Insider’s Guide to Austin

Eat, Drink, and Dance
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (pictured)
One of the nation’s coolest movie theaters, this place serves a full menu along with beer, wine, margaritas, and sangria while you watch the newest and coolest films alongside silver screen classics. In addition to showing first-run movies, they host amazing events, such as the Ladies of the ’80s sing-a-long and Master Pancake Theatre, which combines bad movies with live comedy. Visit www.originalalamo.com for locations.
Insider tip: Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to get a good seat and order a pitcher of beer. The pre-shows are themed around the featured film―you could be treated to old cartoons, weird 1950s commercials, or vintage trailers for films that founded the genre.

The Broken Spoke
Known simply as “The Spoke,” this is where Austin and Texas country bands love to play. This stage has hosted Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, and scores more. The locals will teach you to two-step, but if you’d rather just watch, you won’t be disappointed. Octogenarians share the two-stepping floor with tattooed urbanites; experts make room for the beginners. 3201 South Lamar Blvd., 512/442-6189, www.brokenspokeaustintx.com
Insider tip: Go any night Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. for a two-step class.

The Continental Club
An Austin favorite music venue since 1957, the Continental Club anchors the South Congress Avenue district. This is where the best blues, rockabilly, and Latin rock bands and artists play when they come to town. It’s a diverse and friendly crowd that loves to dance. 1315 South Congress Ave., 512/441-2444, www.continentalclub.com/austin.html
Insider tip: For a more mellow experience, stop by at happy hour. You won’t pay more than $5 to see the band, and you’ll likely get a seat. And the bands that play happy hour are always killer, since this is a granddaddy venue in Austin.

The County Line BBQ
Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially at The County Line. This is the spot to get sausage, brisket, turkey, beef ribs, potato salad, coleslaw―the whole shebang. Caplan recommends, “Wear your favorite pair of stretchy pants.” Visit www.countylinebbq.com for locations.
Insider tip: There are a couple of locations. Make a reservation around sunset at The County Line on the Hill. The dining room offers an incredible view of the Hill Country, and you’ll get to see the sun set over the rolling hills.

The OASIS
With expansive patios overlooking scenic Lake Travis, The OASIS boasts the best sunset views in all of Texas. This is a great spot to get a margarita and some chips and salsa, listen to some live music, and sit back and watch the world go by (or just the day). This is Caplan’s quintessential Austin experience. 6550 Comanche Trail, 512/266-2442, www.oasis-austin.com
Insider tip: Hit The OASIS for drinks and live music, and then head closer in for dinner (The County Line BBQ has its County Line on the Lake location on the way). It’s a long drive back, and the real experience is the margarita and sunset.