Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > July > 13
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Weekend Surprises 3: Buzios Room
What surprised me about …. The Grand Opening of the Buzios Room on Friday is that the dark, chill lounge on Congress Avenue has maintained its above-the-fray vibe ever since its soft opening weeks ago. Also that the crowd, mostly above 25 to 40 years old, is so decidedly female. One guest quipped “This is what Pangaea should have been.” Well, no, they serve completely different purposes. Pangaea is a New York-style special-event spot where the energy goes from subdued to frenetic over the course of an evening. Buzios is the ideal after-theater lounge, a cool-down spot with just enough international flavor to feel vaguely cosmopolitan.
Ian Garrett, Elisa Thomas
Ben Casey, Crystal Rios, Suzann Elizondo
Sharmae Riemar, Donaji Lira
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Weekend Surprises 2: Blanton B-Scene
What surprised me about … The Blanton B-Scene for “Exquisite Visions of Japan” on Friday: How effortlessly patrons of all ages, shapes and backgrounds floated in and out of the galleries, dallying in the museum’s formal-yet-welcoming atrium for music from a Buzios Room DJ and refreshing drink — plus dabs of food. Also the number of women, young and old, in traditional Japanese dress. “It’s a summer hit,” says Interim Director Ann Wilson of the crowd of 500 or so for the pristine prints from the Michener Collection.
Naoka Inman, Mariko Fujimoto
Mark Cathcart, Sounthaly Outhavong
Helene Engler, Dan Rozycki
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Weekend Surprises 1: Guerrilla Queer Bar
What surprised me about … The Guerrilla Queer Bar 100th happy hour at Green Pastures on Friday: The lack of status tension one notes in most gay bars. Richard MacKinnon and friends initiated the Austin version of this national phenomenon — sort of like an early flash mob — in which gay men descend at the last minute on a straight establishment for the evening, instantly diversifying the crowd and delighting the owners, who benefit from dozens, sometimes hundreds of fresh customers. “Guys tell me they’ve been to so many more places than they would have otherwise,” says MacKinnon. “Most of them just end up at Oilcan Harry’s.”
Adam Toguchi, Bruce Weatherford
Scott Quinn, Steve Olivares, Frank Genco
Richard MacKinnon, David Byers
Jay Velgos, Chris Vojczuk, Sean McGrath (Mace Welch, outside the frame, alas, closed his eyes)
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