‘Why I fell in love with Austin’

I’ve visited Austin many times over the years, both for work and for pleasure. In fact, other than Soho Beach House Miami where I’m based, Soho House Austin is probably the House I’m most familiar with. To me, a trip to Austin is always a good idea.  

There’s a lot to love about the city. ‘Keep Austin Weird’ isn’t just a catchy slogan, it's something locals live by. It's a welcoming city – people are fun, friendly and laid back, accepting of everyone who spends time there. 

The city is a bustling place, and there’s plenty to do. The nightlife is brilliant, with some amazing live venues, such as the Moody Center, where I recently saw Leon Bridges. There are lots of smaller venues where you can catch up and coming independent artists dotted throughout the city, too. The Continental Club on South Congress is a legendary venue that’s been hosting musical greats since the 1950s – and it’s just up the road from the House. There’s also great shopping in Austin: small, locally owned businesses are encouraged, and they flourish alongside more recognisable brands. 

I like to take advantage of the city’s green spaces. The Texas sun can be hot, especially in the summer months, so I try to get up and outside early in the day. I’ll take a yoga class with YTX Yoga at the House, then head out for a walk around Lady Bird Lake. There’s always plenty of people canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding on the water, but I like to hike one of the many trails around the reservoir. Or I’ll go for a swim in Barton Springs, a beautiful three-acre pool fed by natural spring water. It's really special to be surrounded by nature while also being able to see the city’s impressive skyline. 

I use the House as respite from the heat – or as a place to sunbathe. The pool is the place to be in the summer, and the team puts on a great programme of events, so there’s always something to do. The House’s art collection is wonderful, really capturing the eclectic nature of Austin. My favourite piece is ‘Be Careful’ (2022), by Ethel Shipton. There’s something compelling about the work’s typography, which reads: ‘Be careful with each other, so we can be dangerous together.’

I love the city’s ‘anything could happen’ feeling. On a recent trip, I was out to dinner – Caribbean restaurant Canje or Neighborhood Sushi are favourite spots in the city – and suddenly found myself on the way to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, courtesy of a last-minute ticket from a friend. We ended the night by taking a pedicab back to the House, where we sipped a final cocktail overlooking the city from the terrace. It really was the perfect Austin day, full of good music, good food, and good company. 

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