On Monday night I experienced Highball for the first time. It is really unlike anything else I’ve seen in Austin, yet has the distinct feel that it could only happen in Austin.
The club is located on South Lamar, in a part of town known for cheap chic. My favorite coffee houses, with their patio seating, exposed ceilings, and rickety tables maintain the bohemian steet cred. But Highball doesn’t even try.
Instead they go for classy. Leather paneling and chandeliers, high priced food and drinks make me put on a fedora and pretend that I’m somebody. Then Highball throws you a monkey wrench, or actually a ten pound ceramic ball. Bowling lanes and skee ball may seem to evoke “family fun centers” aimed at suburban teenagers., but actually add an element of interaction not found in your average club. Hidden in the back are private Karaoke rooms.
Then there’s the events, whose sheer level of creativity sets the place on it’s own plane. Everything from Geeks Who Drink trivia, to 90’s dance parties, to Oscar watching parties, to hip-hop karaoke.
I went by Monday night for Big Band night, which is where my only complaint comes in. The music selection was over the top, brassy and to slow for most of us Swing Dancers (although, it seemed perfect for the surprisingly high number of gray hairs cutting a rug.) The most fun we had on the dance floor was actually during the DJed breaks in between sets.
That being said, I’ll definitely give them another chance at the next Big Band night, and bring a few quarters for Skee ball.
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