top 5 bars in the Warehouse District

[adi_7_anand]

i'll start with (in order of preference)
1. Fado's -- fast declining for me, but i've had enough great soccer memories there to keep Fado's @ #1 for now
2. Gingerman's -- beer selection
3. B-Side -- also declining on my favorites list
4. Ringers -- sports effort
5. Sullivan's bar -- a friend bartends there, free drinks for a bit atleast, keeps this bar in the top 5 for now

what else?
i like Saba, Cedar St. etc too, but i'm hoping we can discover some hidden treasures through this thread

 

[crayon1973]

I like it when people complain about the lack of South Austin Bars in the warehouse district.

 

[Ramathorn]

What about Lavaca street?


And I do wish that there were cool bars around south first and south congress.

 

[Traffic]

You're in luck. There's a new bar slated for South Congress (can't link, so I've pasted, hope that's okay since content is free):

Former Doc's Motorworks repair shop is being converted into 150-seat restaurant

By Shonda Novak

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Friday, February 4, 2005

A team of investors, including Waterloo Ice House and Iguana Grill co-owner Ted Karam, soon will open a burger and beer joint on South Congress Avenue, despite some area residents' concerns about noise, drinking and parking.

Karam and his partners will open Doc's Motorworks Bar & Grill in late spring or early summer at 1123 S. Congress Ave., in the former Doc's Motorworks auto repair shop, which has relocated to Burnet Road.

The owners plan to keep the same rustic garage feel when they renovate the 1956 building, said Neil Francois, a local commercial real estate broker with McAllister & Associates. Francois is a principal operating partner in the $650,000 venture that includes Karam, longtime Austin restaurant veteran Charles Milligan and several other investors. Milligan formerly managed the Iron Cactus restaurants and Carlos'N Charlie's restaurant and bar on Lake Travis.

The 3,800-square-foot South Congress restaurant, which will seat more than 150 people and include a large outdoor deck, will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Owners have permits to serve alcohol until midnight but plan to seek a permit to serve it until 2 a.m.

The restaurant will bring more change for residents who live in the "SoCo" district lined with eclectic shops and trendy restaurants. Area residents recently have been up in arms about the throngs that the area attracts during First Thursdays, when retailers, restaurants and bars stay open later than usual.

Cory Walton, president of the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, said neighborhood groups probably will oppose the permit for later hours, saying sales of alcohol until midnight are problematic enough.

"Their consideration of late-hours operation and alcohol sales is of huge concern," Walton said. "It is inappropriate to have late hours of operation when there are neighbors immediately behind the street who are trying to sleep, work and bring up children."

Walton said some residents also are concerned about the growing number of bars and restaurants opening on South Congress, replacing retailers and other businesses with daytime hours.

"This evolution from a small sleepy commercial block into an entertainment district is putting a large cumulative effect on the neighborhoods," he said. "Isn't it the funky junky homegrown shops that drew people to South Congress in the first place?"

Francois said the new restaurant will complement Congress' funky flavor.

"We feel our concept fits into that," Francois said. "We understand their concerns regarding a late-night permit, but we feel with the track record of the principals involved, that will not be an issue.

Francois said owners also worked to allay neighbors' parking concerns. In addition to about 20 spaces on site, owners will lease 70 spaces for valet parking across the street at the Texas School for the Deaf.

"We look forward to a long-term mutually beneficial relationship with the surrounding Congress neighborhoods," Francois said. "At the end of the day, we will not be successful if we do not have their support."

 

[Fletch_F_Fletch]

That Neil Francois is a total douche bag. I hope that place fails miserably. If it doesn't take off look for it to be burned down, that's the kinda guy he is.

 

[crayon1973]

I've known Neil since 1997 and he has always been respectful, personable and a positive person. I tend to disagree with you, Mr. Internet Poster.

 

[Ramathorn]

Fock GandS. Tehy need to treat their patrons with respect. I hate that owner/bartender.

Trophy's is a bit too divey for me.


I can't goto the new bar. I know Ted Karam and I can't stand him.

 

[SizzleChest]

Jimmy has mellowed over the years. You probably got booted and forever feel shame.

 

[iamtigerwoods]

If the food is anything like Iguana Grill, I will have no plans to visit. That place is awful....

 

[Ramathorn]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[Fletch_F_Fletch]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[crayon1973]

well, Mr. I have nothing better to do at 6am than.... ok, I dont want to play the "MR. ___ " game anymore.

Nonetheless, I dont think anyone involved in the shapespears/coppertank thing likes one another anymore. From Neil and his brother to A.S. to anyone. When deals go south, people tend to hate one another and blame one another. Like I said, he was always nice to me and never acted like a douchebag or disrespected me in any way. but, if you've worked for/with him, you might know things I dont know.

 

[DLev]

B Side is terrible.

 

[HookEm]

The Francois used to live across the street from my parents' house when we were growing up. I can say that his sister is very nice.

 

[UberHorn]

1. gingerman
2. gingerman
3. gingerman
4. gingerman
5. gingerman