Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Near Folio at Jourdan-Bachmann Pioneer Farms

Just because you live halfway across the world from Ireland doesn't mean you should lay off the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. You're entitled to enjoy Irish culture, which is why Jourdan-Bachmann Pioneer Farms intends to host St. Patrick's Day Austin only about 10 minutes from Folio.

The revelry will kick off at 3 p.m. on March 17 with melodies floating from silver thistle pipes and drums outdoors and from Celtic musicians Sean Gavin, Devin Shepheard, and Eamon O'Leary indoors. Live entertainment continues throughout the day, all the way up to the grand finale: a performance by The Twopenny Hang on the outdoor stage. Enjoy Irish food and drink while you enjoy the Irish melodies at St. Patrick's Day Austin this year.

St. Patrick's Day Austin
Jourdan-Bachmann Pioneer Farms
3 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 17
10621 Pioneer Farms Drive
Austin, TX 78754
www.stpatricksdayaustin.com/index.html

Two Hands Coffee Promises High-Quality Coffee in The Domain

Those looking for an ethical cup of java should head to Two Hands Coffee, a shop just one and a half miles from Folio situated inside the newest section of The Domain. Not only is it convenient, the owners make sure the growers are paid a fair wage, that they pick the best coffee beans possible, and that a meticulous process (that results in delicious coffee that one expects from Two Hands Coffee) is followed every time.

Two Hands also celebrates the local food and drink scene by serving up juices made from local fruits and veggies, and an assortment of local beer. Two Hands also calls on Quack’s Bakery, a local shop, to create an assortment of muffins, scones, breads and cookies.

There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for guests and free WiFi to boot. The open indoor space promises minimalist decor with an assortment of comfy couches for guests to lounge on.

The trendy shop is a must-visit for coffee fans, and even beer fans. Two Hands Coffee opens up early in the morning — 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. on the weekends — and stays open until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

Two Hands Coffee
The Domain
11501 Rock Rose Avenue
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 520-2822
www.twohandscoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/two-hands-coffee-austin

Celebrate Valentine’s Day (and Shop) at The Domain

You probably wouldn't think about going to the mall on Valentine's Day (unless you really put off buying a gift for your significant other), but The Domain is hosting two events this weekend that may change your mind. And not just because the mall is a mere 2.5 miles from your home at Folio.

You and your soulmate can step inside of the True Love Photo Booth Saturday or Sunday of this weekend. From 11 .m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, head to the photo booth near Sur La Table and snap a sweet pic with your partner. Or wait until Valentine's Day and bring the kids along for the fun. The SpringFree Valentine's Day Event welcomes families to jump on the trampoline from 2 to 4 p.m., enjoy some light treats, and participate in crafts. Just RSVP in advance to secure your family's spot at the event.

Valentine's Day at the Domain
11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 873-8099
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stream/true-love-photo-booth
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stores/springfree-trampoline/stream/springfree-valentines-day-event

4th Tap Brewing Co-Op: A Worker-Owned Brewery Nearby

Touting “peculiar beers on tap,” 4th Tap Brewing Co-Op is the place to go in Austin for unique and experimental brews you certainly can’t find anywhere else. 4th Tap Brewing Co-Op is a first of its kind in Texas because it's both worker-owned and cooperatively governed. And, lucky for you, it's less than two miles from Folio.

The people working here day in and day out, developing the brews, are committed experts. The beers incorporate many ingredients sourced in Texas, including the rosemary in the Sun Eater ale and the tamarind fruit in the Renewal brew. There’s a homebrew system, in addition to the favorites on tap, that allows the brewers are crafting very small batches of new tastes. So if your timing is right, you can try a brand new beer before it’s available to everyone else. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a rotating series of food trucks parked outside, like Pick a Chili, Best Wurst, and Burro Grilled Cheese Kitchen.

4th Tap Brewing Co-Op
10615 Metric Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 956-4224
4thtap.coop
www.yelp.com/biz/4th-tap-brewing-co-op-austin

Summermoon Coffee: Popular Cafe with an Upgraded New Location

Already making waves throughout Austin for its delectable coffee, Summermoon Coffee has opened an awesome new location just a mile and a half from Folio. Fans love Summermoon for its wood fire-roasted coffee beans, roasted by hand daily (and it takes three people to make it happen!). Another highlight is the secret-recipe Moon Milk, a smooth, rich milk added to the lattes. It’s super addictive and pretty sweet, so if that’s not your thing, there’s also a Half-Moon option of half-moon milk and half-regular milk.

As for the food, pastries from Russell’s and breakfast tacos are a delicious addition to the amazing coffee. This location wins points for being larger than the other Summermoon Coffees, with a more spacious seating area and bathrooms inside. The wood paneling and industrial pipe shelving make the space cool and trendy, but inviting. With all this to consider, you’re lucky to have a new Summermoon Coffee nearby.

Summermoon Coffee
11005 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78758
woodfiredcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/summermoon-coffee-bar-austin-4

Game On: Play Bingo At Big Star Bingo

Gamers, listen up! Big Star Bingo is continuing to hold its own as a cool spot for playing bingo in Austin. And let's be clear — this is not your grandma’s bingo game!

Big Star Bingo is open nightly from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and attracts players of all ages. There are serious players who use multiple boards and there are more fun-loving casual players who use it as an excuse to have a night out with friends. No matter where you land on the spectrum, anyone can put in as little as $6 for the chance of winning a few hundred bucks.

The space is BYOB, so guests are welcome to bring along their favorite six pack or bottle of wine to give them some liquid luck. Snacks like hot dogs and cake are available at Big Star’s snack bar.

Not only is a trip to Big Star Bingo fun, but also a way to raise funds for charities, too. Big Star Bingo donates a portion of its proceeds to charities like The Institute for Disability Access, Accessible Housing Austin and more.

Big Star Bingo is only about 10 minutes from Folio, which makes it a great spot to spend an evening with a group of friends.

Big Star Bingo
910 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
bigstarbingoaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/big-star-bingo-austin

Celebrate the Season All December Long at Holidays at the Domain

From carolers' serenades to encounters with Santa Claus, the Holidays at the Domain extravaganza has a little something for everyone. It unfolds from now until the end of December at The Domain I and II, a mall that's just a stone's throw away from Folio. Most of the fun happens on the weekends, but you can take a picture with Santa any time (just make an appointment online to skip the line).

Come down for breakfast between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Dec. 5 if your little one wants some more face time with Saint Nick. You can also enjoy a holiday light show at 6, 7, or 8 p.m. every night in December. During the festive extravaganza, more than 82,000 lights dance across the display, including 2,200 strobe lights. Take a free horse-drawn carriage ride from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, or take in some live music on the weekends.

Holidays at the Domain
Through Dec. 31
11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, TX 787858
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stream/holidays-at-the-domain

Enjoy DIY Batches of Vino at Water 2 Wine

If you've ever wondered what exactly goes into making bottle of wine, Water 2 Wine eliminates the mystery from the process. One of several branches of the winery and retail store, this Water 2 Wine about 10 minutes from Folio invites guests to make their own batch of wine. You actually get your hands dirty (with grape juice) in the first few steps of the process, right up through pitching the yeast, and then let the staff take over. They'll put the finishing touches on your wine and help you tailor a special label for the 28 to 30 bottles that you'll eventually take home.

If you just want to sip some wine, you can do that at Water 2 Wine, too. You can always grab a glass or a bottle at the store, and all of the vino is fermented right on-site. That being said, the grapes hail from all over the world. They do have one thing in common, though: zero histamines and fewer sulfites than most wines. In other words, you won't experience some the typical wine-drinking side effects at Water 2 Wine, like a headache or flushed cheeks. Have you visited this place yet?

Water 2 Wine
3300 W. Andersen Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 465-9463
www.water2wine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/water-2-wine-austin

Game the Night Away at Pinballz Arcade!

Gamer? Spend your evening (or weekend!) at Pinballz Arcade, a 13,000-square-foot arcade with more than 200 popular games.

Get reacquainted (or introduced!) to old school favorites like Mario Brothers, Mortal Kombat, Super Pac-Man, Monopoly Jackpot, Fruit Ninja, air hockey, skeeball, and racing games. As the name implies, Pinballz specializes in pinball machines, too; it's home to more than 100 pinball machines of all sorts.

The arcade prides itself on being affordable; most games cost only .50 cents or .75 cents per play — sounds like a deal! Token machines can be found throughout the arcade, but all machines also take quarters, too. The fun awaits just a few minutes from Folio.

Happy gaming!

Pinballz Arcade
8940 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 420-8458
www.pinballzarcade.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pinballz-arcade-austin

Experience the New Weekend Brunch at Topgolf Austin

You wouldn't necessarily expect a driving range to have an upscale restaurant in-house, but if you've ever visited Topgolf Austin, then you already know this isn't your average driving range. Each of its bays comes complete with electronic scoreboard (to tally up your points when a golf ball hits a glowing target on the green), a high-topped table, and server. And Topgolf Austin, which is only five minutes from Folio, even does brunch. In fact, it recently debuted a revamped brunch menu that gives new meaning to the phrase "Sunday Funday."

No Sunday (or Saturday) Funday would be complete without a boozy beverage, and Topgolf Austin's new menu contains all of the usual brunch suspects: mimosas, bloody Marys, and spiked coffees. But it also offers inventive morning cocktails such as the Manmosa, a mix of Blue Moon, prosecco, and OJ. To soak up that booze, order something like the caramelized cinnamon French toast (which is infused with coconut rum) or the chicken and waffle sliders with spicy gravy and maple syrup. Yum!

Weekend Brunch at Topgolf Austin
Open to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
2700 Esperanza Crossing
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 222-5950
topgolf.com/us/austin/home/upcoming-events/sunday-funday

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