understand, though many female friends attest to its pedigree. Service can also be categorized as higher-end, but not unreasonable. They have a great selection of black dress shirts, military-style jackets, and other well-appointed accoutrements. 1400 South Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, www.servicemenswear.com, www.bygeorgeaustin.com
33 Austin, TX
34 Austin, TXDOOK MOUNTAIN The art scene in Austin has always been overshadowed by the live music scene. Art and artists have always thrived here, but it can sometimes be hard to notice when stacks of speakers are blaring every night of the week. East Side gallery OK Mountain is one of the few places that is changing that situation, simply by exhibiting the best up-and-coming artists (from Austin or wherever) and throwing the best opening parties. 1312 East Cesar Chavez, Ste B, Austin, TX 78703, www.okaymountain.comARTHOUSE Free and open to the public, Arthouse is the premier gallery for contemporary art. The exhibitions (which change about once a month) have featured international, national and Texas-based art. The openings are high-profile and great for mingling. 700 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, www.arthousetexas.orgAUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART The big Texas cities (with the big Texas money) have colossal art museums, but the Austin Museum of Art is no runt. There isn’t a permanent collection, but I’ve seen some worthwhile international touring exhibitions here. It has a great gift shop that’s free to enter (the museum itself isn’t free). 823 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, www.amoa.orgALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA The Alamo is an Austin institution and after seeing one movie there I never wanted to go to a multiplex ever again. They screen all the new releases, and also host an array of B-movie theme nights (Terror Tuesdays, Weird Wednesdays, for example), sing alongs, and special events. There's also food – really good food, in fact, and booze too. Various locations, www.drafthouse.comPARAMOUNT THEATRE The Paramount is a gorgeous, classic theatre complete with plush seating, balconies, and swooping architecture. It offers movie screenings and performances including music, plays, book readings, and comedy acts. 713 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, www.austintheatre.orgSOUTH BY SOUTHWEST If you want to live a year's worth in Austin in about a week, then South By Southwest (SXSW) is the way to do it. One of the premier music, film, and interactive festivals in the world, it transforms the city into a great, swarming mess of people, parties, movies, alcohol, and bands. Despite all the anxiety, crowds, traffic, and general anarchy SXSW inspires, it really is one of the things that makes this city the greatest. And the secret is you don't even have to spend money to have the best time of your life. There are more free parties, events, and happenings than one can possibly comprehend. Mid-March, www.sxsw.comCULTURE
35 Austin, TXBARTON SPRINGS For the most part, Austin's weather is pleasant all year. From March through October it's sunny, warm (or really, really hot), and beautiful outside. When it's a nice day and you want to hop on a bike and take a dip, Barton Springs is a great option. Located within Zilker Park (the perfect place to roam around, throw a frisbee, or take your dog), Barton Springs is a series of natural water springs that are excellently maintained and impossible to not enjoy. The perfect summer day in Austin usually involves a bike, a breakfast taco and a jump in the springs. 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746EMO'S Anchored right on 6th Street and Red River, Emo's has been the cornerstone of the live music scene for almost 20 years. It's also a total dump. There's a massive outside stage and an intimate inside stage, usually showcasing totally different kinds of music. There's nothing better than standing in the interconnecting courtyard, watching the spiked shoulder pad crowd and the vintage cardigan crowd jostling for a bit of breathing room at the same time. 603 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, www.emosaustin.comBEERLAND It's called ‘Beerland’, so what's not to like? I'm happy to say it lives up to its name, and despite it's diminutive size, it showcases the best blistering rockabilly/metal/loud bands on Red River. The doorguy has sworn to me on multiple occasions that Beerland is haunted. 711 1/2 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, www.beerlandtexas.comTHE MOHAWK The Mohawk is one of the only venues that pulls off the trinity of good bands, good sound and good drink prices. It is without a doubt one of Austin's key clubs, and also happens to be the youngest. Run by people who genuinely care about the city, it has quickly built its reputation by booking quality shows and by being band and fan friendly. 912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, www.mohawkaustin.comCLUB 1808 Because of the zoning restrictions of the city, East Side bars have flourished but East Side music venues are few and far between. Club 1808 is just far enough away from the spotlight (and just close enough to one of the sketchiest intersections in Austin) to have gone largely unnoticed. This is a good thing, because that's left this place free to showcase a variety of fringe bands who just want to play as loud as possible. 1808 East 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 RED 7 Sadly good bars and venues come and go, one of those legendary places being the Ritz (RIP). But the spirit of the Ritz lives on at Red 7, and this place is the home for all the smelly punk rockers and BMX riders that otherwise would have nowhere to go. There's skee-ball and pool tables, cheap Texas beer, and loud punk bands. Basically all the makings of a really good night. 611 East 7th St, Austin, TX 78701, www.red7austin.comMUSIC
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND BY ELIZABETH GRAEBERI am a Baltimore native, and although I am currently living in Washington DC, I’ll always consider Baltimore my home. One of its many nicknames is Charm City, and despite its mixed reputation, the wacky charm of Baltimore, complete with a big beehive hairdo and a cigarette hanging out if its fluorescent pink lips, is still very much alive. A few facts: Geographically, it’s right on the north/south state divide, and its culture reflects that, with a warm, friendly population, great crabcakes, and a strong working class tradition. Crime is an issue (most famously depicted in the TV series The Wire), particularly on the West Side of the city, and nightlife can range from quirkily divey to rough as hell, depending on where you end up. On the other hand, the city is going through quite a bit of yuppification, with artists drawn to the cheap rents and warehouse spaces in previously poor neighborhoods like Hampden and Highlandtown. A lot of the rowhouses that make up Baltimore’s distinctive streetscape are being done up in those areas, and left derelict and boarded up in others. Public transport is not as good as it should be, but most of the interesting neighborhoods are easily walkable. The ones to visit are: Federal Hill, a historic neighborhood with a mixed population of blue collar old-timers and young professionals. It overlooks Inner Harbor and has the lovely Cross Street Market and lots of restaurants. On the other side of the harbor, you’ll find Fells Point and Canton, with cute cobblestone streets, interesting shops, the old recreation pier and bars selling the infamous local brew, Natty Boh. Leading north from the harbor is Charles Street – the main drag of the city. Take a stroll up it, and you’ll get a sense of Baltimore’s diverse architecture, as well as finding plenty of galleries, restaurants and shops. At the top you’ll find Johns Hopkins University, and the funky student neighborhoods (including Charles Village and the aforementioned Hampden), that surround it. There’s lots to love and hate
