Loved this experience. This place has definitely been around for awhile and I can see why. Got…read morethere early to scope out the location and upon entering you provide your name and they provide a paper to give upon entering the show room. There was a group on the patio area where you can order tacos, I did not partake. Then the bar area inside. You can take drinks into the showroom as well. Scoped out the venue which was bigger than anticipated and really enjoyed the fish tank TVs. So fun! The show was entertaining and up to date with references all relevant to the current times. Everyone on stage was great and their chemistry can be seen. The audience was laughing 99% of the time and the show went back fast! I'd totally go back for a local Austin night out with good laughs.

Esther Follies is an Austin staple!…read more They've been performing for 50 years, providing amazing entertainment for all guests attending their shows. They do a mix of comedy, magic, music , and just overall great entrainment for their shows. It's mainly themed around local and world politics + the LGBTQ community. Tickets are approximately $40. The show is about 90 minutes, with a 5 min break halfway through. They have a bar on site, and a taqueria that's connected to their building as well. Highly recommend the taqueria, it's authentic and delicious! Absolutely recommend for locals, visitors, and those who just want to enjoy a great show in the best city in the country!

I went on a date night here and we had so much fun! The staff was so kind, patient, and attentive…read more They play a nice back ground music through the whole store and have amazing lighting and vibes. I love how we both got to pick completely different projects that had detailed instructions. It was nice to be left with our own devices and not walked through all the steps by a person.

I came here for my sister's birthday because we wanted to do something a little more interactive…read morethan just going out to dinner. Funny enough, even though it's called Upstairs Circus, I kept calling it "Uptown Circus" for some reason and still do. My sister had been here once when she first moved to Austin, but it had been a while, so she was happy to go again. We tried to make a reservation for a Monday but found out they're closed that day unless it's a private event. So we ended up booking a Sunday evening during their Sangria Sundays event. Signing up online was quick and easy--no payment required upfront. When we arrived, we were seated at a table and given the option to sit side by side or across from each other. They handed us a laminated flyer with all the available project options, ranging from easy (about an hour) to more challenging projects that can take the full three-hour session. There was a good mix of household items (like coasters and magnetic shelves), jewelry, handbags, clutches, accessories, and even a pricier custom Nike shoe painting project. The sample projects looked very professional, but the final result really depends on your artistic skills and how focused you are during the session. My sister and I decided to pick different projects--she chose a handbag clutch, and I went with coasters. We got all our materials and instructions. One thing I noticed: this kind of activity is probably better suited for people who don't have a ton to catch up on while working. Since my sister and I hadn't seen each other for weeks, we were trying to talk and catch up, which made it harder for me to focus on the project. Some steps were time-sensitive, so juggling both conversation and crafting was a bit stressful. For my coaster project, I initially planned to use a stencil and transfer paper to trace a design, but it didn't work very well. I ended up switching to a simple two-color block design just to make sure I could finish in time. My sister's project was a bit more advanced--she had to do leather hole punching and threading--but she managed to finish and loved how her clutch turned out. Since it was Sangria Sunday, you get one complimentary sangria or mocktail with your reservation, and they keep a card on file if you want to order more drinks. I got a spicy cocktail that actually had really good flavor, even though I didn't finish it. Overall, this is a fun and unique activity if you want to do something creative with a friend or group. I'd recommend it more if you're looking to spend quality time doing something together rather than having a deep conversation--because focusing on the project definitely takes some attention. My sister was happy with her finished product, and I liked mine even if it turned out simpler than planned. It's a cool idea for a birthday, date night, or just a different kind of outing.

I heard that they can sho' nuff jiggle so well that they generate a High Wattage of clean energy!…read moreOne show can power a multi-lane car wash And a row of Condos!!! Highly eclectic electric even electronic show-ow-ow !!

This is my very favorite burlesque troupe. They always bring the most inclusive and talented…read moreperformances. So sexy and so fun! I always have an amazing time at their shows! Don't miss out!

I'm not easily embarrassed. My life is charmed and beautiful…read moreand awkward and hilarious and horrifying and tragic and laughable, all rolled into one. And I'm okay with that. One night, I was getting drunk in my bed alone. I had just moved, and found a box of old journals when I was unpacking. I began to read them, and Little Me was just as awkward as Big Me. I laughed and laughed at the stupid shit I wrote about. I began to look at shark attacks on google, and about an hour later, I found myself on the Mortified website. So it began. I was going to do the Mortified show. The entire experience was one of the best things I've ever gone through. It was fun, enlightening, painful, and uncomfortable. The rest of the cast is amazing, and I feel I've made new friends. Maybe not. Maybe they don't like me. Whatevs. The live show was incredible. The producers made sure everything was flawless. As I read some of my most embarrassing childhood thoughts to 200 people, I realized that I wasn't alone in my childhood unpleasant situations. Everyone has their stories. Everyone knew what I was talking about. But fucking A, dude. This show is called Mortified for a reason. It's unapologetically humiliating. I would do it again in a second.

If you like open mic type stuff you should definitely come check out a Mortified show. My friend…read moreSara who lives in Los Angeles dragged me to a Mortified show years ago and I was hooked. I didn't realize Austin also had a Mortified community until dear, sweet, hilarious Jenny signed up to participate in opening her teenage journals to the entire city of Austin who cared to listen. Because that is what you have to do to be on this show. You collect your hoard of journals from childhood, you take them to the producers of Mortified, who READ THEM ALL and select what they feel like are the best pages to be read aloud to a willing and able audience eager to sip beer and laugh at you and your teenage angst. Jenny bared her soul to the time she knew a guy loved her because he gave her half a broken pencil. Other readers the night I went confessed to their hate for Vanilla Ice (the rapper--before the home improvement days) via their own rap music lyrics they wrote in disgust. Still another sweet boy read tales of how he just wanted a girlfriend in high school that he could walk through the fall leaves with--his missing half as he wrote. If you were a 'cool kid' in school who had everything going for you Mortified may not be for you. The reason why is that you wouldn't be able to relate to the rejection and longing that the journal readings show. But if you were like the rest of us losers please come out and enjoy a rollicking good time of making fun of other people's painful childhoods at their expense.

I went to the 2014 Austin Carnaval an event virgin and left a bonafide Brasilero woman!…read more From the walk to the Palmer Events Center to the Carnaval itself to the VIP lounge, the whole experience was a colorful blur of gyrating painted and feathered nudity to samba beats and boozey revelry! On the way from the parking lot to the Palmer Event Center, we just had to follow the colorful and scantily clad masses to find the fun! And though I expected an out of control night of pure debauchery based on previous reviews, the night was enjoyably tame. We got there around the 10pm mark and the party was already in full swing with the samba dancers and drummers showing off their mad crazy skills! From the minute we walked in the door our asses didn't stop shaking til they hit the cold leather of the car seat 3hrs later! I loved how open and friendly everyone was! Especially those in full on crazy and fabulous costumes! We watched the "parade" from the stands and then when the dance floor opened up joined a conga line right to the front of the stage where we shook it like a polaroid picture! The entertainment was just amazing and the energy permeated and flowed through the gleefully sweaty crowd! It wasn't nearly as awful as I imagined it would be in the crowd, it was packed, but not claustrophobically so. And, to my surprise, there was not nearly the amount of nudity I expected...I mean bare bootys and boobies abounded, but in a tasteful and non-gratuitous way. I ended up backstage because of my VIP pass because no one could tell me how to get to the "lounge", but that ended up being an awesome experience! Needless to say, I will be returning to Carnaval next year...and honestly, if you can't be in Rio, this is the next best thing! Braaaazilll ATX style baby!!

I know it's an event but it's annual sooo if anyone is curious about this party and does a little…read moreresearch here, let me shed some light (it's okay, I won't illuminate the darkest corners!). Imagine if a gay bar Halloween party and a strip club Halloween party were to have a baby....no, imagine if Mardi Gras had a super sexy, blatantly flirtatious Latino cousin.....no, imagine that dream you have with all the sexy demons and angels and they all want to have sex with you. Yeah, put all that together and you can get an idea. I've been going to this party for almost 15 years and I never get tired of it. Not only is it about the costumes and the flirting, but it's also about the incredible music. Every year they get a nationally known Brazilian Samba band to play the stage, but lately they have also used Austin's own Academicos da Opera which I think is even better cause they get right down on the floor in a huge drum circle. This music is intoxicating (which is great cause it's damn hard to get a drink here---lines too long). You cannot stop dancing and at the end of the night you get that all over warm body relaxation that you get after a great workout or even better sex. But if you are an exhibitionist or a voyeur or if you are not afraid of a large crowd of these, then this is your party. To get anywhere in the crowd, you have to get in a conga line and next thing you know, you are swept away with a bunch of fun-loving strangers to god knows where. And costumes! I am always awed by the work that goes into this event. From feathers and beads to leather and chains. Drag queens and dominatrixes. Fairies and well, fairies. Body painting to body stockings. It's all here and it doesn't mind being seen and photographed and danced with. Sigh. I always have a bit of post-Carnaval depression. So, don't be scerd. You are really missing out if you let your fears hold you back. True of Carnaval and of life.

This has to be one of the most unique and interesting ways to celebrate a milestone of any sort…read more From birthday celebrations to drag bingo, Extragrams has you covered. I've seen Extragrams do a surprise drop-by with a drag queen doing a drag telegram (virtually at that during a video call) and it was the most grandest thing to see. As a few months went by, I recently had the chance to see them in action hosting a live drag bingo night I attended and the comedy from the drag artist, Celia Light, was superb and A-star quality. I found myself laughing so hard because they were so dumb and knew how to get the crowd going. They are perfect for creating some priceless memories and I'll be booking them myself soon enough.

I LOVE Extragrams! They 100% know how to surprise and make you smile - and dance!…read more My first experience with Extragrams was when my bestie surprised me after I was simply having a bad week and not feelin' myself. She lifted my spirits with Extragrams, who showed up at my gate as I was leading a video team call. It was epic... I brought along my laptop so my team could witness the surprise at my door. I had SUCH a memorable moment that I booked Extragrams for a friend's birthday party since I couldn't be there in person. My friend to this day says that was the best gift he'd ever received! And to my surprise, he'd never seen a drag performance prior to Extragrams poppin' his cherry! If you want an epic gift for a friend or entertainment for a party, funciton, gathering... go with Extragrams. Important to note: Extragrams now services Houston, which is what these two experiences and review are based on.

You say you can't actually get in to the official SXSW showcases with your…read morelow-end-of-the-totem-pole wristband? You say the badges are too expensive and the snooty doormen are too mean to let you in? You say the venue is too crowded and you can't see the stage? How about a cool event with no-cost beverages, tons o' swag, and 4 days of music? Oh, did I mention it's all free? This "unofficial" SXSW event just had its 9th year, and I can't keep this little secret to myself any more. The Levi's FADER Fort is one of my favorite music happenings every year, like a mini-ACL Fest, except the tickets and beer don't cost a dime, there's plenty of shady resting spots, and I can get directly in front of the stage any time I feel like it. They always showcase some great acts I've never heard of from a range of up & coming pop/rock/hip-hop/Americana artists (like MIA and Amy Winehouse before anyone knew who they were), as well as a few surprise appearances by classics (Lou Reed in 2007, Kanye West in 2009, Bone Thugs N Harmony in 2010). My favorites from this year were Chico Mann (very catchy electro-afrofunk) and Yelawolf (an Alabama version of Eminem with a much more gracious stage persona). Here's the deal: you must get on the FADER e-mail list, text list, or FB fan list so that you'll get the announcement when the RSVP system is open. Respond by email immediately and get on the list. About a week before UT's Spring Break, you'll get an email telling you where & when to get wristbands (usually the Tuesday of SXSW week); show up early on the first day and get your wristbands (FYI, your +1 must be there to pick-up in person, too). Then all you have to do is show up Wed-Sat after 1pm to hang out and listen to music while soaking up free libations until the last act leaves the stage around 9 or 10pm. Then you can shuffle down the street to one of the many other venues offering free music and smile as you realize that some of the best things in life really are still free (if you are 21 or older). P.S. The weekday afternoons and early evenings are definitely the best times to come if crowds give you anxiety. By 5pm on Saturday, the place is packed and it's a chore getting through the drink or port-o-john lines. I have secrets for getting around these little snags, too, but you'll have to discover those for yourself, young grasshopper.

This year it was located at 6th and Waller in a much smaller venue than before. For Fri and Sat the…read morelines were long and moved slow. If/when you got in it was totally worth it. Jack Daniels and Budweiser were the featured drinks. It was a very laid back event with a few hundred drunk yet tame folks chatting and enjoying the great line up!

After a very distasteful experience at another haunted house last year & with this being an hour…read morefrom me, I was apprehensive. I of course read a handful of reviews that gave me the push & I am so glad I did. This will definitely be somewhere I go again next year. I love getting scared & used to frequent halloween horror nights, so I can say with confidence all of the houses were scary! You can tell effort & thought was put into each house, plus a sufficient amount of actors in each one that what made it so fun! I was impressed with the level of professionalism each ticket attendant had, with a smile on their face. Rather than having us enter with multiple parties in line, it was done individually so allows to have a more tailored experience w.o it being ruined in front of you & having people up your butt behind rushing you (that drives me crazy & is so insanely rude). With that said, the line does go much slower, so I ended up adding on the fast pass right there at the kiosk, which was well worth it. I was alone so the first house I was getting bored waiting lol. Parking was easy, & even though it was off the beaten path, didn't feel sketchy driving there at night. Even the porta potties were clean & maintained. One thing I would ask to improve is adding tables to sit. Can't wait to go back!

BAT CITY !! If you're in the Austin area, be sure to go check them out. They blew my expectations…read moreout the water. Everyone from the staff, to the scare actors/actresses, they were polite, respectful and helpful. Not to mention! If you're looking for a place to get scared, be sure to bring a diaper! You just might piss yourself! So many unexpected scares!