Lucky ACL Fest VIPs have enjoyed a luxury festival experience every year since the inception of the VIP Grove. This year, organizers upped the ante by adding enhanced amenities at the Platinum Lounge.
Platinum ticket holders can skip the lines thanks to a dedicated entrance, located on Barton Springs Road between the main Barton Springs entrance and Robert E. Lee Road. Once inside, they have unlimited access to a luxury air-conditioned experience. Decorated by Austin designer Katie Kime, who has built a lifestyle brand of fashion, furniture, and accessories, the super stylish space is decked in a black and white palette with modern furniture, bold furnishings, and pottery by local favorite Keith Kreeger.
The lounge has a chill bar where guest bartenders serve up craft beer, a rotating selection of wine, and signature cocktails that attendees can sip from the comfy couches. The free Wi-Fi makes it easier to fill their Instagram with stories that will make their friends green with envy.
Of course, large screens dot the area so they can watch their favorite bands live as they go on stage. Those willing to venture out of the air conditioning have access to an elevated viewing deck, as well as viewing platforms at the two main stages stocked with a selection of premium wine and cold beer. When they actually want to leave the creature comforts of the Platinum lifestyle, they can do so via dedicated golf cart transportation around the park.
Aside from the coveted air-conditioned flushable restrooms, VIP perks include onsite concierge services; a cozy tented salon; a private spa for relaxing massages; complimentary lockers with mobile charging; and catered lunch and dinner from award-winning chefs including Naomi Pomeroy, Aarón Sanchez, Andrew Curren, Tim Love, and Andrew Wiseheart. Libations include a lively bar by Don Julio, plus the Glenfiddich Experimental Dome: an experience offering cask-to-cocktail tastings, sensory demonstrations, and new product showcases including Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish Whisky paired with a local IPA.
If all of this sounds like the ACL experience of your dreams, three-day passes for weekend two (October 13-15) are still available for $3,600, with single-day tickets going for $2,000. The rest of us will be getting our daily 10,000 steps (and then some) while stage-hopping, visiting the new Wine Lounge, and looking for our friends’ flags for between-set gatherings.
Platinum does have its privileges.
