Here's a closer look at Austin, Texas' newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this spring. The new and renovated Austin venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Saint Cecilia
South Austin's Hotel Saint Cecilia debuted a new event space, the Sun Room, in November 2023. The intimate 310-square-foot space functions as a lounge with access to the hotel’s food and beverage department for eats and drinks. There’s a flat-screen television; a hidden bar and sink; and luxe furnishings such as velvet curtains, a midcentury boardroom-style table, and a chandelier.
Photo: Nick Simonite
Holey Moley
Australian company Funlab opened a location of its indoor putt-putt golf course and entertainment venue Holey Moley in East Austin in March. Taking over what had been the Native hostel, the new nearly 20,000-square-foot space will include 27 indoor holes with pop culture designs, a 4,375-square-foot outdoor space with a live music stage and dining areas, and a restaurant serving up what it describes as food and drinks inspired by the film Caddyshack. The various reservable event spaces include a karaoke room. The venue will offer various party packages entailing spaces, food, and drinks for 10 to 500 people.
Photo: Courtesy of Holey Moley
Sushi Roku
National upscale Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Roku opened its first Texas location in downtown Austin in February, led by executive chef Sang Kim. The menu includes a variety of new-wave Japanese nigiri, rolls, and dishes, alongside cocktails and Japanese beers and whiskies. The space itself— which can fit up to 120 seated guests—is meant to feel like an izakaya straight out of Tokyo with tiles, walnut shelves, and plaster paneling. The entire 3,800-square-foot restaurant includes a patio, bar, and semiprivate dining room.
Photo: Courtesy of Sushi Roku
The Statesman
New American restaurant and supper club The Statesman opened in downtown Austin in January. The 4,810-square-foot space is meant to encourage mingling, with smaller two-person booths, buttons to call for Champagne service, and a patio along the busy Sixth Street stretch. The entire restaurant is available for a 185-person buyout too. There are various areas for private and semiprivate events, including the Lobby Pit that can fit up to 30 guests with a television screen and audiovisual capabilities, and the Crescent with bar seating for up to 25 seated or 40 standing guests.
Photo: Jasmin Porter
Gina’s on Congress
Italian-French bistro Gina’s on Congress opened in downtown Austin in December 2023, with a bright 1,800-square-foot space. The menu meshes French and Italian cuisines with pasta, meats, and more, alongside cocktails such as Negronis and wines. The forthcoming patio will be able to fit 12 seats, plus there are 44 seats and 12 bar seats inside.
Photo: Jody Horton
Trona
The new speakeasy with a back-alley entrance, Trona, made its debut in East Austin in October 2023. Revamping a previous dive bar, the new stylish cocktail bar takes its cues from Mexican and Japanese design aesthetics, with burnt wood, red brick floors, and an alfresco pergola. The multiarea 1,200-square-foot space that can fit up to 49 seated guests is available for full buyouts.
Photo: Courtesy of Trona
