Tears in our beer

Long-running Austin craft beer bar taps out of the Warehouse District

The Ginger Man is saying goodbye to its downtown location.

After more than 20 years as a staple of downtown Austin’s nightlife scene, The Ginger Man, at 301 Lavaca St., will close its doors for good on Sunday, May 27.

The news was confirmed via a Facebook post on May 21 that thanked the bar's customers for years of patronage. Although the beer bar had announced in October 2017 that it would move into East Austin mixed-use development Plaza Saltillo, it is a surprise that the closure comes so far ahead of that location's late 2019 opening date.

The new home will be surrounded by other shops, eateries, apartments, and office spaces — ensuring greater foot traffic. And, unlike the original Austin Ginger Man, the new location will also have parking.

Anchored by the first Whole Foods Market 365 in Austin proper, the new bar will be located near the second location of Dolce Neve Gelato and the third Austin location of Snooze. Tarka India Kitchen, Epoch Coffee, Stout Burgers & Beers, and tapas bar Barcelona have also signed on to the development.

Before the new Plaza Saltillo location takes shape, those loyal to the Ginger Man can visit the new Hill Country Galleria location, which opened in April. Of course, that’s a hefty Uber fare for many Austinites.

If you’re the sentimental type, go grab a pint on Sunday as the bar hosts a big send-off to toast the end of an era. But you might want to get there early. Facebook commenters are reporting that only about 20 of the original 81 taps are still flowing.

craft-beer closings

Games on the Go

This outdoorsy mountain trolley is now a vintage arcade in Austin

Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley still bears most of the markings from its past life in Tennessee.

Some classic arcade games are now on the go in Austin with the launch of the Austin Arcade Trolley. Housed in a renovated trolley car, this new mobile arcade shows off eight vintage 80s and 90s games, while keeping some of the transportation nostalgia intact, too.

Austin Arcade Trolley owner and ex-corporate salesman Trey Tschoepe said in a press release that the idea came about after attending birthday parties with his 6-year-old daughter. The parties inspired a desire to "keep Austinites young at heart." It wasn't intended as a business, but Austinites can now book it for their own events.

The vintage games include:

NBA Jam
Golden Tee
Ms. Pacman
Atari
The Simpsons
NFL Blitz
Mortal Kombat
Street Fighter II

Austin Arcade Trolley interior Even though the aesthetics are different, both halves of this bus are very retro.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

It's not just limited to those classics, though; a 55-inch screen will let guests play more than 30,000 other games. Minecraft, Roblox, and Tetris are a few of those offerings.

“Not only are we delivering nostalgic fun that accessible to all ages, but we’re also doing it in style with a vintage trolley car converted into a mobile arcade," said Tschoepe. "There’s truly nothing else like this in Texas or anywhere else.”

There certainly are other mobile arcades, but the trolley is unique not just for its vintage selection but a delightfully outdoorsy look. The back of the vehicle looks like an arcade, but the front and exterior sidestep the expected design elements — neon colors, envisionings of cyberspace — by keeping everything as-is.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley basically looks like any other mobile arcade.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The wooden interior still has some passenger benches, and the outside even displays its original affiliation: the Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, where it was designated a "Fun Time Trolley."

Tschoepe did put some work in, even though he kept the aesthetic intact. He purchased the decommissioned car in May 2024 and spent six months implementing custom woodwork and other design updates.

Now it can fit 15 guests in the arcade section, with space for 7 more in the seating section. There's also wifi and air-conditioning, and guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks onboard.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley brings light to an airier side of gaming.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley is available for hourly booking every day. The case price is $375 including delivery, setup, and unlimited play within the booking time, which happens in two-hour increments. It can travel around Austin as well as to Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Buda, Kyle, and Lakeway.

Tschoepe welcomes kids and adults for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, corporate and team-building events, and anywhere else it's needed.

“We’re excited to spread the fun throughout Central Texas," he said.

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