Your Ultimate ACL Home Base: Eat, Shop & Recharge at the 2nd Street District
Fuel Up: The Best Bites & Drinks for ACL Weekend
Festival Weekend: Build Your ACL Fit from Head to Toe
Beyond the Festival: More Reasons to Love the District This October
Two of our favorite weekends are around the corner! Austin City Limits Music Festival is back for two incredible music-filled weekends in October. Get your tickets and join the fun at Zilker Park on October 2-4 or October 9-11.
Before you head to the park, swing through the 2nd Street District for great bites, cold drinks, and a healthy dose of Austin culture. And getting there is easy too. Take advantage of the free shuttles picking up in downtown, or hail a pedicab zooming around the neighborhood. Keep reading for our favorite spots to eat, shop, and recharge all ACL weekend long.
Fuel Up: The Best Bites & Drinks for ACL Weekend
ACL days are long, the sun is hot, and the music doesn't stop. Whether you're fueling up before the gates open or winding down after the last set, the 2nd Street District has exactly what you need. Here is where we're eating and drinking this festival season.
Get festival-ready at Jo’s Coffee with a specialty ACL-inspired menu (available Oct. 1-11) featuring bites and sips inspired by this year’s headliners, including Charli XCX, Turnstile, Lola Young and more. Stop by before, during or after the festival to fuel up in the heart of downtown Austin. Our favorite festival fuel:
Breakfast Burrito • Wakey Wakey • Ice Turbo • 9 to 5
For Michelin-recommended Mexican food and margaritas, La Condesa is the move. Grab a table for your brunch crew before heading to Zilker Park or for a post-show dinner. Our picks:
Tostada Vegana • Short Rib Hash • Torta de Calamares, and Pan de Plátano
Keep the music vibes going with live music and Texas BBQ at Lamberts. Located in the carefully restored & historic Schneider Brothers Building, Lamberts serves up slow smoked BBQ & modern Texas cooking with local beers, classic cocktails and new world wines. It's the kind of place that feels like Austin in the best possible way. Here’s what we're ordering:
Crispy Wild Boar Ribs • Texas Prime Brisket • Lamberts Iceberg Wedge • Jalapeño, Lemon & Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Cool off from the heat at Local Foods, where refreshing drinks and seasonal dishes are always made with fresh, local ingredients. From scratch-made sandwiches and hearty salads to Texas-produced wine and an all-local beer list, Local Foods is the perfect mid-festival reset. What we’re craving:
Brussels Sprouts • Crunchy Chicken Sandwich • Fall Harvest Salad • Miso Brown Sugar Cookie
The party keeps going after the lights go down on the ACL stage. Head over to Taverna's Baci Room for a nightcap and unwind with friends in this lively, stylish lounge open until 2am. Here’s what we're drinking:
Stonefruit Martini • I Don't Walk, I Strut • Frosé Rita • Aperol Spritz
The party isn’t over until BarChi Sushi’s Reverse Happy Hour every Friday and Saturday from 10PM - 12AM (drink specials available from 10 -11PM). Swing by after the festival for late-night bites, drinks and sushi favorites. What we’re craving:
Robata Skewers • Premium Nigri Special • Hot Sake
Festival Weekend: Build Your ACL Fit from Head to Toe
Your ACL outfit deserves as much thought as the set lists. The 2nd Street District has everything you need to put together a festival look that is comfortable, stylish, and ready for a full day in the sun. Here is your head-to-toe shopping guide.
The Outfit: Stella Dallas is your go-to for festival fashion done right. Think flowy dresses, matching sets, and bold vintage-inspired statement pieces that stand out in a crowd. For the guys, Mugsy has you covered with casual shirts, comfortable shorts, and jeans that look great and feel even better after a full day on your feet.
The Accessories: No festival look is complete without the finishing touches. Sunglass Hut is an essential. Grab a fresh pair of sunnies before heading to the park because the Texas sun does not mess around. Then stop into Eliza Page for locally designed jewelry, statement pieces, and stackable accessories that add the perfect finishing touch to your ACL fit.
The Austin Merch: Rep the city while you're at it. Love, Tito's has branded tees, hats, and Austin merch that are perfect for festival season. ATown is stocked with Austin and Texas apparel, hats, and socks that make great keepsakes or gifts for anyone who loves this city.
During both ACL weekends on Friday–Saturday from 12–5 PM, Love, Tito’s is bringing the Austin spirit with free live music & giveaways. Don’t miss out!
The Shoes: Start from the ground up. Sneaker Politics has the limited edition sneakers and streetwear to get you dancing in style. If you’re looking for something with a little more Texas flair, Hemline has festival-ready boots and shoes that transition seamlessly from the park to the after-party.
Beyond the Festival: More Reasons to Love the District This October
ACL weekends are about more than just the music. The 2nd Street District is packed with experiences that make the weekends worth lingering over, from world-class live performances to high-energy workouts and a little post-festival self-care.
The music doesn't have to stop when the festival does. Catch a live show at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, home of the legendary Austin City Limits television show. And before you head inside, don't forget to snap a selfie with the iconic Willie Nelson Statue right out front.
For an even more intimate concert experience, 3TEN ACL Live is hosting a series of Official 2026 ACL Fest Nights that are not to be missed. Check out the lineup:
Weekend #1: Fri 10/2: Villanelle • Sat 10/3: Paloma Morphy w/ Lueme
Weekend #2: Thu 10/8: Łaszewo w/ Left Lucid • Sat 10/10: Claire Rosinkranz
Turn up the heat for ACL at SHINE Hot Pilates + Sculpt with four ACL-themed classes featuring festival-inspired playlists and plenty of energy. Plus, take advantage of SHINE’s current special and enjoy two weeks for $75.
Weekend #1: 10/1 at 10:30 AM | SHINE Hot Sculpt: ACL Past & Present • 10/3 at 10 AM | The Remix: ACL Pre-Game
Weekend #2: 10/8 at 10:30 AM | SHINE Hot Sculpt: ACL Past & Present • 10/10 at 10 AM | The Remix: ACL Pre-Game
Get festival-ready with a little glow! First-time SUGARED + BRONZED guests can enjoy $20 off their first service. Book your appointment here.
Reset before or after the fest with milk + honey’s 45-minute express treatments. Quick enough to fit your festival schedule and effective enough to help you feel refreshed and ready for whatever’s next.
Your feet carried you through hours of festival fun. Now it's time to return the favor. Stop into Lacquer to soothe those aching dancing feet with a signature pedicure and leave feeling refreshed and ready for round two.
Festival hard, recover harder. AWAY Spa is offering a special October Recovery Menu featuring Therabody technology and four treatments designed to help you recharge during ACL and beyond. Choose from Walking on Sunshine ($130), Glow & Go Recovery ($155), Reset Recovery Massage ($255) or Wellness Reset ($80).
Conclusion:
ACL weekends are some of the best times of year to be in Austin, and the 2nd Street District is right in the middle of all of it. Whether you're fueling up before the first set, building the perfect festival outfit, or winding down with a nightcap and sore feet, the District has everything you need to make the most of October. Come hungry, come ready to shop, and come prepared to have a great time. We will see you on 2nd Street.
