Music and Mixology

Austin artists headline grand opening of Texas distillery's new music venue

The Music Room lets the spotlight shift from the cocktails.

Photos by Collin Findlay, courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

An Austin distillery has opened a big entertainment, cocktail, and food destination, but the real debut is yet to happen. The Still Austin Quarter, by Still Austin Whiskey Co., will host a grand opening with top Austin artists Shakey Graves and Adrian Quesada on Thursday, November 5.

The Still Austin Quarter is located at 4211 Willow Springs Road, a warehouse-like building in the industrial St. Elmo area, a growing hub for bars, spirits, and creative businesses. The Quarter, announced in July, contains four spaces, each of which has its own purpose: The Atrium, a bar and welcoming space; the Vinyl Lounge, an album library and poster collection; the Music Room, a concert space; and an unnamed private event space that honors women in Austin music.

On opening day, the public can stop by to purchase food and drinks, party with Adrian Quesada for a DJ set in the Vinyl Lounge at 7 pm, and hear Shakey Graves at 7:30 pm in the Music Room. The space can accommodate approximately 500 guests, so it should be a lively evening.

“I could not be more excited to open The Still Austin Quarter,” said Still Austin co-founder and CEO Chris Seals in a press release. “It stands as a celebration of the artists who have made our city so special.”

The space was designed by architect of record OPA Design Studio and interior design firm Weiss Architecture. While exploring, guests should keep an eye out for a red spiral staircase preserved from Seals' home, portraits of important Austin artists, the Stratocaster Bar with a sunburst face and a fretboard back bar, vintage lampshades, a collection of Still Austin releases, and more.

Still Austin Quarter Wherever you are on the property, there's a bar nearby.Photos by Collin Findlay, courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

A defining piece of decorative architecture is a red tanager — a bird, and a motif painted by Marc Burckhardt and used in all of Still Austin's flagship labels — etched into the concrete that connects the three public rooms.

Accomplished acoustician Steven Durr took care of the sound in the Music Room, with side walls inspired by Austin's first live music venue, Buaas Garden, which opened in 1860. Danny and Leslie Crooks, former owners of Steamboat 1874 — the venue that replaced Buaas Garden — donated the concert posters that are on the walls now.

Shaky Graves and Adrian Quesada aren't the only Austin musicians celebrating the opening. From a press release, here's what's on the schedule in the coming weeks so far:

Friday, October 16: Grocery Bag in the Music Room, with Mage Buse in the Vinyl Lounge
Saturday, October 17: The Point. in the Music Room, with Joshy Soul in the Vinyl Lounge
Friday, October 23: Garrett T. Capps in the Music Room
Saturday, October 24: Open group lessons from Native Texan Two Step followed by Danny Golden in the Music Room, with the Rhinestone Record Club in the Vinyl Lounge
Friday, October 30: Courtney Santana in the Music Room, with Feelin’ Groovy in the Vinyl LoungeSaturday, Oct. 31: Leslie Nava in the Vinyl Lounge
Thursday, November 5 (Grand Opening Celebration): Shakey Graves in the Music Room, Adrian Quesada in the Vinyl Lounge
Friday, November 6: Caroline Hale in the Music Room
Friday, November 13: Elijah Ford in the Music Room
Saturday, November 14: Gran Moreno in the Music Room, with opener Flavor Saver
Saturday, November 21: Louisiana Surf Department in the Music Room

Still Austin Quarter This room will host DJ sets and put Austinites on to lots of album discoveries.Photos by Collin Findlay, courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Outside of music, the food and beverage program will also be a big draw to the Still Austin Quarter. On the cocktail menu, guests can expect a peach tea made with Still Austin's very popular bourbon, "The Musician," plus cocktails with candied cherry, fresh basil, lemon-honey shrub, pea flower, and other ingredients that go as well in tea as they do with whiskey, gin, and other spirits. Some mixes also features housemade aperitifs, amaros, and herbal liqueurs, and beer and wine will also be available for purchase.

On the food menu, created by the hospitality team at Still Austin, guests will find dishes like steak frites and other cuts of beef, jalapeño popper deviled eggs, smoked pork belly bites, a yellowfin tuna bowl with vegetables, a Philly chicken sandwich, and a wedge salad.

Still Austin is open from noon to 10 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 am to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 am to 9 pm on Sundays. Food service is available from opening each day to an hour before closing. Guests can also access dedicated parking. The opening night event is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required.

openings concerts live music distilleries

high-flying luxury

American Express to triple size of members-only Houston airport lounge

American Express Centurion Lounge IAH rendering

Courtesy of American Express

A rendering previews the new bar coming to IAH's Centurion Lounge.

American Express is dramatically expanding its Centurion Lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). When the work is completed in 2028, the lounge will nearly triple in size to more than 23,000 square feet.

More room means more amenities, including the addition of Blue Roast by American Express Co]ee and Wellness Bar, a new dining area serving dishes inspired by Houston and the Gulf Coast, and a second full-service bar with craft cocktails and wines by-the-glass.

Other improvements include refreshed restrooms and shower suites. An array of seating areas will cater of different kinds of travelers, whether they want to work or socialize before takeoff. The lounge’s design will take inspiration from “the surrounding landscape and coastal influence,” according to press materials.

American Express opened the Centurion Lounge in IAH’s Terminal D in 2016. It’s an amenity for the card’s platinum and black (Centurion) card holders.

"Houston is a global gateway, and we're committed to delivering a world-class airport experience that reflects the energy and diversity of our city," said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, said in a statement. "The expansion of The Centurion Lounge at IAH Terminal D is an important investment in the traveler experience, and we're proud to continue our partnership with American Express to welcome eligible CardMembers into this new and modern space."

Along with the announcement about expanding Houston’s lounge, American Express also announced plans to expands its presence at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), expand and renovate its lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and add a second lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

“Since opening our first Centurion Lounge more than a decade ago, we continue to find ways to meet the growing demand for our premium airport lounge experiences," said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel. “As the Centurion Lounge Network grows, we’re investing in the lounges our Card Members already know and love while continuing to open new spaces. We can’t wait for Card Members to experience what’s next in Philadelphia, Houston, and London.”