User Lists in Austin, TX Metro

This season, tightened budgets and saving are in. Good thing everyone knows that looking good doing the above life-affirming things is essential. Updating your wardrobe can be done simply and on the cheap with the integration of a few key pieces. With a new emphasis on defined shoulders and the continued fixation on a nipped-in waist, the new silhouette is slim. Add these musts to your closet for that fresh fall look.

As far as virile, potent cocktails go, the martini is hard to beat. Its contents are simple: liquor, chilled, gin or vodka with a hint of vermouth or dressed up with a twist or an olive. But to Austin's creative mixologists, the drink can be limiting. Bartenders here are bursting to concoct fresh new flavor combinations that deliver the kick that only chilled liquor can. These are martinis that James Bond would cock an eyebrow at, and not the green-apple-flavored-tinis that already enjoyed their moment of popularity. Behold the new martini.

It's time to get pampered. We're kicking off our Best of Citysearch campaign to seek out your favorite places for relaxing spa treatments, drop-dead gorgeous hairstyles and bronze-worthy tans. If you have a few in mind, just go to that business listing on our site, click on the "Nominate for Best of Citysearch" tab and vote! To get you in the spirit, here are a few of my personal favorites.

We've got the scoop on the best new bars and clubs in Austin so you can stay tuned into the latest on the local nightlife scene. (Photo: Flickr user Ron Diggity)

No one wants their favorite watering hole to be lit like a dentist's office. Just as libations help make other people seem more attractive (the beer goggle effect), dim (or no) lighting changes the vibe to something slinky. Instantly, it becomes nighttime, when more adult events go on, including canoodling and the like. This is one list that does not include the clean, well-lighted places Hemingway went on about--and we'd bet Hemingway would like most of these joints for their low lighting.

Austin doesn't have a national sporting team, but that doesn't mean we don't know a thing or two about team spirit. We are home to the University of Texas Longhorns, after all, and on game days the town bleeds orange. We also have our fair share of transplants who have stayed true to their own team's roots. For a sports bar primer, check out our list of best Austin sports bars.

Football, the annual Turkey Trot and big savings on Black Friday are all our favorite things about the Thanksgiving holiday. Oh, who are we kidding? It's all about overdoing it on turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and the rest of the fixings. Here's a list of where to get your grub on with minimal effort--both takeout and dine-in in Austin on Thanksgiving. (Photo: Flickr user Iandavid)

The ghosts, the ghouls and the goblins are out to play in Austin for Halloween. There are a multitude of ways to celebrate Halloween in Austin--whether you are up for some good old-fashioned family fun or want to get your terror on. Check out our list for the best Austin Halloween parties and costume stores for this year's ghoulish celebrations.

While this town may rarely (or never) reach the proper temperature for hot mulled cider, heat has never stopped Austinites from embracing fun traditions in the face of inappropriate weather. Fortunately, autumnal cocktails don't have to be hot to be seasonal. Many local bartenders never stop looking for interesting ways to incorporate fresh, local and seasonal ingredients into a drink designed to make you smile and enjoy the season--this time, it's fall, and for Austin that means the herbs are at their peak--but not necessarily the pumpkins.

Way back when, South Austin and one of its artery roads, South Lamar, were known for auto mechanics, no-name bars and resident "Bubbas." While heaps of auto shops and the persistent Bubba nickname still exist, South Lamar now supports a slew of lovely eateries and independent businesses that can only be considered cool by means of old-meets-new-meets-charming panache. For a time-honored pledge of a good pour and good company, drop by any of these South Lamar bars of both vintage and newborn variety.