We had fun! Improv theater is unpredictable and at times hilarious. We saw two groups at the 6pm…read moreshow and enjoyed the whole experience.

Came here for maestro improv with some friends and we loved it!! They have beer/wine/coffee here as…read morewell and I got a glass of cab that was delicious!! We had so many great laughs and definitely will be back!! We loved the concept!!

Hideout at Work delivers phenomenal workshops. They know how to get the shy team member up and…read morelaughing with everyone else! Totally worth it!

A total vibe! I loved this spot and the outdoor bar area. It's lit up by twinkle lights with plenty…read moreof TVs to watch the game. They had a frozen watermelon rose I tried which I really like, if you get an additional shooter to go with it, make sure you mix it in! They have a good amount of drinks to choose from, it's a great place to chill with friends and enjoy the weather. Lots of seating and picnic table style seating. I've been twice and would definitely go back!

I recently visited Upstairs at Caroline for a Logitech SXSW installation event, and the experience…read morewas a great mix of creative energy and Austin atmosphere. The venue itself has a lively, open feel with an urban backyard vibe and plenty of space to move around, mingle, and actually take in the installation without feeling crowded. What stood out most was how well the space complemented the event. The layout made it easy to engage with the installation while still enjoying the social vibe. They had space for working virtually as well as displays to test some of the technology. There's a nice balance between indoor comfort and that signature rooftop-style setting, which gives it a relaxed but elevated feel. The staff was friendly and kept things running smoothly, and the overall setup felt thoughtfully organized. Whether you were there to focus on the installation or just take it in casually, the environment supported both. The line was somewhat long to get into the event as it was at capacity and could only allow more people as people were leaving the event. I was given a drink ticket and got to try the Patio Pounder with ilegal mezcal, primo aperitivo, tropical citrus, coconut, grapefruit soda. The bartender was efficient even though the lines were long. The cocktail was enjoyable with the balance of smoky and citrus flavors. They also had a variety of food bites available including chips and queso. creamy street corn, and sliders. The food was gone relatively quickly due to the crowds but it would be replenished periodically. Overall, Upstairs at Caroline proved to be a solid venue for a creative SXSW event versatile, welcoming, and very on-brand for Austin's arts and tech scene.

Fantastic place to catch rock concerts or old classic films. But be aware of their insane security…read moreto get in and very high drink and snack prices. You won't successfully sneak anything in, so I always grab happy hour nearby if i must have a drink for a show. Also a great place to catch film premieres during SXSW.

We came here to see Justin Willman, a magic comedy guy whose special we saw streaming Jan…read more The place was late to fill up and never quite fully filled which was weird as when we got tickets it was already close to filling up. He does a family friendly show so there were a lot of people there with kids, Full families, moms, dads, grandparents. We were one of the few without kids. The staff was very friendly at the entrance, the bar, and when seating. The place is pretty big and has upstairs and downstairs seating as well as a bar on several levels. Two points that did bring the visit a little down. The seating, you are packed in like sardines. No room to stretch even a little, you bump against the stranger next to you or them into you. It is almost worse then an airplane. Two no handrails on several stairs which are also uneven. I have some ongoing spine and foot pain and it caused me issues but I saw several other people struggling and one almost falling themselves. Had it been just me or maybe one other person that would be bad enough but as several people struggled that is a huge safety issue and should be fixed. The ushers helped when they could but sometimes they were helping others and didn't see it happen. Still it was a fun time, if a bit cramped. The staff is great and I love the history but that also means it is very outdated and not very comfy to sit for an hour or more, especially with no intermission.

PART TWO: OK, I'm…read moredone with my "rant" (sorry, I was "born this way"; oops, wrong artist), time to focus on the actual show. Steve Vai was simply AMAZING! I don't think he's capable of putting on a bad show. I bought my ticket well in advance, & still wish I'd done it sooner. I was in the Orchestra, about 15 rows back. Show was at the PARAMOUNT THEATER. What a JUXTAPOSITION! Opened in 1915, The Paramount harkens back to an even earlier period, somewhere in the 19th Century. Contrast that with some of the most technically advanced music of OUR age, & it blows the mind! Man, if the original architects could see it now, completely restored, still every bit the JEWEL of Downtown Austin as it was, "back in the day". Pick out something YOU like, and GO! Find yourself a REASON to get inside the building! I've seen everyone from the late Carlos Montoya to Pat Metheny, & many others. Folks were SHORTER 100 years ago; I'm "average" height (6'1"), & the Balcony seats are cramped, but ONLY from there can ya truly appreciate the ornate GRANDEUR of the scroll work surrounding the Stage, from top to bottom. A modern movie theater is made from tilted concrete walls, & has no soul. The Paramount Theater's truly a SHRINE to the Arts. In our clamor for "progress", we've lost something. I'll cover the Paramount more on its own page, but I had ta digress; back to "Little Stevie Vai" (what a NICE little boy!). NO elaborate light show, NO costuming (well, there was the one "alien?" suit he wore). NO GIMMICKS! It's all about the MUSIC. Let's make sure EVERYONE gets their just due. The main members of the Band for "The Story of Light" tour include: BASS: Philip Bynoe GUITAR: Dave Weiner DRUMS: Jeremy Colson And a few supporting members whose names I don't know; sorry. Much (but not all) of Steve's music is complicated, poly-rhythmic, in odd time signatures, & maybe not "accessible" for the "GAP" (definition in Part One). It's difficult to classify what "genre" it is; I guess "fusion" would come the closest, but that label seems to conjure up images of Avant Garde Jazz. Steve Vai is NOT Jazz. You just have to hear for yourself; you'll either hate it, or you will LOVE it. And apparently, younger folks are fans too; there were TONS of twenty-&-thirty-something's there! He might not be the biggest "draw" in the Industry, but the age range is an indication folks will be listening to Steve Vai for a LONG time. Most of the show (as usual) was instrumental. Steve's got quite a bit of solo material, but many (including me) think "Passion and Warfare" is one of his best albums. Accordingly, the songs in this work are ALWAYS a major part of his shows. The climax of the concert (though not the end) is "For the Love of God". Also from "Passion", there's "The Audience Is Listening", a depiction of a "show and tell" from yer Grammar School days, with his ACTUAL childhood teacher, Nancy Fagan, pleading, BEGGING him to turn it down ("boys, it's getting too LOUD."). I mean, he warned her ("Just wanna warn ya; it's gonna be LOUD"). The song is re-enacted live, compete with Nancy's (recorded) voice. That's another thing about Steve: his humor. He's a virtuoso, but he doesn't take himself too seriously, or seriously AT ALL, really. None of the "angst" with which too many Jazz musicians are afflicted. The music will play to your intellect, but you'll also LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF! As always, there's an acoustic set, & Steve is just as mesmerizing doing "Wooden Music" as on Electric. He brought up a coupla audience members, to "write" a song for the band. He'd have them sing or "beat box" lil' parts, and "build" the song by adding each part, one at a time. But we need someone else, to complete the picture; we need (Steve's words here, I'll not argue): "The BEST guitarist in the World!" Well, we ARE in Austin, right? Can ya see where this is going? Who should walk onstage but ERIC JOHNSON! Now, I've seen Steve before, and Eric sat in that time too. So, at a certain point, I knew what was coming, but that didn't make it any less COOL. Of course, they played with Joe Satriani, in G3; I believe they were the FIRST to tour with him under that name (saw that too, at AMH). Of course, there's the obligatory Encore, & afterwards, possibly the nicest, most sincere "Thank You" to the audience I ever heard. Steve loves coming to Austin, as do many other artists, so we sometimes get that EXTRA special show the rest of the Country doesn't (like Eric Johnson stoppin' by). But Steve's got other friends in Austin as well (Terry Bozzio, for one), so I know when he talks about loving Austin, he really MEANS it! All in all, a GREAT SHOW! Again, I encourage you to at least check out "Passion and Warfare", and you'll see why I'm so enthusiastic about Steve Vai. I'd ask ya to go check him out, but by now, he's in S. America, on the next leg of his tour, so ya missed out. larrythediner .

A good gallery to enjoy rotating modern art exhibitions…read more Every last week of the season is free, a good way to explore and get introduced to something new! We saw 3 different exhibits in one and it was a great time. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, especially valuable for when this is your first time visiting and you're not familiar with art/museums in general!

The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center is a nice, affordable stop if you're exploring downtown…read more General admission is only $10, and they offer great deals, free entry for military members, kids under 18, and everyone on Thursdays, which makes it super accessible. The museum itself is small, with two main galleries (one on the first floor and another on the second). The art is definitely on the modern/contemporary side. While the exhibits weren't exactly my personal taste, the way everything was presented was thoughtful and visually appealing. You can tell a lot of care goes into the curation. The staff were very friendly, and the space was clean and well-maintained, which made the visit feel welcoming. Overall, it's a nice quick stop if you enjoy modern art or want something low-cost to do in the area.

The State is part of Paramount and located next door. It's an older venue but it's clean and…read morecomfortable. It's definitely on the smaller side as well. Came for a speaking engagement and found the sound to be adequate. The staff are friendly and helpful.

Originally Austin's first dedicated movie theater, the State Theater is located right next to the…read moreParamount. If you walk too fast, you'll miss it. The State Theater is as expected-- dated and small with one theater screen. However, compared to the Paramount, the seats are much cozier and worth trying if you missed a premiere screening at the Paramount during South by Southwest.

Came here with my husband during the ATX TV Festival to attend The Gilded Age panel, and had…read moreanother wonderful experience! We had previously been here for the Vivian Tu event, which was also great--this venue continues to impress. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the space is clean, well-organized, and never feels chaotic, even during big events. The bathrooms were spotless, which is always appreciated when attending longer programs. It's a great theater for panels, talks, and community events. We'll definitely be back again for future happenings!

I love the summer movie theater. Comfortable seats and very cute movies such as babe. It's nice…read morethey give film members free popcorn.

If you are a Texan or live in Austin, TX it is a high probability that you have heard of the Texas…read moreBook Festival. The 2025 Texas Book Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary with over 300 authors, panelists, and a huge crowd of book enthusiasts, both young and seasoned readers. Unfortunately, there were some challenges presented as result of last-minute flight cancellations. Texas Book Festival is one of the nation's premier literary events. It is super special because it is free to attend. Also, if you park in the Austin Visitor's Garage, parking is free as well. The book festival is being held November 8-9, 2025, in downtown Austin, near the Capitol of Texas. With its white signature tents sprinkled along Congress Avenue, the festival had 40K+ attendees. H-E-B grocery store is the 2025 lead sponsor of the book festival. The Texas Book Festival always has a number of sought after celebrities. This year the festival features celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey and Chelsea Handler. You might ask what sparks my interest in the Texas Book Festival. I have been avid reader since I was in elementary school. Also, from kindergarten to 5th grade, I was the spelling bee champion, so I have a love for words. I am currently in two book clubs. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to give back. This is my third year of volunteering at the Texas Book Festival for children's authors. It brings me so much joy. It is nothing like seeing the excitement in the faces of the Girl Scouts, who attended our session. These young people ask such great questions as well. I had the best time today! The 2025 Texas Book Festival is a great forum to connect authors with the readers who read their books and gain insights into the books they have read.

I attended several events at the Texas Book Festival this year in and around the Austin, Tx area…read moreincluding *Texas Book Festival and BookPeople Present: Matthew McConaughey. This event was held at First Baptist Church. There was a long line outside the venue but were allowed to enter the church around 4:30 pm and were then given a signed copy of his new book Poems and Prayers. The book had a sticker that was placed inside and not the actual book. Then we got to watch Matthew read some of his poems along with Lyle Lovett playing guitar for background music. They also engaged in conversation back and forth and Lyle played a few of his songs. At the end of the event they had a Q&A session with the audience. *Texas Book Festival and BookPeople Present: Ibram X. Kendi at the State Theater when he promoted his new book about Malcom X and did a Q&A session afterwards. Always love the fact that this festival attracts some great authors who promote good literature and a selection of events to engage with in and around the Austin area. Some were free and some have a cost.