Yesterday was the last day of Players, the cherished late-night burger restaurant by the UT campus. Fans of the restaurant turned out in force to say goodbye; between 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. the line spilled into the at-capacity parking lot, and wait times were up to an hour. Tables inside were taken up by families, old timers, and college students. A few hardy souls braved the chilly beer garden outside. Inside and out, the atmosphere was boisterous and joyful. At one point, a man turned to a UT student waiting in line and said, "You’ll be taking classes here."
The university owns the land and opted to terminate their lease three months ago. Since it opened in 1981, Players was the go-to burger and shake place for students, families, and Austinites to satisfy their hunger or hangovers. On its last day, because everyone wanted to get in one last burger, Carlos Oliveira, Players’ owner, kept the doors open yesterday until midnight or until the line disappeared, whichever came first.
