dance. (When getting cocktails, try to find Frot Vodka, a nearby LGBT-owned brand name. )
The women are going to be en masse at Cheer Up Charlie’s, Austin’s venue that is lesbian-owned lends its phase to performers and storytellers nightly. During SXSW, they’ll host Empress: employer Babes ATX & GirlFriend Showcase among other can’t-misses that are cool.
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 as of this fave that is 
gay.
For anyone who is enthusiastic about some more chill literary vibes through the day, Austin hosts Booklady, a feminist bookstore owned by away lesbian Susan Post that provides artwork, T-shirts, posters as well as other things you or somebody you understand may want as being a souvenir. In North Austin, collective-owned Monkeywrench Books normally filled with queer-friendly collectibles. “They focus on content linked to politics, oppression and privilege, ” Donato said.
Bookwoman via Facebook
In the event that you don’t mind a small drive outside of city limitations, Whirlaway Farm and Garden is a recommended stop. Out owner Francesca Hernandez ended up being influenced to buy the plot that is three-acre begin her very own farm while being employed as an Austin town planner, and today it is home up to a greenhouse, fully-functioning farm as well as the yurt by which she dwells. She additionally dedicates the room to web web hosting workshops and community activities, and offers goat’s milk hand ointments and soaps, along with supplying a CSA Harvest Share.
Whirlaway Farms via Facebook
SXSW Particular
One of the main destinations at this year’s SXSW Interactive is Lesbutante & The Boss + Lesbians whom Tech formal SXSW Soiree 2017, March 10 during the Highland Lounge. Managed with 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 occasion has been arranged by Austin energy couple celebration promoters (and founders of Plezzure Island) Michelle Solorzano Daly and Kelly western. 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 making use of Tech to get rid of LGBT Youth Homelessness.
This year’s film fest offerings are stellar using 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” featuring bisexual “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Stephanie Beatriz. Bonus: These ladies will all attend the Austin lgbt Global movie Festival’s filmmaker that is annual 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 throughout 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 phase at Trinity Hall at Old class on March 19. Non-locals but queer performers to browse consist of Loamlands, Krudas Cubensi, Johanna Warren, The Spook class, Aye Nako, Marika Hackman, Jay Som, plus the Shondes.
See SXSW for seats, activities and updated event information.