Entertainment Complex Armadillo Den Opens In South Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Armadillo Den, a new two-story bar and outdoor entertainment concept, has opened in South Austin, officials said Thursday.

The spot at 10106 Manchaca Rd. is the brainchild of seasonsed entertainment/bar scene vets Rick McMinn, Josh Hazzard and Brett Berry, officials said in an advisory. The first endeavor from the trio’s newly formed group, Manchaca Entertainment Group (MEG), Armadillo Den draws on their collective experience of 20+ years cultivating spaces in the hospitality industry to create this place for “Austin by Austin,” officials explained.

The three acres of land Armadillo Den occupies incorporates quintessentially Austin elements — live music, cold beer, local food trucks, a forthcoming off-leash dog area, options for spacious indoor and outdoor relaxing and large oak trees under which patrons can lounge. Armadillo Den is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday - Thursday and from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday - Sunday for guests who are 21+ to start, with plans to become kid-friendly in spring of 2021 upon the completion of the venue’s outdoor stage, officials said.

Photo provided by Armadillo Den.

“Armadillo Den has been four years in the making, and our shared goal was to make this project a great space for staff and patrons alike. With a focus on speed and hospitality, we have built this two-story building from the ground up and gave local craftsmen a lot of freedom to have fun with the space,” Berry said. “You'll notice something new every time you visit. From our artistic entrance made from longleaf pine scraps to our bowling alley tables atop wielded T-posts, to our massive pecan tree live edge bar downstairs, there really is a lot of thought and professional work done on this space, and we can’t wait to share it with Austin.”

The property, located on three acres of land with a variety of native Texas trees and landscape mixed in, boasts a two-story, 8,250 square-foot bar, with a building occupancy of more than 500 and a total capacity of about 1,500 — though it will operate well under that capacity during COVID-19, officials described. A small creek runs through the venue, further adding to the unique atmospheric quality of the space that lends itself to various activities and opportunities for years to come, its operators added.

The main structure consists of two climate-controlled floors, both featuring bars and separate hosting areas inside and out, with large glass overhead doors separating each area. The upstairs bar area and its wrap-around deck will eventually be a great option for events and game nights utilizing the 14 TVs throughout the space and will make an unparalleled viewing experience for live music on the pending outdoor stage. The venue also offers parking at the lot on-site, but guests who show proof of using rideshare get 10% off orders to encourage safety.

The Armadillo Den team said it understands that atmosphere is more than appearance and stems from the combination of customer service, music, ambiance, and quality food and drinks. Each indoor bar touts 18+ draft beers featuring local and thoughtfully sourced options, a full bar selection, and four rotating draft mocktails.

The outdoor entertainment area features two beloved Austin food trucks, Ranch Hand, known for its quality and healthy offerings, and Pueblo Viejo, a staple serving some of the best and fastest Tex-Mex fare, providing patrons with top options during their respective hours of operation.

Outdoor games, satellite bars, and a forthcoming off-leash dog area contribute to the fun, laid-back experience Armadillo Den aims to provide. Intricate details in the materials used throughout the property are as intentional as the layout of the space itself with nods to Texas culture, including touches like hand-painted bar lights from local artist Amanda Lombardi, an antique tin roof from Higginbothams in De Leon, Texas, screen doors from Stevie Ray Vaughn’s childhood home lining the upstairs bar with antique mirrors, bowling lanes from The Goodnight used as tables, and other features from local venues and vendors.

Armadillo Den hopes to be a go-to neighborhood bar first and a great music venue second. Patrons can expect to hear live music seven days a week and see glimpses of Austin music history in the form of past show posters adorning the walls. The team expressed pride in Austin’s live music history and is determined to continue that legacy by offering space for area musicians to share their art and bring people together safely.

Musicians of various genres will be able to take to the second-story stage and entertain interested boot scooters on the beautiful wood floors with limited capacity for the time being, with plans to host bigger shows and performers at the outdoor stage opening in spring of 2021. The team said it hopes Armadillo Den will not only fill the void of bars and gathering places in this particular area of South Austin but also give neighboring residents the ability to see quality entertainment without having to travel downtown to get it.

In light of the ongoing need for physical distancing, Armadillo Den is following all state and county guidelines for COVID-19 safety precautions in addition to utilizing as much of their large outdoor space to spread guests out, with heaters and custom fire pits making this experience all the more enjoyable in colder months. The team takes the health of staff and neighbors very seriously and asks guests to be overly cautious by washing hands often, using the hand sanitizing stations placed throughout, and wearing face coverings when roaming from table to bar or bathroom. Additionally, Armadillo Den staff are adhering to the same guidelines and cleaning the entire space routinely.

For more information on Armadillo Den, live music programming, and future updates, visit armadillodenaustin.com and follow the brand on social media at @armadilloden.