Home > Like a Local > Archives > 2011 > November > 04 > Entry
Kevin Smothers, AMOA-Arthouse and Austin Social Planner
How will you start your Friday night?
Tonight, I’ll be coming off a crazy (like most weeks for a PR person) so I’m going to start at Ranch 616 for a strong sip of Ranch Water. It’s one of my favorite tequila drinks. Afterward, we’ll walk over to ACL Live to see the Swedish pop-chanteuse Lykke Li tape an episode of “Austin City Limits.”
If you go to a happy hour, which bar will you go to? What will you order?
I really love the happy hour at Icenhauer’s on Rainey Street. It’s the perfect mix of Texas bunglaow style mixed with Palm Springs modernism. What will I order? Something with Bourbon in it to be sure.
What band will you see this weekend?
That’s a loaded question this weekend because of Fun Fun Fun Fest. High on my list are M83, Diplo, Passion Pit, MNDR, and maybe a little Henry Rollins and Public Enemy for old times sake!
What’s your favorite Austin band aside from who you will see this weekend?
I think Speak are great…and I think they’re going places. Watch out world! Of course, I also like Ghostland and am very fond of an electronic duo called BK and Mr. E, who put on a pretty amazing show for a two man band.
What is your favorite venue to watch a show?
Without a doubt, ACL Live at the Moody Theater is the best large venue in town right now. Nobody else compares. However, I love La Zona Rosa and am absolutely devastated to hear that it could soon go the way of other legendary venues.
Where will you go for late night eats after your night out?
24 Diner without a doubt.
Where can we find you when you are craving barbecue?
Everyone is so hot on the place of the moment, but I still love Sam’s BBQ on E. 12th St. Otherwise, it’s up 71W to R.O.’s or Coopers in Llano.
Where can we find you when you are craving Tex-Mex?
That’s a loaded question. Maudie’s is the default because of proximity, but I enjoy Vivo more than any other place…maybe because of the salsa?
Where can we find you grabbing a margarita?
Vivo wins again for their Cesars concoction, but I’ve also become a fan of the delicious margarita with habanero simple syrup at Takoba. They make it with mango puree, too, but I prefer that they hold the mango.
If you go to the lake, what will you do and which lake will you go to?
Lake Austin without a doubt. I think once you go on a boat outing there, you’ll never really have any interest in being on a boat anywhere else.
What is your favorite place to get brunch?
Lambert’s on Second St. You may have to be wheeled out of there, but is that really a bad thing after a Hanger Steak Benedict?
What is your favorite outdoor spot to enjoy a sunny Saturday?
The Great Lawn at Zilker Park is pretty hard to beat. Especially if the weather is agreeable.
What’s your one “must-do” for visitors to Austin (this weekend or in general)?
Mount Bonnell used to be my go-to, but now I send a lot of people to Town Lake because you can get to pretty much anything from there, be it restaurants, shopping, or a bar.
If you’re in need of a little pampering, where will you go? What do you recommend having done?
A massage at Mecca will definitely transport me to another place.
Where will you be seen shopping?
SoCo has the best guys shops (STAG, Service), and I’m also loving the strip of shops on North Loop these days, including Blackbird.
If you’re having a date night, what romantic spot will you go to and what will you order?
Wink is always great…they can do anything with foie gras. Paired with a glass of Sauterne, of course.
What’s Austin’s best-kept secret?
The old-school Grill and soda fountain at Nau’s pharmacy on West Lynn.
How will you end your Austin weekend? Where will you go and what will you do?
I like to wind the weekend down at my place with a home cooked meal, a few friends, and a bottle or two of wine. Nothing is better.
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