A Bar of Our Own

smerlin · Post by **smerlin** » January 2nd, 2006, 5:08 pm

At the last meeting, I took on the noble responsibility of procuring an Austin Improv Co-operative Bar. My goal is to find a place that will be "our place."

--So that there won't be a half hour discussion each night about where we're going--that's an extra drink every night.
--So that you won't have to hang around and see where different groups are headed, hoping that you can find out where the cool people are going.
--So that we can get cheaper drinks.
--So that you don't even have to go to a show to drink with an improviser.

Here's the criteria I have in mind, let me know if there's anything to add to this list.

Extremely close to the Hideout
Local (not a chain)
Quiet enough to talk
Seating for large groups
Not super crowded (I'd actually prefer a place that was a little lame so we could take it over on a Friday or Saturday night.)
Will give us a deal/discount for Improvisers or at least has some good prices

Here are the bars I'm planning on visiting. If any of you have any info/scoop/feedback, post it. If you wanna booze with me, lemme know.

The Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos Ste 100
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-3473
http://www.thefirehouselounge.com/

One-2-One Bar
121 E. 5th St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 473-0121
http://www.one2onebar.com/index.htm

607
607 Trinity St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-7607

MugShots
407 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-0008

Whisky Bar
303 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 481-8599

Lucky Lounge
209A W 5th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 479-7700
http://www.theluckylounge.com/About.htm

Red Fez
209B W 5th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5120

ChrisTrew.Com · Post by **ChrisTrew.Com** » January 2nd, 2006, 6:10 pm

I'm excited about having our own bar. And I bet you 100 drinks that the rest of ColdTowne is as well.
Let me know if you need assistance.

valetoile · Post by **valetoile** » January 3rd, 2006, 1:21 am

I know there were several people interested in a place that served drinks but would still allow the under 21s in, like Silhouette. Or a place that would let them in if we got to be friendly enough with them.

kaci_beeler · Post by **kaci_beeler** » January 3rd, 2006, 3:25 am

Thanks Valerie, I agree.
If you pick a 21+ location...well lets just say I won't be a very happy person and I'll probably boycott the bar idea if there's to be any exclusions of the younger generation of improvisers.
...just sayin'

acrouch · Post by **acrouch** » January 3rd, 2006, 3:51 am

Grow up.

Evilpandabear · Post by **Evilpandabear** » January 3rd, 2006, 2:37 pm

I love Red Fez! It used to be *grumble* one of the few bars in town that offered hookas! I will say that it can get a bit crowded at the Fez though, especially with all those damn drunk improvisers getting in my way

shando · Post by **shando** » January 3rd, 2006, 3:11 pm

I think that Lucky Lounge and Red Fez are a bit too sceney for my tastes in a post show gathering spot, plus they'll be crowded as hell.

I'm intrigued by this Firehouse Lounge place. I've never been, but sounds cool.

Let me also put forward B.D Riley's. Out of Bounds already has a relationship with them, but it might be too crowded and too loud for it to be our hangout spot.

arclight · Post by **arclight** » January 3rd, 2006, 10:19 pm

Considering OoB sponsors, I'd vote Molotov before B.D. Riley's just based on noise. I'm more interested in a place that's comfy to sit and quiet enough to talk more than just a place to drink.

Also, I think that it'd be great if after we settle on a regular bar, that we find a regular non-bar for the non-drinkers for parity's sake.

shando · Post by **shando** » January 3rd, 2006, 10:40 pm

I agree that BD's is probably too loud. Molotov, ont he weekends, though will be a zoo.

That's why I'm intrigued by the Firehouse place. Their description makes it sound like it's quiet.

Shannon

Later edit--That One 2 One place also looks cool, plus they have ongoing poker tournaments!

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » January 4th, 2006, 1:44 am

I'm totally there - whereever "there" may be. On a personal note, I would really like to see what the Wiskey Bar is all about (for my own curiosity).

On this subject MY priorities are a place that...
A) is quiet enough that we can talk
B) is within walking distance, but not too crowded
C) serves drinks & snacks
X) has lots of comfy chairs shoved close together
Y) is staffed with cute bartender(s) who love us
Z) has a gold bar on which to rest my boot while talking to cute bartender(s)

phlounderphil · Post by **phlounderphil** » January 4th, 2006, 2:30 am

acrouch wrote:Grow up.

As a member of one of the hardest-working segments of Austin Improv, I feel very excluded by that comment Andy.

1) Troupes with young members (You Me & Greg, Parallelogramophonograph) bring some large audiences into the Hideout. Oft times these audiences might also include some members under the legal drinking age. I see no benefit in turning away these loyal fans, and devoted improvisers simply so that other improvisers can drink in a bar setting. There are plenty of places in this town that serve alcohol and still allow underage patrons with no qualms.

2) Would you feel included if Kaci, Doug, and I took all OUR audience members to Chuck E Cheese after every improv show? I'm sure you definitely would not! You know, there's an age/height limit on the ball-pit, and while we enjoy ourselves, getting drunk on the wonderful colors and hard plastic spheres of bliss, you'll be stuck on the OTHER SIDE of that black nylon net wishing you could be little enough to enjoy life like we do. Honestly, that's how I feel about this issue.

3) Lastly, isn't one of your OWN troupe members under the legal drinking age? How nice for our ever-so-fearless "leader" to abandon his own for some pithy libations. I'm disgusted.

angry-faced,
-Phil

smerlin · Post by **smerlin** » January 4th, 2006, 8:34 am

Are there any suggestions for all-ages places that meet some of the other criteria?

Sillouhette and the Driskill are ones I know of. Both tend to be a bit pricey and Sillouhette is more of a restaurant where you are seated at tables with a waiter and not so great for mingling. Hard Rock Cafe is another. But that's super lame and expensive.

Where do underage people like to hang out downtown? I'm open to it.

Evilpandabear · Post by **Evilpandabear** » January 4th, 2006, 10:02 am

since the whipper-snappers are yapping away, i assume we must humor them at the very least with some attention. above all else, i think most people agree that they prefer a place within walking distance. We're getting out at midnight for these shows, which won't leave much time for libations. The only place where this can happen are restaurants. Scratch that. Restaurants with big enough bars to accomodate us.

Restaurants + Downtown = Expensive

Restaurants + Downtown + Big Bar = Rare + Expensive

Most restaurants will close at midnight to 1am, not alot of time to drink as well. While I do acknowledge that we are excluding our younger improvisers, I must also acknowledge they are a fraction of the community. Do they bring in an audience? Yes. Do they bring in the majority of the Hideout's audience , which happen to also majorily be under 21? No. I move that the hunt for the bar continue as scheduled. Phil, if you truly want to make this happen and if you can find Shangrala, I suggest you hop to it. Get on citysearch, search around the Hideout Theatre and start calling. Keep in mind, there will always be party's where you could enjoy a nice illegal beverage.

Evilpandabear · Post by **Evilpandabear** » January 4th, 2006, 10:03 am

Phil, I would like nothing more than for you to prove me wrong. If Shangrala does exist, I would be the first one there.

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » January 4th, 2006, 10:17 am

I nominate Opal Divine's (the one on 6th St.).

It's large, doubles as a restaurant, allows the under 21 set (at least outside), has darts and a damn good juke box. The only problem is that it's a good walk, being near Katz's. It doesn't take *that* long, though, and its distance from the core of 6th street means that it won't be impossibly crowded.

Plus they have philly cheesteak tacos, a pint night on Tuesdays, and occasional scotch tastings.

http://www.opaldivines.com/

A Bar of Our Own

A Bar of Our Own

Man, it's so loud in here