This trend goes into over-drive with events such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits when good Austin hotels are known to sell out months in advance. No matter where you choose to stay, however, it pays to book as far ahead as you can because occupancy rates in Austin are incredibly high year-round with demand routinely exceeding supply. These are East Austin, Clarksville, South Congress, and Downtown Austin, and each has its own distinct flavor. Austin has four major neighborhoods that you should explore, all of which are extremely gay-friendly and will give you a look into local life in Austin. If you’re not planning on attending, you should bear in mind that these events could be a hindrance as hotels in Austin book up fast, prices skyrocket, and everywhere gets pretty crowded. Massive events such as the Austin City Limits Festival and South by Southwest (SXSW) have helped put Austin on the map. The Austin tourism scene is booming on multiple fronts thanks to Austin’s reputation as the ‘live music capital of the world,’ its unique mix of cowboys and hipster, innovative food scene, and abundance of outdoor leisure activities.
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While Oilcan Harry’s will retain its street-facing facade and signage in the new space, its neighbors Neon Grotto and Coconut Club will likely be replaced by a “cool, chef-driven restaurant,” Ott said.ĭevelopers said they hope to have their demolition request considered by the full landmark commission at its May 4 meeting.If you ask anyone in Austin about which gay neighborhood to visit or stay in, they will tell you, “Gay neighborhood? No need…this whole city is gay-friendly”, which is pretty accurate from our experience – though as with any city some areas are better to stay in than others! The gay landmark had operated in Studio City since 1968 until it became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2021. Its name is a reference to the oldest gay club in Los Angeles, Oil Can Harry’s. Oilcan Harry’s at 211 West Fourth– the one tenant protected from the demolition– has been in operation for 30 years. “But also, to the extent there’s a business there that does have some lease term left, how can the developer come in and work with that business to ensure that they come back in, in a designed space that works for their needs and maintains the texture and quality at the ground floor that’s there today.” “Our intent is to…set an example here really about how responsible development can happen, and a developer can come in and at their own will and desire try to preserve facades-which we’re doing at Third and Brazos as well,” Ott said.