Celebrities? They're everywhere

During ACL, stars frequent several central Austin zones.

By Michael Barnes
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, September 22, 2008

Lower this newspaper. Or close that laptop.

Are you in a public place? In Austin? Are other people soaking up the Austin vibe, too?

Then, chances are, during the Austin City Limits Festival — or South by Southwest or any clement weekend — a celebrity is nearby.

That's because, like other residents and tourists, they like what you like — authentic Austin, Old and New.

Some would say that tourists have already ruined the East Sixth Street entertainment district, but, truthfully, it's been thick with kids of all ages since I moved here in 1984. Not ruined, but rather reserved for nights when you are in the mood for a raucous night of partying and people-watching. And that experience includes celebrities with those particular tastes.

And by now everyone knows that the live music that once made Sixth Street famous has mostly moved to other entertainment strips, such as Red River Street.

Otherwise, the golden ones flock to three central Austin zones.

Warehouse District — For purposes of this story, we're including other downtown mini-districts that share grown-up sensibilities with the nightspots clumped around Fourth and Colorado streets. So that would translate into far West Sixth Street, East and West Second streets, middle Fifth Street, parts of Congress Avenue and the newest cluster of hot spots under the 360 Tower.

The audibly tan — to borrow Fran Lebowitz's term — Hollywood and Vegas crowds like the Belmont and Bess (the latter owned by Sandra Bullock and Jesse James), J. Black's and Eddie V's. East Coasters and the international set are more likely to descend on steakhouses and seafood spots like III Forks, Truluck's, Finn & Porter and McCormick & Schmick's, as well as lounges such as Pangaea, Qua, Buzios Room, 219 West or Imperia.

Detached from the other downtown mini-districts is Moonshine, which regularly attracts sports figures such as Andy Roddick, Mack Brown and Colt McCoy. This will probably change now that he's in training, but Lance Armstrong often drops by his downtown bike shop, Mellow Johnny's, and his bar, Six.

The "Friday Night Lights" crew likes Jo's on Second and Austin Java. And the downtown wine bars — Mulberry, Taste, Cork & Co., Crú, etc. — are safe bets for sightings, if one is patient. Lamberts Downtown Barbecue is a required stop for marquee rockers, and that whole area around Austin City Hall will explode with cool once Austin City Limits opens its studio with Uchi in the W Hotel and Residences in a few years. And let's not forget the signature downtown nightclubs with music, such as Emo's, Antone's, Beerland, Club de Ville and the Mohawk. Gay celebrities will bop back and forth between Oilcan Harry's and Rain.

SoCo —There's a reason hotelier Bill Gurasich and architect Dick Clark are building another chic hangout on South Congress Avenue. Everybody — including celebrities — wants to hang out there. Jo's Hot Coffee is the epicenter and offers the best sidewalk people-watching in the city. The Hotel San José and, to a different degree, the Austin Motel lure stars of music, movies, television and otherwise. Mars, Vespaio, Enoteca, Woodland, South Congress Cafe and Güero's all pull in the notables, and the Continental Club is a required stop on the Austin music tour.

Just walk up and down South Congress from Riverside Drive to no farther south than Live Oak Street and you'll join a rushing stream of locals, visitors and those inescapable subjects of the tabloids.

Barton Springs Road —This area is less easily defined and is thoroughly scrambled by the tens of thousands funneling in and out of the ACL Fest proper in Zilker Park. Of course, celebrities will drop by for the music (last year, Drew Barrymore and now former boyfriend Justin Long smooched their way through the weekend). A few will also take a dip in nearby Barton Springs, as did Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson two weeks ago.

Austin's Restaurant Row is not known for haute cuisine, but rather burgers, brew, 'ritas and 'cue. As such, celebrities who feel comfortable being seen in flip-flops will also dally at Uncle Billy's, Austin Java, Flipnotics, Chuy's, Romeo's, Green Mesquite, Baby Acapulco and, especially, Shady Grove. Of course, the fitness freaks among the stars will take a whirl around Lady Bird Lake on the hike-and-bike trail, probably the best all-round people-watching in the city.

We really shouldn't have to point this out, but don't feed or poke the celebrities, during ACL or otherwise. Look, smile, leave them alone.

Read social reports "All but ACL" — Austin events not actually at the festival this weekend — on Michael Barnes' Out & About blog at austin360.com/outandabout.