Where to Celebrate Pride in Austin With Food, Drinks, Drag Shows, and Parties

Pride’s so nice that Austin celebrates it twice. While, nationally, Pride month is in June, Austin’s official Pride parade takes place on Saturday, August 12 (for logistical reasons) with the appropriate theme of “Keep Austin Queer’d.” This means that lots of local restaurants/bars/breweries/etc. offering food and drink specials and hosting events this month as ways to raise money for LGBTQ nonprofits. There are drag shows, parties, markets, and much more. Scope out the rundown below.

Thursday, August 24

• Korean-American wine restaurant Underdog is hosting a Pride trivia night starting at 6 p.m, where all proceeds from the $10 tickets will go to nonprofit Kind Clinic. There will be a food and drinks menu, as well as prizes for the top three winners. (1600 South First Street, Bouldin Creek)

Saturday, August 26

• Massive outdoor brewery Meanwhile Brewing is hosting a special Pride edition of monthly drag show Brew Paul’s Drag Race from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (3901 Promontory Point Drive, Southeast Austin)

Sunday, August 27

• Lounge Devil May Care is hosting another edition of its art show the Devil Art Collective with an Austin pride theme starting at 2 p.m. There will be Rosaluna mezcal cocktails, DJs, and artwork. The $10 ticket (with entry and one cocktail) proceeds will go towards Austin nonprofit Out Youth. It begins at 2 p.m. (500 West Sixth Street, Downtown)

Through Thursday, August 31

• New American restaurant Swift’s Attic created a special cocktail for Austin Pride, and will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Austin nonprofit Out Youth. The You’re My Pride or Die drink is a gin-based cocktail with muddled strawberries, mint, lime juice, agave, and soda. (315 Congress Avenue, Downtown)

Already happened

Friday, August 11

• Tapas bar Kalimotxo is hosting a Pride party with drag queens, all-you-can-eat snacks, cocktails, and a t-shirt. The event stars Cheeki Khant, Sierra Mykels, and Nazareth, and includes DJ South of Everywhere. Tickets come with access to the snacks, as well as desserts from Lick Honest Ice Creams, two cocktails, and a t-shirt from nonprofit the Equity Alliance. Tickets are $65 and it runs from 7:30 to 11 p.m. (607 West Third Street, Suite 105, Downtown)

Saturday, August 12

• The official Austin Pride parade festival (separate from the parade route which takes place along Congress Avenue in downtown starting at 8 p.m.) includes drinks, food, vendors, rides, games, drag queen story times, and much more. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children between the ages of seven and 17, and free for children six years old and younger. It runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse Segovia Street, East Austin)
• Downtown hotel the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel is hosting an Austin Pride Parade watch party, where people can view the parade from the terrace. There will be themed cocktails, and sales from the Cobble Peach drink will go towards Austin nonprofit Out Youth. Reservations are available. (701 Congress Avenue, Downtown)
• Likewise, the W Hotel is hosting a pre-game event for the Pride Parade hosted by drag queens the Beckies, where people can grab drinks, shop from queer vendors, get their makeup done, and listen to a live DJ from 5 to 9 p.m. (200 Lavaca Street, Downtown)

Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13

• Chambord is popping up at garden bar Estelle’s for cocktail classes with RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Cynthia Lee Fontaine. Classes are every half hour from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are limited to 20 people per class. To attend, just show up. (400 Colorado Street, Downtown)

Sunday, August 13

• Club Oil Can Harry’s is hosting the Weird City Pagaent in honor of Austin Pride hosted by Lady Grackle, Cupcake, Evah Destruction, and Natalie Monáe Hole. The competition will include talent portions, a show and tell, and people sharing their emotions about the city. The winner will get $700. (211 West Fourth Street, Downtown)
• Mexican restaurant La Condesa is hosting a drag brunch with performances by Vylette Ward and Diamond Dior Davenport and a portion of the proceeds from the featured cocktails will go to The Equality Alliance Texas. Tickets are $25. (400 West 2nd Street, Downtown)
• Wax Myrtle’s at the Thompson Hotel is hosting the Equality Alliance Pride pool party from 1 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 and up with all ticket proceeds benefitting LGBTQIA+ nonprofits like Out Youth. (506 San Jacinto Boulevard, Downtown)
• The W Hotel and the Beckies are also hosting a drag brunch the next morning with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (200 Lavaca Street, Downtown)
• And then finally for the W Austin, its pool bar the Wet Deck is hosting a pool party with a DJ and drink specials from 1 to 5 p.m. (200 Lavaca Street, Downtown)

Through Sunday, August 13

• Italian restaurant Mandola’s is selling pride sugar cookies, with all proceeds going to OutYouth. (4700 W Guadalupe Street, The Triangle)

Update, Friday, August 18: This guide, originally published on July 31, has been updated to include additional events and donation specials.