New & Notable Developments in Austin
Austin continues to be one of the most exciting cities in the country, with a flurry of new venues, restaurants, hotels and sporting events. Check out our hot list to keep up with all that’s new in Austin.
Courtesy Bar Toti.
NEW EVENT SPACES
Located next door to sister restaurant Este, Bart Toti offers an intimate dining space for up to 40 people seated or 75 reception style. Make sure that your menu includes the popular La Smashburgesa, featuring griddle-cooked ham, American cheese, chipotle mayo and escabeche relish. Add dishes like the grapefruit-and-avocado salad or shrimp with smoked paprika to round out the offerings.
For an event with 500 attendees, consider Mayfair on West Sixth Street. The Victorian-inspired nightlife venue impresses with its versatility. The main area is 6,800 square feet and has two bars. The outdoor terrace with a bar and amazing Austin downtown views is 3,000 square feet. Book one or both spaces. For smaller gatherings, arrange for a group of VIP tables for your guests to enjoy the night’s scheduled entertainment.
Comic and podcaster Joe Rogan is the brains behind Comedy Mothership. Reserve a block of cabaret-style seats for shows featuring national and local comedians, performed in the 1920s-era Ritz Building on East Sixth Street. The venue features two comedy showrooms, called Fat Man and Little Man, in addition to Mitzi’s Bar.
Plan a stylish meeting or event at Inn Cahoots boutique hotel. From small meetings to events of up to 1,500 people, the hotel can customize its 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces — including a rooftop deck, bars and gardens — to meet your needs. For attendees wishing to stay on-site, condo-style suites are available in the four-story hotel.
Put some fun in your next function by booking a private party at the spacious Spare Birdie Public House in Cedar Park. The entertainment venue boasts a restaurant and full bar, live music, a bowling alley, golf simulator, and games like bocce ball, darts and billiards. Food options range from casual sliders and flatbreads to full-course meals featuring seafood and hearty steaks.
Courtesy of the Austin Convention Center Department.
CONVENTION CENTER REDEVELOPMENT & EXPANSION
Hosting conventions, meetings and conferences in Austin will change in a big way as the Austin Convention Center begins its $1.6 billion expansion and redevelopment project. Demolition and construction will begin in 2025, with the larger, more efficient facility scheduled to open in 2029. The rentable space will nearly double from the current 376,000 square feet. While construction is in progress, Austin’s meeting planners and hospitality providers are prepared to offer alternative spaces to accommodate attendees.
HOTELS OPENING SOON
EVEN Hotel Austin Uptown Near The Domain
13205 Burnet Rd.
As the first EVEN Hotels property to open in Texas, the Austin location offers 129 rooms within The Domain shopping area and near the city's technology corridor. Guests can expect to stay healthy with a wellness-savvy staff that offers best-in-class fitness experiences, healthier food choices and relaxing spaces. The hotel offers 2,500 square feet of meeting space, a business center, an athletic studio and on-site parking.
Green Pastures Hotel
811 Live Oak St.
Q3 2024
The popular Mattie’s at Green Pastures restaurant and event venue gains a new Bouldin Creek neighbor in 2024. The 63-room boutique hotel is being built on 5.6 acres just south of the historic farmhouse property, which is recognized as a city, state and national landmark. The three-story hotel will feature event space and a swimming pool. Interior and exterior improvements to Mattie’s are also planned.
Hampton In Austin East Side and Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin East Side
Q2 2024
The dual property is located just three miles from Downtown and The University of Texas. Walk to restaurants, bars and cultural attractions like the Moody Center, just 1.6 miles away. Both Hampton Inn and the 140-room Home2 Suites offer a business center, outdoor pool and courtyard, free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast. One 420-square-foot meeting room is available at Home2Suites.
Four Points by Sheraton Austin Airport
East Riverside Drive
Q2 2024
With its location near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the 99-room Four Points by Sheraton Austin Airport is a convenient meeting and lodging option. Three meeting rooms offer a total of 2,052 square feet to accommodate theater-, conference-, classroom- and reception-style events. The hotel also features on-site foodservice and free Wi-Fi.
1 Hotel Austin
98 Red River St.
2026
Austin’s tallest building, which is also billed as potentially the tallest tower in Texas, is under construction in the Rainey Street district, where Waller Creek meets Lady Bird Lake. The 74-story building will feature 1 Hotel Austin as a tenant. The luxury brand will offer 251 guest rooms in the mixed-use development, which also will include office space and apartments.
Hyatt Centric Austin. Credit Pam McLean
RECENTLY OPENED HOTELS
Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown
68 East Ave.
Guests are now checking in to the 14-story Cambria Hotel in the lively Rainey Street entertainment district. The hotel’s 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space in six rooms can accommodate everything from seven people in a conference room to 148 attendees for a reception. With sweeping 360-degree views of the city, the Cambria includes 212 guest rooms, a fitness center, pool and terrace, lobby bar and a rooftop lounge. Guests can easily walk to events at the nearby Austin Convention Center and enjoy the trails of nearby Lady Bird Lake.
Cambria Hotel Austin Uptown Near The Domain
13205 Burnet Rd.
This modern hotel in North Austin features 6,500 square feet of meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows, A/V amenities and free Wi-Fi. An on-site event planner assists with details for events for 12 to 300 attendees. In the hotel rooms, guests will appreciate spacious desks and streaming capabilities. After hours, explore shopping, dining and entertainment at The Domain.
citizenM Austin Downtown
617 Colorado St.
Dutch hotel brand citizenM makes its Texas debut with a new 17-story, 344-room property that’s less than a mile from the Austin Convention Center. While there is no meeting space, group bookings start from 11 rooms. All citizenM rooms are identical and offer XL king beds, widescreen TVs and fast, free Wi-Fi. The hotel will boast a rooftop pool along with the canteenM Bar & Kitchen.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin Downtown
76 East Ave.
The 17-story Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin Downtown is opening in the popular Rainey Street entertainment district. With 129 rooms and suites, the high-rise hotel will offer downtown views, a rooftop terrace, balconies, meeting event space, and a central location within walking distance to the Austin Convention Center, attractions, nightlife and dining.
Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin
Congress Avenue and Eighth Street
The music-themed Hyatt Centric boutique hotel offers 246 guest rooms and 2,560 square feet of flexible event space, less than one mile from the Austin Convention Center. The three meeting spaces feature built-in A/V capabilities and eye-catching floor-to-ceiling windows. Reserve a meeting venue overlooking Congress Avenue for a presentation or cocktail reception. Alternatively, opt for the 225-square-foot Recording Lounge to stage a six-person gathering in a unique space inspired by Austin’s rich musical history. Elevated food and beverage options from chef Steve McHugh set the tone for any occasion.
Cosmic Saltillo. Credit to Jessica Watts.
DINING & DRINKING
The garden-like Cosmic Saltillo, dotted with flowing fountains, serves craft cocktails and beer, along with casual fare like tacos and queso fries. The menu changes with the season, depending on what’s available in the Cosmic gardens. The East Fourth Street bar and cafe is a great place to schedule a private event indoors, on the outdoor patio, or on the rooftop deck with downtown views.
During the day and into the night, cozy neighborhood bar Marlow serves an array of classic cocktails, Texas beers and vintage punches in a handsomely renovated 1950s brick building. Mezcal and bourbon aficionados will enjoy the back bar, with a balcony that overlooks Waller Creek. DJs spin tunes on select nights, and pop-up restaurants serve comfort foods like biscuits, burgers and wieners. A planned patio area will offer another gathering space.
Chill at cocktail and champagne bar Daydreamer on East Sixth Street. Beyond an extensive selection of bubbles, the drink menu includes original and classic cocktails, wines by the glass, beer and zero-proof options. Seating is available indoors or on the spacious patio. Snacks like Zapp’s chips, tinned fish and caviar service round out the experience. Allday Pizza slices are available on-site.
Plan a private event at Nômadé, with a cantina that seats 28, a casita with room for 36 guests or the terraza that accommodates 40. The combination garden and cabana offers reception space for 55. The gluten-free kitchen serves a variety of food, from seafood platters and assorted Mexican cheeses as starters, to daily catches, short ribs and more.
There’s a bona fide retreat vibe at Fast Friends Beer Co. The 3.5-acre property accommodates 1,200 people indoors, on balconies, and outside on patios and a beer garden. Brewed-on-site beer includes lagers, ales, pilsners and IPAs, with wine and cider also available. Order farm-to-table fare such as pizzas with gourmet toppings, roasted sprouts, seasonal salads and pretzel bites.
Joe’s Bakery, a staple Mexican restaurant established in 1962, was one of six U.S. restaurants selected by the James Beard Foundation to receive an America’s Classic Restaurant Award. The honor reflects Joe’s Bakery’s timeless appeal and quality food authentic to the region. Breakfast and lunch favorites include barbacoa, tacos and enchiladas. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations or offer catering services, but it’s a great place to recommend to Austin attendees.
AUS. Credit Tim Griffith.
AIRPORT NEWS
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) continues to grow and set records. The airport’s busiest day on record was Oct. 23, 2023. The 43,243 passengers screened through security coincided with the day after the popular F1 weekend held at Circuit of The Americas. That’s a little over 1,000 more people than was recorded the same weekend in 2022. The total number of passengers in 2023 was estimated at a record 22 million.
New domestic and international flight services announced for Austin-Bergstrom include:
- Air Canada flights from Austin-Bergstrom to Montreal, Canada (YUL) begin May 3, 2024.
- Allegiant Air in the South Terminal offers nonstop flights to Omaha, Nebraska (OMA).
- American Airlines offers nonstop flights to Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF).
- Copa Airlines takes passengers from Austin-Bergstrom to Panama City, Panama (PTY).
- Delta is offering its largest Austin schedule ever – a 20% increase in seat capacity with service to Nashville (BNA), Midland-Odessa (MAF), McAllen (MFE), Cincinnati (CVG), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Mexico City (MEX) and Amsterdam (AMS) beginning Spring 2024. Delta Airlines now offers service to Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) and Orlando, Florida (MCO).
- Southwest Airlines starts flights March 9, 2024 from Austin to Jacksonville, Florida (JAX); Montrose, Colorado (MTJ); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).
Austin’s increased air traffic signaled the need for expansion. AUS broke ground in August 2023 on the West Gate project, which will add 84,500 square feet of space, creating three more gates beyond existing gates 33 and 34. New concourse amenities will include more restaurants, shops, public art, seating areas and an outdoor patio. The new area is expected to open in 2026.
The airport prides itself on operating in an environmentally responsible way. For the third year, the airport achieved a hard-to-get Level 3+ carbon neutrality status, reducing emissions at a time when it saw its busiest year ever. Another goal is to achieve an Austin Green Building 3-Star certification of sustainability.
Courtesy ATX Open.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin has achieved reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition museums can receive. The Blanton is the only accredited art museum in Central Texas, and joins The Bullock Museum as the only other accredited museum in Austin. AAM’s Accreditation Commission commended the Blanton on stewarding a nationally notable art collection, while maintaining an exceptional focus on serving the academic community and engaging a broader Austin audience.
Moody Center continues to win awards as a top venue for music, sports and more. In 2024, Moody Center was named Arena of the Year by Pollstar, a leading trade publication for the global concert industry. The arena was previously named Best New Concert Venue Worldwide after only 10 months in operation.
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) returns to Circuit of The Americas on Sept. 1, 2024 for the sixth round of Lone Star Le Mans racing. The WEC season features eight rounds around the world, with Austin hosting the only round in North America. Up to three drivers will take turns racing each car during the fast-paced endurance challenge. Early bird general admission tickets are available now on the COTA website (children younger than 12 are admitted free with a paying adult). Weekend passes are also available to watch the action from Aug. 30–Sept. 1, 2024.
Some of the Women’s Tennis Association’s top stars will compete in the ATX Open, which returns to Austin from Feb. 24–March 3, 2024. The event held at Westwood Country Club features 32 singles players and 16 doubles team. Players who have committed to appearing at the ATX Open include Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens and Danielle Collins. Snag seats soon on the ATX Open website for single sessions or the full series of matches.
The Moody Center hosted both the CMT Music Awards and the San Antonio Spurs I-35 Series for the first time in 2023, and the two events will be returning in 2024. The live CMT Awards honoring fan favorite country music entertainers will air live on CBS from the Moody Center on April 7, 2024. The NBA I-35 Series will feature the San Antonio Spurs playing the Denver Nuggets on March 15, 2024 and the Brooklyn Nets on March 17, 2024. Find ticket information on the Moody Center website.
Athletes are heading to Austin for the Powerlifting America Bench Press National Championships on Jan. 27 and 28, 2024. The event at the Mariott South Austin will feature lifters vying for medals in their men’s and women’s weight classes and age divisions, ranging from 14+ to 70+.
