Downtown Dining

Details unveiled for 5 new restaurants and bars opening in downtown Austin

Rules & Regs bar at Fairmont Austin.

Rendering courtesy of Fairmont Austin

The Fairmont Austin, downtown Austin's newest and largest hotel, is nearing completion, and now we have more details on what it's bringing to the table.

After announcing the hotel's culinary team in May, the Fairmont has revealed the names and concepts, as well as menu sneak peeks, for its five anticipated restaurants and bars, slated to open early fall 2017.

Garrison, a "Modern American Grill House," specializes in high-quality meats and seafoods cooked over an open flame. Menu items like a Niman Ranch grilled ham chop and fermented carrot "embers" are meant to be paired with Garrison's extensive wine selection.

Revue isFairmont Austin's own mini food hall. The space will feature four open-concept kitchens serving Italian, Asian, seafood, and pastries. Guests can order from any menu and enjoy a mix of items like 'Nduja ravioli, Tokyo frites, and house-made pizzas.

For those on the go, casual concept Good Things will serve coffee, tea, and snacks to grab and be on your way.

The restaurants are located on the ground floor of the hotel, alongside Fulton, the "beating pulse of Fairmont." Inspired by the iconic live oak tree in Rockport-Fulton, Texas, the lobby bar will feature live music and serve up local beer, wine, and spirits, as well as shared plates.

On the seventh floor, guests will find Rules & Regs, promising views of the downtown Austin skyline and cocktails to sip day or night.

"With restaurant concepts ranging from Asian to Italian to an upscale American grill, the collection of chefs we get to hire is astonishing," says executive chef Andre Natera in a statement. "We can't wait to open in September and share all of our hard work with visitors and Austin locals alike."

Located at the corner of East Cesar Chavez and Red River streets, the Fairmont Austin will be Austin's largest hotel, with 1.4 million square feet of space and 1,048 rooms. The hotel, which broke ground in late 2014, was designed to enhance the Austin Convention Center and boasts nearly 140,000 square feet of event space. A pedestrian bridge, dubbed Canopy Walk, will connect the Fairmont with ACC and offer spectacular views of Waller Creek.

Fairmont Austin is now hiring for multiple restaurant and bar positions.

downtown hotels openings

Can I Kick It?

Top Austin brewery kicks off new sports club with volleyball and soccer

Photo by Traverse Photography

Meanwhile Brewing Co. has new reasons to visit.

Even Austinites who don't drink have plenty of reasons to visit Meanwhile Brewing Co., and now there's another for volleyball-lovers. The brewery has set up brand new sand courts, ready for the launch of the new Meanwhile Sports Club. The club will organize both volleyball and soccer games, so there's always someone to play with.

Sand volleyball games will be divided into teams of four or six, with the first games starting the week of January 6, 2025. Soccer teams will be five-on-five, with play beginning the week of February 3.

Teams will be in it to win, but the short "seasons" will avoid triggering commitment issues at just six weeks long. At the end of each season, the club will host a championship game for the chance to win a $200 bar tab.

Soccer field at Meanwhile Brewing Co. Austin The soccer field is right next to Meanwhile's resident food trucks.Photo by Traverse Photography

The brewery recommends that teams sign up together to increase the likelihood that everyone gets a chance to play. The leagues do accept free agents, but availability constraints mean that no one is guaranteed a spot. Multitalented athletes can increase their chances by signing up for both sports, but should choose different days so games don't conflict.

For those who maintain that beer — and not running — is still their favorite part of visiting a brewery, there's always opportunities to spectate. Meanwhile's South Austin grounds are well-stocked with brews, cocktails, and food trucks. Plus, there's almost always an event going on, from flea markets to movie screenings.

Registration for volleyball is open now and closes December 19; registration for soccer opens December 1 and closes January 16. The team fee is $675 for the first two weeks of registration, and increases to $725 later. Meanwhile Brewing is located at 3901 Promontory Point Dr.