Devoid of big box stores, chain restaurants or even the ubiquitous tourist crawl that has taken over much of Austin...
The vibrant North Loop neighborhood is a leader in keeping Austin weird. Famed for its selection of independent and unique shops, you can find an expansive collection of vintage clothing, funky furniture, books, and records. The North Loop is also home to several new restaurants and bars, making this funky neighborhood a great little place to visit (or live) in Austin. Below, read just a few highlights for things to see and do in the North Loop!
Photo via Yelp / Room Service Vintage by Tina M.
WHERE TO SHOP
107 E. North Loop Blvd.
Stocked floor to ceiling with vintage and eclectic knick-knacks, furniture and apparel, Room Service Vintage will make you feel like you fell down the rabbit hole and landed in the prop room for Mad Men. Consistently named one of the best vintage stores in Austin, this store prides itself on one of a kind items and low prices. Make sure to check out their monthly specials.
112 N Loop Blvd E
This vintage paradise is a carefully curated selection of some of the finest jewelry and apparel from the 1920’s and beyond. Glamorous items including headdresses, costume jewelry, and fur coats are sold next to unique vintage everyday clothing.
217 W. North Loop
Pay homage to the good old days with quality tees from Blue Velvet Vintage. A downright essential haunt for vintage obsessives, Blue Velvet will have you skipping down memory lane and walking away with primo finds. Timeless attire shares shelf space with kitschy vintage finds, resulting in rare, ever-changing diversity that satisfies shoppers of all styles, and the opportunity for one hell of a gift. Acclaimed for their selection of mid-century vintage party dresses, wedding gowns, and accessories, Blue Velvet Vintage is the place to go if you want to shine for a vintage-themed party or event.
106 E.North Loop Blvd
Need fantastic vintage cowboy boots? Look no further than Ermine Vintage. The cutesy vintage boutique offers one of the biggest selections of men and women's vintage and refurbished vintage apparel in all of Austin.
100 North Loop
For such a small shop, Revival Vintage make every single section count. Plus, every second Sunday of the month, Revival hosts a boozy pop-up shop from 10am-3pm and extends the invitation to other vintage vendors ready to peddle their historic stock and handmade craft. Oh, and an even sweeter fun fact about RV? Their rad inventory is available for purchase online. Outsiders (and lazy locals) can obtain far out fittings and vintage home decor straight from their Etsy storefront. No Texas traffic required. Offering a grand selection of unique vintage housewares, furniture and apparel, Revival Vintage has everything you might need to retrofit your space.
211 W. North Loop Blvd.
This all-vinyl record store is paradise for any music lover. Stocked with a wide selection of 45’s, new and used records, turntables and apparel, Breakaway has something for everyone - from the newbie record lover to vinyl vultures searching for rare items.
110 E North Loop Blvd
Feminists, radicals, and socialists welcome! This community-run radical bookstore and social space feature educational materials as well as meeting spaces for screenings, performances and local assemblies all in the name of pushing the envelope.
108 E North Loop Blvd
Keeping Austin Kinky since 1981, Forbidden Fruit is the independent sex shop to stock up on toys, lotions, fetish gear, costumes and more. Truly adventurous couples can check out their workshops as well.
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Photo via Yelp / Drink.Well
WHERE TO DRINK
100 E North Loop Blvd #B
Deemed the “neighborhood bar of the North Loop,” Workhorse can best be described as an upscale dive bar. A jukebox, cheap cocktails, and a chill patio create a relaxed environment, while locally-sourced cheese plates, delicious burgers, and an extensive local beer list keep it classy.
100 E North Loop Blvd #B
Implicative of their name, Drink.Well. does cocktails well, really well. Their innovative cocktail list is inspired by local ingredients and seasonal favorites, guaranteeing a fresh experience for even the most frequent visitor. Pair the drinks with upscale twists on gastropub foods including pickled eggs, cheese plates, and burgers.
221 W North Loop Blvd
This 24-hour coffee shop is guaranteed to have something going on, regardless of the hour. Crammed with people studying, hanging out, or playing board games, the cozy coffee shop features an extensive list of coffees, teas, smoothies, and juices as well as a food menu sourced from local shops including East Side Pies, Green Cart sandwiches, and empanadas from Mmmpanadas.
100 West North Loop Boulevard
This pub may be small, but it will leave a big impression. The close quarters in Tigress create a nice space for conversation over a cocktail list of pre-prohibition classics, new cocktails, and local beer taps.
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Photo via Yelp / Sundaze by Gail C.
WHERE TO EAT
501 E 52rd Street
Home Slice's long-promised North Loop location was worth the wait, Y'all... ... So, so worth it. This storefront doubles down on all the things we love about the original while adding a few new things to become enamored by. On the menu front, Home Slice North Loop has a few new tricks up its sleeve. Naturally, the tried and true pizzas like Margherita, Eggplant Pie, and Pepperoni & Mushroom are surefire bets for a delicious evening. But we'd implore you to order the exclusive menu items that North Loop is cooking up. Buffalo Wings are on the menu, as is their Sicilian pizza. These fluffy, cloud-like mounds of pizza are exceptionally delicious. In fact, you may very well have a hard time eating any other style of pizza after trying them. Read more here.
306 E. 53rd Street
Inspired by Austin's culinary community, Foreign & Domestic serves up innovative seasonal dishes created with local produce. Enjoy their delectable dinner dishes, coffee and pastries breakfast every morning, and a fantastic brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
