Fantastic Fest 2011 Venue Guide

After several years of expanding its programming to The Paramount, Fantastic Fest is returning to its roots and limiting its film-fest screenings to Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, as it was in the fest's early years. Some special events and parties may occur at The Highball and the Fantastic Debates are scheduled for South Austin Gym, but these are all in the same strip mall at Alamo South, making transportation much easier for festgoers. Parking, on the other hand ... well, at least the out-of-towners tend not to need to park cars.

Therefore, this year's Fantastic Fest Venue Guide is going to be fairly short. I debated whether we even need one, but if you haven't been to Alamo South before, it's pretty handy. Even if you have, we might have a few tidbits of info about the venue that you hadn't caught before. If you haven't been to Alamo South in awhile, I suggest checking the menu online ... some selections (and prices) have changed. We hear rumors that a party tent of some kind will be constructed outside the venue, but I have no info on that yet.

Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments for places to eat or visit near the venue, or other helpful hints. And keep an eye out later this week for this month's "Insider's Guide" column, which will offer plenty of tips for the fest from various fest veterans and other people you might recognize. I also suggest taking a peek at last year's Survival Guide, since most of the info is still quite useful. Finally, if you're visiting for the fest, don't forget Debbie's advice on How To Drink Like an Austinite.

[Photo credit: Jette Kernion. All rights reserved.]