Where to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Austin With Food, Drinks, and Parties

Labor Day weekend provides one last opportunity to celebrate summer (as much as the very, very, very hot season ever really ends in Texas). To honor the sort-of end of the season, here are the best celebrations to check out in Austin over the long holiday weekend from Friday, September 1 through Monday, September 4.

Friday, September 1 through Monday, September 4

• Sibling spots Better Half and Hold Out Brewing are hosting a joint multi-day shindig for Labor Day weekend. Thee will be daily beer release specials, activities, dishes making use of watermelon and corn, live music, DJs, and much more. On September 3rd, the spots are hosting what it calls Field Day, with games like bellyflop competitions and joint-rolling contests. (406 Walsh Street, West Austin)

Friday, September 1 through Tuesday, September 5

• Hotel bar Zanzibar within the Austin Marriott Downtown is celebrating the birthday of Freddie Mercury with a multi-day party with cocktails, and then a party on Tuesday with music and the such. (304 East Cesar Chavez Street, Downtown)

Saturday, September 2 through Monday, September 4

• Upscale Japanese restaurant Uchi is offering a takeout omakase specially for Labor Day weekend. The $255 meal with two servings includes ten courses such as lobster maki, hotate crudo, and nigiri. There’s a $20 sake or cocktail add-on available too. Orders can be placed online now for timed pickups. (801 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker)

Friday, September 1

• Butcher shop-slash-restaurant Salt & Time is offering a grilling package special for the holiday. $100 will get you eight burgers, eight hot dogs, and related buns. (1912 East Seventh Street, Blackshear-Prospect Hill)

Saturday, September 2

• Treaty Oak Distilling is throwing a barbecue party and cocktail competition from noon to 8 p.m. There will be food, tours of the space, and live music. Dishes include whole hod tostadas, brisket egg rolls, bourbon bread pudding, and more. Wristbands are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. (16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs)
• Casual bar and restaurant the Cavalier is hosting a waterslide (yes) party from 3 to 7 p.m. It’s family-friendly through 5 p.m., and then only adults are allowed on the waterslide. There’s a DJ, hot dogs from the bar’s Austin City Limits Music Festival stand Cavalier Party Dogs & Tots, frozen daiquiris, and other food and drinks. (2400 Webberville Road, East Austin)
• Hotel the Colton House is throwing a pool party with tequila drink and a DJ. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m. (2510 South Congress Avenue, Dawson)

Sunday, September 3

• The Carpenter Hotel’s final barbecue pool party series will take place for Labor Day weekend. On deck will be live music; a plate of food including items like grilled scallops, pulled chicken sandwiches, and deviled potato salads; a la carte drinks and Jell-O; and, yes, pool time. Tickets are $55 and it runs from 1 to 6 p.m. (400 Josephine Street, Zilker)
• Okay, so it’s not technically a Labor Day event, but the ABGB is celebrating its 10th birthday with lots of live music, food specials, beers, art, and a market from noon to 11 p.m. (1305 West Oltorf Street, Galindo)
• New Texan restaurant Lenoir is hosting what it is calling a beach steak dinner over Labor Day weekend with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in its wine garden. The all-you-can-eat meal includes tons of seafood (including raw and ceviche bars), grilled whole fish, sides, and desserts; beer, wine, and other drinks are available a la carte. Tickets are $95 for adults, $20 for children between seven to 12 years old, and free for children six years old and younger. A portion of the proceeds will go towards nonprofit Austin Pets Alive. (1807 South First Street, Bouldin Creek)
• Bar the Gibson is hosting a Labor Day party where people are encouraged to wear white linens, with a DJ and special drinks. The DJ set begins at 6 p.m. (1109 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker)
• Hill Country bar Nice N’ Easy is throwing a whole party for the next release of co-owner’s Lightsome wine with lots of food spots like Comadre Panaderia, Distant Relatives, Real Ale, etc., etc., It runs from 4 to 8 p.m. (106 North Nugent Avenue, Johnson City)
• North Austin barbecue restaurant Interstellar BBQ is hosting a beach-y barbecue party with a chef from Canada. Interstellar chef John Bates and Tofino, British Columbia restaurant Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ chef Ronnie Lee will be making dishes like pork leg in banana leaves, red barbecue braised pork belly, coconut creamed corn, and more. The plates of food are $65. It begins at 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. or until everything is sold out. (12233 Ranch Road 620 North, Anderson Mill)

Saturday, September 2 through Sunday, September 3

• Hill Country bakery Abby Jane Bakeshop will be offering a deli menu for the Labor Day weekend. Under the Arby John Sandwich Shop menu, there will be sandwiches and more starting at 11 a.m. each day. (16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs)

Monday, September 4

• Mostly alfresco bar the Little Darlin’ is hosting a barbecue with live music and DJs. (6507 Circle South Road, Far South Austin)
• Boozy canned beverage company Texas Cool is hosting a Labor Day pool party with pop-up Bad Larry Burger Club at the Austin Motel, from 2 to 6 p.m. (1220 South Congress Avenue, Bouldin Creek)

Update, Thursday, August 31, 9:54 a.m.: This guide, originally published on August 21, has been updated to include additional events.