Editor's note: The top Austin news of the week includes exciting restaurant and bar openings, plus the best parties and restaurants for celebrating New Year's Eve. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then visit this guide to Christmas weekend events.

1. Adventurous local mixologists open chic Irish pub in East Austin. Two Irish mixology alums have opened a new café and bar, with help from other well-connected friends from around town. Parley opened December 19 at 1628 E. Cesar Chavez St.

2. New Round Rock Jamaican restaurant combines jerk and Texas barbecue. A new family-owned restaurant in Round Rock is combining Jamaican cuisine and Central Texas barbecue in one community hub.

3. Round Rock has 2 new Georgian businesses: a grocer and a restaurant. Round Rock residents who love Georgian cuisine have had some great luck recently, with a new grocery store and restaurant having opened this fall.

4. Cocktails, concerts, and more ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in Austin. New Year’s Eve in Austin offers a wide range of ways to ring in 2026, from free, family-friendly celebrations to ticketed theme parties, fireworks, and more.

Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026. austintexas.org

5. 13 Austin restaurants serving luxe meals for New Year's Eve 2025. New Year’s Eve dinner reservations are filling fast, but there are still plenty of options to celebrate over a great meal.