Groundbreaking: Dunlap's Container Bar on the way

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.