Beverly's Biker Bar on South Congress in Austin Texas

If what I read in the papers and witnessed with my own eyes is the truth then Beverly's officially went out of business at midnight on March 9th , 2008 when the beer license ran out. But, I've read of Beverly's demise many times before so it's hard to say. Of course, the signs for the bar being inside instead of outside is a clue. And all of the graffiti written around pictures that have been taken down is another clue. But it could all be a ploy to get Willie Nelson to buy it and make it a fancy Biker Beer joint if Bob Cole would help him out. It does look kind of historical, like a billion dirty boots have scuffed across the doorway. But the truth is, because the parking lot is mostly dirt it only took a few million boots scuffed in and out to make that floor what it is, a treasure. Man it is obvious that there are lots of memories of wild times in here, but not for me because I've only been here twice, and my wife has been here once because she needed to pee after getting her car inspected nearby. She never went back but I did because the first encounter with Beverly's made me want to take a closer look. If it is true that the bar is history then I feel like I was a part of history by being there and taking these pictures and video. I hope you enjoy them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHqzYXOy0fE

Conan's Pizza Original Location on Gudalupe at 29th in Austin

This place is a step back in time of thirty years or so, at least for me. That's when I first encountered Conan's Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza in Austin. My wife never liked it and I like New York Style better but I've had deep dish in Chicago and Conan's does a very respectable job. It really doesn't matter though because I wasn't there for the pizza, all I wanted was a beer, video and some pictures. I got all three and very friendly and courteous service from the most able and attentive staff on duty that afternoon. The girl behind the counter told me some of the history of the place and made sure I didn't miss the tire skid marks from when a guy drove through the front window. They have many interesting things to look at inside this location of Conan's and I am sure you will agree from the pictures posted. I once ordered a pizza from this location when I was staying at a hotel near the Capitol and I went to pick it up at the other location they had just around the corner on the Drag, next to Texas Showdown, where Kerby Lane is now. When they couldn't find my order they called the other store and sure enough there it was. I'm not sure now whether they brought it over to me or I drove over to them, but I got it. It's strange, but the location on Guadalupe lasted over twenty years even though it was only a quarter of a mile from the original location. That says something about the quality of their product, don't you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv7xiwA5UOA

http://conanspizza.com/

Dirty Martin's Kum Bak Place on Guadalupe by UT in Austin

I went to Dirty's for a burger and beer about twenty years ago when my kids were young. I just wanted to say I had been there but I had more important things in my life back then so I never went back. But, I drove by about five thousand times and today I decided it was time to have a closer look. First of all, I didn't even know that they had a back room but now I do. Second, now that I've taken a closer look I know what I have been missing all these years and I will be going back. I didn't know they had music on the patio every Weds. through Fri. but their website says they do. It also says two dollar pints of Independence Amber Ale or Lone Star from 3 to 7 Mon.-Fri. and $6 sixty ounce pitchers. Drink one of those and walk a straight line, if you can but it's better to share with a buddy and drink two pitchers instead. I have heard this joint called Dirty's, Dirty's Kum Bak, Martin's, Dirty Martin's and Dirty Martin's Kum Bak Place which appears to be the correct and complete title of the establishment. My buddy Troy got a veggie burger that would make Dirty Martin roll over in his grave but it looked pretty good and he said it was excellent. But, don't worry they have big old greasy burgers and fries too. I prefer onion rings but that's because I'm a rebel. Rage against the machine man! Order onion rings.

http://www.dirtymartins.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOBZlJ3bMls My YouTube video of Dirty's.

Dirty's is real Austin across the street reminds me of Las Vegas or worse, DisneyWorld.

Scoot Inn at East 4th and Navasota in East Austin

Scoot Inn used to be Red's Scoot Inn and was a mostly Mexican Bar prior to it's current incarnation. Back then the walls were lined with mirrors to give the false impression that the place was larger than it actually is. They had Mexican Music on the jukebox and it was played loud. I felt at home there and actually liked it just fine. Then these young people got the lease and went and built a nice stage outside to replace the one that was collapsing, fixed the fence and remodeled the joint into what looks like the living room of the Munster's home with a big ass bar in it and I still feel at home and I actually like it just fine now, too. To see what it looked like before watch this YouTube video of the Norton's by my friend MinorW, it takes 15 seconds to get rolling so be patient: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_tQcZ27fdU Then watch this more recent video in the same place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrn0Yay5BwQ I know this place will be a madhouse next week during SXSW and I plan to drop by to witness some of it. Fun times lie on the near horizon and East Austin is an integral part of it now. Wherever you see a crowd forming you can be pretty well assured that there will be a band playing and beer. At least there has been for the last ten years that I have enjoyed all of the non festival events that SXSW spawns all over town. I've never had a wristband and I have never made it to all the places that don't require a wristband because there are only twenty four hours in a day. Check out the Scoot Inn now, during SXSW or later but definitely check it out. It's worth the time. Now here is my take on the place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8bOMKFkIxM

Progress Coffee on East Fifth at San Marcos in East Austin

Before today I had been to this place for coffee three or four times and I had gone here for a beer once last year. I wanted to include it in this bar blog because it is in a convenient location for me and it is a bootstrap mom and pop sweat equity kind of place. Now granted, mom and pop are pretty young, I'm guessing around thirty years old but they have poured their heart and soul into this place and present a very attractive product in quality and service not to mention good vibe. This is the kind of place a working man like myself can guzzle a beer just a table away from a high powered attorney typing away on a deposition. It's where lip studs and tattoos can rub shoulders with three piece suits or big belt buckles and cowboy boots. They've got something for everyone with indoor and outdoor seating, a multitude of different beverages and food choices plus they even have live music every weekday morning during March and April of 2008. That's right, every morning at 7:30 am. Only in Austin and only at Progress Coffee on East Fifth Street by the railroad tracks. Check out their website, it is very inspiring for those considering opening a business themselves. You could learn a lot from Joshua and Sara. http://progresscoffee.com/ and here is the YouTube video I made http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyWlaI7dOQI