Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2009 > December > 12
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Star Bar Relaunch all one could wish for
Star Bar was a classic. Now it is a classic reclassified. For years, the bar with the curved, red, neon sign helped define West Sixth Street district. It staged a buoyant happy hour inside and perched regulars on its sliver of a front patio outside. Yet it could be dark and a bit uninviting for such a prominent location.
Kevin Benz, Olga Campos and Kevin Williamson
And now it must keep up with neighbors, such as Brad Womack, Chad Womack and Jason Carrier’s Molotov and whatever they will swap out with Mother Egan’s in 2010. Not far away are of-the-moment clubs Key Bar, Union Park, Momo’s, the Ranch, Annie’s West and J. Black’s.
Anika Kunik and Matt Luckie
At Star Bar, business partners Kevin Williamson (Ranch 616) and Matt Luckie (Lavaca Street Bar, District 301, Lucky Lounge, etc.) stripped out the east wall, leaving an elegant glass curtain. They lightened the ceiling and cleared out the central well. Perhaps most dramatically, they added a spacious back patio that will connect Star Bar with Ranch 616 and a planned honkytonk in between.
Jared Arldt and Rhonda Leschber
The bar food from Ranch 616 was predictably tasty, especially a little shrimp bloody Mary that took my breath away. The drinks are grown-up. People expect a well mixed cocktail these days. Don’t underestimate that.
Sarah and Joey Martinez
Williamson and Luckie worked the room, packed as it was with with former regulars, media and all-round scenesters. The conversation remained bouncy, although it got a bit loud since the pivoted windows were closed against the wintry weather.
Lindsay Novy, Brett Ketchum and Kate Morgan
I talked insider biz with power parents Kevin Benz (News 8) and Olga Campos (KVUE). I revisited with Anika Kunik, actress and author, whose “Forty-Five and 1/2 Lovers” is causing a sensation.
Back to Star Bar, this is going to be a hot spot again. Bet on it.
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