Now We're Cookin'

You are kidding yourself if you think that the Austin restaurant industry does not possess the funky vibe that the rest of the city does. The funky vibe of Austin does everything but go unnoticed - including in the restaurant industry. Whether you are looking for a low key cafe for some quiet time, a fancy steak restaurant to take a date to or a chill spot on the lake, Austin offers it all. This should come as no surprise to you by now because after all, Austin is weird. If the city didn't offer such a wide variety of food selections, it would not be so weird! 

How does dinning on series of hillside patios overlooking the lake in the sunset capitol of Texas sound? If you think that is an ideal scenario, then The Oasis is the right restaurant for you. The Oasis is located on Lake Travis, so it is the perfect spot for those of you with boats that want to enjoy the day on the lake. Inside and outside seating are both available but the view from the deck is one like no other experience in Austin. About 10 minutes prior to sunset, Oasis employees remove the umbrellas to offer everyone a clear view of the spectacular sky. Don't miss this brilliant opportunity to dine with friends or family and experience the beauty of Austin for yourself.

Another Austin hot spot is South Congress (or in hipster terms, SoCo). There are plenty of restaurants and cool shops along the street; I would suggest any of them because they are all great but one of my personal favorites is Magnolia Cafe. They offer a smorgasbord of food including breakfast, Mexican and American. Don't come too hungry, you won't be able to decide what to get - the menu is that extensive! What could be better than a slew of options of great food you ask? Probably the fact that they are open 24/7 (or according to them 24/8). No matter what time of day or night it is, Magnolia Cafe will be open. If you want a tasty midnight snack that doesn't come from a drive-thru line, then this is the restaurant for you.
For all of you romantics out there, there is no need to worry - even funky Austin has some phenomenal candle lit dinner joints to offer. Your best bet is to head downtown, which is exactly where you will find the Roaring Fork. The Roaring Fork has been an Austin favorite for over a decade due to the dim light setting, fantastic service and selection of bold American cuisine. This restaurant is the perfect place for a fancy date night dinner so grab that special someone and treat them to what they deserve - a darn good meal (and a yummy glass of wine!).
If none of these restaurants struck your fancy, don't fret, there are plenty of more options in Austin that provide the Austin vibe that we all hear so much about. Try using the UrbanSpoon app to get the best results for you so you can continue to help in Keeping Austin Weird.

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Austin fashion can be described in many ways. Many consider Austin to be the home of the hippies and hipsters. With the laid back atmosphere and the easy living, Austin offers its residents plenty of fun fashion.
Lets talk shoes. Austin is notorious for being an outdoor walking city and there is no better way to walk around town then to do it wearing your ever so stylish TOMS shoes. TOMS shoes are a staple piece that can be found in pretty much any girl and/or guys closet. While Austinites are running around town wearing the latest fashion, so are the less fortunate children around the world. TOMS Shoes is a company that matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes that are given to a child in need. One for One. The program was started in 2006 by world traveler, Blake Mycoskie and was adopted into the Austin culture. 

Lets talk feathers. Feathers? Yes, feathers are this years must have hair accessory. If you don't have a couple thin strands of feathers attached in your hair as hair extensions then you are not "Austin". Many of the local salons are adding feathers to their list of regular services due to the high demand. Each strand is generally about $10 and the average number girls typically choose to fuse into their hair is around 6. What is more hippie than that?
Lets talk hats. With all of this Austin heat, hats are a major accessory that can be seen being worn around town by both men and women. Baseball hats you ask? Absolutely not. Baseball hats are a thing of past, it is all about the big brimmed sun hats and the fedoras these days. They are relatively inexpensive and can be found at stores across town.


If you have your ultra hipster TOMS shoes, your hippie feather hair extensions and your supper sassy hat then you are Austin ready. If not, get on it. The links provided below will help you to Keep Austin Weird: TOMS Shoes, Fedora hat, Splendor (feather extensions)

Austin Likes to Party, Austin Likes, Austin Likes to Party

Austin is one of the most, if not THE most diverse city in Texas. From the thousands of students, to the adults, to the plain weird-o’s, Austin nightlife has something to offer everyone. Whether you are looking for a dive bar to relax with the locals, a club scene to dance like a star, a fun bar with great drink specials, or a great atmosphere for music, you have come to the right city. Austin's nightlife is unbelievable. 

            Antones, one of the most popular nightclubs in Austin, was the very first club to open on the famous or rather infamous Sixth Street. If you are in the mood for some great music, this is the place for you. The stage at Antones Nightcub has been graced by everyone from Bono & The Edge of U2, to Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, to Eric Clapton, to Pat Green, to G.Love. Antones is undeniably a huge reason that Austin, Texas is considered The Live Music Captial of the World.

            If you are looking for a great local hang out that typically hosts young adults, you are looking for Maggie Mae’s. Maggie Mae’s is a local legend; no visit to Austin is the same without a view from the largest rooftop on Sixth Street. Maggie Mae’s proudly offers several types of entertainment, including a sports bar, complete with big screens for the game, an authentic English Pub perfect for conversation, a New Orlean’s style courtyard, and three different stages for all of that live music that Austin loves so much. Maggie Mae’s is one of the largest venues downtown that offers the greatest range of entertainment.

For a change of pace, Rebels Honky Tonk Bar offers Austinites the chance to pull out their cowboy boots and cowboy hats. This local bar located on Fifth Street is fully equipped with three separate bars, an outstanding dance floor to brush up on those two stepping skills, and not to mention a mechanical bull to practice those true bull-riding skills. The bar is relatively new so it is a great chance to take advantage of the daily drink specials.

            Now get out there and discover Austin by helping to keep it weird.