ATXGuide
The Bachelorette Party’s Guide To Austin
photo credit: Roger Ho
People underestimate how stressful it is to plan a wedding. You’ve finally landed a partner who can pass your Aunt Linda’s background check and interrogation, and now you have to put together a party that’ll look just as good in person as it does on Instagram. It’s enough to make some people decide to elope.
That’s why the bachelorette party needs to be stress-free. It’s the bride’s only retreat from wedding planning, and as their friend, it’s your job to take the lead and provide any necessary breaks. Use our guide for a bachelorette party that will impress, entertain, and most of all, free the bride up to focus on deciding between 40 subtly different wedding hashtags.
Lunch/Brunch
Start your weekend just west of downtown at this elegant little house in Clarksville with picture-perfect scenery and baked goods. Dishes like the heirloom rice bowl and avocado toast will make you feel at least slightly healthy, and if you want something sweet, be sure to order the kouign amann or Nutella morning bun.
If your bride is more of a book club than a night club type, try Hillside Farmacy, an East Side brunch spot that’s a little more low-key. You can sit inside and feel like you’re at a small French bistro, or opt for one of the big picnic tables on the patio, which is where you want to be with a group, especially when the weather is nice. The fried egg sandwich or the big brekkie will give everyone the protein power they need to get through the afternoon’s schedule of walking around town, and a Bloody Mary or two will help set the tone for the rest of the day.
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
A trip to Austin wouldn’t be complete without at least a little bit of barbecue. And La Barbecue is one of our favorite spots to go with a group. The brisket here is among the best in town, but you can just as easily fill up on sides if you’re not careful. Just be warned—most of the dishes here lean pretty heavy on the pepper, which we’ve also found to be an eye-opening way to start the day.
photo credit: Roger Ho
Tiny Boxwoods is another place you’ll want to visit early in your bachelorette odyssey, while everyone is still excited to look presentable and before anyone’s busted out any potentially inappropriate props. This place looks like a cross between a miniature country club and a fancy pool house, and it’s a great option for sitting outside with some sangria. Food-wise, the place serves everything from chia seed pudding and açai bowls to migas and a solid burger, along with the kind of chocolate chip cookies you’ll wish you had the recipe.
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
Renting a boat on Lake Austin is the best semi-outdoorsy thing your group can do in town. Before you put on your matching captains’ hats, though, eat some tacos and enchiladas at this lakeside Tex-Mex restaurant—the convenience of being able to eat with a party of 12 and then walk to your boat is incomparable. There’s even a “boat-side delivery” dock in case you’re already on the water and forgot to pack anything other than hard seltzers.
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
Magnolia Cafe is a classic diner that has something for every member of your group, regardless of what they’re not eating this month. There are salads for those trying to be healthy, and things like the eggscape —a cheesy pile of potatoes with fried eggs—for whoever may or may not still be drunk from last night. Get some cornmeal or gingerbread pancakes for the table, too. There’s usually a long line to get in, but it moves fairly quickly and you can recount the night before in the meantime.
Dinner
photo credit: Richard Casteel
If there’s one restaurant in Austin that’s designed for a laid-back bachelorette party, it’s Launderette. There’s a big patio, plus a few large indoor tables, and most of the menu is great for sharing. The menu changes regularly, but you can usually expect to find dishes like fried oysters, burrata with focaccia, and pork spare ribs. Besides the food, Launderette also has an excellent wine list and a small menu of seasonal cocktails, which is great for kicking off or reflecting on the weekend.
Wu Chow is an upscale Chinese restaurant that’s a short walk from most downtown hotels, and it’s a great option for dinner before heading to nearby Dirty Sixth or Rainey Street. The hip hop music and tiki drinks will get everyone in the party mood, and if those don’t do the trick, the soup dumplings should. The large entrees, like scallions hugging beef and seafood fried rice, are great for sharing, and there’s a big patio that’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink if there’s a wait.
Bars
photo credit: Lustre Pearl
Lustre Pearl is located in a multi-story house on Rainey Street, so your group can take over the front yard, backyard, balcony, or all three. As the night progresses, this place tends to get busy, so show up early if you want something chill, otherwise, arrive ready to party.
photo credit: Lucille
Also on Rainey, Lucille is slightly more low-key than other places on the street, and it’s perfect for day drinking when everyone is going at their own pace after a long night. The backyard has hammocks and is usually full of dogs, so you’ll feel like you’re hanging at a friend’s house rather than the overcrowded bar this place becomes at night.
photo credit: Holly Dirks
If your group is hoping to see some live music, and maybe even semi-learn to two-step, head to this bar and dance hall on the East Side. It’s a divey honky-tonk where you shouldn’t be surprised if someone in cowboy boots orders you a shot and asks how you ended up at The White Horse in the first place. If you want to make a night out of it, check out The Liberty or Hotel Vegas afterward.
photo credit: The Blind Pig Pub
At some point in the night, you’ll inevitably end up on Dirty Sixth Street. When you get there, head to The Blind Pig. Inside, you’ll find four bars, two different stages for live music, and the biggest rooftop patio on the street. While you’ll undoubtedly run into more than a few UT students, The Blind Pig is the best option on the street if you don’t want to have to fight your way through a crowd every time you need a drink. Plus, there’s a big rooftop where you can look out over the street below.
photo credit: Julia Keim
After a long day of bar-hopping on East Sixth Street, you might just want somewhere to sit down and relax your feet for a bit, without ending the night completely. Lolo is a natural wine bar with a laid-back interior decorated with mid-century Parisian lamps. There’s also a large, covered patio out back which is where you’ll probably end up if you’re rolling in with a crew. And if you didn’t get enough at dinner, there’s a small menu of light bites to help you end the night a little more responsibly.
