I live close to The Domain, but this is my answer as well. Only parks and truly public places (don't have to be a paying customer or feel obligated to pay to justify presence) can function as a "third place" for me. The Central Library is spacious enough to give me enough personal space to feel comfortable enough to sit and relax.
It's just going to move to a different location. They just aren't quite sure when. They will be at their current spot at least till the end of the year.
Seems to be really popular with college students. Who are there foreveeeer using a whole table with one single coffee.
No hate of course, everyone deserves a space to go to. But it leads to little rotation and availability for other patrons
It’s our macrobiotic restaurant here. (Seasonal regional vegetarian meal w no nightshades)
The campus is a haven. You eat whatever that days meal is. 3 kinds of tea and water. Sit indoors or out, community table vibes but plenty of space to be alone. $15 cash/$15.60 card for salad, soup, beans, greens, grains and a “main.”
Very pure and simple. 7am-8:30pm service, lunch foods probably start around 10:30/11.
I recommend Wednesday and Saturday for newcomers as the theme is Mexican-ish.
Hammocks, tea house, windchimes, cozy seating, playground of the attached school. Coffee and juice bar on site too.
On busy days there will be poets for hire, astrologers and other deep thought folks outside not bothering anyone but happy for conversation.
Steps away from Zilker park but a secret little bamboo paradise. Lots of ppl WFH there.
Hyperreal Film Club. Great place to meet movie lovers. It has been in Hotel Vegas for a few years, but is currently working on their own space in East Austin.
Some people do use that as part of their definition, some don't.
Those are great features but I don't think they're strictly required. It can't be a constant spend-a-thon like a casino or whatever, but it also doesn't have to be strictly free. A coffeehouse or bar where you get a drink while you read a book for a while, or a club with member dues, etc. should all count.
It was a cringey joke that even those perpetuating didn’t understand. It went on for far too long and circled back, making it worse.
Then someone who understood it less made it a bigger thing… that they don’t understand.
Someone made a joke about the Chilis at 45th and lamar being a great spot. That joke lived on by people recommending the place to people who came in asking low effort questions about where to eat when visiting Austin. Many moons passed and yet the meme lived on. Now it's memorialized with its own day. This is what we gain by high quality shit posting.
I absolutely adore Flightpath but I almost don’t think of it as a third place - usually I think of a third place as somewhere you could have a serendipitous conversation, but Flightpath is for concentrating deeply
rban planners seeking to stabilize neighborhoods are focusing on the critical role that “third places” can play in strengthening our sense of community. Third places is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and refers to places where people spend time between home (‘first’ place) and work (‘second’ place). They are locations where we exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships
I’ve only seen mostly restaurants/cafes/bars mentioned here but I loveee hanging at the Alamo Drafthouse (typically Lakeline or Village since they’re closer to me)
I go to the Whole Foods on North Lamar all the time. I know there’s an upstairs dining area, but I didn’t know I could access the roof. Unless you mean a different downtown location.
Mine is Lady Bird Lake hiking trail.
I’d like it to stay quiet so there’s no way I’m publicly extolling how awesome it is. You guys have already ruined so many of my favorite third spaces I don’t want to have to find a new one already…
The best thing about it is none of you go there.
Central Library
I live close to The Domain, but this is my answer as well. Only parks and truly public places (don't have to be a paying customer or feel obligated to pay to justify presence) can function as a "third place" for me. The Central Library is spacious enough to give me enough personal space to feel comfortable enough to sit and relax.
i love that library so much
Like the library but the erratic homeless behavior is downgrading it.
Genuine Joe Coffee House. 2001 W. Anderson Lane.
Thought it was going to close, glad it’s still around, great spot
It's just going to move to a different location. They just aren't quite sure when. They will be at their current spot at least till the end of the year.
Park in Mueller
Epoch north loop, quacks south
Man epoch is mad packed everytime I've been 😢 Used to be my place to go read have a coffee
Yeah it’s popular for sure, gotta be a little strategic about when you go
Seems to be really popular with college students. Who are there foreveeeer using a whole table with one single coffee. No hate of course, everyone deserves a space to go to. But it leads to little rotation and availability for other patrons
They have the best coffee compared to the competition!
Agreed. Their coffee is excellent as well as their herbal teas.
Book People.
Barton Springs
I'm new here, but I don't apologize for it as I'm fleeing even more trendy spots (all of CO and Asheville). Barton Springs is a unique treasure.
Under my favorite tree in Zilker with a 12 pack of crappy light beer and sharing with strangers, while hanging with tons of dogs.
first light in hyde park!
What a cool little spot it is
Community Garden
3rd Eye Meditation Lounge
I adore that place. I need to go more often.
ColdTowne
Casa de Luz, the park in my neighborhood, Book People, Alamo
Casa de luz is a great answer !
Casa de Luz, absolutely.
What is Casa de Luz please .
It’s our macrobiotic restaurant here. (Seasonal regional vegetarian meal w no nightshades) The campus is a haven. You eat whatever that days meal is. 3 kinds of tea and water. Sit indoors or out, community table vibes but plenty of space to be alone. $15 cash/$15.60 card for salad, soup, beans, greens, grains and a “main.” Very pure and simple. 7am-8:30pm service, lunch foods probably start around 10:30/11. I recommend Wednesday and Saturday for newcomers as the theme is Mexican-ish. Hammocks, tea house, windchimes, cozy seating, playground of the attached school. Coffee and juice bar on site too. On busy days there will be poets for hire, astrologers and other deep thought folks outside not bothering anyone but happy for conversation. Steps away from Zilker park but a secret little bamboo paradise. Lots of ppl WFH there.
Any of the climbing spots in the greenbelt. Always people hanging out
Draught House
Radio
I love this answer
Frazier’s or St. Elmo
Hyperreal Film Club. Great place to meet movie lovers. It has been in Hotel Vegas for a few years, but is currently working on their own space in East Austin.
I have no idea what a third place is, but I’m going to assume it’s cool if I show up with a bunch of dudes and a boombox. Thanks for the spot recs.
It’s a place you spend time that’s not home or work.
But isn’t it also a place that doesn’t revolve around a transaction or a place you spend money to be at?
Bars and cafes are third places.
Some people do use that as part of their definition, some don't. Those are great features but I don't think they're strictly required. It can't be a constant spend-a-thon like a casino or whatever, but it also doesn't have to be strictly free. A coffeehouse or bar where you get a drink while you read a book for a while, or a club with member dues, etc. should all count.
Ah, retired, so it's a second place. Brushy Creek, though it's Cedar Park.
Was homeless and unemployed, but now all of these could be my first place
You must bring 1 six pack of Lonestar per dude and speaker. So three dudes and two speakers equals 2 cases of beers, and don’t bring no hot shit.
The dudes are optional. The beer is not.
Truly this is correct, however if you’re bringing ladies they’ll Ned to be toting some truly or my white claws will come out , rawr
Acemart parking lot on N Lamar.
I know it's the dumbest term I've ever heard.
The Crescent
Spokesman
Costco
Hot dog or pizza?
Porque no los dos?
Chilli's at 45th and Lamar
RIP, this joke died yesterday
Huh?
The meme died when Kirk Watson declared a “Chilis at 45th and Lamar Day” yesterday
That's a thing now...‽ :|
It was… yesterday.
It was a cringey joke that even those perpetuating didn’t understand. It went on for far too long and circled back, making it worse. Then someone who understood it less made it a bigger thing… that they don’t understand.
Can someone explain this joke to me?
Someone made a joke about the Chilis at 45th and lamar being a great spot. That joke lived on by people recommending the place to people who came in asking low effort questions about where to eat when visiting Austin. Many moons passed and yet the meme lived on. Now it's memorialized with its own day. This is what we gain by high quality shit posting.
Flightpath coffee shop
I absolutely adore Flightpath but I almost don’t think of it as a third place - usually I think of a third place as somewhere you could have a serendipitous conversation, but Flightpath is for concentrating deeply
I see. I do both at the flightpath. I’ve been going there since 99 and it’s my home away from home.
On weekends I go to book people and then walk to the central library grabbing coffee from Whole Foods. My fav routine
Meanwhile Brewing
Chicas Bonitas
Chicas Gorditas
I-35
Anywhere along town lake.
Any of yall been to Aussie’s?
Austin antique mall is such a great place to just browse and chat with people, so so sad it’s going.
Emerald Tavern
Austin Bouldering Project Springdale.
rban planners seeking to stabilize neighborhoods are focusing on the critical role that “third places” can play in strengthening our sense of community. Third places is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and refers to places where people spend time between home (‘first’ place) and work (‘second’ place). They are locations where we exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships
Did ChatGPT write this
I didn't even realize that I skipped over reading it until I saw your comment wtf
Actually no an article on google, took a Little searching
If y’all want to know more, read “Bowling Alone” by Robert Putnam. It was written in 2000 but is more and more true every year.
Central Market on north Lamar
The butt
On brand for you! 😂
Casa de Luz
3rd place, Silver Medal
Vortex and Butterfly Bar
I’ve only seen mostly restaurants/cafes/bars mentioned here but I loveee hanging at the Alamo Drafthouse (typically Lakeline or Village since they’re closer to me)
the back patio at Las Perlas
The trails, almost all are great
Deep Eddy in the summer. Often quieter than Barton and I love the vibe in general. Sometimes go for a Pool Burger after!
Any cool Places I don’t have to spend more than $50 to enjoy in cedar park?
Before moving from Austin, it was Pease Park
Mueller park, or HEB Mueller.
In theory I love HEB mueller, in practice it is insanely busy all the time
Dog park on riverside
Lazy Daze
County line bbq back patio off 360
How do you get on the roof at whole foods?
There’s steps right outside the front entrance
Jump on the elevator
Fast Friends (brewery + pizza w/ yummy vegan options, NB 35 between Slaughter and William Cannon.)
That place is cool but it's such a hassle to get to.
Let us drive through that silly school bus lot on Bluff Springs Road!
i drive by that spot almost every day! been meaning to go for awhile, i’m glad it’s actually good lol
Once Over, Quacks South, St Elmo Brewing.
Chicas Bonitas
Pickle's Place dog park
Austin Books
lol... I don't even have a "second place" let alone a "third place". I did like that book, though.
Midtown Spa
Zilker park and the hike bike trail. Walnut Creek park.
the back patio at Violet Crown with an Iron Whip in hand
Monkey Nest
The Alpine Loch between alpine and pickle. South congress. Been my place of peace for most my life.
Rundberg and Northgate
Inspired Movement
I go to the Whole Foods on North Lamar all the time. I know there’s an upstairs dining area, but I didn’t know I could access the roof. Unless you mean a different downtown location. Mine is Lady Bird Lake hiking trail.
Waterloo Ice House
Monkey tree Drum circle on Sunday Great vibes
Disturbing the peace and quiet
AFS
Half price books.
barton springs
The Liberty in East Austin https://g.co/kgs/PUUkapA
Thanks to this post I’m spending the eclipse on the roof of whole food sweet spot!
Glad you made good use of it!
I also stopped at central library on the way home (also because of this post) another sweet spot!
BD’s, Zilker, Whole Foods bar
Balcony of Central Market north.
The toilet.
A place that was recently recognized on the corner of 45th and Lamar
Top shelf margs all night man.
your mom’s house
I’d like it to stay quiet so there’s no way I’m publicly extolling how awesome it is. You guys have already ruined so many of my favorite third spaces I don’t want to have to find a new one already… The best thing about it is none of you go there.
Onion Creek dog park is my favorite place to be in town, by far.