Uptown
American restaurant · East End ·
Coffee, cocktails, oysters, gumbo, burgers & beer in historic building
Coffee, cocktails, oysters, gumbo, burgers & beer in historic building
"An intimate, candlelit dinner meant to evoke classic Midwest supper clubs, this weekly Sunday experience runs through February 22 at Uptown Sports Club and transforms a section of the East Austin restaurant into a white-tablecloth setting. Although the venue is owned by Franklin Barbecue’s Aaron Franklin, the name is actually an homage to Lawrence Frank, one of the men credited with bringing supper clubs into prominence. The family-style menu features a 20-ounce dry-aged ribeye, fried sweet potatoes, braised mushrooms, and boozy milkshakes; reservations are available via Resy." - H. Drew Blackburn
"Austin has ample options for discounted happy hour oysters, but Uptown’s is the most fun. From 2-5pm every weekday, you can abandon all obligations and down East Coast mollusks for less than $3 a slurp. Toss in an $8 martini, and suddenly work will disintegrate into an abstract concept with no bearing on real life." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"The once-abandoned 19th-century building on East 6th Street is now a scene straight out of New Orleans, with exposed brick walls, mosaic tile floors, vintage lighting, and a gorgeous marble and chrome-accented wraparound bar. The seafood-heavy restaurant hits all the quintessential Louisiana food notes: a dark, roasty gumbo, Zapp’s potato chips, Crystal hot sauce on every table, and tremendous po’boys, the standout of which is the gloriously messy roast-beef version with sliced meat drenched in a debris gravy made with Franklin Barbecue’s legendary chopped brisket. Add in expertly made cocktails, a raw bar with oysters, and a dining room that’s sunny by day and boisterous by night, and this place is a classic in the making." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"Aaron Franklin’s relaxed all-day Eastside eatery serves po’ boys with a New Orleans spirit and an Austin touch. Fried shrimp, roast beef, and fried green tomatoes each get a turn in the spotlight. The sandwiches feel indulgent but stay balanced. Pair one with a cocktail and settle in for a long lunch or festive dinner. Take it to go or order online." - Darcie Duttweiler
"The deal: $2.83 East Coast oysters (sold by the half-dozen) When to get it: Monday-Friday, 2-5pm This New Orleans-style spot is one of Austin’s most fun restaurants, and our only gripe about the happy hour is that their incredible bloody mary isn’t among the specials. Plenty other stuff is, though, including great oysters, a nice and filling patty melt, and martinis. Uptown Sports Club has a see-and-be-seen aura, but only because it’s the sort of cute, lively place that makes people want to kick back and socialize." - matthew jacobs, nicolai mccrary
