| The South First Street area has become a vibrant | | | | can be found, with various types of music on CD, |
| community lately, especially for pedestrians and | | | | record, tape, etc., and occasionally live music as well. |
| bicyclists, since it is so densely packed with new | | | | Just north of End of an Ear and its small strip center, |
| establishments and businesses. The area is very | | | | Sugar Mama's offers cupcakes and other bakery |
| unique and quirky; many of the businesses cater to the | | | | items and sweets for the hungry strollers, and their |
| music industry and other artistic types. | | | | confections are out of this world.Another vintage |
| There are a number of interesting clubs and | | | | clothing and curios shop called Secret Oktober is a |
| restaurants as well, most of which offer live music on | | | | few doors down from Sugar Mama's too. There are |
| a regular basis. Two such venues are Jovita's and | | | | also numerous coffee shops, including Bouldin, Once |
| Freddie's Place, both delightful locations with shady | | | | Over, and Somnio's, and all three have a laid back |
| trees with well known as well as new musical acts | | | | atmosphere and outdoor tables under the trees. |
| which usually perform early in the evening, to the | | | | Farther north on 1st, but within walking distance, is an |
| satisfaction of families with children and the slightly | | | | Austin legend, El Mercado, which offers a varied |
| older crowd that prefers to be back home at a | | | | Mexican Food menu and has been in different |
| reasonable hour. | | | | locations over the years, with this site being in |
| Jovita's has had a number of very well known local | | | | operation for almost ten years itself. Another great |
| acts play the spot recently, including the Marshall Ford | | | | Mexican food spot, Polvo's, is a few blocks down, just |
| Swing Band and the Cornell Hurd Band. The crowd is | | | | south of the intersection of 1st and Mary on the west |
| usually dancing to the catchy tunes, and it's worth the | | | | side of street, and their food is outstanding as are their |
| visit just to watch the boot-scooting and vintage | | | | drinks, especially the margaritas. |
| clothing worn by many of the dancers, most of which | | | | One of the most interesting locations is the South First |
| are early to middle aged. | | | | Trailer Park Eatery, which is a large lot on which |
| Freddie's has an outdoor stage under the trees, and | | | | various food vendors operate out of airstream trailers |
| patrons can have a full meal, while accompanied by | | | | and stands, with the emphasis on hand held food such |
| their dogs (which are allowed on the patio area), or | | | | as wraps, burritos, and deserts, also popcorn. This site |
| just sit up front with a frosty drink and listen to the | | | | also offers free movies on a regular basis, most of |
| musical acts, many of which are newcomers but very | | | | which are family oriented, and can be watched under |
| enjoyable and professional. Both of these fine eateries | | | | the stars with one's own refreshments, which are |
| are on the east side of 1st just north of Live Oak and | | | | allowed due to the BYOB policy. This week, the Back |
| Mary Street. Bouldin Creek meanders through the | | | | to the Future series has been shown, to the sure |
| neighborhood too, presenting a lovely and peaceful | | | | approval of the neighborhood kids and kids at heart. |
| sight. | | | | There are many old yet restored homes in the area, |
| Traveling south, one gets to La Reyna and La | | | | and they are reasonably priced, many being |
| Mexicana, a well-known tex-mex joint and Mexican | | | | fixer-uppers. Those near the creek are especially |
| food bakery, respectively, and both have great food | | | | appealing, and many are already in perfect shape, |
| and other products as well, including jewelry at La | | | | ready to move in. But the real estate prices in the area |
| Mexicana as well as convenience store fare. Across | | | | reflect the appeal of the area and far outpace the |
| the street, very interesting vintage clothing can be | | | | average prices in the Austin real estate market. For |
| found at Flashback, which is currently having a | | | | new residents who prefer not to cook, the Soup |
| clearance sale and all of the items are very | | | | Peddler offers delivery of different homemade, |
| reasonably priced. Amelia's and New Bohemia are also | | | | gourmet soups on a daily basis, and deliver on bicycle |
| vintage and retro shops, a few blocks south on the | | | | to neighborhood patrons, and has received rave |
| east side of 1st. Adjacent to Amelia's, End of an Ear | | | | reviews from diners. |