One of our favorite slogans is "Party Better," and we'd like to think we've gotten pretty damn good at it over the past ten-plus years.
Throwing a rager might sound easy, but anyone who's attempted one knows how much time, effort, and planning goes into throwing one that's truly memorable. We like to have the whole shebang: killer music, drinks aplenty, and food; all hosted in a venue that's both inviting and sought after. Over a full decade of doing what we do means that we have quite a few ragers under our belt.
Because it would take way too long to talk about all of our parties, we've carefully selected the cream of the crop here. That means parties we've thrown that were significant to Do512's history and those that exemplify that aforementioned tagline: "Party Better."
Before we get into the party photos themselves, let's take a quick look at how our posters have improved from simple (somewhat embarrassing) .jpgs to eye-catching, frame-worthy works of art. For example, take a look at the poster for the very first party Do512 ever threw. To give some background, it was called Change Party, because it was funded with nickels, dimes, and quarters amassed in glass jars throughout the year.
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CHANGE PARTY (2006)
Do512's very first party, way back when we were just a website for looking at happy hours. Change Party was a little thing thrown together by Scott Owens and Jimmy Stewart that featured free cheap wine, hot dogs, and not a lot else. Nonetheless, it's an important milestone in Do512's party career.
DO512 HALLOWEEN LAUNCH PARTY (2007)
DO512'S SUPERSONIC SUMMER DANCE PARTY (2009)
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DO512 PRESENTS: THE UPPER DECKS LAUNCH PARTY (2011)
DO512 PRESENTS: THE BELMONT GRAND OPENING PARTY FEAT. MIKE RELM (2012)
DO512 LOUNGE SESSIONS (2011-CURRENT)
We threw our first official kickoff Lounge Session with The Black Angels, and it's been a pretty steady stream of high-caliber musical talent ever since. By now, a whopping 400-plus bands have played lounge sessions. The three magical ingredients to a Do512 Lounge Session are beers, burgers, and bands. The first two can be adjusted for your eating and drinking preference, but the third is a vital constant. See a few of our favorite lounge sessions throughout the years right here, and relive our very first below!
The Black Angels
DO512'S LUAU PARTY (2014)
SOUND & CINEMA
Hosted during the summer on the sprawling lawn of the Long Center, Sound & Cinema is a joint effort from Do512 and Alamo Drafthouse to perfectly pair live music and a movie. Tons of people show up to this thing, and whether or not you've seen the film or band before, it's always a great time.
DO512 PARTIES AT SXSW (2007-CURRENT)
We do a lot during SXSW; it's by far our busiest time of the entire year. Besides letting all of y'all know where all those bands in town are playing, we also throw quite a few parties of our own. We do our best to book the coolest bands rolling through Austin, and have a few parties that are now well-loved traditions. Check out this video showing a slice of what Do512 gets up to party-wise during SXSW.
STRANGE BREW AT HOTEL VEGAS / VOLSTEAD
DO512 FAMILY PICNIC - SXSW
DO512 GALACTIC INTERACTIVE AT HOTEL VEGAS
DO512'S THE BIG ONE AT BARRACUDA
Follow Do512 Parties for all the most up-to-date on parties we're throwing at the next SXSW!
DO512'S FREE WEEK DRAG SHOW + PARTY (2019)
Those are all the parties we have room for right now, but rest assured, there are many more coming.
Happy 512 Day, Austin!
