Malaia (Club)

Yes, this is one of the clubs on the 6th St. 1st floor is more of a bar than a club, but everyone is dancing and going crazy on the 2nd floor. The DJ here has pretty good taste of music and he knows what's he playing. The drinks are somewhat expensive but if you think about the awesome decorations and the atmosphere, it's not that bad. There's also a girl dancing on a stage, so if you are going there with bunch of dudes with no thought of hitting on girls; this is the place for you. However, take a look at the 2nd floor too. A lot of actions are going on here because there are usually many beautiful girls. Girls and good music? Well, dancing and having fun are the outcome. Like I said in one of my previous posts, I like dancing and having good time, so this is one of my favorite places downtown. Although Malaia is on the 6th Street, the atmosphere resembles a lot of the bars in warehouse district. Price comes along too unfortunately. Another thing I don't quiet like about this place are the working staff. Bartenders seem pretty cool but the bouncers will intentionally limit the number of people inside in order to get tips from people who are willing to pay to get in. My friend tipped them a lot, but they don't even seem to remember him even after a number of visits. The story might be slightly different if you are a girl with group of girlfriends, however, they are usually assholes to girls as well (at least they don't discriminate much). In general, this place is pretty good though. If they just get some bouncers that are not complete douchebags, I think I'd go to this place a lot more often. I believe there was one bouncer who was cool, but he is not always there either. So here's the deal:

Location: 300 East 6th Street Austin, TX 78701-3628
Contact: (512) 482-8780
Summary:
Pro - Good atmosphere, great number of people having fun, good music, etc.
Con - Drinks are usually expensive unless they have specials; most bouncers are simply assholes.

Ken's Doughnuts (Pastries)

Well, I just remembered how I was hungry 5 o'clock in the morning and had nowhere to go. This place is the answer if you want some snacks while you are working late or just hungry in the middle of the night. I personally prefer the kolaches over doughnuts. They also serve coffee to wake your ass up if you need to stay awake and do some more work. Price is very cheap, so you won't have to worry about your wallet becoming flat. Most people buy pastries and take it somewhere to eat, but there are also small tables where you can munch off your food. Well, there's really not that much to talk about this place since it's not a restaurant or anything like that.

Location: 2820 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705-3724
Contact: (512) 320-8484
Summary:
Pro - Cheap delicious food
Con - The place doesn't look that great.

Libary (Bar)

Well, I don't know who wouldn't know about this place, but I'll write about this place anyway. This is where people go to drink and chill. I like playing pool or just talking with friends in this bar (although the music could be too loud). There are tables on the 2nd floor where you can just sit down and talk. Environment is good, but there's really not that much to talk about this place... Three bars (usually they are insanely crowded during weekend), pool tables, some other games, and tables. Oh, they have cheap drinks before 11pm or midnight. I think it's cheap even after the special hours compared to other bars. Well, go knock yourself out!

Location: 407 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701-3739
Contact: (512) 236-0662
Summary:
Pro - cheap drinks, a lot of people, place to chill... etc.
Con - It's too ****ing crowded if you're just trying to get something to drink.

I really think everyone in Austin knows about this place well enough. But if you haven't been there, give it a try. You are missing out..

Barcelona (Club)

I figured that I may sound like an old dude just going to different places to eat and study (while drinking some tea?!?!), so I am going to bring out some wild side. Well, it turns out that I really enjoy electronic music lately. I am very much into techno and trance. Austin, traditionally, has been a place well known for live music. However, things have been changing fast for last decade or so. Now you can see many clubs playing hip-hop. However, it is still hard to find many clubs playing techno or trance in my opinion. Barcelona is one of the craziest club in sense of music. There are two bars and lounges with the center = dancefloor. Well, it's just an empty floor in front of DJ and his 100dB-producing subwoofers. However, you will see some people dancing like it's their last night. Carpe noctem. Anyway, the drinks are very cheap compared to other bars I usually go to. Sometimes they have touring DJ play here (and in this case, you'll be charged cover, so you might want to check out their schedule), but the cover is usually 2~5 dollars. I believe only 21+ allowed in most nights. I just think it's a must-go place if you enjoy techno, trance, electro, house, etc. Just make sure not to run into walls.

Location: 209 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701-3678
Contact: (512) 236-0900
Summary:
Pro - cheap drinks, badass music to dance to, and crazy crowd
Con - It's really dark (I think they should put little more light).

This is not a perfect place if you just want to chill, drink, and talk with your friends. The music is loud & crazy. Just dance!

Epoch Coffee (Coffee Shop)

Well, I just decided to write a short review on Epoch. This used to be the place to study before I discovered Bennu Coffee. It is very similar, but the crowd that hangs out here are graduate students and random suburbia-people. Type of food and drinks served are pretty much same as Bennu also. Try their italian soda though. The price is slightly cheaper than most coffee shops I've been to. I believe I know (at least by face) all the baristas since I've been there so many times (also day and night since Epoch is also a 24hr coffee shop). They are all very nice people and I get along very well. One of my friends got into an argument with one of the baristas once, which was very unusual. I actually think the staff working here provide better service than Bennu Coffee. The location is little far from West Campus or UT area, but many graduate students living in Far West area tend to prefer this coffee shop. Well, I also got to mention that it is hard to find parking or any space inside if you come before midnight. Epoch is not as spacious and you might have to share a table with some total strangers (but usually they are all cool & this is a chance to make new friends also if that's what you like to do). It worth a try.

Location: 221 West North Loop Boulevard, Austin, TX.
Contact: (512) 454-3762
Summary:
Pro - Good food and drink (non-alcoholic); slightly cheaper price; and good choice music for most of the time.
Con - Location (far from the campus), insufficient space.

Well, what can I say? I recommand Bennu over Epoch now, but this isn't a bad place if you are an owl (staying up late a lot).

Bennu Coffee House (Coffee Shop)

Well, this was my home during the finals while I was attending UT. It is a 24-hr coffee house just like Epoch (which I will write the review in near future). My first impression: the place was clean, quiet, and comfortable -> AWESOME! I used to have trouble with the awkward height of chair and table in many UT buildings. When I study, I like to study comfortable (no, I don't fall asleep like you do). Anyway, I got a table and plugged in my laptop which connected to the wireless internet. I ordered yerba mate tea, which is my favorite tea to drink while I study. It was pretty good. Unlike Epoch, Bennu Coffee was spacious and many kids were studying. In the evening, there are many people here studying or simply chilling. One by one, people leave, and I was usually the only person or one of the few in there after midnight. They have 6 different kinds of authentic tea (3 are caffeinated and the rest aren't) that taste fantastic. The baristas there really know how to make good mocha and cappucino as well. They also sell pizzas and other snacks that are very good. Try some Veracruz pizza if you have a chance. It was delicious. Well, the price was ok. It was neither expensive nor cheap. Most baristas there seemed cool but the girl that works at night seemed little depressed/dark (or maybe she just didn't like me very much). Well, I think that's not a big deal. But here's the deal:

Location: 2001 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Austin, TX 78702
Contact: (512) 487-4700
Summary:
Pro - Good tea, coffee, and food.
Con - Sometimes they play music just little bit too loud.

Well, now go read or something...

Dirty Martin's Place (Restaurant)

This is exciting since the very first post is being written. Well, since I went to Dirty Martin's Place ("DM" from here) three or four times this week, I will start with them. The first time I gave them a visit was a few years ago when I was freshman in UT. Recently I started going there again for the good food and price. The waiters and waitresses were kind whenever I went there to eat. They also have happy hour for appetizers from sometime in the afternoon (I'll check on this later) till 7pm. I believe it's quiet a long happy hour also. I really enjoyed their hamburger, cheeseburger, chilliburger, and fried mushrooms. I tried 80% of the menu in DM, but I can't really remember the other entries I tried. They sell beers as well. Personally beer and burgers seem to go well together. Unlike the most burger restaurants, this place is priced very low. In fact, you can get a good amount of food for 5 ~ 7 dollars. You pay about the same as the fast-food places. Wings are only 35 cents each. I wouldn't say the taste is the best, but excellent for its price. Also, sanitation isn't that great. The place is old, and it looks somewhat messy. However, I think it's a great place for a college student to enjoy a good meal with friends.

So here's the deal:

Location: 2808 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705-3704
Contact: (512) 477-3173

Summary:
Pro - Great food for great price, long happy hour, (usually) good service
Con - Need some sanitization

Enjoy.