Located across from the UT campus on the Drag, this is a popular destination for students who need to take a break or are looking for a quiet place to study. If you can handle a bit of attitude from the staff, you will enjoy the modern atmosphere and a good cup of coffee.

This popular building has been home to the annual Austin Record Convention, numerous gun and knife shows, Sami shows featuring arts and crafts, and many high school graduation ceremonies. Cat and dog shows are also popular events as well as music conventions, like Carnaval Brasileiro, and sports shows. During election time you will find it becomes a central meeting point for ballot collecting and vote tallying.

Delicious Tex-Mex is served at this long-time South Austin diner. The environment is casual, with Mexican art and murals adorning the walls. Three separate dining areas are available, one being an enclosed patio. It offers a range of breakfast tacos, combination plates and a la carte items. Juan's Plate, the Vegetarian Plate, and the Carne Guisada are highly recommended. This popular hangout showcases well-known local musicians several evenings a week at happy hour and beyond.

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.

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.

Located in the historic downtown Driskill Hotel in the center of the entertainment district, Driskill Bar boasts of some of the best drinks in Austin. The drink choices are plentiful, including the selection of wine. The cigar selection is quite adequate for those who care to indulge in life's little pleasures. Whether you are looking for top quality scotch, Champaign, or maybe just a little mixed drink to soften the day, the bartender can satisfy your need.

Austin Theatre for Youth mission is both to entertain and to provide enriching experiences for area youth and families. Housed at the Dell Jewish Community Campus, it puts on performances for specific age groups and runs an academy. With an eye towards helping children and teenagers develop their creative talents, the instruction focuses on bringing diverse groups together through the power of theater. Past productions have included Treasure Island, Bambi, The Velveteen Rabbit, and (for older audiences) Ordinary People.

The Company holds frequent performances around town, and the Tapestry Studio hosts one from its young students each May. Company performances showcase well-respected, established local artists who commonly create original pieces. Innovative interpretations are the norm, often featuring exciting blends of ballet and modern styles. The studio offers a range of adult and children's dance instruction, with ballet, tap, modern and jazz classes at all levels of proficiency. Private instruction from Company members is available. Studio space is also rented out to other local dance groups and organizations.

Austin's largest park, Zilker Park, houses Zilker Hillside Theater, a beautiful outdoor theater. During the summer, catch free musicals, concerts and "Shakespeare in the Park". Large crowds often line the grassy hills with blankets. During the rest of the year, enjoy a variety of performances (call ahead for seasonal schedules). Bring a picnic lunch, or perhaps just some wine and cheese for a snack and watch the stars come out, in the sky and onstage. Admission is free for most events.

This theater, originally incorporated as the Austin Civic Theater, was rechristened in the 1970s to honor Zachary Scott, an Austin-reared actor with a successful film career. In 1993, the theater was recognized by its selection to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts Advancement Program. The theater has grown by building two stages, a costume shop, classroom and rehearsal studio and expanding the box office, and now hosts some of the best performances in Austin. Past productions include Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, The Rocky Horror Show, The Flaming Idiots, and Tapestry: The Music of Carole King. The theater also offers children productions and a performing arts school for everyone.