OT-ish Humble Brag - Watch Party in Austin
As a Michigan grad/fan living out of state for close to 20 years now, finding "Michigan Bars" to watch games at has been my second-most important task in life at all times. (the most important task depends on who is asking me) I know most of us on the board are in the same boat.
Anyway, right before Covid hit, my best friend of 35 years and I decided to open an Irish pub in north Austin (Round Rock, if you're familiar with the area). As many of you know, opening any business during or just after Covid, ESPECIALLY a bar or restaurant, didn't work out well for most, us included. We struggled mightily, but the storm was weathered.
My dream was to eventually become one of those watch parties that I was always looking for. Someplace that played The Victors way too loud and way too often, someplace that was more than just a side corner or room that some random place had our game on. A true Big House of Austin destination for Austin Blue. Thanks to more people than I'll mention here (i.e. the Scott Bells and Seth Fishers of the world) that I've annoyed over the last 2 years+, and the good folks with the Michigan Alumni Club of Austin, we are now the official watch party spot in Austin.
Our motto has always been "anything worth doing is worth overdoing", so who knows how ridiculous Saturdays get for us. Although I could have done without Peacock in week one... that should be fun. Anyway, for anyone in the area, or anyone that finds themselves in Austin some football weekend, please stop by and say hello!
Jason - co-owner, Cork and Barrel Pub
August 16th, 2023 at 8:02 PM ^
I have put this on my list. I will be there one of these Saturdays. :)
August 16th, 2023 at 8:03 PM ^
Good luck with the bar! I'd love to swing in on a gameday someday.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:05 PM ^
Mad props for your endeavor and success through difficult times. I started a business a couple years before COVID but had to raise capital during the pandemic. That wasn’t easy to say the least. We’re surviving, but always love hearing these stories.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:10 PM ^
Wow!
Not OT. Not even OT-ish. It's ON topic.
And it shouldn't be a humble brag but a braggy brag. To start a business when you did, a bar when you did, is impressive. For the MGoBlogosphere, it's even more impressive that you created something for us.
Congratulations. Hail to the Victors.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:12 PM ^
Wow, very cool. I would definitely stop in when I'm in town.
So what all do you have on tap, coupler, draught, cask, firkin, pin, etc?
August 16th, 2023 at 8:21 PM ^
Very cool and Super, Jay!
August 16th, 2023 at 8:42 PM ^
Good for you! Hope it's a success.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:02 PM ^
Comhghairdeas agus go n-éirí leat.
And a Smithwick's draft, please.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:24 PM ^
No self-respecting Irish Pub would dare to not offer Smithwick's. We have you covered, MrGate!
- Guiness
- Smithwick's
- Harp
- Norm Peterson (house-made Irish Red Ale)
- Black Lab (house-made Vanilla Stout)
- Boddingtons (eh, UK is close by I guess)
If I can stop playing Baldur's Gate long enough, I can hopefully get some fancy Maize and Blue tap handles engineered up for them too.
Sláinte!
August 16th, 2023 at 9:49 PM ^
I had to reset my password to leave this comment. Living in San Antonio, I have felt alone in the wilderness in terms of both fellow Michigan alumni and good Irish pubs. Not only does this post arrive, but then you list my 2 favorite beers (Smithwick's and Boddington's) as being on tap. Were you sent from heaven? I will definitely be making a pilgrimage or several this fall. Congrats on what looks to be a very different American Irish pub!
August 17th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Good spot to note that there is a hotel (La Quinta) literally next door to us.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:55 PM ^
Not local and likely to literally never make it there, but just want to weigh in:
Boddingtons is an essential to any British isles establishment. Please never scrap Boddingtons on tap, and never give it an 'eh'.
Love that shit.
August 17th, 2023 at 12:38 AM ^
Did the Smithwick's tour in Ireland a year ago next week. Then we drank all of them that night. Good stuff 🤙
August 17th, 2023 at 12:51 AM ^
Baldurs' Gate 3. Holy crap, I can't stop playing it.
Good luck on the venture mate!
August 16th, 2023 at 9:16 PM ^
That's awesome. Good for you and good luck.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:18 PM ^
I'll pass your name on to my Austin friends. No Michigan alumni but definitely bar goers.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
Step 1: Take Family to Kalahari, make kids happy
Step 2: Eat and drink at Cork & Barrel across the street, make parents happy.
Can't reccomend it enough! Great beers, delicious food. Congrats to you on an awesome place and I can't wait to return!
August 16th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^
Brother is in Dripping Springs. Haven't visited yet and he and his wife are Sparty fans so I may have to seek refuge there some time when I visit.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:59 PM ^
Congratulations and best wishes for a successful business! Go Blue!
August 16th, 2023 at 10:25 PM ^
Rooting for you and will stop by if I make it out that way!
August 16th, 2023 at 11:44 PM ^
Round Rock… great IKEA 15 years ago.
August 17th, 2023 at 12:41 AM ^
Very cool. Love Austin! Congrats man. Respect to you for following your passion. Wishing much success!
August 17th, 2023 at 4:59 AM ^
Good luck with this!
I always enjoyed watching UM games at Pluckers on the south side but that was like a decade ago now
August 17th, 2023 at 8:04 AM ^
Well that's fantastic news! The next time I'm in Pflugerville, i'll certainly be stopping by. Going to have to make sure its a game day as well!
Black and tan please!
August 17th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^
Congrats. I'd love to check it out on gameday. My wife and I actually love traveling to random cities and catching a game at the local Michigan hang out. Austin is now on the list!
August 17th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
Congratulations Superjay!!
My daughter lives about three hours north of you and we visit her every winter before heading down to our place on North Padre Island. Will definitely be scheduling a trip to your slice of Maize and Blue in the Lone Star State.
Go Blue!!🏈🏈
August 17th, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
Not at all OT!
I've enjoyed having a Maize and Blue home away from home when I've been out of town on a fall football Saturday.
Also watched the Final Four game in 2013 at a Michigan bar in Ft. Lauderdale.
Nice way to bring together the Michigan faithful!
Good luck to you and your partner. When/if I get to Austin, I'll come by and let you buy me a drink.
August 17th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
Congrats and wishing you great success! I think the president of the alumni group in Austin came from the Twin Cities.
August 17th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
I'm neither a beer drinker nor a Texan (is that being redundant??), but I'm super happy that you're realizing your dream and look forward to your MGoPost in five months about the drink specials you'll be offering to celebrate our national championship!
August 17th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
My plan for my 50th birthday is a trip to Austin to see Michigan play Texas in 2027. I hope that game remains on the schedule with all of the realignment nonsense. I'll make sure to add a visit to Cork and Barrel to my vacation.
Cheers!
August 17th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
!RemindMe in 4 years: MGoBlog meetup on the Friday before Michigan plays Texas in 2027.
August 17th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
Hey Siri...
August 17th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
I demand that "OT" be removed from this title. This is so on topic and on brand that the title deserves ALL CAPS.
Wishing you nothing but good times and good luck with your newly UM football watching sanctuary. I will definitely look you up if/when I visit Austin.
August 17th, 2023 at 12:19 PM ^
Happy for you, Comrade, but as an Austin resident, I mapped it out and your bar is 41 minutes from my house, whereas Haymaker's (the historic location of the watch party) is much more central. I may stick with Haymaker's, but open to persuasion as to why I should make the 41-minute trek in each direction...
August 17th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^
Because it’s worth it to drive an hour to support a Michigan Man!
August 17th, 2023 at 4:53 PM ^
I'll be honest, I've watched 4 games at Haymaker and have had my truck booted twice. The parking situation around there is a traveshamockery.
I've also supported Pluckers in South Austin and found their hospitality for our watch party severely lacking.
C&B has our own parking, plus an entire baseball stadium next door (Dell Diamond). No boots here, amigos.
August 17th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
Good point about the parking Comrade.