As a writer, I’m always looking for cozy places around Austin where I can sit peacefully and tap away on my laptop, maybe with a reasonably-priced cocktail nearby. But every once in a while, I find a place that goes beyond cozy and affordable — a place that has such a warm, fun vibe that I come back week after week, often forgetting my writing goals altogether. Tucked away on a quiet lane in central Austin, Lala’s Little Nugget is just that kind of place, especially when they’re having a Christmas party...in September. Or June. Though it’s hard to imagine...
I’m an Austin, Texas native, but have spent the past two years shivering in Boston, Massachusetts. What better way to recalibrate myself to Austin living than to dive into something home-grown, a little gritty, and very weird? I racked my brain for the perfect homecoming venue, when suddenly it hit me: The Little Longhorn Saloon. This establishment is legendary for its singularly mystifying spectacle: Chicken Shit Bingo. Offered only on Sunday nights, it’s a rite of passage for Austinites. Somehow I hadn’t yet gone, and now it was my time to shine. For the uninitiated, Chicken Shit Bingo could perhaps...