Fuego

A space that could come across as intimate (it lacks the sky-​high ceilings so common around town and includes an assortment of comfortable, slick furniture) looked instead dejected, with more stray bottles and glasses than people by at least an 8:1 ratio.
I admit, Thursday night, or early Friday, around 1:30 a.m., is NOT the time to be at Fuego. It’s a dead scene.
The low leather chairs, fake fireplace and interesting mosaic bar backsplash, all keeping with a muted fire theme, weren’t bad looking, but the shape of the place, with a long hallway separating the front area from the back, where a team of DJs did their thing, wasn’t exactly dancer-​friendly or socializing-​friendly — not enough floor space, but not enough chairs, either.
The back room, which was red with a couple tall chairs off to one corner, was about the size of a decent bedroom, which could make for some cramped situations if this place ever gets really popular.
It seems designed not to be.
I felt awkward dancing when there were only maybe 6 people in there and the lights were pretty bright. A few of the more intoxicated types were doing their clumsy thing, but the DJs didn’t move me to join in.
Well drinks were $ 2 when I walked in, and my gin and tonics were pretty strong — I downed two in the 25 minutes before official closing time, and I was pretty buzzed. My date’s Fat Tires (bottle only) were $ 4 apiece. I got the impression that if they weren’t having specials, you could rack up a hefty tab here.
Most of the patrons were dressed in a pretty slick going-​out-​clubbing fashion (lots of spike heels and short dresses on the ladies and men in nice collared shirts), though the doorman only blinked a little when it was revealed that I (dressed in 1999 Adidas running shoes, jeans, a white T and a baggy brown hoodie and hair that was rather unkempt — hey, I had just gotten off work!) was entering the establishment.
I would go back to check this place out on a weekend if friends suggested it, but it’s not on my short list or anything.

This place near the Convention Center & surrounded by upscale restaurants like Roy’s & Fleming’s gets a bit lost in the Austin scene.
I frequent the bar next door, Ninety Proof so decided to check them out as well.
The décor is gorgeous with all the colors of fire imaginable, bright burnt ambers, golden yellows, brick reds. The front of the bar features a bar to the right & a comfy seating area to the left. Down towards the back there are some clean bathrooms on the left. In the far back is a decent sized dance floor though it’s a bit dark. DJs come in later in the evening & you can get your groove on.
Every time I have been there, the bartenders tend to be civil but not very friendly. The drinks are pricey with $ 6 – 7 for a well & $ 6 for a Shiner.
I’d much rather go next door than go this this pretty bar with less charm and expensive drinks.

A neat, sharp little upscale club in the Convention Center district. My company is having an event next door at a club called Ninety Proof. I was there last night, and decided to check out Fuego, next door.
The club is gorgeous inside, with lots of color a nice bar up front and a dancing area in the back.
I met Frank the general manager and his brother they were in there cleaning as it was a slow Monday night. He said the club had opened 11 weeks ago, and their busiest nights are Thu, Fri Sat. They have a Brazilian hip hop DJ that comes in around 10:30, and apparently a good bit of Austin’s Brazilian residents show up to dance to the hot tunes.
He also mentioned he was about to get some big screen TV’s mounted, and that he planned on being open whenever there was a UT football game. He said it was mostly an over 25 type of club.
It has a full bar, but I think only bottle beers. I had a Dos Equis it was $ 4.00. A tad pricey for me. But it is a really fresh new place, I got the feeling that even if I went late at night, I wouldn’t be turned away like I usually am at the hot new spots. (READ GRUV)
The last time I was near it, there was a private party going on, people seemed pretty dressed up. I normally would have knocked two stars off for $ 4.00 beer, but I liked the feel of this place. I think I might get a little dressed up (READ — WEAR PANTS) and check it out. Any place that has Brazilians dancing is a place I want to be.