Zilker Botanical Gardens
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2220 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78746

Allison P. writes: I originally moved to Austin in 1999, and I went to the Zilker Botanical Gardens for the first time today. That's kind of a crime. I should have to give my Austinite card back. For you photographer's, there are countless photo ops.

I'm no expert on…

The Parlor

100 E North Loop Blvd
Ste B
Austin, TX 78751

Liz W. writes: Most of what this place has going for it is a rocking jukebox and cool cachet, without being overly self-consciously hip.  The location is in the heart of North Loop, one of the cooler areas in town.  The jukebox is so far the best one I've found in…

The Mohawk
Neighborhood: Downtown

917 Red River St
Austin, TX 78799

Sarah M. writes: There's not much to say about Mohawk, but I guess that's good for me, as I could turn a review of a street corner into a novella. Pleasant interior with a smallish stage, run-of-the-mill bar, and a few frazzled gents attending many thirsty,…

Austin Kings N Things

Austin, TX 78799

Cati C. writes: Kings N Things, Austin's own drag king performance troupe, is the perfect mix of intellectual edge and pure sex appeal.  No need to engage in that old mind/body split - with KNT, you can have your cake and politicize it, too.  Their seasonal shows at…

Galaxy Highland 10

6700 Middle Fiskville
Austin, TX 78799

Jefe R. writes: I will admit that this is m favorite movie theater in Austin, which makes me pretty uncool as a movie fanatic or film buff, since I'm not choosing one of the Alamo locations or The Dobie.  For me, it's not about art house pretense, or about getting a…

Austin Museum of Art: AMOA-Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown

823 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Clarisa R. writes: I wish this place were a lot bigger. I came here recenlty to see the Radical New York exhibit, featuring painting, photos, videos and even fashion from young artists and musicians, such as Basquiat and Branca, living in the Lower East Side in the…

Arthouse
Neighborhood: Downtown

Jones Center
700 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Lisa A. writes: I went to the "New American Talent" opening last night at Arthouse. What a fun way to spend a Friday night!

The exhibit is pretty cool and the works are fresh and interesting but I have to say the crowd and opening atmosphere ratcheted up the…

The Blanton Art Museum
Neighborhood: University of Texas

Martin Luther King at Congress
Austin, TX 78701

Kevin N. writes: Reviewing art museums can be tricky business.  if you gauge them on the strength of a given permanent collection, are you reviewing the museum for having strong work, or are you really reviewing the collection, which would be outstanding anywhere?…

Ballet Austin
Neighborhood: Downtown

501 W 3rd St
Austin, TX 78701

Flaw Finderette F. writes: Kudos to the Austin Symphony Orchestra & Ballet Austin for yet another fantastic production of Tchaikovsky's holiday classic.
Growing up in my little village, it was tradition to get dressed up with the rest of the Girl Scout troop & journey over icy…

Women and their Work
Neighborhood: Downtown

1710 Lavaca
Austin, TX 78701

Paige M. writes: This is my favorite gallery in Austin for the following reasons:

1. The curatorships, collaborations, and openings are inspired and well thought out.

2.  The gallery celebrates Texas women artists as well as women artists in general, two subjects that…

Red Fez
Neighborhood: Downtown

209 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78701

jessica s. writes: Hey Red Fez,

I know things have been awkward between the two of us since my 29th birthday fiasco and I puked in your entry way-but real lady like-just a small amount of puke as I tilted my head to the side and my friends tried to catch it in a cup.…

Ivory Cat Tavern
Neighborhood: Downtown

300 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Susie G. writes: I have a seriously soft spot for some good old piano bars. And Ivory Cat, with its dim lighting, sometimes disco ball esque lighting effects and super sexy piano men/drummer sure doesn't disappoint. I've been here on slow nights and on fast nights.…

Plantescape Gardens
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3507 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Angus C. writes: I have been driving by Plantescape for six months now, and I finally stopped in. Like Boggy Creek farms, this place is a pretty remarkable surprise in what is essentially a residential neighborhood. I bought a little orange tree, which was fun. They…

Chris Gunn Tattoo
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1313 S. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Nancy A. writes: The nicest, most talented guy you will ever meet. I was prepared for a pretentious artist type after hearing all of this guys glowing reviews even from out of state. What a sweetheart...next time I will book in advance so Chris can tattoo me...Im…

Cafe Caffeine
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

909 West Mary Street
Austin, TX 78704

Justin B. writes: I was a little underwhelmed. I had some work to do, and I remembered the good reviews of this place on Yelp, so I decided to give it a whirl.

I just got a bottomless cup of coffee (Costa Rican), which I'd give a 7.5 on my Taste-O-Meter (patent…

Saxon Pub the
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1320 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Chad S. writes: I paid $10 the other night to see Bob Schneider's Lonelyland play here. Some may say that's a steep cover charge, but I have no problem dropping a 10 spot to see a band or artist I like. It helps me justify the cheap downloading of their music from…

Bass Concert Hall
Neighborhood: University of Texas

23rd St and Robert Dedman Dr
Austin, TX 78712

Tara H. writes: I love Bass Concert Hall for the following reasons:

1. Tickets are typically abundant for any show I might want to attend. Many a nights I've decided to take in a show (musical, symphony, performer) and been delighted when there were tickets…

Harry Ransom Center
Neighborhood: University of Texas

Guadalupe & 21st St
Austin, TX 78713

Jessica A. writes: A friend and I wandered into the Harry Ransom Center today after lunch at Veggie Heaven. I can't believe I'd never been before now! The fact that they have a copy of the Gutenberg Bible is impressive enough in its own right, but the two current…

Regal Cinemas Westgate 11

4477 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78745

Don P. writes: No better way to bring in the new year than by watching a sequel with an ex while sippin' some coke zero and munchin' overly salty corn.

Then being the first review of 2008.

Class baby.  Class.

Alamo Drafthouse

13729 N Highway 183
Austin, TX 78750

Patrick W. writes: Wow, I get to be "first" for the lakeline Alamo!

This isn't the Alamo all the kool-kidz go to.  But it is easily the best place to see a movie in the NW Austin quadrant.  

90% of the greatness of the other Alamo's is here.  The beer, the pretty-good…

Hyde Park Theatre
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

511 W 43rd St
Austin, TX 78751

Susie G. writes: I cannot say much beyond : terrific!

Not only are the staff beyond amazing,... friendly, capable, together...

Not only is the work magnificent ( I saw some of the best shows I have ever seen right here in this tiny black box theater..Glory of Living,…

ColdTowne Theater

4803 Airport Blvd
Austin, TX 78751

That Other Paper .. writes: This theater is incredible. It only seats about 30 people, and it feels like a big, comfy living room. ColdTowne Heroes (the people who run the theater) are some of the hardest working folks in Austin.

They have everything from improv to stand-up to…

Texas Memorial Museum
Neighborhood: University of Texas

2400 Trinity St
Austin, TX 78705

Hoa N. writes: Terrific free museum on the UT Campus. Designed in the 30's by Paul Cret, it has a stunning grand hall, Italian terrazzo floors, brass railings on their graceful stairway, with art deco sconces and grillwork in their elevator. Cold blasting AC!

Oh,…

TC's Lounge
Neighborhood: East Austin

1413 Webberville Rd
Austin, TX 78721

Sarah M. writes: Hard to find, but a gem for sure. TC Lounge in East Austin has some serious jazz. Authentic, emotional, paramount jazz. The bar is narrow and in need of repair, and the low ceilings make it feel smaller than it actually is, but the humble space has a…

Elisabet Ney Museum
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

304 E 44th St
Austin, TX 78751

Larry M. writes: This beautiful, beautiful museum anchoring the history of best-neighborhood-in-the- universe Hyde Park is a bit of a disappointment.

Not that the life or work of artist/pioneer Elisabet Ney isn't fascinating, its just that the museum would function…

Texas Rollergirls

Playland Skate Center
8822 McCann Dr
Austin, TX 78757

Justin B. writes: Imagine trying to get to second base with Leather Tuscadero in the front seat of a rusty 1973 Chevy two-tone Silverado Pick Up with the Ramones playing on the AM station as you're parked by the dam out at the lake, the past and the present are making…

Four On the Floor
Neighborhood: Crestview

7802 Rutgers Ave
Austin, TX 78757

Shellie F. writes: Tired of being the beer/purse holder while all your friends are cutting a rug on the dance floor? If you want to learn to dance, but the idea sends shivers down your spine, Four on the Floor is for you.

For nearly ten years FotF (as it's known to…

Alamo Drafthouse

13729 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78799

Cody R. writes: I'm writing a bad review for Alamo Drafthouse..... sound the alarm.

You know how when you're at Disney Land/World and you're walking through Frontier Land or Epcot? (come on.... stay with me) It's really cool to imagine being in the Old West, or…

Lazona Rosa
Neighborhood: Downtown

612 W 4th St
Austin, TX 78701

Tara D. writes: I don't go out much.  Last year was an exception.  We went and saw Dream Theater at the Backyard (awesome!).  And then Avenged Sevenfold decided to come back to Austin to play at Lazona Rosa.  Freakin awesome!!  We saw them the year before down in…

Austin Children's Museum
Neighborhood: Downtown

201 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701

Hoa N. writes: Great for rainy days or too hot days. Park away from downtown and take a 'dillo in (there's no free parking). Kids love it: interactive and fun.

Wash hands often; it is germ central.

Maggie Mae's
Neighborhood: Downtown

323 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

John P. writes: I'm a sucker for roof top drinking and Maggie Mae's has a very large outdoor area to do just that!  Places like this really increase Austin Live music per square feet stats.  There was 2 totally different bands there at the same time!  One downstairs…

Mexic-Arte
Neighborhood: Downtown

419 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Larry M. writes: Small collection, but well chosen and well-attended, especially at openings and fund raisers...

Nice people work here, and are knowledgeable about the artwork and artists, without being overbearing. Friendly vibe inside mirrors the colorful work.

Their…

Rio Rita Lounge
Neighborhood: East Austin

1308 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702

jessica r. writes: It took us a while to convince my boss that we should try Rio Rita as our new office happy hour spot. We can walk there from our office on the east side - which is just amazing and way too convenient. But he thought we were trying to trick him into…

Eternal
Neighborhood: Downtown

418 E 6th St
Austin, TX 73301

Mitzi Y. writes: Small venues are the way to go. The place is pretty much standing room only but it's small and intimate which is the kind of thing I LOVE.

They have an upper balcony that pretty much wraps all around the venue overlooking the stage. This is good and…

Giddy-Ups

12000 Manchaca Rd
Manchara, TX 78652

Kevin N. writes: Oh wow, I totally know this place and it is -- and I do not say this lightly -- AWESOME.  When I used to live south, we strolled in one night to find all sorts of controlled chaos going on, namely, some sort of in-house tattoo guy (Tattoo Mike, I…

Gallery Lombardi
Neighborhood: Downtown

602 A W 7th St
Austin, TX 78701

Jordan K. writes: I attended Scion Art Installment 4, "It's a Beautiful World", as my virgin visit to Gallery Lombari.  Granted this review is based off this event alone, so I'm willing to give this local artspace another shot.

First of all, it was extremely…

The Long Center

701 W Riverside Dr
Austin, TX 78704

Jana T. writes: After growing up in Austin, attending ballets, concerts, operas (even my own graduation) in the Bass, it was nice to see the long awaited Long Center for myself last night when my girlpal Liz W. treated me very kindly to her extra ticket of Carmen.…

Texas Wine Tours

302 E Austin St
Austin, TX 78701

Jennifer L. writes: The best thing about this wine tour...well you can be picked up in Austin if you plan ahead...or someone else planned ahead and is getting picked up in Austin....

Getting picked up and not having to drive means that you "don't drink and drive"....It…

Austin Circle of Theaters
Neighborhood: East Austin

701 Tillery St
Austin, TX 78702

Susie G. writes: ACOT ( Austin Circle of Theaters) is one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to the Austin theatrical community.

If you are a struggling theater artist, this is the first place you should go . Anyone who is anyone is an Acot member.…

French Legation Museum
Neighborhood: East Austin

802 San Marcos St
Austin, TX 78702

Sophie A. writes: I'll agree with the first review, this is definitely the place for weddings.  In fact, I had my own wedding here this past December.  Because it was a small, intimate ceremony, we only rented the cozy Carriage House but it was more than enough for…