Class is back in session, chumps.
And you know what that means: not only is it time to stock up on Blue Books and Bics while supplies (and deals) last, but also to rediscover your favorite study spots, campus bars, and coffee shops. We know that waking up and getting to class can be a drag, especially after a long, hot summer spent partying in Austin.
Fear not, for this guide is sure to help you get through the groggy 8:00 am classes and interminable lectures. Whether you're looking for a quiet nook to hit the books or a rowdy bar to drink your stress away, we've got you covered. Check out our Back to School Week: Student Guide, below.
If you just moved to Austin, we've got a guide for you! Back To School also means football season, so make sure you check out our Tailgating Guide, too.
Contributed by Ryan Ricks
WHERE TO WAKE UP
Photo via Instagram
1405 E. 7th St
Situated in a building constructed way back in 1887, Cenote has a timeless feel that goes unrivaled in Austin. Not only does Cenote serve some of the best specialty coffee in town but they also offer a full food menu of breakfast and lunch options like migas, parfait, banh mi, and more. All of their ingredients come from local and Texas farms to ensure freshness and quality. Cenote is a perfect place to wake up with an espresso and a grab quick bite to eat before heading to class. Oh, and they also have a solid selection of beer and wine if you're needing to kill some nerves before a speech or something of the sort.
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Various Locations
If you're a UT student, you've probably been to Medici Roasting. Located on the drag directly across the street from campus, Medici is a campus classic. They serve remarkable blends, espresso, whole bean coffees, and more. In addition to serving up some of the best coffee in Austin, Medici also offers coffee education, an aspect of the business they deem very important. They regularly invite customers to various cuppings and coffee events at the store and nearby coffee shops. Medici is much more than just a coffee shop; it's a community. With multiple locations around Austin now, there's a Medici nearby no matter where you wake up.
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Photo Credit: Once Over Coffee / Instagram
2009 S 1st St.
Once Over Coffee Bar is a laid-back coffeehouse-turned-bar that serves specialty cups of joe, top-notch wines, and craft beers. Dog-friendly and equipped with a beautiful back deck that overlooks scenic Bouldin Creek, Once Over is something of an urban paradise. What could be better than waking up and grabbing a piping hot cup of joe among an assortment of cute pups? Not much. And if you're not in the mood for a coffee, grab a beer and procrastinate. Once Over is a great place to take a load off, nurse a hangover, or disconnect from the stresses of school. And with its solid S 1st location, Once Over is perfect for St. Ed's students looking to get caffeinated.
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Various Locations
Conveniently located near campus on North Loop, Epoch is a charming neighborhood spot that serves delectable coffee, tea, sandwiches, pizza by the slice, and much, much more. This location—North Loop—stays open 24/7 so it's perfect for students looking for an early morning pick-me-up or a place to endure an all-nighter. They have two more locations, and on their menu, you'll find classics like Americanos, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, but also innovative hits like their Mexican Mocha and Iced Mojo. Epoch has come to be one of the most renowned coffee shops in Austin, and for good reason.
For more coffee shops in Austin, click here.
WHERE TO STUDY
Various Locations
Imagine this: It's the December weekend just before exams and you've slept through pretty much all of your Intro to Phil course. You've decided to pull an all-nighter and the library sounds like an unappealing study setting because, well, it's the library, but you need a quiet spot to IV drip coffee into your bloodstream and speed-read 500 pages of abstract Western thought. Look no further, Bennu is the 24/7 coffee shop for you. Filled with comfy couches and tons of outlets (super important if you're a student as we're sure you already know), Bennu is something like a student's version of Central Park. And, of course, their coffee and quick bites are unbelievable as well. Bennu is a perfect study spot.
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Photo Credit: Pinterest
Battle Hall #200
We know UT is chock-full of great study spots, but the Architecture and Planning Library has got to be one of our favorites. The library has that Ivy League, classical feel that seems to go so well with an elongated study session. It's always dead quiet and usually not too crowded—a perfect environment for someone who is truly pursuing some heavy scholarship. The library itself contains over 20,000 visual and digital resources on architecture, historic preservation, and all kinds of goodies. While it may not be equipped to keep you buzzed on coffee 24/7, the Architecture and Planning Library is undoubtedly an ideal place to study.
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Various Locations
Have you ever hit a point during studying where you've reread the same sentence near 100 times and still don't understand it? We sure have. And at that point, we think it's best to put the books down and pick up a pint. Radio Coffee & Bar is the perfect spot to enact such a scenario. Spacious and lively, Radio is really more of a group study area if you know what we mean. They serve both coffee and beer, and the place seems to be a perfect blend of business and party, sometimes leaning more toward the latter. But hey, we all need a good study beer every now and then, and there's really no place better to do that than Radio.
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Photo Credit:Pinterest
3825 Lake Austin Blvd
Let's cut to the chase: Mozart's is pretty much the king of coffee shops. Situated along the waters of Lake Austin, Mozart's is easily one of the most scenic and tranquil spots around town to get a piping hot cup of joe and hit the books. Of course, the coffee house offers some of the best coffee in town like the famous Espresso D' Oro and Lake Austin Blends. The baristas are skilled, friendly, and eager to help you get your caffeine fix. There's nothing quite like waking up in the morning alongside Lake Austin with a warm cup of Mozart's coffee and a light study session planned. Though usually quite busy, Mozart's is capital-S serene, a truly gorgeous place to hit the books. The best part? They offer bottomless coffee.
For more places in Austin to study, click here.
WHERE TO EAT LATE
600 N Lamar Blvd
Grab yourself a roasted banana and brown sugar milkshake, stuff your face with the best chicken and waffles you’ll ever have, then wander home knowing you’ll get a good night’s sleep thanks to your amazing food coma. Trust us, you won't regret it. They are currently open until 11 PM Sunday-Tuesday, and open all night Wednesday-Saturday!
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1920 S Congress Ave
Magnolia Cafe is the perfect spot to end your night because it’s right smack dab in the middle of south Austin. Be sure to try their Mag Mud (queso with black beans, avocado, and pico de gallo) or an Austin staple, the Migas. They are currently open until 10 PM every night.
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Various Locations
In Austin, many late nights end at Kerbey Lane. Order their famous Kerbey Queso (topped with guacamole AND pico de gallo) and be sure to try their Eggs Francisco or Pancake of the Day. If you’re lucky, they’ll be featuring their “Cinnamon Roll” pancake which is caramelized with brown sugar and topped with delicious icing. Hours vary by location, but for late night hours visit the Guadalupe location open until 12 am Fridays and Saturdays, or the South Lamar location open until 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more places to eat late, click here.
WHERE TO SHOP
2246 Guadalupe St.
If you've ever even been remotely close to the drag you've probably seen the Co-op. If you're new to town or just not very aware of your surroundings, the co-op is your go-to spot for all things UT. They carry books, supplies, clothing, electronics, and much, much more. Reasonably priced and extremely reliable, the co-op is pretty much a UT go-to when you're running late for an exam and you need a last-minute blue book or writing utensil. Sure, this choice might be painfully obvious, but, hey, this list wouldn't be complete without it.
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Picture via Bookwoman
5501 N Lamar Blvd
As Austin's only feminist bookstore since 1975, Bookwoman has become more and more intersectional through the years, now a one-stop shop for literature on all things LGBTQ+. With a wide selection of LGBTQ+ and womxn authors, owner Susan Post creates a safe space for people of all identities to explore the shelves of inclusive literature.
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Photo Credit: Literary Hub
603 N Lamar Blvd.
Perhaps another obvious choice like the co-op, but BookPeople is an Austin and student staple since 1970. The legendary bookstore contains tons of new books and quirky gifts that'll turn your dorm or apartment into something quintessentially Austin. BookPeople also regularly hosts renowned authors and writers like George Saunders, John Larison, and more. It's a classic Austin spot that has always supported Austin education from UT and St. Ed's to local public schools. A champion of literacy and education, BookPeople is the place to buy new books and other various school-related items.
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1904 Guadalupe St.
The phrase "back to school" doesn't just suggest a life dedicated to books and tests. It also suggests a return to a lively, party-every-weekend social life. And we know the first few weeks of school are rife with themed parties and other social events that call for some crazy outfits. Well, Monkies Vintage & Thrift, conveniently located on The Drag, is an excellent vintage clothing store that sells insanely awesome clothing at an affordable, student-friendly price. One can find distressed band tees, 80s windbreakers, western shirts, creepers, and so much more with just a quick browse. Perfect for UT students needing a last-minute party outfit, Monkies is a great store to upgrade your threads for the school year.
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Photo Credit: InsideNanaBreadsHead
1602 Fort View Road
Described as "your eccentric uncle's attic on steroids," Uncommon Objects is Austin's version of an antique shop. Established in 1991 as a small antique collective, Uncommon Objects has matured over the years into a one-of-a-kind emporium of transcendent junk, a hoarder's mecca filled with quirky things from yesteryears and generations past. If you're looking for some unique objects, decorations, or trinkets for your dorm room or apartment, or even your 10-person slum house, Uncommon Objects is the place to check out. There's never any telling what you'll find within the store's walls. From antique tribal spears and decades-old guitars to black-and-white photographs and vintage pens, Uncommon Objects is certainly your go-to for, well, uncommon objects.
For places to shop near campus, click here.
WHERE TO DRINK
907 W 24th St
Yeah, yeah y'all third and fourth-year UT students are probably rolling your eyes, but Cain & Abel's is one of the classic Longhorn watch party spots in town for undergraduates. A West Campus staple since 1991, Cain & Abel's has been getting Longhorns hammered for quite some time now; they've perfected the art of collegiate drinking. With an enormous tap wall and plenty of TVs for game binging, Cain & Abel's is a prime spot to booze during football season. The bar is almost always packed to the gills during UT games, and this year is sure to be no exception.
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Photo via Instagram
504 W 24th St.
Tucked away just off the Drag is the newest sports bar in West Campus, and it is a doozy. Victory Lap is an indoor/outdoor haven for all Longhorn fans, with memorabilia all over the walls, burnt orange decor, a giant turf patio with ample seating (featuring a big ol' TV to watch the big game), and a robust game day food menu. Open early for tailgaters and late for those who wanna celebrate another Longhorn win.
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2911 San Jacinto Blvd.
Opened way back in 1987, Crown & Anchor is a classic neighborhood pub located in Hyde Park that's been keeping college kids drunk and satiated for years now. With over 30 taps, 100 bottles/cans, darts, pool tables, and an incredible menu that offers classic, no B.S. pub food (burgers, cheese fries, sandwiches, etc.), Crown & Anchor is without a doubt an Austin godsend. It's an easy-going and unpretentious dive, a watering hole where everybody knows your name. If you're losing hair and sleep over O-Chem, and you're ready to throw in the towel, head to Crown & Anchor for some liquid courage.
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Photo Credit: School House Pub Facebook
2207 Manor Rd.
With its quaint charm, low-key atmosphere, and incredible eats, School House Pub is easily one of Austin's best spots to get your back-to-school drink and eat on. In accordance with its name, School House has a light academic vibe, something along the lines of your old elementary school renovated into a speakeasy. However, we think it's more than safe to say that English and Math are not on the pub's curriculum. Instead, School House offers a wide assortment of cocktails, brews, and, of course, food. Whether you're looking for a delicious schoolhouse lunch or a cozy spot to drink some brews and maybe, just maybe do a little dash of studying, then School House is the spot for you.
For more bars in Austin, click here.
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HOW TO GET AROUND
Austin’s Capital Metro offers a variety of different ways to get around depending on location and time. The MetroBus (all over Austin) and MetroRapid (North Lamar-South Congress and Burnet-South Lamar) are the most common; these are the buses that traverse our city’s surface streets. CapMetro also offers MetroRail trains with multiple stations located between Leander and downtown Austin. MetroExpress is a comfy commuter bus service whose routes service outlying areas, great for those who work in the city center and live in the ‘burbs. Check out the CapMetro website for a full list of available services, including accessible options, UT campus shuttles, and on-demand pickup service.
In addition to their bus system, CapMetro recently rolled out their Bikeshare initiative, making it easier than ever to rent a bike and get around the city. Because cars and buses aren't always the easiest way to get around, MetroBike helps you get to your destination in the quickest and most environmentally conscious way possible. To use, download the Bikeshare app, check out the rental options, and go. Pro-tip: Bikeshare offers discounted memberships to University of Texas at Austin and Huston-Tillotson University students and staff. Click here for more information!
