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2022 is right around the corner! (Pexels)
There’s no denying 2021 was an eventful year. Whether this year went by in a blink of an eye or you’re itching to start the New Year, 2022 is just days away.
Don’t panic if you haven’t made plans yet—Austin restaurants and bars of all shapes and sizes are prepared to keep you entertained as we transition into another trip around the sun.
Get your tickets quick, as these events are selling out. And you might want to check back in on your event the day of as some, like ACL Live's New Year's Eve show, are canceling due to COVID.
Bob Schneider's New Year's Eve Party at The Paramount Theatre | 713 Congress Ave.
Bob Schneider will return for his annual show on New Year's Eve. (The Paramount Theatre)
Experience Austin-based musician and former frontman of The Ugly Americans and The Scabs Bob Schneider live and in concert at the Paramount Theatre’s annual tradition. The multi-talented artist is an author and painter in addition to the over a dozen albums he’s released over the course of his career. Ticket prices range from $30-$100 depending on the section, doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts an hour later. The event will require that guests show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from the past 48 hours.
The Driskill Bar | 604 Brazos Street
The Driskill Hotel bar is open first come, first serve this year. (The Driskill Hotel)
Throwing a bash in true live music capital fashion, the Driskill Hotel is kicking off the New Year with a free music show. Starting at 7 p.m. Austin’s own Bruce Smith Band, Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers take the stage from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Guests can choose from beer, wine or bar cocktails but everyone will be treated to a complimentary champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight. Admission is free but with limited space, guests will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.
Fireworks from afar | virtual
The City recommends checking for road closures due to fireworks before heading out. (City of Austin)
Ringing in the New Year the classic way, the City of Austin is bringing back its annual fireworks show safely due to COVID-19. Live streaming from ATXN starting at 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, fireworks will be shot off from Vic Mathias Shores on 700 W. Riverside Drive. The typical city-organized activities, vendors, and entertainment won’t be there in the park but whether you watch from home or watch safely in the park, the city is wishing all residents “lots of light and hope for 2022.”
New Year's Eve Pre-Party at Fresa’s | 1703 S 1st Street
Fresa's celebration will cut out early, at 8 p.m. (Fresa's/Instagram)
Enjoy your New Year’s Eve with a Mexican food feast at Fresa’s! A ticket to the celebration will get you a spread of chips and salsa, achiote and citrus wood-grilled chicken, esquites, grilled sweet potatoes, kale caesar salad with rice and beans, all buffet style. Desserts, like brown butter brownies or Mexican wedding cookies and a drink ticket for a special celebratory cocktail. Tickets are $20 or $10 for kids under 10 and the celebration runs from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Leather and Lace at Oilcan Harry’s | 211 West 4th Street
The downtown bar only has one VIP package left. (Oilcan Harry's)
Manifest a fabulous year by starting 2022 off at downtown drag bar Oilcan Harry’s for not one, but two shows. Emerald Van Cartier will host the Starlight show at 8 p.m., followed by Crave, hosted by Maeve Haven at 10:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20-50, depending on if you prefer the VIP experience, but each ticket includes entrance to both shows and a free champagne toast at midnight.
Simi Estiatorio | 106 E 6th Street
Simi Estiatorio will offer a prix-fixe menu for its NYE feast. (Simi/Instagram)
For a new year’s celebration of land, sea and delicious Mediterranean-inspired foods, Simi Estiatorio is holding an upscale New Year’s Eve Gala fit for a Greek god. With two seatings, from 6-9 p.m. and then from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., the fixed-price, luxurious four-course feast gives options of lamb kebabs, swordfish souvlaki, baklava and specialty cocktails for $145 per person. Live performances from DJs Jen Lasher, Lefty, Rodolfo Ciid and Mike Lozano will keep you entertained in the meantime. Reservations for the celebration are required.
Fierce Whiskers Distillery — Whiskey & Whimsy Event | 5333 Fleming Ct
Austin's newest distillery, Fierce Whiskers, is hosting a Whiskey & Whimsy New Year's Eve soiree to welcome 2022. Guests can expect live music, a wild roster of whimsical performances by GOVINDA + ILLUMINATRA ENTERTAINMENTand cocktails made with Fierce Whiskers' ardent spirits from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets are $200 and include all entertainment plus unlimited cocktails and light bites.
Cheers to a fantastic New Year!
Popular
Austin FC kept rival FC Dallas to a draw Saturday night as it pulled off a 2-2 comeback. (Austin FC/Twitter)
Despite a 2-0 deficit, there was a pot of gold for Austin FC after all as it celebrated its annual Pride Night with rainbows and a 2-2 comeback draw to FC Dallas Saturday night.
After three FC Dallas losses last season, the Dallas derby draw marks the first time Austin FC has tied against its Copa Texas rival. Austin continues to edge over FC Dallas as it sits at 3rd in the MLS West.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the match:
A somber start
¡Ya Basta! Enough! End Gun Violence. #uvaldestrong
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) June 26, 2022
📷 @arubiophotospic.twitter.com/3PiVdTPtik
Decked out in colorful hues for LBGTQ+ Pride, Verde fans started the match on a somber note as they held up banners to take a stand against gun violence before the match.
As the national anthem began, fans held up banners with the names of each child that was killed in the Uvalde school shooting and a plea to "end gun violence."
The supporters' section was also dotted with Pride flags and a "Bans off Our Bodies" banner in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
FC Dallas earns a 2-0 lead
Paul Arriola is there to put it away and put @FCDallas ahead! pic.twitter.com/Z4AMmM6lp3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
That sober tone continued onto the pitch. With midfielder Daniel Pereira's absence due to a red card, the Verde and Black lost two goals to FC Dallas by the 70th minute of play.
FC Dallas played it sneaky for the first half of the match, giving Austin FC plenty of room to hold possession as it waited to strike on a Verde error. That mentality proved dangerous for Austin as Dallas' Paul Arriola took advantage of Brad Stuver's deflection to score the first goal of the night in the 57th minute of play.
Dallas struck once more as Brandon Servant pushed past the Verde line to score the second goal of the match.
#DTID double their lead!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
The substitute Brandon Servania with a fine finish within five minutes of coming on. 💥 pic.twitter.com/IZm0YsPxG5
Austin FC strikes back
Sebastián Driussi pulls one back!#AustinFC are still in this one. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yoi0x768jb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
But energy quickly returned to Austin's favor thanks to Designated Player Sebastian Driussi, who scooted past several FC Dallas defenders alongside Moussa Djitte to snag an unlikely first goal for Austin.
A full Verde comeback
Late drama in this Texas Derby!@AustinFC ties it up, Danny Hoesen with the diving header. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Jk2f4fIEXG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
Austin's subs proved deadly as momentum returned to the home team toward the end of the match. A well-placed cross from Nick Lima—and a diving header from a fresh-legged Danny Hoesen—helped the team secure the draw with a second Verde goal in the 84th minute of play.
Hoesen, who was Austin's first starting striker last season, has now scored two goals with the team after a yearlong injury stuck him on the bench.
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Hours following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion, on Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in Republic Square with signs calling for change.
The rally, organized by the group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights Texas, started at the federal courthouse on Republic Square on Friday at 5 p.m. before the crowd marched to the Texas Capitol. More protests are expected to ensue over the weekend.
People showed up with all types of signs like Mindy Moffa holding up, "Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers."
Austin joined cities across the country that saw protests for a women's right to an abortion after the ruling.
According to a recent UT poll, 78% of Texas voters support abortion access in most cases.
Sabrina Talghade and Sofia Pellegrini held up signs directed at Texas laws. A Texas trigger law will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization, starting 30 days after the ruling. When state legislators passed the trigger law last summer, it also passed laws for more protection of firearms, including the right to open carry without a permit.
Lili Enthal of Austin yells as around 1,000 Texans marched to the Texas Capitol.
From the Texas Capitol, Zoe Webb lets her voice be heard against the Supreme Court ruling.
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