Come enjoy country western music in a railroad relic. This venue, although slightly outside of downtown, provides an excellent opportunity to dance and watch older country western pros strut their stuff. The old Texas feel and the relaxing atmosphere make a great team with cold beer and great music.

Tavern is one of the best known and best loved places in town to meet with friends, watch sports, have some drinks and eat down-home cooking. From Lamar Boulevard, you cannot miss the sign advertising 'air conditioning'. Designed in 1916 and modeled after a German pub, it operated as a grocery store until the end of World War I. From the Great Depression on, it has operated as a restaurant and bar. The environment is quite casual and often bustling with activity. The full bar frequently offers drink specials. Their large menu offers American and Tex-Mex classics, with entrees such as chicken fried steak and meatloaf.

Stardust Club is one of the most casual bar and billiard hall in the town of Austin. With amazing light fixtures, this fine establishment could lighten up anyone. The music played here from the jukebox, sets the mood of a bar atmosphere. With a number of pool tables, they also have dominoes' tables and a shuffleboard too; not to mention the televisions to watch your favorite games. This bar has entertainment oozing out of it. Drinks are available at pretty decent prices. If you're looking out for a place to chill, play a few games of pool, have a drink or two, then jot down the address and hit the road.

Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe, a cafe that opens up late in the morning, is quite pleased to serve its customers an early brunch or breakfast for that matter. It's a decent place to enjoy some good American cuisine. Live music to set the mood in the evening. The menu is quite diverse which will take you by surprise. Besides that, the service is good enough to leave you satisfied till you leave the cafe.

This Austin theater ensemble only produces three or four shows in a year, but the performances are notable for inspiring local social and political debates. The main mission of Rude Mechanicals, is producing socially and politically conscious work and eliminating the differences of all kinds of artistic works. It is also hard to forget the gritty casualness of the warehouse space venue. Call for show times and ticket prices and make reservations early as the limited seating fills fast with college students, high tech professionals and university professors.

Four non-profit organizations sponsor the bingo games here, and all proceeds go for good causes: the Mexican-American Research Center, Huntington's Disease Association of Texas, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and Metropolitan Community Church of Austin. Four payout games are scheduled each day and players always have a chance to win the jackpot. A full volunteer staff, short order kitchen, spacious seating and computer access are all on the premises.

Owned and operated by artists, the Vortex Theatre is home to the Vortex Repertory company which brings an eclectic mix of cutting edge performances. Founded in 1998, this non-profit organization has moved around town several times before settling in its location on Manor Road. This fabulous facility allows the Vortex to provide Summer Youth Theatre and the Vortex Acting Workshops in a brand new setting. Having received numerous local awards including The Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin Awards, the B. Iden Payne Awards, and Critics' Choice Awards, this is a theater company that can tickle your fancy for fun.

The name means "thatched roof," and it is hard to miss this one, atop a large Mexican restaurant alongside Highway 290. The casual, spacious interior allows for conversation without noise from the kitchen or too-close fellow diners crowding in. Generous Tex-Mex combination plates are the rule here. Try the satisfying enchiladas and bring the rest home for the next day. You will find nearly fish bowl-sized margaritas from the full bar that are not to be missed, and an all you can eat fajita buffet Saturday nights. Karaoke is offered in an adjacent area on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Located on Sixth Street amongst the action, this space offers a great beer selection and complete bar with a full service restaurant. You can satisfy your hunger pangs here as late as midnight. The casual atmosphere has remained since it was opened in 1981 as the city's first "fern bar"; enjoy all of the fabulous ferns. Appetizers include Fried Calamari served with a marinara sauce, Potato Skins covered in cheese, and Peel & Eat Shrimp; steamed, seasoned and served chilled. Main entrees include a variety of tacos and Southwestern dishes, salads, sandwiches, burgers, Chicken Parmesan served over garlic-basil fettuccine, Cajun Catfish served broiled or fried and even a Gardenburger.

The central feature of this cozy cafe is not indoors, but out back, it is a kitchen garden overflowing with the herbs and vegetables that populate the menu every day. Cleverly integrated into soups, side dishes, appetizers and entrees. The soups are standouts,and the ever-changing selection of side dishes keeps the menu fresh. Half orders are available for those with a smaller appetite. While you wait for a table, browse Pitchforks & Tablespoons, the garden and kitchen shop on the grounds.