Words Deven Wilson | Photo Sahara Lounge
Unchanged through the Ages
Austin’s Eastside continues to evolve over time, but still its old soul remains. Wonderfully whimsical, a little grungy, occasionally weird, and unapologetically itself, these local establishments keep the authentic Austin spirit alive.
- Butterfly Bar & The Vortex
Since 1994, the former abandoned warehouse became a home for the theater group, The Vortex. The on-site cafe transformed into Butterfly Bar in 2013, and three years later, an Italian food truck named Patrizi’s parked on the property. Ever since, people flock to The Vortex for a crafty cocktail, a wonderfully weird show, and a slurp of freshly made pasta.
2307 Manor Rd. | vortexrep.org
2. Museum of Natural & Artificial Ephemerata
Home to the impermanent collection, Museum of Natural & Artificial Ephemerata is far from a typical cultural institution. Scott and Jen Webel lead tours of their unpredictable collections. From snow globes to snow in a can, all the trinkets of the past, high and low brow, are proudly on display and easy to view for a $5 donation.
1808 Singleton Ave. | mnaeorg.wordpress.com
3. Joe’s Bakery& Coffee Shop
Over half a century of barbacoa and bacon, this James Beard America’s Classic and Michelin-recommended restaurant has been, and will continue to be, a landmark of Mexican cooking on the Eastside. It opened in 1962 by co-founders Joe and Paula Avila, and Austinites continue to turn to the shop for a taste of multi-generational perfected pan dulce.
2305 E 7th St. | joesbakery.com
4. Sahara Lounge
Before being christened as Sahara Lounge in 2011, 1413 Webberville Road had a long history as a music venue, dating back to 1962. Owner Eileen Bristol, local musician Topaz, and the various regulars who frequent the lounge have made it a bastion of “Old Austin” by curating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that has never known a stranger. Hosting various themed nights with live music and eats, it continues to feed the soul of East Austin and remains a constant source of good vibrations from musicians and patrons alike.
1413 Webberville Rd. | saharalounge.com
5. Bennu Coffee
Since 2009, students, night owls, and caffeine addicts have had a home on East MLK Boulevard. Stephanie and Steve Williams share their love for the increasingly rare 24-hour coffee shop with their community in a cafe called Bennu, after the Egyptian folklore bird of rebirth and resurrection. Now, with three locations, one south, one north, and a touch of Eastside coolness liven up the rest of Austin.
2001 E MLK Blvd. | bennucoffee.com
6. Oakwood Cemetery (Save Austin’s Cemeteries)
Older than the Texas State Cemetery, Oakwood is home to the final resting place of lesser-known local and national legends. Steeped in history, what makes Oakwood an overlooked landmark are the unique characters who continue to steward the hallowed grounds, where a stunning display of bluebonnets crops up every spring. Save Austin’s Cemeteries works to preserve Oakwood’s grounds and restore tombstones, while also offering unique, themed tours of the various grave sites. Did you know that Eastside ATX Mag’s founders have family buried here, with tombstones dating back to the early 1800s?
