The best place to consume, store, stay and play.

Every 12 months, performers, filmmakers, creatives, techies additionally the individuals who love them flock to Austin, Texas for SXSW. In the event that you’ve never gone to the famous event (taking place March 10-19 this current year), Southern By (as locals and regulars call it) overlaps per week of Interactive (read: online and app-based panels, occasions and events) along with its movie and comedy offerings (screenings, programs, much more parties) and its particular line-up of respected performers and buzzed-about brand new acts, with every record label, life style business, podcast and YouTube channel clamoring to protect who’s next.

In a town recognized for the passion for real time bands and BBQ, Austin-philes additionally hail this musical mecca for its wonderful weirdness, which truly talks to its queerness. Notwithstanding Austin’s regular LGBTQ events and choices through the 12 months, SXSW is just one of the most readily useful times to go to, as through the event, the town not merely bustles with interesting individuals trying to fulfill brand brand new faces, but hands over Southern hospitality with its haunts that are everyday.

We asked some Austin locals to offer us the lowdown on locations to consume, remain, shop and play whilst in city for SXSW, or just about any other time you might like to result in the day at the queerest city in Texas.

Stay

First thing’s very first: You’ve gotta know Liz Lambert. The out hotelier has a few businesses that are different in and away from Austin, but she’s a fixture associated with the city, along with her resorts will be the coolest places to remain or remain in for a glass or two within the Lone celebrity state.

“She’s basically Austin’s most well-known and lesbian that is badass, ” said Austin dweller and author Krista Doyle. “She’s known for renovating resort San Jose on Southern Congress. Their yard courtyard patio is where you are going to take in the michelada that is best in the city. ”

Hotel San Jose and Lambert’s other Austin spot Resort Saint Cecilia are colorful, cool and contemporary: sleek and stylish having a touch that is tasteful of ‘n roll. You’ll desire to simply just simply take items of the knowledge house with you, and you’re in luck—both places offer very very carefully chosen neighborhood things from the mini-bar and apothecary within their present store. (Bonus: Dogs welcome! )

Hotel San Jose via formal web site

Eat

Liz can be who owns Jo’s Coffee which not merely serves Stumptown Coffee and banging break fast tacos, but its original location close to resort San Jose can be your website of numerous an Austin photo op and “a cool, sweet section of Austin’s LGBTQ history. ”

“The famous ‘I like you a great deal’ Austin mural is from the side with this cafe, ” Doyle offered. “The tale being that the musician that is local Amy Cook spray painted it from the wall surface after her and Liz, her girlfriend, found myself in a battle. ”

Jo’s Coffee via Twitter

A free celebration that everyone can go to, featuring “live music, regional vendors and happy times. During SXSW, Jo’s parking area hosts Southern by San Jose”

Whenever you’re interested in meal, hitched few LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem‘s Los Angeles Barbeque is just a thing that is sure. “The beef rib and chipotle slaw are to literally perish for, ” said filmmaker Lisa Donato.

Los angeles Barbecue via Facebook

She additionally suggests The Urban Cowboy, a meals vehicle owned by out trans man Chris Trapani providing exactly exactly what Donato called “the hangover food that is best in town—greasy tacos, alcohol mac and cheese, praline bacon sticks and avocado fritters. ”

Vegans, Austin is more friendly than you may think. Plezzure Island organizer Ashley Marshall implies Bouldin Creek Cafe, that offers a menu that is mostly vegan she stated is “definitely family. ”

Enjoy

4th Street is Austin’s unofficial gayborhood, lined with LGBTQ nightclubs and pubs like city staple Oil Can Harry’s. This club is actually for many identities and hosts several of SXSW’s happenings that are queer. Across the street, Rain provides a setting that is similar with a lot more dance. (whenever getting cocktails, try to find Frot Vodka, an area LGBT-owned brand name. )

The ladies are going to be en masse at Cheer Up Charlie’s, Austin’s lesbian-owned venue that lends its phase to performers and storytellers nightly. During SXSW, they’ll host Empress: employer Babes ATX & GirlFriend Showcase among other cool can’t-misses.

Cheer Up Charlie’s via Facebook

BT2 Austin (or Bout That Time) is just a spot that is good games, if you’re into that kind of thing. Enjoy pinball, pool, darts or volleyball as of this homosexual fave.

For anyone who is thinking about a few more chill literary vibes throughout the day, Austin hosts Bookgirl, a feminist bookstore owned by away lesbian Susan Post that provides artwork, tees, posters along with other things you or some one you realize may want as being a souvenir. In North Austin, collective-owned Monkeywrench Books is also filled with queer-friendly collectibles. “They focus on content linked to politics, oppression and privilege, ” Donato said.

Bookwoman via Facebook

If you don’t mind a small drive outside of sex arab town restrictions, Whirlaway Farm and Garden is a recommended stop. Out owner Francesca Hernandez had been motivated to buy the three-acre plot and begin her very own farm while being employed as an Austin town planner, and today it is house to a greenhouse, fully-functioning farm and also the yurt for which she dwells. She additionally dedicates the room to web hosting workshops and community tasks, and offers goat’s milk hand ointments and soaps, in addition to providing a CSA Harvest Share.

Whirlaway Farms via Facebook

SXSW Particular

One of many primary destinations at this year’s SXSW Interactive is Lesbutante & The Boss + Lesbians Who Tech formal SXSW Soiree 2017, March 10 during the Highland Lounge. Managed with a woman that is queer this newish homosexual nightclub has “three floors, a killer back patio, and all sorts of the lights and fog a club kid could want, ” and also the occasion has been arranged by Austin energy couple celebration promoters (and founders of Plezzure Island) Michelle Solorzano Daly and Kelly West. There’s also an LGBT in Tech Meetup, a Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) Meetup, LGBTQIA+ Gaymers & Geeks hook up, a panel on LGBT storytelling as a result Gets Better, the business enterprise Case for LGBT Equality, LGBT Community Driving Digital wellness Innovations, Selling Out: Anti-Oppressive Queer Style advertising and making use of Tech to finish LGBT Youth Homelessness.

This year’s film fest offerings are stellar using the premiere of Fawzia Mirza‘s lesbian-themed, multi-cultural wrestling love story “Signature Move, ” “Easy Living, ” featuring out actress Jen Richards, and “The Light of the Moon” featuring bisexual “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Stephanie Beatriz. Bonus: These ladies will all attend the Austin lgbt Global movie Festival’s filmmaker that is annual on March 11. Some movie panels and meet-ups never to be missed: Queer Voices off and on Screen and Virtual Life’s a Drag: Queering VR.

Via “Signature Move”

If you’re interested in some regional artists to groove to throughout the week of concert events, out singer Gina Chavez will perform her salsa-pop at Maggie Mae’s on March 14 and heart rocker Emily Wolfe takes the phase at Trinity Hall at Old class on March 19. Non-locals but queer performers to discover add Loamlands, Krudas Cubensi, Johanna Warren, The Spook class, Aye Nako, Marika Hackman, Jay Som, while the Shondes.

Visit SXSW for seats, occasions and updated occasion information.