Sound decisions
New Austin cocktail and burrito bar wants to make trouble on East Seventh Street
The Hightower might have gone quiet on September 8, but a brand-new concept will soon be turning up the volume in its East Seventh Street space. Troublemaker, named after Willie Nelson’s 20th studio album, will kick out the jams in November.
The project will combine a record store and a watering hole under the same roof. Co-owner Chad Dolezal tells CultureMap that Hightower partner Victor Farnsworth and longtime friends Dan Healy and Andy Uhler will bring Troublemaker to life.
“We all love music and drinking when listening to music and occasionally eating when drinking and listening to music,” Dolezal explains, “so it seemed like a perfect concept for us to all do together.”
The team behind South Austin shop End of An Ear will curate the vinyl selection. Troublemaker will also occasionally host live music, DJs, and, bring your own vinyl nights.
Enhancing the tunes will be a full bar. Dolezal did not reveal the specifics of the beverage program, but did share that it would be helmed by Hightower’s bar manager Olivia Schnell.
“Really this will be her show, we are just trying to stay out of her way,” says Dolezal.
Troublemaker will also serve a small food menu composed mostly of California-style burritos filled with french fries instead of rice and beans. Protein choices for the wraps will include carne asada, carnitas, pollo asado, and Impossible Meat chorizo.
The exact opening date is still up in the air, but Dolezal says the soft opening may happen as early as late October. Updates will be posted via Troublemaker's social media.
