Welcome Back Longhorns: A Guide to the Best Venues to Kick Off the New Semester

The start of the semester is the perfect time to bring your group together and celebrate new beginnings. Whether you’re planning a bid day party, a formal or semi-formal, or a parents weekend, The Venue Collective has curated some of Austin’s best venues to fit your needs. 

Central East Austin

Other Racquet Social Club | 50-1,000, See the Details
This lively indoor-outdoor venue is ideal for team building tournaments, semester kick-off mixers, and Mom & Dad’s Weekend events. With pickleball courts and casual seating, it offers a fun, active environment perfect for bringing groups together just minutes from campus.

The Long Goodbye | 20-400, See the Details
Less than 2 miles from campus, The Long Goodbye offers a lounge, patios, yard space, food trucks, and an outdoor stage. It’s perfect for your close to home bar tab nights, Bid Day celebrations, or end-of-semester parties in an indoor-outdoor setting with quality cocktails.

East Austin

Cabana Club | 30-650, See the Details
Cabana Club is a stylish poolside oasis in East Austin with resort-style amenities and multiple event spaces. With an indoor clubhouse, outdoor covered pergola, and a spacious pool deck with cabanas, it’s perfect for Bid Day parties, bar tabs, or semi-formals with a laid-back, high-energy vibe.

Chalmers | 50-1,000, See the Details
Chalmers blends old Austin charm with modern amenities and offers multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces. With fire pits, outdoor stage, live music options, and in-house kitchen Rollin Smoke BBQ, it is well suited for welcome mixers, multi-organization events, or football watch parties.

Dainty Dillo | 30-250, See the Details
Dainty Dillo brings vintage charm and a backyard vibe with fire pits and live music on the banks of the Colorado River. Perfect for formal and semi-formal buyouts and bar tabs. In-house kitchen from Woodneck Kitchen and live music coordination are available.

 

South Austin

Armadillo Den |  50-1,000, See the Details
Armadillo Den offers expansive outdoor space with a dedicated event area on the second floor. If you’d like to bus your group for a true Texas-style experience, this venue is perfect for multi-organization events, formals and semi-formals, or end-of-semester celebrations. Food truck and catering coordination options are also available.

Your Perfect Semester Kickoff Venue Awaits

As the new semester begins, The Venue Collective is here to help you find the ideal space to celebrate. From the convenience of Central East Austin near campus, to the vibrant energy of East Austin, and the authentic Texas vibes of South Austin, we have the perfect venue for every event type.

Reach out today to secure your spot and start planning a memorable welcome-back celebration!


Want to stay connected with TVC?