South Congress

South Congress, Austin, Texas

South Congress isn't just a place in Austin - it's a treasure-trove of culture, diversion and refreshment. Home to Austin landmarks like the South Congress Cafe, Jo's Coffee, the Magnolia Cafe, Habana and Yard Dog, South Congress bubbles with activity and that inimitable Central Texas style. Allens' big red cowboy boot is at the epicenter of the South Congress activity.

South Congress History

Congress Avenue becomes South Congress Avenue at the Congress Avenue bridge. The area near South Congress, north of Oltorf, is generally known as the "South Congress shopping district." Not long ago, this South Congress area was blighted by crime and decay. Seedy rent-by-the-hour motels on South Congress were often the site of vice and narcotics busts. How things change. Now South Congress is one of the premiere business addresses in Austin, and the area is a thriving blend of restaurants, galleries, bars and unique, funky shops.

Allens Boots has been a part of the South Congress scene since 1977. We've seen the bad times and we're happy to welcome some good ones. We're certainly proud of the way all kinds of people have enjoyed shopping at our South Congress retail location, from rock stars to politicians to movie stars. We've been featured in Rachel Ray magazine, Cowboys and Indians, InStyle magazine and MTV videos. Not too bad for a little Western wear and cowboy boot store.

South Congress Highlights

Here are some of our favorite spots on South Congress:

Guero's, an South Congress Tex-Mex original. Guero's is always filled with happy customers, attracted by the tasty, healthy selections, the rough-hewn decor and the newly-built outdoor dining annex and bar.

the Austin Motel has been a South Congress landmark as long as South Congress has been a destination. Bright and funky, the Motel's signature is its tall red neon-framed sign that echoes classic theatre marquees of yore. The Motel also shares space with El Sol y La Luna, a unique family-style Mexican restaurant.

the Continental Club is a well-loved South Congress destination for Austin musichounds, and rightly so. Named one of the best bars in America by Playboy magazine, the Continental's stage has been graced by talent like Joe Ely, the Butthole Surfers, Leroy Parnell, Kinky Friedman, WC Clark, Charlie Sexton, Toni Price and the late Austin legend Stevie Ray Vaughan.

the Hotel San Jose is a restful oasis in the middle of the South Congress strip. Once a run-down motor court, the San Jose is now a favorite stopover for musicians in town for Austin City Limits or South by Southwest due to its minimalist stylings, friendly service and bar/pool.

Lucy in Disguise is more than just a costume shop - it's the prosperous side-effect of the owner's obsession with clothes and camp. This 8,000 square foot shop, a member of the National Costumer's Association, is jammed with masks, props, makeup, wigs, decorations, hats, shoes, boas, boots and of course, costumes of every shape and description. "It's Woodstock meets Las Vegas," says one local scribe.

South Congress is also a short walk from Zilker Park and the Congress Street bridge. Austinites love to enjoy their city's natural beauty, whether it's hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking or playing sports. Thanks to its location, all of that is possible in the South Congress vicinity. The Congress Street bridge is also home to three-quarters of a million Mexican free-tailed bats during the summer and spring. It's an awesome sight to see them take wing as the sun sets, darkening the sky in their nightly quest for dinner.

First Thursday on South Congress

The first Thursday of each month is a bit of a holiday in Austin. On those days, Austinites pour into the South Congress shopping district to enjoy food, drink, music and window-shopping to their hearts' content. Vendors set out their wares, whether in stores or on sidewalk tables, and people gather to listen to street musicians and chat with friends in the cool of the evening.

If you're in the South Congress area to attend First Thursday, or just passing through, you should stop by our South Congress retail location and say hello! We'd love to meet you, show you our selection of over 4,000 boots and help you find what you're looking for. Shop for cowboy boots and Western wear with us!