About Austin
Austin, Texas is a vibrant city located in the heart of Central Texas. It's known for its warm weather and wide range of attractions, from outdoor activities to music festivals. It is home to many iconic venues like The University of Texas at Austin and Sixth Street, as well as acclaimed restaurants such as Franklin Barbecue and Uchi. It's no wonder why Austin is often referred to as the “Live Music Capital of the World”!
The city also offers an exciting underground scene with a variety of events that are hosted at secret locations across town. These events offer attendees a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in Austin. From live DJ sets in abandoned warehouses to experimental art installations hidden in basements, these underground events cater to the needs of all kinds of creative minds.
In addition to providing an interesting atmosphere for attendees, underground events also help support local businesses by offering them opportunities to showcase their work and products in unique settings. This gives local entrepreneurs a chance to gain exposure that could potentially lead to greater success down the line. Furthermore, hosting these kinds of events can generate buzz about various locations across the city and help strengthen Austin’s already enthusiastic cultural identity even further!
Underground Options in Austin
- DJ
An underground party wouldn’t be complete without a DJ. They bring fun to the dance floor and can read the crowd to determine what kind of music to play. DJs often have a vast library of music to accommodate guests' requests. Fortunately, in Austin, you’ll find several DJs of various specialties so you can choose one who can match your underground party’s theme.
- Bartender
Bars come with in-house bartenders, so that’s one less thing to worry about. For other types of venues, however, like warehouses, hotel rooms, and event spaces, a bar may not come readily available, so you would have to hire a mobile bar service that comes with unlimited drinks and bartenders.
- Lighting and Sound
The lighting and sound crew are responsible for setting the mood and capturing the performances at the underground venue so that the underground scene is captured in all its glory. Look for a rental company that has experience working in underground venues so you know they can light and liven up your venue properly.
Underground Vendors in Austin
- Austin’s Best DJs and Photo Booths
Austin’s Best DJs and Photo Booths was founded by husband-and-wife Jason and Diana, who thought that Austin didn’t yet have the best DJs in the nightlife scene. That’s why they hired only the best DJs in their team, which are only 1% of all who applied. Whether you need a DJ, an emcee, or a photo booth for your underground party, Austin’s Best DJs will provide them for you!
- With A Twist Bartending Service
With A Twist is only one of the few liability-insured bartending services in the metro. Established in 2006 in Denver, Colorado with the mission to provide alcoholic drinks at a fair price, the company has expanded all over the United States, with each franchise individually owned and operated. They provide services such as specialty drink design, alcohol ordering or support, and equipment rental for parties and events. Their Austin branch offers two packages: the Complete Bar Package, which includes the bartender and complete beverage services, and the Just Bartender Package, in which you provide the drink supplies.
- Hiatt Films LLC
Hiatt Films LLC is a full-service video and photography production business based in Austin, Texas. The team of qualified specialists can handle a variety of projects, from commercial videos to documentaries to music videos, short films, photographs, and more. Whether you're mounting a live show or throwing an underground party, they have the expertise necessary to help you create compelling and engaging content that truly meets your needs.
Pros and Cons of Underground Events in Austin
When deciding which venue to choose for your event in Austin, it's important to consider all of the associated advantages and disadvantages of underground locations. Ultimately, only you can decide if this type of setting is best suited for your function.
Advantages
- They offer a unique and intimate atmosphere that is often more conducive to music appreciation than bigger venues.
- Underground venues are located in some of Austin’s most eclectic neighborhoods, giving visitors a chance to explore different sides of the city.
- Since these venues are smaller, it makes it easier for individuals to connect and create lifelong friendships.
Disadvantages
- While the intimate atmosphere can be great for music appreciation, it can also sometimes make it difficult to hear the performers due to cramped conditions and loud crowds.
- Parking can be difficult or non-existent near some of these venues which can sour your night-out experience if you plan on driving there.
- Many underground venues lack professional lighting and sound equipment which can detract from the overall experience if you’re expecting higher-quality production value.
Tips on How to Organize Underground Events in Austin
If you're looking to organize an underground event of any kind in Austin, there are a few key tips that you should keep in mind.
- First and foremost, it's important to make sure that you have the required permits and permissions ahead of time. Depending on the nature of your event, this may involve getting alerts from local authorities, meeting with business owners and negotiating deals, or even negotiating with venue owners or managers.
- Stick to your guest list, and enforce strict rules such as a “guest-list-only policy.” This will ensure that only familiar people will attend your event, minimizing risks of unwanted behaviors or public exposure.
- Choose a venue type based on your guest list size and a venue’s pros and cons. Popular venues for underground events or parties are bars, lounges, clubs, event spaces, warehouses, private residences, and hotels. With bars, lounges, and clubs, you won't have to worry about bar staff and security as they are already provided. However, you have limited creative control since everything you do must be approved by the owner. Event spaces also offer staffing and security, but you often will have to pay for catering and bar service. Warehouses give you total creative control over the party, but then it’s also harder to control the crowd.
- Watch out for your noise levels. Each city has its regulations about noise, so it’s important to research this so your party doesn’t get shut down.
- Have a fire escape plan. Any enclosed space with many people will require an escape plan in case of a fire or any untoward incident. Communicate to your guests the whereabouts of the venue’s exits; the more exits, the better.
- Some other best practices to keep in mind include partnering with reputable vendors and suppliers, utilizing social media to engage attendees in advance of the event, promoting your event with flyers and word-of-mouth marketing, and being prepared for unexpected challenges or changes.
- With planning, communication, and a bit of legwork, it's possible to effectively organize underground events in Austin and make them safe and successful!
Famous Locations in Austin
- Fareground
Located at the heart of downtown Austin, this bustling food hall combines the best elements of a public park with the warm atmosphere of an upscale eatery. With a wide range of culinary vendors offering everything from home-cooked comfort foods to gourmet sushi and artisanal cheeses, there is something for everyone at this unique Austin landmark. Whether you need a quick lunch break or simply looking to unwind after work over a leisurely dinner, this vibrant food hall offers the perfect setting for socializing and exploring your culinary horizons.
- Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery is Austin’s first and oldest municipal burial ground. Sitting on 40 acres of land, the cemetery overlooks downtown Austin and is located in the center of the city. It was built in 1839, and legend says its first tenants were victims of a Comanche attack. The cemetery is where some local leaders were laid to rest, while some sections of the cemetery are dedicated to the city’s black, Latino, and Jewish populations.
- Museum of Ice Cream
Rekindle the kid in you by visiting the Museum of Ice Cream! This giant museum lets visitors partake in fun-filled activities such as eating unlimited ice cream treats, learning the history of ice cream, riding on an animal carousel, and diving in the world-famous sprinkle pool. After exploring the museum, visit their cafe, bar, and retail shop where you can taste their signature ice cream flavors, specialty sundaes, cocktails, and shakes.