Austin: The Driskill Hotel Bar

Blogging about the The Driskill Hotel while in Austin seemed trite when I was there for SXSW. But, now that the crowds have died down, I dropped in last night after a presentation and was reminded why it's consistently a favorite of mine.

First of all, the architecture and design always stops me in my tracks. It was truly designed when art mattered to buildings.  Check out this view from the grand staircase looking into the lobby:

As I climbed the stairs to the lobby bar, I thought, I love this song and need to ask the bartender who it is... but it was a live band. Live music - good live music - abounds in Austin every day and seemingly everywhere.  Here are the guys that played the Driskill last night. One of them is moving to Baltimore, so of course, I chatted up his wife and am going to get in touch with them re DC/Baltimore area venues.

The bartender, who I remembered from SXSW, was engaging and serving me up gimlets made with fresh lime juice.

How much do you love this lamp? Hilarious. But perfect in this overly Texan haunt.

AND... there are cupcakes... at. the. bar. (from the bakery downstairs).

I know, it's cliche... but it's cliche for a reason... cause The Driskill's awesome.

PS. And sustainable. #ftw