The Business of Fun

14 Austin holiday office party venues that'll definitely impress your boss

Ember Kitchen.

Photo courtesy of RestauRent

It's never too early to begin planning your company's holiday party, especially if you want to snag a venue that'll have all departments celebrating well into the New Year.

From elegant cocktail dens to authentic global eateries, here are 14 can't miss picks in Austin:

El Raval.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

1. El Raval
The vibe is: El Raval offers a lively atmosphere with a menu featuring Spanish-inspired tapas and craft cocktails. The vibrant decor and ambience make it perfect for festive gatherings, providing a unique experience where your team can indulge in an array of delectable small plates and specialty drinks. The energetic and warm environment, combined with the friendly service, ensures a memorable and fun-filled holiday celebration.
Address: 1500 S. Lamar Blvd.
Click here to rent El Raval for your next event.

Manny's Manny's.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

2. Manny's
The vibe is: Host your holiday luncheon or intimate gathering at Manny's, where upscale midcentury charm meets farm-fresh flavors. Enjoy curated sandwiches, revitalizing smoothies, and artisanal snacks on the cozy garden patio. The lush greenery provides a serene escape from the city’s hustle, creating an urban oasis perfect for sharing memorable moments.
Address: 301 W. 5th St., Suite A
Click here to rent Manny's for your next event.

See more: Explore available venues by type on RestauRent.

Nomade Nômadé.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

3. Nômadé
The vibe is: Nômadé, inspired by the Yucatan's coastal charm, offers a distinctive setting in South Austin for your festive celebration. Feast on gluten-free, oak and mesquite wood-fired cuisine such as grilled octopus, fresh oysters with charred habanero mignonette, crudos, ceviches, and 24-hour short rib with tamarind pasilla and mango habanero. With over 150 agave spirits to elevate your event, Nomade ensures a vibrant and unique dining experience. Choose the bright indoor casita or one of the inviting outdoor patios for a memorable holiday gathering.
Address: 1506 S. 1st St.
Click here to rent Nômadé for your next event.

Murray's Tavern.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

4. Murray's Tavern
The vibe is: Murray's Tavern offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home. Inspired by the beloved memories of owner Travis Tober’s grandmother, Grandma Murray, the tavern is committed to delivering heartfelt service and genuine hospitality. This reimagined cocktail tavern fosters connection and camaraderie, ensuring your team’s celebration is special and memorable.
Address: 2316 Webberville Rd.
Click here to rent Murray's Tavern for your next event.

Lutie's Garden Restaurant.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

5. Lutie's Garden Restaurant
The vibe is: Known for her lavish Jazz Age social gatherings and soirées, estate matriarch Lutie Perry and her convivial spirit live on, refracted through the fresh, whimsical lens of powerhouse designer Ken Fulk. Come here to connect over craft cocktails and snacks on an intimate date, or share family-style plates with a group of colleagues-turned-friends, all in an effortlessly glamorous setting tucked into formal gardens.
Address: 4100 Red River St.
Click here to rent Lutie's Garden Restaurant for your next event.

Space Cowboy.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

6. Space Cowboy
The vibe is: Space Cowboy is a unique, fun, and modern kitchen and bar offering made-from-scratch plates and stellar cocktails inspired by global flavors. Owner Rikki describes the journey of Space Cowboy as an adventure designed to inspire guests and bring dreams to life, creating a space where smiles, laughter, and inspiration flourish. With a tech background and a passion for unforgettable experiences, Rikki partnered with chef Juan Diego Solombrino. Chef Juan Diego's culinary expertise from Madrid, London, Hong Kong, and Mexico adds a world-class touch, ensuring every dish reflects their shared vision and commitment.
Address: 1917 E. 7th St.
Click here to rent Space Cowboy for your next event.

Learn more: RestauRent's concierge team.

Wu Chow Wu Chow.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

7. Wu Chow
The vibe is: Wu Chow brings authentic Chinese cuisine to Austin with a modern twist and sleek interior. Enjoy a menu featuring farm-fresh ingredients and traditional recipes, providing a flavorful and festive dining experience for your team.
Address: 3800 N. Lamar Blvd., suite 170
Click here to rent Wu Chow for your next event.

Ember KitchenPhoto courtesy of RestauRent

8. Ember Kitchen
The vibe is: Ember Kitchen brings the warmth and flavor of wood-fired cooking to the heart of Austin, making it a fantastic choice for your holiday party. The restaurant's modern yet inviting ambience, with its sleek design and cozy touches, sets the perfect scene for festive gatherings. At Ember Kitchen, you'll find a menu brimming with deliciously smoky meats, fresh seafood, and vibrant seasonal vegetables, all cooked over an open flame to enhance their natural flavors. Complement your meal with craft cocktails, fine wines, or local brews from their impressive selection.
Address: 800 W. Cesar Chavez St., Suite PP110
Click here to rent Ember Kitchen for your next event.

DrinkWell.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

9. DrinkWell
The vibe is: DrinkWell features a cozy yet modern vibe with a focus on craft cocktails and elevated bar food, making it perfect for a stylish holiday party. The chic decor and innovative menu create a sophisticated and enjoyable experience for your team. With its warm ambience and excellent service, DrinkWell ensures a classy celebration.
Address: 207 E. 53rd St.
Click here to rent DrinkWell for your next event.

Bar Peached Eastwood.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

10. Bar Peached Eastwood
The vibe is: The Eastwood is a private dining room defined by mod lighting and velvety fabrics. It can seat up to 42 guests, and accommodate up to 60 guests for a cocktail-style event. Enjoy the creative dishes and cocktails while soaking in the vibrant and eclectic ambience that defines Bar Peached.
Address: 1315 W. 6th St.
Click here to rent Bar Peached Eastwood for your next event.

Lenoir Lenoir.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

11. Lenoir
The vibe is: Lenoir offers an intimate and enchanting setting that's perfect for company parties. Nestled in a charming location, this venue is known for its cozy ambience and exceptional farm-to-table cuisine. The menu features seasonal dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients, providing a unique and flavorful dining experience.
Address: 1807 S. 1st St.
Click here to rent Lenoir for your next event.

Hillside Farmacy.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

12. Hillside Farmacy
The vibe is: The Switch BBQ offers a true Texas barbecue experience with a rustic and inviting setting. The hearty menu and laid-back atmosphere ensure a relaxed and enjoyable celebration for your team. Enjoy mouth-watering smoked meats, savory sides, and a variety of local craft beers in a warm and welcoming environment.
Address: 1209 E. 11th St.
Click here to rent Hillside Farmacy for your next event.

Codependent Cocktails + Coffee.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

13. Codependent Cocktails + Coffee
The vibe is: This chic space combines the best of a cocktail bar and coffee shop, offering a versatile environment for any event. The menu features expertly crafted cocktails, artisanal coffees, and a selection of light bites. With its sleek design and vibrant atmosphere, Codependent provides a trendy and dynamic setting for your company gatherings.
Address: 301 West Ave., Suite 110
Click here to rent Codependent Cocktails + Coffee for your next event.

Swift's Attic.Photo courtesy of RestauRent

14. Swift's Attic
The vibe is: Swift's Attic combines historic charm with modern flair. Located in a historic downtown building, this venue features a quirky and creative decor that adds character to any event. The menu boasts an array of innovative small plates and craft cocktails, perfect for sharing and enjoying with colleagues.
Address: 315 S. Congress Ave.
Click here to rent Swift's Attic for your next event.

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RestauRent can help you find and book the perfect restaurant or venue for your next corporate or private event. Browse all Austin-area venues here or reach out to RestauRent’s concierge team at tera@restaurent.com.

holidays venues promoted

Belles of the Ballroom

9 Austin bar and venue experts take over popular Old Austin space near UT

29th Street Ballroom/Facebook

Changes are coming at the 29th Street Ballroom, but the goal is to preserve what already makes it special.

The evolution continues at the 29th Street Ballroom, the music venue formerly attached to Spider House Café. It's no secret, Resound Presents CEO and co-founder Graham Williams says, that he and a large team of other industry pros are taking over the space; but now they're ready to talk about what comes next for the venue and adjoining bar.

Although Spider House Café closed in 2020, the Ballroom stayed open, and has continued serving University of Texas students and anyone else who wants to see a show outside of the ordinary: punk shows, burlesque revues, fundraisers, and more. It'll stay open through most of the renovations, scheduled through January of 2025, and is expected to hold a grand opening in March.

Now Resound — one of Austin's top live music organizers, which was itself born from the ashes of another Austin institution — is lending two of its co-founders to managing the space going forward: Williams and Ian Orth. They're joining seven other team members from venues around town, many of them overlapping: Amy Mullins, Brian Tweedy, Jason McNeely, John Yaklin, and Shannon LeBoeuf of Hotel Vegas, Chess Club, Kinda Tropical, Tweedy’s, and Yellow Jacket Social Club, in varying capacities; and Brian Buscemi and Mike Sanchez of the Little Darlin’.

Williams emphasizes that although things will be changing at the Ballroom, the goal isn't to change anything people already love.

"Over the next few months as we kind of ease into the spring, we're using this downtime to revitalize things, decorate, revamp some of the stuff in the venue and the bar, and just kind of get things moving in the right direction," Williams says, "taking what's already popular about the venue and just adding to it, really."

Bar updates
The biggest shift will be turning the bar from an accessory to live shows into its own entity that's open even when there's nothing else going on. Amy Mullins, best known as a co-owner of Yellow Jacket Social Club, is overseeing that transition. She's never operated a venue that is primarily focused on music, and has been enjoying learning more about how to do it; she even worked the door recently when a staff member called out sick.

Mullins echoes Williams in assuring that the change is more about logistics than tone. It'll still feel like Old Austin, but she does express a hope to run more than the "typical venue bar," handing out simple drinks as quickly as possible. She's working on a new menu that includes wine, beer, craft cocktails, and non-alcoholic options like tea, kombucha, or mocktails. Regardless of what's on the schedule on any given night, Mullins says the menu will stay the same.

"There's no drink too complicated for us to make, however busy we are," she says.

Food options
Another goal for the team will be making sure the space works when there's not someone onstage to crowd around. They'll expand the front and side patios and create a food truck food court that features the same trucks that are there now, plus one newcomer. All in all, that includes Yalla Burger & Wings, Gyro Center, Li’l Nonna’s Vegan Pizzeria, Guppy’s Indian Fried Chicken, Waylon J’s BBQ, and Ay Chihuahua Tacos.

The expanded patio will connect to Tweedy's Bar next door, which also has its own food trucks. The idea is to create a space to hang out after shows that feels fit for the purpose. It's possible to stick around after events now, but the layout does create a vague feeling of loitering.

Artist and fan-friendly tweaks
On the entertainment side, Williams says some of the renovations include putting in a new sound system, redoing the green room, updating the facade, and repainting signs. Since the winter is a slower time for live music, they'll be taking advantage of the extra time to work on things before packing the calendar with more events than before. Resound will handle most of the bookings in live music, comedy, and DJ sets, welcoming both national and local talent.

Whatever the details end up being, this team has proved to Austinites that they know how to run venues worth visiting. And since they're all friends and business partners on multiple levels, it sounds like having this many cooks in the kitchen just isn't an issue.

"Some of us have been roommates and known each other since we were young," says Williams. "It's a good mix of people who are all very like minded, so a lot is being brought to the table per decision. So yeah, it's it's really exciting. Sometimes that's not the case. .... But with this project, it's a lot of really great, creative people that are good at what they do [and] they trust each other."

bars live music concerts comedy