Just like in 2005, there were lots of people partying in Austin this year who would have been in New Orleans but they may have had a big dissapointment when they arrived at the main circuit party. Hurricane Gustav kept people from partying after Saturday but it was still fun to the people who went. I have heard from several people that they still made it a good time and the storm just made it more crazier.
Austin threw its annual Last Splash at Lake Travis hippy hollow and it was a blast as always. Boats, boys, booze, and dance music with mostly good weather out at the lake. Then it was to Oil Can Harry’s and Rain for the clubbing (or bar hopping). OCH and Rain both played fabulous music and I still think OCH has the hottest and best bartenders you can find anywhere. One in particular who works the main bar!
The host hotel in Austin was the Embassy Suites which was perfect just like the Hyatt but bigger rooms and it seemed a little cheaper. We got a free CD and gift bag with very descriptive directions to all the events when we arrived at the hotel. Everything was perfect until we went to the main event on Saturday night which was 18 to enter but you could have thought it was a funeral home judging from the bar in the lobby area with no music.
It was the worst thrown party of maybe my lifetime much less 2008. Even though it was well organized up until you actually arrived at the Monarch Event center (some lame place 15 miles away from the HOST HOTEL). I understand that they could not have the event at the Austin Music Hall since it was bulldozed but why not just put it in a club or convention center closer to the downtown area instead of the ghetto area near 2222 and i-35. Not only is that a bad area but I even got my car broken into before in that same area.
We walked in after all paying $40 and then waiting in line for a drink at the lobby/bar with no music. Standing in line over 40 minutes we finally got a drink and then walked into the "event". Ok, from someone who has been going to the Labor Day wknd Splash party for the last 5 years I was shocked to see it so lame. It was 4 times smaller than the venue a few years ago… why not just put it inside a nightclub that was closed down or somewhere. Anything but this Monarch center… this is where you would hold a Rotary club meeting not a circuit party with Dj Roland Belmares. We also looked at each other and wondered why it was $40. We then drove back to 4th street in Austin and partied at OCH and Rain for the rest of the night. I sure miss the parties back a few years ago for Last Splash – I think the last good one was named Candy. I think they should also have set up the event like they did in previous years where college students get a certain percentage off tickets.
Ohhh and did i mention we had to drive in UT football traffic to get to this venue LOL. Disaster.com. I can understand if a venue is next to some glamous hotel or next to something eventful but not off 2222 and i-35 that was just embarrasing for those who traveled to Austin. I did hear that the afterhours event at Sky Lounge was a great event and well worth the $20 door cover – I was too mad to goto that after already wasting $40 but I wished I would have went to that instead. Party info from this event can be found at Splashdays.com.
I noticed that Club Oz in New Orleans re-opens Thurs, Sept 4 for those of you returning to NOLA area. Have a fab fall!
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