Night of contrast in Austin

We started our Friday evening at Townhouse Austin, a new bar on 5th Street. Favorite son-in-law had an assignment - get some house special drinks at their Open House, get some photos, and report back with photos to the Austin Woman magazine. The photos will go into a story on mixology.

The place is brand new and wonderfully elegant. I felt out of place in Austin standard wear, sneakers and shorts with a polo shirt. Our bartender shook, stirred, poured, and prepared, providing us with cocktails made in the way a chef would prepare quality appetizers.

They had fanciful names like "Red-headed Stepchild". They had ingredients like saffron and thyme, more often connected with food. They also had quality liquor and hand-made infusions. You will find no flavored vodka here unless the flavor has been put in by the Townhouse.

Served by our cheerful waitress, who spent time telling us about the place and its offerings,

the drinks looked good on the table,

and in hand.

Quiet jazz played in the background while the bartenders worked and the patrons buzzed quietly. It was a very nice atmosphere.

Then we were in for the contrast, the Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally. As soon as we left the bar, we began to see bikes and bikers.

As we walked along Fifth Street we got into more and more of a crowd. Bikes lined the center of Congress Avenue, which was closed off from 2nd Street all the way to the Capitol.

Many strange creatures emerged from the dark, men, women, indeterminates, and this Indian guy. He wanted to pose for pictures with everybody.

Close by was a band rocking away. Dee Snider, Bret Michaels, and others were rumored to be appearing later on in the evening.

We walked through block after block of raucous, partying bikers. The bars and restaurants along Fifth Street were packed.

Some of the bikes were gorgeous. Many were really noisy.

As we got farther along, we passed Parkside, the restaurant where we had just had an expensive double birthday dinner last week.

Right outside, across the sidewalk, is The Best Wurst, an alternative. There, for considerably less, we got a couple of terrific sausages with the works. Really good! These guys were doing a bangup business.

Another few blocks of tricked-out bikes and we had had enough for the night.

It seems like anything can happen here. We're glad it does.