Let's Get Down to Business

Top venue picks for classy, chic, and cool corporate events in Austin

Electric Shuffle.

Photo courtesy of Restaurent

If you've been tasked with planning an event for your employer, whether its an all-hands off-site or a celebratory happy hour, Restaurent can help you find the ideal venue.

From eclectic eateries to club-swinging indoor golf facilities, here are 11 top picks for your company's next get-together.

1. Swift Fit HQ
What they do: The Lone Star State has its own definition of wellness: it's a combination of getting outside, building strength, working up a sweat, being with others, and, of course, occasionally keeping it a little alternative — especially in Austin.

Swift Fit HQ specializes in corporate and community events that emphasize connection, health, and wellness. This brand-new 2,000-square-foot event space with a state-of-the-art bar is the perfect venue to host your corporate event or social function.
Address: 918 Congress Ave., suite 100
Click here to rent Swift Fit HQ for your next event.

Swift Fit HQ.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

2. Peached Social House
What they do: This modern, multi-functional event space offers a variety of amenities including a commercial kitchen, 130-inch drop-down projection screen, BassBoss speakers, bridal suite, and much more. The venue includes contemporary, urban design with clean lines and fabricated shipping containers used within the space.

As part of the Peached Tortilla family, Social House offers a unique in-house catering program. Menus range from family-style Korean braised short ribs and ginger salmon to street food tacos and sliders served from the food truck. Social House also offers a tasty bar program which includes alcohol, craft cocktails, and bartenders.
Address: 6500 North Lamar Blvd.
Click here to rent Peached Social House for your next event.

Peached Social House.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

3. Dockside
What they do: Next to the water at Lake Austin Spa, Dockside has space for 25 people and produces intimate and detail-oriented events.

The breathtaking beauty of the lake combined with the flawless execution from Dockside's dedicated events team helps ensure events are remembered and talked about for years to come.
Address: 1705 S. Quinlan Park Rd.
Click here to rent Dockside for your next event.

Dockside.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

4. Diner Bar
What they do: Diner Bar is a lively, full-service restaurant and bar that's adjacent to the Thompson Austin hotel's lobby. Enjoy a perfect martini, served old-school with a side car, and indulgences like oysters and caviar at the bar while a relaxing playlist sets the mood.

After that, move on to a menu of dishes both familiar and new, but all local. Then wash it all down with an eclectic and thoughtful wine list that spans traditional and more unconventional areas.
Address: 500 San Jacinto Blvd.
Click here to rent Diner Bar for your next event.

Diner Bar.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

5. Cedar Door Bar & Grill
What they do: Since 1975, Cedar Door has stood as a renowned Austin landmark, celebrated for its delectable Southwest cuisine, warm hospitality, and iconic Mexican Martini.

Cedar Door offers unmatched convenience, situated mere steps away from the Austin Convention Center and prominent hotels. Whether hosting innovative corporate gatherings, lively social receptions, or any occasion in between, Cedar Door emerges as the prime destination of choice.
Address: 201 Brazos St., building A
Click here to rent Cedar Door Bar & Grill for your next event.

Cedar Door Bar & Grill.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

6. Tipsy Alchemist
What they do: The space boasts a modern, sophisticated design fused with eclectic elements, creating an ambience that's both chic and welcoming.

More than a mere watering hole, Tipsy Alchemist beckons as a destination that tantalizes the senses and inspires boundless imagination.
Address: 70 Rainey St., #200
Click here to rent Tipsy Alchemist for your next event.

Tipsy Alchemist.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

7. Iron Cactus
What they do: Located at the heart of historic 6th Street, Iron Cactus has been a local favorite for over two decades.

The contemporary Mexican cuisine includes favorites like fajitas and margs, but also specialty items like camarones (jumbo shrimp) a la parilla and Southwest paella. Dine inside the restaurant or on the rooftop patio, and don't forget the table-side guacamole.
Address: 606 Trinity St.
Click here to rent Iron Cactus for your next event.

Iron Cactus.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

8. Electric Shuffle
What they do: Experience the unparalleled fusion of high-tech shuffleboard, exceptional bar offerings, and vibrant vibes at Electric Shuffle.

With its contemporary and stylish ambience, the space sets the stage for socializing, gaming, and savoring delectable food and drinks.
Address: 91 Red River St., suite 102
Click here to rent Electric Shuffle for your next event.

Electric Shuffle.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

9. Industry Eastside
What they do: Industry is your all-the-time hangout for breakfast and meetings, a quick lunch, happy hour with a friend (or 40), Eastside pre-gaming, or a late-night snack.

With 60-plus menu items and a full bar with 30 taps, you're covered for every mood and occasion. Whether happy hour for a few or a buyout for many, Industry has flexible indoor-outdoor seating with a stage and a built-in sound and projector system for presentations.
Address: 1211 E. 5th St. suite 150
Click here to rent Industry Eastside for your next event.

Industry Eastside.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

10. Golfinity
What they do: Beyond its top-tier golf amenities, this world-class indoor golf facility boasts a full-service restaurant and bar, creating an ideal environment for networking and socializing.

With multiple private event spaces including a conference room, private VIP suite, and performance theater, Golfinity accommodates meetings and presentations with finesse.
Address: 12332 N. FM 620, building B
Click here to rent Golfinity for your next event.

Golfinity.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

11. MedtoMarket
What they do: Seeking a unique venue for your upcoming corporate event? Look no further than MedtoMarket, conveniently located just minutes away from downtown and the airport.

This versatile training and co-working space features movable furniture, ensuring customizable arrangements for your needs. With conference rooms, convention space, ballrooms, and theaters available, MedtoMarket also boasts a built-in bar and welcomes your chosen caterer to serve your favorite dishes.
Address: 2101 E. St. Elmo Rd., building 1 suite 100
Click here to rent MedtoMarket for your next event.

MedtoMarket.Photo courtesy of Restaurent

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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.

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Austin named the nation's pickleball capital in industry report

Photo by Henry Selis Photo

Other Racquet Social Club is back after city woes.

It's no secret that Austinites love pickleball. A new study proves just how much by ranking Austin the No. 1 city for pickleball in the whole country. Dallas and Houston also made the top 10 at Nos. 3 and 8, respectively.

The report was published by TeachMe.To, an online marketplace for learning sports (and sometimes music) from private instructors. It used data from its own platform, USA Pickleball, Places2Play, local pickleball associations, and more. It also referred to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America, with a growth rate of 223.5 percent over three years.

Similarly, TeachMe.To ranked Austin as the fastest-growing city for pickleball, and citing this as the main reason for the overall title of "the nation's pickleball capital."

It name-checked the Austin Metro Pickleball Association (AMPA) — with approximately 3,000-3,500 members — and the Austin Pickleball League (APL), estimating that overall, "15,000-20,000 people play pickleball at least occasionally in the greater Austin area." About half of those players — about 8,000-10,000 people — play at least twice a month.

The report did not include gender data on Austin, specifically, but it did note that not only are two-thirds of pickleball players female; women's involvement in the sport is also growing 50 percent faster than men's.

New courts everywhere
This probably isn't a surprise to people who have noticed the number of courts opened around Austin in recent years. By 2024, TeachMe.To's data shows 32 dedicated courts in Austin, and thanks to with a utility rate of 92 percent it doesn't look like that'll be slowing down.

In the summer of 2023, the online booking platform Swimply noticed how many pickleball courts there were in Austin compared to such great demand, and added courts to its service. In fall 2023 and summer 2024, at least two important developments expanded that availability: Other Racquet Social Club opened as a friendly, country club-like neighborhood option, and national chain The Picklr announced it's bringing five locations to Austin and Round Rock.

Perhaps because Austin is such a food-obsessed city, there seems to be some growing opportunity for food and beverage hospitality around pickleball, too. Other Racquet recently started hosting the Bill's Dips food truck, a spinoff of the popular downtown restaurant Bill's Oyster; and a pair of bars with pickleball courts, Drifters Social Coffee & Cocktails and The Pickle Pub, also opened in South Austin this year, with strong online ratings already.

The trend has even reached into real estate (see this cute house with its own pickleball court) and inspired athletes to introduce similar sports to the local market, as in the case of the padel club Paddle39. TeachMe.To's report also mentioned tech companies adding pickleball to their campuses.

Aside from growth, the study also considered lesson activity (including information about teacher availability and diversity of clinic offerings), infrastructure, community vitality, the tournament scene.

Austin had the highest concentration of all the cities of players under 40 (65 percent), as well as the highest share of national lesson bookings. At 16.90 percent, that means about one in six of the pickleball lessons contracted through this platform were in Austin. Lesson demand, the report says, is growing 125 percent year-over-year.

Elsewhere in Texas
Dallas was No. 3 thanks in part to its "central location" according to the report.

"The city's 45 dedicated courts and 85 [percent] public accessibility rate have fostered one of the most active competitive scenes in the country, with 8,500 registered league players," it says. "The combination of strong tournament presence, extensive infrastructure, and a 112% growth in lesson bookings solidifies Dallas as a powerhouse in the national pickleball landscape."

Houston made No. 8 with an emphasis on integrating pickleball with other sports.

"The city's 22 dedicated courts have seen a 92% increase in lesson bookings, driven by innovative programming that includes the nation's first corporate league system," it says. "Houston's success in integrating pickleball into existing sports infrastructure while maintaining 72% year-round utilization demonstrates a sustainable model for rapid growth."

Overall predictions
After laying out data about the top cities in pickleball, the report made some predictions. As the Austin newcomer mentioned above believes, the report also thinks padel is the next big thing. It also guesses more cities will act like Houston by focusing on hybrid facilities.

It also expects to see an expanded professional circuit and mainstream coverage, more technology used on the court, a rise in the prevalence of young players, and more opportunities in corporate wellness and real estate. "Dedicated pickleball facilities will become as common as swimming pools in luxury developments," it says. Texans will be the judge of that one.

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