Mike met Alexander ‘AC’ Hampton, a major influencer and content creator with more than 200,000 followers, during his Austin trip. AC is helping some of the world’s largest brands shape the way they sell products.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Aba is a Mediterranean restaurant in charming Austin known for its outdoor seating and city vibes.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden was the scene for a fantastic work party Mike attended on historic Rainey Street in Austin.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
City views of Austin are simply breathtaking, and Mike loved waking up to the views on his 40th birthday
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Last week was a major week for me.
I turned 40 and spent it in what’s considered the live music capital of the world: Austin, Texas.
While I was there for a weeklong work conference with clients and co-workers, I still got a taste of the local Austin scene — the food, hotspots, and popular attractions — that has made Austin the laid-back, lovely destination it is.
I loved every minute watching the line dancing, ordering from the many food trucks, and sampling barbecue and brisket.
There are so many options.
There are also amazing restaurants, like Nido for its rooftop, Aba for its shared plates, Roaring Fork for its juicy steak, and Embers Kitchen & Subterra Agave Bar for its welcoming Latin American ways. The staff at Embers immediately brought us birthday shots (mocktail-style for me) to celebrate.
The people are friendly, creative, and highly active, blending Southern hospitality with a progressive, tech-forward culture.
The city has a mix of startup professionals, artists, and outdoorsy locals who embrace the “Keep Austin Weird” ethos.
There’s year-round sunshine and a lot of passion for pets.
I turned 40 on Thursday, celebrating at a festival at the Palmer Events Center with music from DJ Eric Rhodes, live line dancing, and a denim and diamonds theme.
After that, we went to the Embers Kitchen & Subterra Agave Bar for small plates and steak. It was wagyu steak for me, cooked on a Josper oven with bold, Latin flavors. A Josper oven is a high-tech hybrid of a grill and an oven, powered entirely by charcoal.
As I mentioned, another favorite restaurant was Aba, a hip spot serving seafood and Mediterranean classics such as kebabs, hummus, and steak.
On top of all this, we also attended a huge party at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden on Rainey Street, known for its charm and outdoor dining scene.
I figured, if I was going to be away and working on my 40th birthday, I might as well make it fun — and it sure was.
I felt very lucky to ring in the milestone with co-workers who I love, clients I respect and in a city that’s always welcoming.
I received many beautiful messages via social media and email wishing me well. I was so thankful for each and every message.
My hope is that everyone embraces new decades, new experiences, and new milestones in their lives. We might as well make the best of this ride while we’re here.
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Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. Email him your thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.