What to do in Austin if you’re here on business (2025)

There’s no denying it Austin’s tech scene, which has been simmering for decades, has reached a boiling point in the past few years. As of 2023, tech jobs accounted for 16% of all jobs in Austin — nearly double the national average, according to a report Austin Chamber of Commerce. Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Oracle have a presence in the Texas capital, and startups like Mio, Closinglock, and MadeIn are funded by hype and venture capital. Maybe the Wall Street Journal as well Hedging its bets Despite the hype it previously bestowed on the city in the wake of the pandemic, Austin continues as a kind of Babel for jaded techies tired of the Silicon Valley rat race.

The annoying “Keep Austin Weird” era is on the wane, but there’s still a lot that feels authentic and likable about this once sleepy college town that’s content to do its own thing in the shadows of nearby big cities like Dallas and Houston. If your heart isn’t set on reliving the hazy glory days of the city depicted in Richard Linklater’s 1993 classic… In confusion and astonishment, You’re sure to have a blast bar-hopping, soaking up the sun, and stuffing your face with some of the best barbecue in the world. And of course there is live music. So, lots of live music.

Where do you live?

Video: Pete Kotel

Austin’s tech scene initially caught fire in the sprawling hills west of the city — hence the “Silicon Hills” tag — but the influx of Gen Whether you prefer a quick drive to the office park or a quick walk to your new “office” for the day, our selections have you covered.

1901 San Antonio Street(512) 473-8900

Located near the Texas State Capitol on the southwest corner of the University of Texas at Austin, the Otis Hotel is a comfortable middle ground between a boutique hotel and an international chain operation. It’s far enough away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and campus to feel quiet, but it’s just a stone’s throw from both. The rooftop pool is the perfect place to unwind with the Lone Star Restaurant after a long day of meetings, which can be comfortably hosted on-site in one of six event spaces, and Acre 41 is the kind of versatile restaurant that’s great for checking emails over coffee in the morning and brokering great deals on Texas ribeye at night.

700 San Jacinto Street(512) 476-3700

Austin is growing upward at an unprecedented rate, but until it starts putting up New York-style skyscrapers, the Omni Hotel stands out as one of the most iconic pieces of its skyline. This gleaming 20-story marvel is located just a few blocks from the heart of Austin’s entertainment district on West 6th Street, though you won’t be blamed for hardly leaving the property if a pub crawl on “Dirty 6th” isn’t your thing. The rooftop pool offers stunning views of the city and beyond, and the three on-site restaurants offer a range of dining options suitable for all occasions.

1108 AH Street 6(737) 205-8888

Many freelance tech workers are in the sole proprietorship stage of their career, which means cutting costs while still feeling luxurious (or at least presenting it as such) is important. This East Austin hotel offers traditional rooms for a slight upgrade, or you can save some cash by booking a “cabin” room with a set of shared private bathrooms in the middle of the floor. You still have access to the pool in the middle of the property, and the hotel’s proximity to the quiet and lively area of ​​East 6th Street makes it a great choice for aspiring professionals who prefer to mingle with locals rather than bombard the sidewalk with office drones.

Photography: Sarah Curver/Getty Images

605 Davis Street(512) 542-5300

Rainey Street isn’t what it used to be, but this charming enclave of bungalows-turned-bars still has more character on a small city block than most mid-sized towns can muster in an entire downtown area. It’s a solid all-purpose choice for moderate luxury in the middle of one of Austin’s most charming and memorable downtown neighborhoods.

10901 Al Majal Street(855) 596-3398

Most out-of-towners would be shocked to find out that their Austin business trip revolves around a trendy shopping center located a 45-minute drive from downtown, but Domain It is actually a great place to spend a few days if duty calls. It’s a simulation of a walkable city near blue-chip operations like Apple and Chase, so you might as well lean into the whole thing and stay at a cool hotel that doesn’t feel like a suburban motor motel off the interstate. Lone Star Court is designed like a country hillside lodge, with a pair of conjoined courtyards centered around an oval-shaped pool with its own bar and lounge.

7415 SW Pkwy, Building 8, Suite 100(512) 551-4009

Perched atop a turnpike in West Austin’s Silicon Hills, the shiny new AC Hotel ticks all the boxes a tech business traveler might have. It’s just a short drive from heavyweights like AMD and Dell, and a few VCs like LiveOak and Cavvy dot the rolling hills that are on stunning display from the pool and rooftop bar. The adjacent mall offers handy essentials like a local market that serves coffee and sandwiches all day, an upscale Mexican spot with great happy hour specials, and a movie theater with a bar that’s a great place to spend a few hours between meetings.

Where to work

Photo: Pete Kotel

Whether you’re looking for a quiet office for the day or a canopy in a bustling tech social scene, the range of coworking options available in Austin is amazing and offers something for everyone. Before hitting the street, we highly suggest checking their website for availability and pricing, and while you’re browsing the web, you can also check out Austin Coworking and Deskpass, as they are excellent resources for updates on events, new arrivals to the scene, and deals on participating desks.

310 Komal St., 2nd floor(512) 399-6320

Bond Collective is a solid choice for post-hipster techies who prefer the laid-back vibe of East Austin to the corporate hustle and bustle of downtown or the hills of West Austin. Day tickets start at $35 for express registration, and monthly memberships provide access to nearly all Bond Collective locations in the US – with many in New York, Philly, and the DC area – as well as 24/7 access and dedicated conference rooms if needed.

701 Brazos St(512) 548-9675

This startup social hall functions more as an IRL hub for meetings and events for the entrepreneur group, but it also offers a fair number of open coworking events throughout the week if you prefer a more lively and interactive environment while you’re tapping away on your laptop. You might meet your next full-fledged developer here, or (more realistically) you might drink some beers and play pop with some of the guys who ditched California for the booming startup scene that the Texas capital has been pioneering for several years now.

1700 S Lamar Blvd., #338(512) 596-2683

Tucked into the back of a new building in the cozy Zilker/South Lamar neighborhood, Fibercove is a bright, busy co-working space that features off-street parking, a Google Fiber-powered network, a café and a podcast studio where you and your friends can chat about food and politics and hopefully go viral. Local favorites like Odd Duck, Tiki Tatsu-Ya, and outpost Alamo Drafthouse are within walking distance, and the space shares walls with the location of buzzy breakfast and brunch chain Snooze if mimosas and chili are your thing.

Where can you get your coffee?

Courtesy of Coffee & Beer Radio

1115 AH 11th Street

Austin is home to a surprising number of excellent coffee shops that focus solely on making great coffee. It’s also full of versatile all-day drinking spots where the hours melt away and you enjoy cortados in the morning and café de cachapa in the afternoon. Rosewood Radio falls into the latter camp. The coffee (and coffee cocktails, no judgement) starts flowing at 7 a.m. daily, and the Shortwave Diner truck parked outside hauls a variety of diner staples like burgers, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches throughout most of Rosewood Radio’s generous hours.

Multiple locations

Figure 8 is one of the most popular purveyors of coffee shops that don’t roast their own beans, making them easy to find almost anywhere, but the opportunity to experience great espresso and drip coffee straight from the source is one you should relish if possible. This low-slung rectangular building is located on the edge of a quiet residential area, but the interior is always buzzing with activity and caffeine. Order a shot made with African or Central American beans if possible, and keep an eye out for a box of fresh breakfast tacos near the register if you need a snack.

Multiple locations

With more than a decade of explosive growth in its rearview, it’s fair to say that Houndstooth resembles third-wave roasters like Stumptown, Blue Bottle, and Intelligentsia, all of which are synonymous with their respective cities. Their downtown location is located in the lobby of an office tower in the middle of Austin’s business district, making it a great place to sip a cortado between meetings or escape the hustle and bustle of the workday with a cold brew and a croissant.

1505 Town Creek Dr.

Nature heals, and one of Austin’s most beloved overnight stops has finally resumed its 24/7 schedule. As its name indicates, The Buzz Mill is a lumber mill-style café, great for late-night study sessions, quick marathons, work drinks with the crew, or a quiet place to sip a drink or two while waiting for what you’ve been doing all day to clear out of your system.

Where do you eat?

Photo: Pete Kotel

1201 Lamar Blvd.

This South Lamar bistro casts a wide net in terms of influence, as contemporary takes on Texas comfort classics serve as the backbone for the dozen or so items that fill its menu. Look no further than the pinnacle of their current dinner offerings – wagyu steak plated with brisket and masa cheese – to get a bold idea of ​​what to expect from their colorful, low-brow iterations on high-profile chefs.

1900 S 1st Street

Austin is located in Texas, and people in Texas love animal products. On the other hand, Austin is also a magnet for affluent progressives, which means vegan and vegetarian food is in the offing if you know where to look. Bouldin Creek Cafe is a funky, colorful staple of eco-friendly food that’s elegant enough for a dinner date but also crunchy enough to satisfy a table of hungry hippies who’ve worked too hard on a rave day that lasted until 4 a.m.