As SXSW approaches, celebrity sittings are guaranteed to increase significantly as we hop from panel to party during the festival. Some of us will eventually get tired of eating free tacos and catered snacks to look for a real dining experience in an actual restaurant. At some point, you’re bound to see a movie star, famous musician, comedian or some other well-known public personality who used to star in Friday Night Lights. Sure they’re just people like we are, but not all of us have our own show on Netflix and HBO do we?
If you spend enough time downtown during the festival, your chances of seeing a celebrity is fairly high. Austinites have a reputation of being really laid back and mostly chill when a celebrity crosses our path. The moment you see that familiar face, just remember to be cool and make sure you don’t have any brisket stuck in your teeth. They might be cool and snap a selfie with you but don’t expect them to exchange phone numbers with you. To prepare yourself for an eventual siting we’ve listed several well-known, upscale hot spots celebrities are likely to dine during SXSW.
Caroline is literally next door to the Paramount Theater, which is the home spot SXSW Film premieres. It’s not a far stretch to think that some of the celebrities will be staying in the Aloft Hotel and the Stephen F. Austin Hotel across the street. The fare is excellent and there’s even a coffee and pastry shop inside.
The Townsend is one of my favorite bars in Austin and it just happens to be located across from the Paramount Theatre. The Townsend will likely be the go-to spot for celebs looking for a craft cocktail and a few small plates. It also provides a great vantage point for red carpet premieres.
The JW is Austin’s largest downtown hotel and serves as a hub for several official SXSW events. I can absolutely guarantee that there will be a lot of celebrities staying in the hotel throughout the duration of the festival. Don’t be a stalker, but if you hang out any of the restaurants long enough you are most definitely going to see a celebrity. Skip the selfie and offer to buy them a drink instead.
The W Hotel is like a magnet for celebrities in almost every city in the world, but especially for Austin. The hotel is upscale and flamboyant in nature and is exactly the spot celebs love to be seen. You’re more likely to see them in the Living Room sipping fancy cocktails or bar snacks. Trust me, I’ve seen dozens of them there during SXSW.
Yes, even celebrities eat BBQ, but I’d be very interested to see if any of them have line-skipping privileges. I doubt it, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see them waiting in line for the most legendary BBQ in the state. Jon Favareau filmed a portion of his movie, CHEF, at Franklin BBQ and the film premiered at SXSW in 2014. Oh yeah, and there was that one time President Obama made an appearance and bought over $300 worth of BBQ, including some for his the people he skipped in line.
South Congress Hotel might be the most Hollywood-like hotel in Austin. It’s boutique style is swanky enough to attract A-listers like Richard Linklater, Jack Black and Pierce Brosnan who have all supposedly been seen there at some point. With Chef Casey Wilcox and team cranking out an amazing new seasonal menu that’s been a huge hit, dining at Central Standard and Café No Sé will be an easy option for many celebs crashing at the hotel.
La Condessa has seen more celebrities dining in the restaurant in the last sevearl years than perhaps any other in town. The space is gorgeous and the regional Mexican cuisine is usually outstanding. There’s also likely to be a few private parties being hosted on the 2nd floor nearly every day.
ATX Cocina is one of the latest and greatest spots to open in the popular and upscale 2nd street district. I can personally attest on magnificence of the menu as well as the overall ambiance and beauty. Longtime local restaurateurs Larry Foles and Guy Villavaso brought this modern Mexican restaurant to Austin with ecutive chef Kevin Taylor at the helm. Hollywood stars love to eat healthy and chef Taylor meshes the traditional flavors of Mexico with ultra-fresh ingredients to create health-conscious and sophisticated pairings any celeb will easily enjoy. Photos by Bethany Ross
Jo’s Coffee shop on 2nd Street is notorious for celebrity sightings. They’ve seen celebs like Luke Wilson, Taylor Kitsch and Jesse Plemons just to name a few.
Matthew McConaughey has been spotted several times over the years but you’re more likely to see several stars circling the bar throughout the duration of the festival. 604 Brazos Street
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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,…