The Vortex

Maybe I am stupid, I have my own ways finding places. My girlfriend loves it, she find good places this app.

I’m a theater lover and this is just a fantastic venue. There is a lovely, cozy bar attached so you’ll want to go early for wine or cocktails. The shows are always quirky and higher caliber directors/​producers so usually very well done (they have different theater companies come in so you can’t be certain). There is now a delish italian truck outside and this is even the sort of place you can bring kids and sit outdoors. There isn’t a playscape but plenty of grassy areas. Thumbs up

This is a great bar for big groups. I came here with an improv group I go to on a weeknight. There are a lot of picnic tables to sit at outside.
I was surprised how busy this place was for a Wednesday. The wait for a drink was probably over 10 minutes which was a little surprising since the place isn’t all that big compared to a bar on Rainey St. for example.
It’s a great bar to have conversation. They keep the music down outside. They don’t have an amazing beer list but they have enough variety to pacify many Austin hipsters.

This place sucks. Food is terrible. Children everywhere asking for weed and the bartenders are shit. DONT GO HERE.

Seniors Beware! The Vortex policy of seating patrons is based on the price of the ticket you buy. If you buy a General Admission ticket with a senior or student discount, then you are seated last, regardless of how early you arrive. Discounted children ticketholders are seated with General Admission which, though reasonable, makes the policy arbitrary and discriminatory.

So… I came here while I was eating at Patrizi’s and boy was I not disappointed. The drinks here were great! The prices were good and I had an amazing time and I’m betting you will too!
The patio/​venue space is so comfortable, there are lots of seats and the crowd that pops up here is diverse and fun. I feel so relaxed kicking back a few drinks and watching a show here.
The performances here are generally local and they always put on one hell of a show. I think if you’re a prude it would be possibly to have a bad time but I feel like you need to be trying to do so or just have a huge stick up your a$$.
If you are considering coming here then get up and go for it! You wont regret it!

Love all the magic that happens here! Breaking the confines of traditional theatre while also respecting the traditions of theatre. One of the few remaining venues still keeping the weird in Austin.
Also boasts a deelish Italian food trailer specializing in hand-​pulled pasta, cocktails from Butterfly Bar, and a big deck & giant yard perfect for pre & post-​show hangs.

I actually poked my head in here to use the restroom and while I did my girlfriend ordered a drink at the bar. The place was PACKED for a show that evening. The place is apparently some sort of entertainment bar. It’s conjoined with two other venues and the location as a whole can be hard to find. It’s nestled in the back of a parking lot behind a large fence. There’s a nice size seating area outside and the service at the bar was friendly. We were intrigued enough to wanna return later and see what all the hype’s about with these shows…

Good service

I attended a cosplay festival here and had the most amazing time! The theater is intimate and I would totally recommend attending an event here!

Oh my gosh– thank you Vortex! I’ve seen theater for decades but damn– W.K. and The Secrete Life of the Inbetweeners scripts that the Vortex has supported are some of the *BEST* performances I have ever experienced. Great work + intimate audience atmosphere=goosebumps!!! Thank you Vortex for having a keen eye/​ear for strong theater.

We love, love, love The Vortex! Just walking through the gates into the yard is a calming experience. Great spot to meet up with friends and know that you can enjoy drinks, snacks and music while still being able to have a conversation without screaming over the white noise that is common to other locations. We’ve been hosting a monthly community drum circle at The Vortex for over a year and it is always very family friendly with kids dancing and drumming at every event. The theatre space is also fantastic — it is such a treat to see how they transition the space for the different performances. Every time we go to The Vortex, something is new and improved… the team there is putting a lot of love into making it unique and fabulous.

This is a cool little venue. I’d come back.

Laughing to tears at the pie and ear show

LOVE this place. It’s one of the only places you can see quality NEW theatre in Austin. This place has been around for 25 years… so that says something.

I really like the intimacy of the inside… the big wooden bar, small seating, etc.
The theater space is cool.
The patio/​yard area rocks.
Very «Austin» and very cool place.

It’s an interesting animal, The Vortex, and though there are elements of this place that have been replicated throughout the city, I think it’s fair to say that there’s no one else in Austin who does exactly what this place does exactly the way that they do it.
The venue, is, essentially, one part backyard concert space, one part indoor intimate music and avant garde theater space, and one part indoor bar. It’s not a particularly heady mix (meaning it’s not like you probably haven’t seen any of these single elements left to their lonesome), but together it makes for a pretty fun afternoon or evening. Know that the theater space lends itself to small performances, and it seems that they really take some chances with the programming. I’ve found staff to be pretty helpful, and if you’re looking for a relaxed, open, bike-​friendly spot to rest your dogs and stay awhile, The Vortex just might surprise you. But even if it doesn’t, come ready to catch up and chat awhile. You know they are.

5 stars for the band!
3 stars for the bar!
1 star for the creepy video and the cheerleaders in the crowd.
I wanted to like The Vortex… I really, really did. BUT I kind of just tolerated it. We paid an extra $ 6 to reserve our tickets online for a *maybe* 30% full show. We were there to see The Planet of the Mermaids show.
I don’t know… I was an art major in college and I like the crazy arts but this was a bit over the top. The band was amazing. The video and the theme of the show was sort of… annoying… it could have been due to the fact that the bartender was in the front row ‘hootin’ and hollerin’” at the band (who again, was adorable!) She had a few friends who were loud and sort of ruined the atmosphere.
The seats are comfy but they SLIDE! I almost dumped my drink everywhere sitting down.
The hostess was sweet as could be. The card system is creative and the shows in the bar area are fun to poke around.
This is a scatter review for a scattered joint. I can’t recommend the show we saw but I can recommend going to see the band and going to see the theatre. They had some tasty drinks and great wines as well.

Ok, I have to admit I was a little hesitant walking up to this place to buy tickets at 3 in the afternoon. The gate was unlocked so I walked in expecting to find a box office… nothing. So, we called and ordered tickets over the phone. Easy enough, but don’t let the non-​existent driveway or the grass field mislead you!
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very nice lady that runs the theater, she showed us where to go and what to do. We got some drinks and waited for our suits to be called, that’s right they call you by suit (i.e. hearts, diamonds, etc.)
The stadium seat was nice and comfy. The set was well made and very appropriate for the show. The host was welcoming and gracious.
The name of the show was Gaylicious! and boy was it… Jade Esteban Estrada put on a great interactive show that I will never forget! Thanks to Jade and to the Vortex for a great evening!

The first time I went to the vortex, I was, um, somewhat surprised. So my boyfriend at the time drug me to a vampire play. Alright, I’m down to wear a cape and faux fangs. Let’s do this thing.
But it turns out it wasn’t only a vampire play, it was a NAKED vampire play. He didn’t know it either but guaranteed he was not as dismayed as I was by the boobs swinging all over the stage. That is my only memory of the vortex until today when the Big Weekend calendar launch party used it perfectly.
The space outside is huge and quirky. The space inside is a bar and a performance space. What an amazing area to have a great party, to see a small show or just to live la vida east manor. They aren’t afraid of doing something super cool. or out there. And I dig it. Even if it involves random boobs.

I went to The Vortex Café earlier this week for a hoop making workshop and happy hour. Cedar was the best teacher/​bartender ever. The vibe of The Vortex is quirky like Spiderhouse yet calmer and much more easy going. The menu is what you would expect from a theater company turned café but the beverage bar is stocked with all sorts of teas, juices, and an array of alcoholic beverages as well.
It’s a funky space that is comfortable to kick back and relax in while you finish sipping whatever concoction you have Cedar pour up for you. It’s also a great place to quietly contemplate your next big art project and/​or catch a live show at the theater on the weekend.
They have regular happy hours on weeknights and they also have an array of workshops and classes to choose from to nurture and grow on various artistic endeavors.
Check out the café, check out the website, and be there for a happy hour and you’ll be dying to go back.
If I could give this place 10 stars I would!!!

Went to the Vortex tonight for «Alice,» which was a scream-​tastic good time. The venue itself was small, welcoming and fun — no complaints here. The Hostess for the evening was very spirited — showing us to our seats and announcing the end of intermission with glee.
Thankfully, pre-​show drinks are available at reasonable prices at the theater’s café — much appreciated. The restrooms were also clean. Yep.

If you drive down Manor Road (as I do, twice a day every day) then you might notice a fantastically shiny, silver sign glittering in the sun right next to Home Steam Laundry. The sign says Vortex. Were it not for the sign drawing so much attention to this little gem of a local theater, it would be easy to drive right by without so much as a passing glance.
The theater itself is cozy but not teeny-​tiny. There is an outdoor «Yard» area that is used for outdoor performances, hula-​hooping, or just plain old hanging out. The café has just been expanded to include a really nice patio area replete with mood lighting and picnic tables. The café features a vast selection of snacks and drinks so far above and beyond the usual overpriced soda and candy bars from Cost-​Co that on a recent evening they were serving cakes from Chee Zee.
Now about the performances. Local, organic (and sometimes just plain weird) theater is alive and kicking at the Vortex. It’s true that I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of two different shows that featured prominent nakedness, but both times it was all in good, clean fun.
All in all, the Vortex is a good organization that makes great use of its little piece of Manor Road real estate.