Whether you're a seasoned wine expert or a novice to wine drinking, the service and selection at The Red Room Lounge just might make this place your new go-to wine bar in Austin. The knowledgeable sommeliers are happy to put together tasting flights, make recommendations, educate you about the wine-making process, and help you find just the right vintage for your own particular taste.

The Red Room Lounge’s atmosphere is dramatic, featuring dim lighting, exposed brick, deep leather couches, and lots of dark wood. Note, however, that this is not a place where you should expect to get dinner along with your wine. The Red Room Lounge offers a small selection of cheese and charcuterie plates, but this dedicated wine cellar focuses mainly on drinks.

The Red Room Lounge
306 E. Third Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 501-1536
www.redroomatx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-room-lounge-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/cyclonebill

Washi tape is an incredibly easy craft tool that you may see popping up in your favorite craft magazines or on popular DIY blogs. This simple adhesive tape comes in a wide variety of different colors and patterns, and because it’s easily removable, it can be used to decorate your electronic gadgets, gift wrap, and even your walls—without damage! Here are a few sites that are filled with fun ideas for decorating with washi tape.

Pinterest
Pinterest is a major hub for all things DIY, and a simple search for washi tape turns up an endless list of ideas for the home. Lovely Little Life Blog’s washi tape board features ways to use the tape to cover clothes hangers, decorate hanging lanterns, and even create your own wall art.

Buzzfeed
In its usual list-article style, Buzzfeed has created a list of 56 different ideas for decorating your home with colorful washi tape. Adding a pretty pattern to your window blinds is just one of the best suggestions, while others cover party planning tips, dressing up your tech gadgets, and much more.

Design Sponge
Design Sponge is a well-respected interior design website, so you can likely guess that its washi tape ideas are a bit more sophisticated than most. Think intricate wall borders, DIY phone cases, and floating picture frames.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/myam

Walking into Henri’s feels like entering a quaint European bistro, from the white stone fixtures to the wall of wines and cheeses.

The charming cheese shop stocks a thoughtful selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as simple sandwiches and salads that are well-suited to an elegant, casual lunch. Later in the evening the shop serves wine, cheese, and charcuterie pairings only, an ideal arrangement when you simply want a nightcap or you’re waiting for a table at one of the upscale restaurants nearby. Each cheese plate comes with a generous assortment of lovely preserves, freshly baked bread, and nuts that complement the cheese selection. For dessert, Henri’s serves French-inspired baked goods such as decadent chocolate cake.

Henri’s serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The retail store is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Sunday lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.

Henri’s
2026 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-3373
www.henrischeese.com
www.yelp.com/biz/henris-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/maureen lunn