Holidays

Best Ways to enjoy the 4th of July in Austin

Published by
Mary Layne Strieber
Share

The day of sparklers and red, white and blue is quickly approaching and many restaurants and bars in Austin are providing ways to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang.

 

Grilling

Celebrating Independence without eating BBQ is unofficially against the rules.  If you have access to a grill you should fire it up and load that sucker with with hot dogs, burgers and all the goodies.  We just picked up a brand new Traeger Timberline 1300 and all we want to do is spend the entire day grilling.  Fortunately our new Traeger is probably the most user friendly, high-tech grill on the market thanks to their WiFire controller which allows us to adjust the temperature and timer via the Traeger app on our mobile device.  So now we have absolutely no excuse not to smoke the perfect brisket. It’s the 4th of July though, so we’ll probably just stick to hot dogs and burgers for now.

 

H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks

Spend this Independence Day with 100,000 of your closest friends! Central Texans will hurry to claim their grassy spot with the Austin Symphony Orchestra this July 4th for the largest Independence Day Celebration in the state. Tens of thousands of families will be decked out in red, white, and blue and heading down to Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores) this July 4th for an amazing event complete with a fireworks display over the city skyline backed by symphonic patriotic classics.

The Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8:30 p.m., followed by “mile-high” fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.  Refer to this map for road closures.

 

7th Annual Corn Dog Eating Contest at Black Sheep Lodge

Celebrate our freedom to stuff our faces with as many corn dogs as we can handle.  On Tuesday, July 4th at 2:00 pm Black Sheep Lodge will hold their 7th Annual Corn Dog Eating Contest!  There is a $20 entry fee, but each contestant will get a free commemorative T-shirt and the Grand Champeen mouth shoveller will take home a $250 cash prize!  All entry fees as well as a portion of sales during the event will go to benefit BSL’s local charity!  How many corn dogs can you eat in 8 minutes?!  Sign up at events@blacksheeplodge.com.

 

Backbeat

The Backbeat team will celebrate three centuries of Independence Day libations with three distinct experiences within the bar. Guests will be encouraged to move throughout the space and purchase cocktails from each of the areas and will have a view of the fireworks downtown.

  • Indoor Lounge – 1776: Enjoy 18th Century ‘revolutionary’ punches featuring Chairman’s Reserve Rum and Rhums from the House of Agricole. All day.
  • Rooftop Patio – 1876: Taste sweet liberté with 19th Century spritzes featuring St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur. All day.
  • Out Front – 1976: Let loose with a ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ lawn party featuring American Whiskey from Heaven Hill plus free games and a “celebrity” dunk tank. Games run until 7pm.

In addition to cocktails, Backbeat will also offer beer, wine and food for sale from Garbo’s Food Truck. The event will start at 12p.m. and tickets will be sold for $10, and you can find them here.

1300 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX

 

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden will be offering its popular homemade uncooked bratwursts for home cooks to grill for Fourth of July Celebrations.  Banger’s Brat Bags will include 12 uncooked bratwursts, 12 buns, 8 ounces of whole grain mustard and 16 ounces of sauerkraut for a cost of $40.  All bags must be picked up in store on Monday, July 3 since the restaurant will be closed on Independence Day.  Order online here.  (Photo credit: Banger’s)

79 Rainey St. Austin, TX

Mean Eyed Cat 4th of July Weekend

Mean Eyed Cat will be celebrating Independence Day with patriotic drinks such as Bomb Pop Shots and Red, White and Blueberry Cocktails. For more info on Mean Eyed Cat: https://themeaneyedcat.com/

1621 W. Fifth St. Austin, TX.

 

 

Rattle Inn 4th of July Party

At Rattle Inn of the Fourth, enjoy drink specials such as red, white, and blue jello shots, bomb pops, champagne cocktails, and Independence beers for $4. Take pictures with Rattle Inn’s giant photo frame while Slantic the Tablist plays all-time favorite jams. To enjoy the rooftop views, purchase tables here.  Photo credit: Rattle Inn Facebook

610 Nueces St. Austin, TX.

 

 

Photo credit: Gibson Street Bar

Gibson Street Bar’s Canada Day Party

It may not be celebrating ol’ U-S-A, but we still cheers our Northern neighbors for Canada Day. Join Gibson Street Bar on Saturday, July 1 at 1p.m. for their Canada Day Party on July 1 and enjoy poutine from Luke’s Inside Out, maple syrup cocktails, live music, and plenty of Canadian themed games like Sauce Toss games and Bubble Hockey.

1109 S Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX.

 

 

 

 

Mary Layne Strieber

Recent Posts

Pursuit Farms is Elevating the Art of Wagyu Beef

Pursuit Farms has become a beacon for discerning palates seeking the finest Wagyu beef available…

6 days ago

Caesars Entertainment Unveils Stunning Transformation with the Grand Opening of Caesars New Orleans

New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…

2 weeks ago

Best Halloween Cocktail Bars and Parties in Austin

Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween Parties & Themed Bars in Austin Looking for spooky fun…

2 weeks ago

Austin Food & Wine Festival Unveils 2024 Schedule

With just weeks until the much-anticipated event, the Austin Food & Wine Festival is gearing…

4 weeks ago

ACL Fest 2024: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Your Way through ACL Eats

ACL Fest 2024 brings not only an incredible music lineup but also a wide range…

1 month ago

Aburi Oshi Sushi Brings Flame-Seared Sushi to Austin

Austin’s sushi lovers have a new destination to explore, as Aburi Oshi Sushi makes its…

1 month ago