Radio Coffee & Beer Opens in Austin, Texas

Austin, TX — After a few days of soft opening, Radio Coffee & Beer, a beer bar, coffee shop and cafe featuring occasional live music, officially opens its doors in South Austin. Located at 4204 Manchaca Road near Ben White Blvd, Radio is a new neighborhood destination with an authentic old Austin feel. Guests can enjoy a large selection of local craft beers, Stumptown coffee, and great food from top Austin food vendors including Veracruz All-Natural.

At the helm is musician and Austin native, Jack Wilson, managing partner. Over the last decade, Jack spent countless hours on the road touring and exploring coffee shops and bars across the country. A hospitality industry veteran, most notably working a long stint at Seattle’s indie favorite, Victrola Coffee, Jack also worked at local favorites, Flipnotics and Bouldin Creek Café. Stemming from his time at Victrola, and Jack’s musical background, the name for Radio is a playful nod to these two significant influences.

Showcasing familiar Austin names, the food offerings include slices from East Side Pies, baked goods from Texas French Bread as well as regular and gluten-free items from People’s Pharmacy. Fans of the taco trailer Veracruz All Natural will be delighted as Radio marks a new home to the mobile outpost. Located near the shaded seating area, guests can enjoy their popular favorites from opening to closing.

“We are excited to be serving Stumptown coffee,” states Wilson. ““Working with the team in Seattle, a brand that is well-known for their focus on quality, gives us a level of credibility. While we wanted to feature a nationally recognized name, we’re also excited to highlight so many of our favorite local vendors.”

Bringing together expert craftsmanship from the unique machinery to the experienced staff, each coffee made promises to be a memorable experience. As one of the few seen in Austin, Radio’s unique 3-Group, Synesso Cyncra espresso machine was hand built in Seattle especially for Wilson, who boasts a personal connection to the creator, a friend and fellow musician who also worked at the Synesso factory. Its precise design allows the rate of extraction to vary as the shot progresses, resulting in an incredibly balanced shot of espresso. Setting itself apart, the machine is known for its notable features including precise pressure profiling, easy to read shot timers, separate brew boilers, and programmable temperatures for each brew group, insulated steam wands, and sleek chrome finish. Additionally, all coffee drinks on the menu feature Milk-King, a local non-homogenized, low-temperature pasteurized milk based outside of Waco, TX.

A great spot for grabbing morning coffee on the way to work, stopping in for lunch with the family, or enjoying beers with friends, Radio offers a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of seating on a tree-lined property. With lots of natural shade, the expansive outdoor patio space is dog-friendly, while the grounds will also offer a play area and garden for the younger set. Perfectly timed with the arrival of summer and rising temperatures, Radio is the first Austin establishment to serve Stumptown Coffee’s Nitro Cold Brew on draft. The refreshing drink pours with a rich head similar to a stout beer.

The thoughtfully designed interior features repurposed wood floors and walls with large windows that allow for natural light to flood the space. Supporting local vendors, Wilson worked with neighboring business Mockingbird Domestics and Uncommon Objects to fill the space with handcrafted furniture and lighting. Sun Signs constructed the iconic neon sign, a design by Sanctuary Printing, that is emblematic of old South Austin. The custom 24 tap system designed by Travis Read of Custom Draft features a rotating selection of regional craft beers.

“We knew we wanted to open a place that keeps the integrity and feel of the neighborhood intact,” says co-owner Greg Wilson. “Being from Austin, we felt it was important to create a space that reflects the flavor of old South Austin while also adding something new and I think Radio does just that.”

Guests will enjoy live music outside from touring groups and local bands on special occasions as well as more mellow acts on the intimate indoor stage during the week. A former employee of Flipnotics, Wilson brought on several staff members from the popular locale, and will continue the tradition of the popular Bluegrass Night on Mondays.

The welcoming space provides something for everyone with ample onsite car and bike parking, and expansive dog-friendly outdoor shaded seating. Radio is located at 4204 Manchaca Road and is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am — Midnight and Saturday & Sunday from 7:30am — Midnight. For updates or more information, visit http://radiocoffeeandbeer.com/, follow on twitter @RadioCoffeeBeer or like on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/radiocoffeeandbeer.