Membership Has Its Privileges at the Austin Motel and Prélude Pop-Ups This Summer
In a bustling city like Austin, it can be tough to keep up with all the changes at local restaurants — noteworthy specials, limited-time deals, pop-ups, and menu changes abound. This weekly guide highlights the coolest things, major changes, and exciting events at some of Austin’s best restaurants.
Membership Has Its Privileges at the Austin Motel and Prélude Pop-Ups This Summer
Plus, a new food festival in Bee Cave and a restaurant gives away free food to celebrate its first anniversary.
Pool season is here at the Austin Motel
Barton Springs can get boring every weekend, so head to the Austin Motel to mix it up. It offers pool passes every day of the week, both during the day and at night, along with cabana rentals, which are a new addition this year. Rocky’s Bar, hidden back in the courtyard, is also open again, from Thursday to Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and slinging drinks like a Pistachio Coconut Daiquiri, a Tiger’s Blood Margarita, Aperol Drift, and a daily frozen drink called the So Cold Special. Reservations are required for the pool for $25, Monday through Thursday, or $50 on Friday through Sunday. Those who plan to be there frequently can score a Swim Club membership this year (price available on request and pro-rated by start date), which grants daily pool access, free parking during the week, member happy hours, discounts at Rocky’s and the bodega, discounted room rates, the ability to bring a guest for free, and a welcome bag of Austin Motel swag.
Will it be a country club summer?
Prélude is offering $200 summer memberships for a “country club” experience for a limited time, beginning Saturday, May 3, through August. Members will get access to a variety of exclusive offerings, including a special cocktail menu, all-night happy hour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and discounts at partner locations. They’ll also have the first chance to book through concierge chef Matt Peters’s one-night-only collaborative dinners hosted with fellow Austin chefs, including Evan LeRoy, Kevin Fink, and Fermin Nunez. reservations for those are available on OpenTable, Other offerings include martinis and a life-sized game of chess (or cornhole if you’re more of a checkers type) on the back lawn, table games inside by request, mahjong 101 classes on Tuesday evenings with the option to join a Wednesday night mahjong league, and live jazz on Thursday nights.
For its birthday, this restaurant is giving you the gifts
To celebrate its first anniversary, Thompson Hotel Austin’s restaurant Arriba Abajo Rooftop Cantina will hold a celebration on Sunday, May 4, from noon until 6 p.m., featuring whole roasted pig, shrimp ceviche bowls, chips and guacamole, and more bites — all compliments of the restaurant. For drinks, expect Arriba’s Mexican Candy shots; the Abajo Blast made with coconut tequila, blue curacao, lime, agave, pineapple, and coconut; pitchers of margaritas; plenty of cold beers; zero-proof drinks; and a Raspados station with shaved ice and optional tequila toppers. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPing is encouraged. If you can’t make it that day, the celebrations continue on Monday, May 5, with $1 shots of 21 Seeds tequila and $1 carnitas and chicken tacos.
There’s a brand new food and wine fest in Bee Cave
The Hill Country Galleria and Wine & Food Foundation are hosting a food festival on Saturday, May 31, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Participating shops around the space will offer wine tastings, while restaurants and food trucks provide bites to attendees, with maps available for festivalgoers. Participating restaurants include the League, Tony C’s, Buenos Aires Café, Chisos Grill, Burro Cheese Kitchen, Mighty Cone, TacoMan512, and Party Cart Co. Charcuterie. Attendees will also hear live jazz in the Central Plaza, from performers, including Honeybee Jazz, Dave Madden Trio, and Glenn Rexach. General admission ($50) and VIP ($110) tickets are available.
