The Highball

Address: 
1120 South Lamar Blvd., Austin TX 78701
Phone: 
(512) 383-8309

TheHighball

The Highball is owned by Alamo Drafthouse founders Tim and Karrie League, and features a very Alamo/Austin slate of entertainment options, including karaoke. It also includes a snack and dinner menu and a full bar. The bar is adjacent to Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, and was recently moved/rebuilt. (The old bowling alley materials serve as the flooring for the new bar, as you can see above.)

Strictly speaking, The Highball rarely shows movies, but is frequently used for afterparties for films shown at Alamo South Lamar, film fundraisers, movie trivia events and other movie-themed parties. It also hosts many Fantastic Fest events.

Pros: It's connected to Alamo South Lamar, and a nice place to get a pre-movie or post-movie drink, snack or full meal. You can even bring your drink into the theater. The themed karaoke rooms look amazing.

Cons: The Highball can get very crowded during dinnertime and late at night, and it's very difficult to hear people sitting next to you.

Parking: Park in the adjacent garage, which you can (and should) access from Treadwell. It's fairly spacious. If you absolutely must park on the street near the theater, be respectful of the neighborhood.

Distance: You can't walk to downtown movie theaters from here unless you're into serious hiking, but you can take a bus or find a friendly Austinite with a car. A cab from the theater to downtown isn't expensive, but they're unlikely to hang around the parking lot, so be prepared to phone.

On-side food and beverages: The Highball has a snazzy cocktail menu as well as a number of beers on tap, some small plates and appetizers and a few entrees. The small plates and entrees are often a little lighter and healthier than the Alamo Drafthouse selections.

Nearby dining options: See the Alamo South Lamar listing for a list of places to eat both in walking distance and a short drive away.

Coffee (and wireless) break: About two blocks further south down Lamar (away from downtown), you'll find a Starbucks in a strip mall across the street from Saxon Pub, next to A-OK Chinese. Further than a walk, drive north to Barton Springs Road, then turn right to Austin Java.

[Photo credit: "The Highball" by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Used under blanket permission agreement.]