Gary Clark Jr.

This is my weekly hang, C-Boy’s is a local dive bar that gets worldwide, national and local acclaimed artist. This is a place that I would go nightly if I could, I love it here. C-boys is curated by the folks behind the Continental Club in Austin & Houston.

The parking is great, they have 1 designated accessible spot, right outside the entrance. When I go in it’s on the ground level so everything is easily accessible. There are double doors, if I need it they open up even wider if I need more room I can get through. Once I’m in the door I’m greeted by the door guy who usually always asks if I need any assistance or help getting through the crowd, I actually love to work my way through the crowd, saying hi to familiar friends & faces. Getting up to the stage there are two ways to go, I can either go straight by the bar or around the tables on the floor alongside the booths. Being close to the stage is something that I love because live music does something to my soul. It rejuvenates and cleanses me, where all I can feel is the energy & happiness around me.

The bathrooms are huge & easily accessible. There are 3 stalls one of the 3 is a large handicap bathroom, with bars & plenty of room to transfer. The back porch is a great way to meet people and hang outside, under the stars. But there are steps if you want to leave the porch. As with everything there are always alternate ways to go and solutions. If I want to go down next to the porch, on the sidewalk where there are food trucks, then I can go back inside the club and go out the side door at the front which leads to a path that goes down where the outside of the porch is located. Check out the calendar for your daily dose of music and be sure to stop by on Sundays, for Chicken Shit Bingo (yes, just like it sounds). Everything is accessible and easy to manage…

C-Boy’s Heart & Soul
2008 S Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-0023

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The Paramount Theatre is a very special place to me. I have been going there for more than twenty years. It is the hub of the Austin Film Festival (AFF), SXSW, as well as being a place where exceptional music performances, speakers, and the summer film classics are held. For many years, I was there so frequently, and on a first name basis with most of the staff. They would always let me in early to make sure I got my seat for general admission festival events. Over the years I have seen some great musical acts from BB King, Allen Toussaint to David Grisman, in addition to movies and speakers. The first movie I saw at AFF was about Abbie Hoffmann and that movie inspired the tagline of the Austin Daze newspaper, “steal this paper”. I co-created the Austin Daze & we used that tagline for over 15 years.

This past weekend went to The Paramount to see Béla Fleck and The Punch Brothers and the next night, Golden Dawn Arkestra.

Parking at The Paramount is pretty much non-existent, you have to use a parking garage, or try your luck at street parking. There is one accessible spot in front of the theatre, but it has been occupied for about 15 years 🤣. The ticket booth / will call is a breeze to access. The main entrance is very accessible with multiple wide doors. The lobby is on an incline and rather steep, after passing through the main doors, then there are two doors towards the stage. I am fortunate because I have someone pushing me, so the incline is not challenging. In my powerchair, there are no issues.

There are 3 accessible sections in the theatre, the last row by the sound board, these seats are great for the movie showings. It’s a flat level spot toward the back where you can pull into. Then there are also front row spots on either stage left or stage right. These spots have removable seats that can accomodate wheelchairs and companions. From the spot upfront you can see all the magic as it happens on stage. If you do sit up front, earplugs are important, because the speakers are right by these seats, these seats have an awesome vantage point to the stage. Please note, when traveling down the aisle to the seats by the stage, it is very steep. There are upper levels to the theatre also, but we have no access to the box seats and balcony seats because those are upstairs & there is no elevator.

The bathrooms have always been pretty much inaccessible. They are not set up for people in wheelchairs. There are bars, but the stalls are very narrow and you could not fit your chair into the stall. It is not that easy to even get in there because you have to go through two doors to get into the bathroom.

The Paramount is an old school tradition its been there since 1915, and some of these old Theatre’s have not been retrofitted to accommodate the all the needs of those in wheelchairs. The Paramount, is worthy of checking out, just be aware that there are some hard things to deal with, but I remember that there are always options. Right here is where I can offer solutions that I have found to work over the years.

The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-5470

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There is a place just one block down on Congress called, Hideout Coffee House & Theatre. The Hideout is a coffee shop that has two very accessible private bathrooms with bars for transferring & plenty of room for a wheelchair and another person. I have gone over there during all day film festivals, I buy a pastry & a coffee and use the bathroom. After my visit I then go back to The Paramount, and continue the day of films.

The Hideout Coffee Shop & Theatre
617 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-1313

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An Austin staple for vegan & vegetarian food, Bouldin Creek Café. The produce is very fresh & the meat alternatives are delicious. It has always been a perk of my neighborhood, we can easily walk there in either the manual or power chair. I have a stand-up permobil chair & it’s so close I can drive there standing up. I have always enjoyed going to Bouldin Creek Café. The space is very wheelchair friendly. There are ramps to get in & throughout the restaurant. The doors are easy to go through & the back entrance is designated for wheelchairs only. There are 2 accessible parking spots in the back with plenty of room to load in an out of the car.

You can either sit at a table or sit by the bar and eat or drink. The bathrooms are accessible with bars. The wait service is also very accommodating and friendly. Bouldin Creek, is a members of One Fair Wage Austin in implementing a 20% Fair Wage surcharge on all guest checks. This charge helps restaurants ensure that all of our staff earn a stable, livable, and equitable wage - no matter the position at the restaurant. Which is another reason we love to support this local spot. There’s outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. They have a great menu and good coffee. Bouldin Creek is an old-school local Austin tradition. 

We go there almost every week for dinner our favorites are the curry with tofu and jackfruit & the grill cheese with garlic and basil with a side salad with parmesan peppercorn. Don't forget to try the vegan Peanut Butter Cups by Celeste’s Best.

Bouldin Creek Café
1900 S 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601

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The 6th & present location of Antone’s is like a local crown jewel of accessibility. The venue is set up on one level so people with disabilities can easily move around during big shows & small shows alike. I have only experienced big shows at Antone’s, all I have to worry about is getting through the crowd of people to go up front to be able to see everything going on the stage. We have figured out how to get thru the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea. The acoustics in the venue are great from any spot in the club.

Recently, I discovered that the venue also has one of the best bathroom experiences, with a private bathroom for the disabled community. There’s plenty of room for the wheelchair, there are bars (where they need to be) to transfer to the toilet and I can easily get under the sink & look into the mirror. I prefer the private bathrooms because it is better for me, without worrying about other people coming in and out.

To go backstage there is an elevator that will take you up to the second level where they have private parties. And getting to the backstage rooms is super easy. I first went to Antone’s, forth location back in ‘99, on 5th & Lavaca. I met Clifford Antone through a local musician friend of mine and we became friends. I couldn’t get backstage at that location because it was on the second floor and they didn’t have an elevator. It was important to go backstage with the Austin Daze, because that is where the interviews would take place. However, at the current location, their bar is very accessible for drinks & Cliffy Dogs, 1st floor, and 2nd floor.

We typically take the Cap Metro Access or Uber WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) but Antone’s offers, Valet Parking, available nightly, next door to Antone’s at Eddie V’s restaurant for $12. We have not tried out this service yet. There is also self-parking, There are many nearby street parking options as well as several large public parking garages in the vicinity with handicapped parking spots.

Their staff is very friendly and accommodating. Antone’s hosted Night 1 of the STAND WITH RUSS BENEFIT to help me to raise money for my Permobile stand up power chair. We had a great turn out & I was able to fund my chair. Talented musicians showed up to support me: Marcus King, Carolyn Wonderland, Brownout, Money Chica, Guy Forsyth Band, Willie Pipkin & Friends and more special guests. The folks at the door and the security guards ask if they can help make your experience better. It’s really a great place & one of my favorite Austin venues.

Check out the venue for yourself!

Antone's Nightclub
305 E 5th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512) 814-0361

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