Daniel Whittington . a musician

SXSW 2

I’ll try to keep you guys updated as I work the stage at the Driskill. I’ll especially be more likely to update if I stumble on any music you have to hear. It looks like almost all the shows on my stage are bands from Sweden, so it should be interesting!

I’ll be playing a free show at Cafe Pacha, north of downtown on Saturday at 4pm. If you’re around, come by! You can check the calendar at the top of the page to see map and time details.

Mean-Eyed Cat Bar

Last night around 11pm, when all sensible parents go to bed, I headed off to meet my dad and our lovely Australian savant, Jeremy, at the Mean-Eyed Cat Bar. It was Jeremy’s idea (after learning of our intent to search out the perfect pub). He nailed it.

We also entered into a discussion about what I mean when I say pub. I’ll clarify it here as well. In American, when you say you’re headed to an establishment that serves alcohol and stays open till after midnight, there is a significant amount of the population that assumes you’ll also be bringing a fistful of ones and possibly be pictured in the newspaper the next morning following a raid.

It seems to pass them completely by when you ask them to consider that you might want a nice place to hang out, have a beer or 4, and enjoy a social evening out with friends and companions.

In America, some seem think that is what coffee shops are for, and the moment you mention alcohol they jump in their mind to picturing scenes from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

So instead, I mention Pub as the primary ideal simply because most people seem to differentiate a pub from a bar as something a bit less dirty and nasty. And that’s all I mean. I’m not interested in partying on 6th St every night at Dirty Dog Bar. I don’t want a club where cocktails are $15 and I have to talk in the glow of black lights over crappy DJ’s. I want a nice place where the music is just loud enough, people are friendly, and the beer selection is well thought out.

All that to say.. I think we found it. And its name is The Mean-Eyed Cat Bar.

First the rating followed by a small explanation. On a scale of 1 to 5.

1. Atmo-vibe: 4.9

The Mean Eyed Cat is a bar dedicated to the memory of Johnny Cash. Lines from his songs are posted all over the walls with pictures and other memorabilia. The inside area is pretty small. One 4-sided bar with just enough room for people to sit around it and a side room with a pool table. They also have a significantly larger seating area outside under a more makeshift roof and walls that also contains a good sized stage. I’m willing to bet there are some great bands and good music happening there during the warmer months.

This place oozes Texas vibe. It’s everything you’d want in a ramshackle but awesome place to drink good beer with an old jukebox that has a limited selection consisting of 60%  Johnny Cash and the rest Texas artists or those linked to Cash (wildly enough, Jeff Buckley, who was included because of his own connections with Cash).

2. Accessibility: 5

Not only is it closer to my house than any other option, it’s immediately off Mopac, has parking in front, and free parking in a garage on the side. It doesn’t get much easier.

3. Selection: 4

I would have given them a much higher score on the beer selection, but it’s all bottled with only a few things on tap. With that being said, the selection is diverse and well chosen. I could have a few rounds with a different beer each time and never go away disappointed.

I ended up starting with a Stella Artois (kind of a classic for me), and then switched to a beer I was amazed to see they carried. Session Black. Session beers are always great, but it’s rare to find anyone that carries the Black.

4. Staffitude: 4.9

The staff was great. Mike was bartender when I first arrived, and we ended up getting into a conversation about music. He actually knew who Buddy and Julie Miller are and was evidently raised in the Kerrville music scene. He was helpful, incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about music.

At about 12am he traded out with the next guy, Willis. I have to go back to the bar at least one more time even if it is just to let Willis borrow my copy of Jeff Buckley’s live DVD. He not only knew all about music and was just as well versed in the beer world, but he was also one of the more friendly bartenders I’ve encountered.

This place just kept getting better.

Synopsis:

I love it. It already feels like home. I have no idea how it is on a weekend night. I’d guess that I’ll want to stay away at that time due to massive crowds, but the weeknight vibe is incredible. We ended up deep in conversation with every single group of people in the room at one point or another. We meet some out of towners visiting from LA, a gentleman visiting his daughter from Oregon, and a host of locals. I had a great time, and I already want to go back.

To be honest, after finding Mean-Eyed, it’s hard to want to continue the pub search. But I’ll soldier on. Bravely. For you.

The Dog and the Duck

First on the pub crawl search was Dog and Duck Pub. I brought along my dad for the ride.

We showed up around 7pm on a Wednesday night and it was packed out inside. Plenty of outdoor seating was available, but the temp of 45F kept us inside. A few patrons kindly allowed us to share their table and that settled it.

First the rating followed by a small explanation. On a scale of 1 to 5.

1. Atmo-vibe: 3.8

The inside was all wood, low ceiling with old etching and the music was low enough to talk. It was still loud due to being packed out by college kid/younger crowd, but it was the kind of younger crowd that you would expect to find at a pub. Not a meat market, but more of a tattooed, spoken word, poetry night kind of crowd. The fact that it’s within walking distance of UT campus probably contributes. It was a tad on the messy side and smelled strongly of vinegar (possibly from the copious amounts of fish and chips being made and served).

2. Accessibility: 4

they have their own parking lot, which for a downtown venue is pretty killer. We found a parking spot right away and there were  a few more empties. It’s a bit outside of the downtown club scene, so street parking is easier as well.

3. Selection: 4

With a huge beer selection and at least 30 beers on tap, they definitely meet that requirement. I chose a Pin Stripe Red Ale (brewed in CO). @BeerAdvocate rates is a B+ and I agree. It was good, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to order it again. My dad had a Left hand Milk Stout. I tasted it, and liked it. It tasted more like a Porter than a Stout, but I’d choose it over the Pin Stripe.

We also shared fried mushrooms. Tasty.

4. Staffitude: 3.8

I graded them down a bit only due to the fact that there seemed to be one girl working the floor even though it was crazy packed. On the other hand, when we did finally meet her she was very friendly and helpful. The bar staff was incredibly friendly and even made helpful recommendations without feeling pushy.

Overall I dug it. I’d go back.

The Perfect Pub

Ever since I arrived in Austin, I’ve been on the search for the perfect pub. I’ve decided to let you in the process. I’ll be hitting up a different pub each week and posting my thoughts about it.

In my mind the perfect pub would be mostly wood, booths and small tables, low ceilings, clean but not overly fancy, MUSIC LOW (this is a killer for most American pubs) and a great beer selection. Friendly staff is a positive, but not a deal breaker if the rest of the vibe is nice. Food is also a plus, but not required.

I’ll be rating primarily on my own terms:

1. Atmo-vibe

2. Accessibility

3. Selection

4. Staffitude

Ready for the journey?

Pre-Buy Details

I’m almost finished with the EP and will begin shipping as soon as it’s done to everyone who pre-ordered the Package including it!

In case you haven’t had the chance, there is still time to order it before it ships.

Choose one of the packages below to pre-buy the upcoming album/ep. For details see the original post!

Or you can just donate to the cause.

PURCHASE THE ALBUM PREBUY