Around Town: East Austin EXPERIENCE AUSTIN’S BLACK CULTURAL DISTRICT Six Square , Texas’ first Black Cultural District, is packed with history. Celebrate Black stories and art at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center and the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility . Explore historic HBCU Huston-Tillotson University (Austin’s oldest university) and Rogers-Washington Holy Cross Historic District , a preserved mid-century Black neighborhood. Join Black Austin Tours for narratives by a master storyteller or cycle the streets on a self-guided Black History Bike Ride . Go to visitaustin.org/soul for more ideas. Whisler’s Lil’ Easy evokes New Orleans with boozy frozens and Cajun snacks. Sip mezcal flights at speakeasy-style Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar . Island flavors and bright greenery make every day Kinda Tropical . Named the 2025 Eater Austin Awards’ Best New Bar, papercut pairs art-inspired cocktails with Konbini ’s Japanese-Mexican sushi. Roomy East End Ballroom is part-restaurant, part-live music venue. Parley is effortlessly cool, with Irish-Korean fare and original cocktails. Moody Whisler’s cocktail menu changes with the seasons. Rooftop bar IYKYK brings DJ sets and dance parties open air. Score retro clothes and jewelry at Charm School Vintage . Handmade housewares from Take Heart elevate the everyday. Read while sipping a glass of red at Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar . Female artists present groundbreaking installations at Women & Their Work . Stock up on journals and creative supplies at The Paper + Craft Pantry . Gifts at Roommate Collective are always cute and colorful. and updated cocktails. Psychics, magicians and animal acts perform at The Vortex . Outside, The Butterfly Bar is a watering hole in a butterfly sanctuary. Immersive pub The Tiny Minotaur brings fantasy worlds to life. Sip refreshing frozen drinks on Chalmers ’ high-energy patio. Dainty Dillo boasts a riverside backyard with TVs and firepits. Two-step and boot-scoot at honky-tonk The White Horse . TOP TO BOTTOM: SONNY BROWN; MONET HAMBRICK ENTERTAINMENT SHOPPING Children’s museum Thinkery lets kids learn through play. Ground Floor Theatre amplifies stories from underrepresented communities. Play 27 wild holes at indoor Holey Moley Golf Club . Improv and sketch comedy light up ColdTowne Theater most nights. In the newly designated Govalle Cultural District, walk through artist studios and galleries at warehouse art complex Canopy during their monthly Open Canopy events. For outdoor art, take a self-guided tour of East Austin’s many street murals . Catch blues and karaoke at old-school King Bee . Kitty Cohen’s tiny pool and beachy cocktails channel Palm Springs. Sister clubs Hotel Vegas and The Volstead Lounge share a roomy backyard for drag brunches and all-night parties. La Perla Bar ’s signature ArModelo is a michelada-inspired treat. Dance to Afrobeats and world music at Sahara Lounge . Sample South African wines at Cape Bottle Room . Or share swoonworthy cocktails at vibrant Lovebirds . Shop for books by underrepresented authors at cultural hub Red Salmon Arts/ Casa de Resistencia Books . Learn to paint or browse local works at Black-owned RichesArt Gallery . Rhapsody Mural 43
Austin Insider Guide 2027: Page 43
