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Groundbreaking: Dunlap's Container Bar on the way

Bridget Dunlap and her team ready to cut the ribbon. Photo by Jessica Pages
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With golden shovels they break ground for Container Bar. Photo by Jessica Pages
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Plans for the new Container Bar. Photo by Jessica Pages
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Architects and designers talk over the plans at Clive Bar. Photo by Jessica Pages
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A small group of supporters and investors gathered across the street from Clive bar to celebrate the start of Container Bar, almost 3 years after the idea was hatched. Owner Bridget Dunlap hopes to start construction by Labor day,  and hopes to celebrate the opening New Years Eve. That'll be a party. Only a few city building permits stand in the way. They hope to have those within a month.

Oh to have been there when they began construction on the Colosseum! Or to have seen the Eiffel Tower erected! There are just some structures you wish you could have seen from the beginning. The newest bar of Bridget Dunlap, owner of Bar 96, Lustre Pearl and Clive in the Rainey Street Historic District, will be a history maker.

The Container Bar will be a first for Austin — several shipping containers, 8' x 8' x 40' will be transformed with new flooring, windows and lots of stylish design elements — and they’ll be stacked and positioned to create a large courtyard in the middle, perfect for laughing over beers and cocktails with friends. Full-service bars, outdoor and indoor seating, eco-friendly LED lighting, a dramatic 30-foot entry, a retractable canopy and a big screen HD video projection system are just a few of the neat things this new Austin hang-out spot will sport.

We don’t mean to be too flattering, but we’re pretty sure this is gonna be awesome. The ground-breaking ceremony was held at 90 Rainey Street by Bridget Dunlap — ceremonial shovel in hand — and a few of her key team members, and immediately afterwards a celebration at Clive Bar (not made of containers, but still pretty nice) complete with complimentary drinks.
 
You can read more about the Container Bar and how rockstar owner Bridget Dunlap works her magic, in our piece "Bar-owning and life tips from Rainey Street bad-ass Bridget Dunlap."

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