Bring me a higher love

Elevated Austin cocktail bar throws a heavenly week-long party

Featurring melted fresno pimiento cheese and garlic aioli, the Higher Burger is only $5 on Wednesdays.

Photo by Jessica Attie, Courtesy of Higher Ground

Sometimes a birthday just doesn't cut it: Not all your friends can make it on the same night, or you plan a separate celebration with family because there's no guarantee things won't get out of hand at the official party. Or maybe you just deserve to be celebrated all week long, which is likely Higher Ground's reasoning behind its upcoming week-long anniversary event.

Opened in 2021, the elevated cocktail bar in the historic space at 720 Congress Ave. in downtown Austin is unassuming from the outside, but like most things, it's what's on the inside that counts. One step inside transports guests to a space that's part cathedral, part Prohibition drinks lounge, part intimate night club: Quasimodo, Gatsby, and Jennifer Lopez would all feel at home here.

The interior decor was a group effort (Lauren Travis of All Collective, Taylor Clouse of Love Country Designs, and Alexis Williams) with a unified theme of salvaged church artifacts and iconography for a gothic yet playful nod to divine spaces. Downstairs, diners sit on church pews from a decommissioned West Texas church; upstairs, a 19th-century organ finds new life as an LED-lit DJ booth for the bar's best dance parties. Outside, a secret, ivy-covered enclave known as the Sanctuary serves cocktails and al fresco dining in a greenhouse-style atrium.

The ecclesiastic theme carries on in both the food and beverage menu, with Italian-inspired fare from chef Chris Gallucio (Michelin-starred Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Gramercy Tavern) and drinks from mixologist Steven Delgado. Signature cocktails are named after the seven deadly sins ("Pride" really does go before a fall, while absinthe and mezcal are the spiritual roots of "Lust"). Gallucio's small "offerings" feature equally sinful indulgences such as blistered shishito peppers and whipped ricotta bruschetta, while the Higher Burger ($5 on Wednesdays) is good for the soul if not for the heart. Don't skip the delectable drunken apple fritters, either.

All of this is cause enough to stop by any (or every) night of next week's festivities, which will feature food and drink specials as well as unique entertainment in the bar, dining room, and sanctuary. A full lineup of events is below:

Tuesday, August 16: $1 East Coast oysters, $1 Bubbly all night with music by Eric Bowden from 5 pm-8 pm
Wednesday, August 17: $1 Sliders, $1 Lone Star from 4 pm until midnight
Thursday, August 18: complimentary food & drink tastings starting at 4 pm; Revival - 7pm Saxxdoc + Docblust followed by DJ Soleiman and DJ AJ with surprise performances until 2 am
Friday, August 19: Four Record Friday with When Where What 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Special Anniversary Edition followed by Good Fridays from 9:30 pm to 2 am featuring Harvey Bombay, Royal NV, and Eli Arbor
Saturday, August 20: Afterglow Let There Be Light, 6 pm - 2 am featuring Mirror Mirror, Errow, Henry Mora, Ashten Troyy, Hotmessmeesh, Hoodatboy, and Sista Krista

For up-to-date information, follow @HigherGroundATX on social media or visit HigherGroundATX.com.

Quasimodo, Gatsby, and Jennifer Lopez would all feel at home at Higher Ground.

Photo by Jessica Attie, Courtesy of Higher Ground

Quasimodo, Gatsby, and Jennifer Lopez would all feel at home at Higher Ground.

Election Day Dealas

Election deals and parties in Austin to make November 5 go by faster

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Save that sticker.

Whether voting fills you with emotion or a sense of mundane obligation, there are immediate rewards after the ballot box.

Austin bars and restaurants who either want to inspire civic feelings or capitalize on the newsy moment have prepared treats for voters — or just people who want to watch the outcome be announced together. They know you might have voted early, so stickers aren't always required.

Voters don't need to feel passionate about the president to get out there, either. If a free slice of pizza, a chance to choose a mayor, or a pick for railroad commissioner (who oversees the oil and gas industries) are enough motivation, Tuesday, November 5 is the last day to head to the polls and follow this list to the deals.

An interactive map of Travis County polling places can be found here. Voters can visit any location in the county where they are registered.

Aloft Hotels
109 E 7th St.
This is one of the few election events that actually don't address the race; this "No Watch Pawty" invites people to escape the election madness with a local animal shelter (this national brand under Marriott doesn't mention which) for some free stress relief starting at 5 pm.

Bambino
979 Springdale Rd. Ste. 153
Folks who can stand to witness the full scope of reactions in person as results start rolling in can get that experience at pizza joint Bambino, which will be offering $1 slushy shots each time a state is called. For Kamala Harris, the deal will be for piña colada shots; for Donald Trump, it'll be for orange dreamsicle shots. (Do these choices feel personal? Absolutely.) A tenth of the night's proceeds will benefit TX Gun Sense and the Lilith Fund.

Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind Dr #100
Black Star Co-op has been in the watch party game for years, and has even had a busy cycle of hosting debate watch parties, too. It promises "Food & Beer Specials all night. Good people. Good vibes."

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River St
Organized by (and benefitting) civic engagement platform Democrasexy, this "carnival of care" from 6 pm to midnight includes performances by drag artists, burlesque dancers, comedians, and more, plus an acknowledgment that regardless of the outcome, there's work to do at the state legislature in January.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 & 1421 S. Congress Ave., 501 E. 53rd St.
One of Austin's most popular pizzerias is bringing back its longtime election incentive, where customers can wear their “I Voted” sticker for a free slice. The promotion started with early voting on October 21 and is running through Election Day.

Hotel Vegas and Volstead
1502 E 6th St.
These music venus are famous for their South by Southwest parties, but this time they're steeping into politics with a watch party starting at 5 pm. They'll show analysis inside, with a DJ on the patio, themed cocktails, games, and tacos throughout the night.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
All locations, including 3003 S. Lamar Blvd. and 13435 US-183 Ste. 415
Austinites in need of comfort food can get some at Kerbey Lane Cafe, which is giving out a free pancake to anyone who brings their "I Voted" sticker; it can be saved from early voting. This deal is for dine-in only.

Rosen's Bagel Co.
11101 Burnet Rd. Ste. A100
The first 100 people in line at the Burnet location of Rosen's Bagel Co. will get a free bagel with Violife coconut-based cream cheese in two flavor choices: Texas Pecan Pie or roasted lime, poblano and scallion. "I Voted" stickers are not required, but an openness to trying vegan cream cheese is.

Star Bar
600 W 6th St.
Star Bar has endorsed its candidates: UT Longhorns Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Guests can pick up some merch declaring their support (buttons for $3, hats for $20), plus enjoy $3 red and blue jello shots all day.

Tillery Street Plant Company
801 Tillery St.
Austinites with the compulsion to nurture something after the election can present their "I Voted" sticker at Tillery Street Plant Company for a freebie: either a four-inch herb or vegetable starter (excluding lavender) or a two-inch succulent. Both come with a Tillery sticker.