Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed
Where to watch: Football and futbol watch parties as Longhorns, Austin FC hit the road Saturday

Austin FC and the Texas Longhorns are both away this weekend as they take on Texas rivals. (Q2/Twitter) (Bob Daemmrich)
It may not be a home weekend for Austin's biggest sports teams, but plenty of fans are still gearing up for a road trip as both Austin FC and the Texas Longhorns take to Texas cities for their road matches this weekend.
But if you're unable to take the trip, have no fear: head to these bars and events for plenty of watch parties to provide that raucous gameday experience.
Feel free to mix and match these watch parties as you head to your favorite local bar to watch Texas football take on Baylor at 11 a.m. and Austin FC take on FC Dallas at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Austin FC official watch party—Haymaker Austin, 2310 Manor Rd.
We're turning Texas #VERDE, y'all!
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) October 27, 2021
Come join us for the Official #AustinFC Watch Party this Saturday at @HaymakerAustin, pres. by @CaptainMorganUS, for exclusive merch giveaways and more! pic.twitter.com/tBeV9Bstg8
If you're looking for both matchday fun and free merch, head to Austin FC's official watch party at Haymaker Austin on Saturday.
The official bar of U.S. National Team fan base American Outlaws, this soccer-centric pub comes with comfort sandwiches, craft beer and more. Make sure to get there well before the 7 p.m. kickoff as space is limited.
Austin FC—Austin Anthem watch party, Oskar Blues 10420 Metric Blvd.
If you’re not on the road with us to Frisco, the next best place to be is at @OskarBluesATX. Doors open at noon, Always Hungry food truck on site, live music by @carlyjoofficial and $1 off a select draft will benefit @austinpetsalive. #TurnTexasVerde#CopaTejas#BringItHomepic.twitter.com/kcXBCH7HNS
— Austin Anthem (@AustinAnthem) October 27, 2021
Want to get the party started seven hours early? Most of Austin FC fan club Austin Anthem will hit the road for the Dallas match this weekend, but the thousands-strong club will still bring the matchday experience all day long at Oskar Blues brewery.
Doors open at noon, giving you plenty of time to listen to music by local singer-songwriter Carly Jo Jackson and check out food from the Always Hungry food truck. A $1 discount on a select draft beer will benefit Austin Pets Alive as well.
30+ Pub Clubs
For a more relaxed viewing experience, check out Austin FC's 30+ Pub Partners to see if your neighborhood bar is on the list.
Longhorns—Texas Tailgarten at Scholz Biergarten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.
Opening early at 10:30 a.m., UT's biggest and longest-running tailgate will be back in action at Scholz Biergarten on Saturday. Since 1866, they've brought the brews, food and Longhorn celebrations to Austinites of all crests and creeds, and they're not stopping now.
Longhorns—KLBJ watch party at Little Woodrow's, 9500 I-35 #100
Radio station KLBJ 93.7 will host a watch party of their own featuring radio host and musical artist B-DOE at Little Woodrow's Southpark Meadows sports bar. Starting at 11 a.m., this party includes specials on certain beers including Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra.
Longhorns—Dirty Martin's Place, 2808 Guadelupe St
Enjoy a bar matchday experience just off the Drag at Dirty Martin's Place at 11 a.m. sharp this Saturday! Drink specials and hamburgers will abound in the historic bars' back room. And don't forget your costume—the bar will hold a three-day-long costume contest Friday-Sunday with winners receiving up to a $100 gift card!
Longhorns—Lavaca Street Bar, 405 Lavaca St.
While they haven't posted an event just yet, this sports bar has been hosting watch parties for each game this season and is likely to bring back that burnt orange again this Saturday. Feel free to get comfortable, Verde fans—Lavaca Street Bar has hosted more than a few Austin FC watch parties as well and could play the FC Dallas match later on Saturday.
Enjoying Austonia? Signup for our newsletter to get daily Austin news, straight to your morning inbox!
- Where to watch: Austin FC, Texas football highlight Labor Day ... ›
- UT names Hudson Card as Longhorn Football starting quarterback ... ›
- Longhorns vs. Aggies? Report hints at UT, Oklahoma shift to the ... ›
- Austin FC and Texas football fans face moral dillema - austonia ›
- Despite a comeback attempt, Austin FC falls to rivals FC Dallas in 5 ... ›
- Austin Bold FC to relocate to Fort Worth, citing Austin FC's success ... ›
- Austin FC's Q2 Stadium is the biggest party in Austin - austonia ›
Popular
(Moriah Wilson/Instagram)
Austin police have charged Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, a local cyclist, for the murder of Moriah "Mo" Wilson.
Wilson, a rising star in the gravel and mountain bike community, was found dead with gunshot wounds inside an East Austin home on the night of May 11 when she was in town for the weekend Gravel Locos race in Hico, Texas.
Police believe Wilson was having a relationship with a man Armstrong was also in a relationship with. The man, another gravel cyclist, Colin Strickland, has since issued a statement on the murder.
In his statement, he said he had a brief romantic relationship with Wilson in October 2021 before he resumed his relationship with Armstrong, but that he remained friends with Wilson. "There is no way to adequately express the regret and torture I feel about my proximity to this horrible crime. I am sorry, and I simply cannot make sense of this unfathomable tragedy.
NEW: Austin professional cyclist Colin Strickland has just released a statement about the murder of cyclist Moriah Wilson, clarifying his relationship with her and expressing “torture about my proximity to this horrible crime.” pic.twitter.com/KnIna3mWrE
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) May 20, 2022
Wilson, a 25-year-old Vermont native living in Colorado, had won a slew of races becoming a fan favorite. She had just become a full-time racer this year.
Anyone with information on this crime can contact Austin police at 512-974-TIPS or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 512-472-8477.
- Star biker Moriah Wilson found dead in Austin home - austonia ›
- Man killed in north Austin shooting - austonia ›
- 1996 Californian cold case: Murder suspect arrested in Austin ... ›
Kelly said the planned homeless housing hotel suffered months of damage. (Mackenzie Kelly)
Austin has added 24-hour security to the city-owned Pecan Gardens property, which will be converted into supportive housing for people exiting homelessness, after the former hotel was found with months of damage and vandalism May 5.
The building, which was broken into and stripped of copper and had people illegally sleeping inside of it, has been secured, Kelly said in a Friday press conference. Kelly said the city confirmed a measure to implement 24-hour security, including updates every 60 days until the property opens up as supportive housing.
"We cannot let this happen to any vacant city-owned property ever again," Kelly said. "This blatant act of disregard and criminal behavior will not be tolerated in our community."
The city bought the former hotel in August 2021 for $9.5 million with plans to renovate the property into a 78-unit supportive housing property. Those 55 or older that are experiencing chronic homelessness can qualify to live at the site once it is completed in late 2022-early 2023.
While the council was set to discuss a $4 million deal with Family Eldercare to begin converting the property Thursday, Kelly pulled the item for a later executive session due to security concerns. But the council did approve an item to authorize city leaders to begin negotiating other renovation contracts.
"I want to thank my colleagues for pumping the brakes on this contract and realizing that we owe the community not only an apology, but reassurance that the protection of the assets the city owns is vital to the success of achieving our intended goals," Kelly said.
When the building was found vandalized May 5, Kelly, who presides over the district containing the property, said damage included:
- Damage spanning all three floors of the building and is in nearly every room.
- The entire hotel was stripped of copper.
- Destroyed washers, dryers, air conditioners and electrical wiring.
- People sleeping at the hotel without permission.
On Tuesday, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Gray apologized and said there was no security due to a delay in processing the request.
- City Council approves purchase of Northwest Austin hotel for ... ›
- Austinites weigh in on city's homeless hotel housing strategy ... ›
- Officer apologizes after break-in at homeless hotel vandalized ... ›