Austinites who'd like a taste of country club living — without committing to hitting the links every weekend — can stop by this summer restaurant pop-up at Prélude. The swanky new cocktail bar and restaurant on West Sixth Street is hosting a four-month event series called Prélude Country Club, bringing guest chefs, live jazz, all-night happy hours, a Kentucky Derby party, and more from May through August.
Chef Matt Peters is at the helm as usual. Best known for winning the coveted Bocuse d'Or in 2017, the chef is bringing even more prestige to Prélude's culinary program by inviting some of Austin's best chefs to stop by: a press release lists Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis, Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye, and Fermín Núñez of Suerte among the participants.
Each chef will visit for a single night and collaborate on a one "a tasting of canapés and small plates," according to the release., together. Canapés (hors d'oeuvres served on a cracker) are a big part of Prélude's regular menu, so this will likely be a fun opportunity to get experimental with them.
Increasing the country club ambiance, there will be lawn chess and cornhole on the mansion's lawn and table games inside, including mahjong. Those who don't know how to play the Chinese tile game can learn from Austin Mahjong Social each Tuesday evening while snacking on charcuterie and cocktails. Groups even even sign up for a league on Wednesday evenings.
On Thursdays, live jazz will fill the back lawn from 6-9 pm; on Fridays and Saturdays, guest DJs will stop by to transform the main bar indoors into a walk-in lounge from 9 pm to 1 am.
That's all available to anyone who books a space, but some short-term memberships ($200 for the duration of the country club) will also open up some summer possibilities. Most importantly, a membership gives first access to the guest chef dinners and any special events, plus a "country club concierge" to assist in making reservations.
In addition to booking perks, members will also get an exclusive cocktail menu, all-night happy hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and discounts from the award-winning Spa Sway at The Domain and pickleball spot Other Racquet Social Club in East Austin.
Prélude Country Club's first event will be held Saturday, May 3, to watch the Kentucky Derby on the back lawn. Of course there will be mint juleps, plus more canapés and live music. The regular food and beverage menu will also be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to dress as if attending the derby. Tickets ($100) are available at prelude-austin.com.
