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Popular Alamo City coffee chain brews new location in hot Austin district

Local Coffee will open at the Seaholm development in November.

A massively popular San Antonio coffee shop is about to make its Austin debut. Local Coffee, the successful chain from Alamo City, is opening its first Austin location downtown this fall.

"We are super pumped and grateful to be part of the Austin coffee scene," founder and owner Robby Grubbs tells CultureMap in a statement.

The team is targeting a November opening for its seventh outpost, which will be nestled in the Seaholm development across from True Food Kitchen.

"I think folks will feel creatively inspired by our finishes and flow, but still feel like it's warm and approachable," Grubbs says. "Our loyal 'Locals' will know they are in a Local Coffee, but as they already know, we don't make any two the same."

"That's part of what Local means to us — to get inspiration from each specific community, and then do our best to elevate it with some unexpected finishes, graphics, offerings, etc."

The shop will feature a Modbar espresso machine and coffee from sister company Merit Roasting Co. — also based out of San Antonio — but patrons can expect guest offerings from other U.S. roasters. The drink menu ranges from high-quality coffee and espresso creations to fresh teas.

Local Coffee is also bringing in pastries from the beloved San Antonio-based Bakery Lorraine and Maybelle's Donuts. Additional food options will include toasts; Mother Culture Yogurt; and breakfast tacos from a yet-to-be-named partner — the team is still "in the process of doing some taco recon," Grubbs says.

Three San Antonio employees are relocating to Austin to help open the store. The hiring process will begin in late August or early September.

downtown openings coffee

WHOM THE BELL SOTOLS

Poolside sotol bar splashes into high-end downtown Austin hotel

Photo by Jade Hammer

Cantero Austin.

Austin's thirst for desert spirits may not be precisely quantifiable, but there's no doubt it is on the rise. Over the last decade, several mezcal and tequila bars have popped up throughout the city. No wonder the Line Austin is eager to enter the game with its newest nightlife offering, Cantero.

Officially open as of November 12, it's the Capital City's first bar emphasizing sotol, a sibling spirit of mezcal made with the desert spoon plant instead of agave. The chic space, decorated with Mexican modernist neutrals, opens up to the downtown property's pool.

"When planning Cantero, we knew we wanted to highlight local ingredients and Texas spirits," explained Line head of creative Stefan Merriweather in a release. "Sotol, a regional gem, stood out as something we hadn't yet encountered in a dedicated bar, and we saw an opportunity to introduce our guests to something fresh and unexpected."

Although the bar stocks other spirits, it has one of the broadest sotol collections in the region. While Mexican brands like Flor del Desierto are featured, Cantero stocks Texan trailblazers like Desert Door and Marfa Spirit Co.

Guests can enjoy sotol via standalone tastings or mixed in signature cocktails like the Yucca with Aperol, lemon cordial, habanero bitters, and soda; or the Strelitzia with ginger, lemon, and lavender-honey soda. Other liquors anchor more sippers, like the Dahlia with mezcal, green pepper, sweet corn, and smoked chili bitters.

The lounge also enjoys proximity to the Line's outpost of Veracruz All Natural. Guests can soak up the booze with the entire taco and appetizer menu from the Austin favorite, located adjacent to Cantero.

Cantero is now open from noon to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 10 am to midnight Friday through Saturday, and 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday.

Photo by Jade Hammer

Cantero is dedicated specifically to sotol.

nightlife hotels bars cocktails openings