Where you should consume, store, stay and play.

Every year, artists, filmmakers, creatives, techies additionally the individuals who love them flock to Austin, Texas for SXSW. It) overlaps a week of Interactive (read: Internet and app-based panels, events and parties) with its film and comedy offerings (screenings, shows, even more parties) and its line-up of respected musicians and buzzed-about new acts, with every record label, lifestyle company, podcast and YouTube channel clamoring to cover who’s next if you’ve never been to the famous festival (happening March 10-19 this year), South By (as locals and regulars call.

In a town understood for its love of real time bands and BBQ, Austin-philes additionally hail this musical mecca for its wonderful weirdness, which truly talks to its queerness. Notwithstanding Austin’s regular LGBTQ events and options through the year, SXSW is among the most readily useful times to consult with, as throughout the festival, the town not merely bustles with interesting individuals trying to satisfy brand new faces, but hands over Southern hospitality with its haunts redhead massage porn that are everyday.

We asked some Austin locals to provide us the lowdown on locations to consume, remain, store and play whilst in city for SXSW, or some other time you might like to result in the day at the town that is queerest in Texas.

Stay

First thing’s very very first: You’ve gotta know Liz Lambert. The out hotelier has a few businesses that are different in and outside of Austin, but she’s a fixture associated with city, along with her accommodations will be the coolest places to keep or stay in for a glass or two into the Lone celebrity state.

“She’s basically Austin’s most well-known and lesbian that is badass, ” said Austin dweller and author Krista Doyle. “She’s known for renovating resort San Jose on Southern Congress. Their yard courtyard patio is when you can expect to take in the michelada that is best in city. ”

Resort San Jose and Lambert’s other Austin spot Resort Saint Cecilia are colorful, cool and contemporary: sleek and stylish with a touch that is tasteful of ‘n roll. You’ll desire to just take bits of the knowledge house with you, and you’re in luck—both places offer very very carefully chosen neighborhood products from the mini-bar and apothecary within their gift shop. (Bonus: Dogs welcome! )

Resort San Jose via formal web site

Eat

Liz can be who owns Jo’s Coffee which not merely serves Stumptown Coffee and banging break fast tacos, but its original location close to resort San Jose can also be your website of numerous an Austin photo op and “a cool, sweet element of Austin’s LGBTQ history. ”

“The famous ‘i enjoy you a great deal’ Austin mural is regarding the part for this cafe, ” Doyle offered. “The story being that a regional musician known as Amy Cook spray painted it from the wall surface after her and Liz, her gf, experienced a battle. ”

Jo’s Coffee via Twitter

During SXSW, Jo’s parking lot hosts Southern by San Jose, a free of charge celebration that anybody can go to, featuring “live music, regional vendors and good times. ”

Whenever you’re to locate meal, hitched few LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem‘s Los Angeles Barbeque is a certain thing. “The beef rib and chipotle slaw are to literally perish for, ” said filmmaker Lisa Donato.

La Barbecue via Facebook

She additionally suggests The Urban Cowboy, a meals truck owned by out trans man Chris Trapani providing just just exactly what Donato called “the hangover food that is best in town—greasy tacos, alcohol mac and cheese, praline bacon sticks and avocado fritters. ”

Vegans, Austin is more friendly than you may think. Plezzure Island organizer Ashley Marshall implies Bouldin Creek Cafe, that provides a menu that is mostly vegan she stated is “definitely family. ”

Enjoy

4th Street is Austin’s unofficial gayborhood, lined with LGBTQ nightclubs and pubs like city basic Oil Can Harry’s. This club is for all identities and hosts lots of SXSW’s happenings that are queer. Across the street, Rain supplies a comparable environment but with much more dancing. (When getting cocktails, search for Frot Vodka, an area LGBT-owned brand. )

The ladies are going to be en masse at Cheer Up Charlie’s, Austin’s lesbian-owned venue that lends its phase to performers and storytellers nightly. During SXSW, they’ll host Empress: employer Babes ATX & GirlFriend Showcase among other can’t-misses that are cool.

Cheer Up Charlie’s via Facebook

BT2 Austin (or Bout That Time) is a good spot for games, if you’re into that type of thing. Enjoy pinball, pool, darts or volleyball as of this gay fave.

If you are thinking about a few more chill literary vibes through the day, Austin hosts Booklady, a bookstore that is feminist by away lesbian Susan Post that gives artwork, tees, posters along with other things you or somebody you realize may want as a souvenir. In North Austin, collective-owned Monkeywrench Books normally filled with queer-friendly collectibles. “They focus on content linked to politics, oppression and privilege, ” Donato said.

Bookwoman via Facebook

In the event that you don’t mind a drive that is tiny of town restrictions, Whirlaway Farm and Garden is a recommended stop. Out owner Francesca Hernandez ended up being encouraged to acquire the plot that is three-acre begin her very own farm while being employed as an Austin town planner, now it is house to a greenhouse, fully-functioning farm and also the yurt for which she dwells. She additionally dedicates the area to web hosting workshops and community tasks, and offers goat’s milk hand ointments and soaps, along with providing a CSA Harvest Share.

Whirlaway Farms via Facebook

SXSW Particular

Among the attractions that are main this year’s SXSW Interactive is Lesbutante & The Boss + Lesbians whom Tech certified SXSW Soiree 2017, March 10 during the Highland Lounge. Managed by way of a queer girl, this newish homosexual nightclub has “three floors, a killer straight back patio, and all the lights and fog a club kid could want, ” and also the occasion will be arranged by Austin power couple celebration promoters (and founders of Plezzure Island) Michelle Solorzano Daly and Kelly West. There’s also an LGBT in Tech Meetup, a Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) Meetup, LGBTQIA+ Gaymers & Geeks hook up, a panel on LGBT storytelling as a result Gets Better, the business enterprise Case for LGBT Equality, LGBT Community Driving Digital Health Innovations, Selling Out: Anti-Oppressive Queer Style advertising and making use of Tech to finish LGBT Youth Homelessness.

This year’s film fest offerings are stellar with all the premiere of Fawzia Mirza‘s lesbian-themed, multi-cultural wrestling love story “Signature Move, ” “Easy Living, ” featuring out actress Jen Richards, and “The Light of the Moon” featuring bisexual “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Stephanie Beatriz. Bonus: These females will all attend the Austin Gay and Lesbian Global movie Festival’s filmmaker that is annual on March 11. Some film panels and meet-ups to not be missed: Queer Voices off and on Screen and Virtual Life’s a Drag: Queering VR.

Via “Signature Move”

If you’re trying to find some regional performers to groove to through the week of concert events, out singer Gina Chavez will perform her salsa-pop at Maggie Mae’s on March 14 and soul rocker Emily Wolfe takes the phase at Trinity Hall at Old class on March 19. Non-locals but queer performers to browse consist of Loamlands, Krudas Cubensi, Johanna Warren, The Spook class, Aye Nako, Marika Hackman, Jay Som, in addition to Shondes.

Browse SXSW for seats, activities and updated occasion information.