(Credit: Julie Patterson)

Looping it all together

North Loop offers renters and consumers a taste of something different

By William Bass

Published March 30, 2011

Everyone always talks about the good old days, those times where everything was golden: rent was cheap, people were friendly, and the only goal was getting caffeinated, boozed up, and laid, all in that order. While local curmudgeons will always be living in their fantasies of some mythic Austin, this Shangri-la of slackerdom still thrives just a couple of blocks from the intramural fields: North Loop.

For those unfamiliar with the North Loop neighborhood, it is an eclectic mix of college kids, families, and Austin eccentrics. At the same time, its businesses seem to reflect its colorful demographic with an all-night coffee shop, punk-rock pizzeria, and tons of vintage stores, just to name a few.

Student Housing

As the east side is reaching its saturation point, more students looking for housing options are exploring the possibilities of North Loop. For North Loop resident and Biology Senior Emily Royal, the quaintness of the neighborhood is one of the biggest draws.

“It’s not crawling with uber-trendies, and houses a number of gentle authentic dork types,” said Royal, “like 50-year-old men who play trivial pursuit on their front lawns, or these three dudes in monochromatic spandex uniforms that walk their dogs around.”

For Royal and others, North Loop seems to be the Goldilocks’ porridge of interesting neighborhoods.

“I actually really love it here, because it’s a little less hip than the east side, less rich than the west side, less hippy than the south, but still very cultured, relaxed and strange.”

Nevertheless, one of the main draws of the area for students isn’t necessarily the atmosphere, but rather the cheap rent and closeness to campus.

“We originally started renting in North Loop because of its cheap rent and general proximity to campus,” said UT Computer Science Alum Rob Rumble. “But when we got here, we really fell in love with the peculiarity of it.”

Indeed, the area has its own charismatic flavor to it, serving as one of the last bastions for Austin residents to let it all hang out.

“The neighborhood has a muted weirdness vibe: a giant cemetery with almost no headstones, giant impaled teddy bear heads, guinea fowl, and wild parrots,” said Rumble. “There are just strange objects scattered about your average residential landscape.”

Getting Busy

For non-residents, North Loop is one of Austin’s premier, yet overlooked, hang outs. Under age kids can get rowdy with bands at the punked-out rock club/pizza joint The Parlor, study freaks can burn the midnight oil at the 24/7 coffee-shop Epoch, or one can just throw back some handcrafted cocktails at the intimate bar The Tigress.

The North Loop strip also has no shortage of local shopping options that help you keep it weird.

“I think one of the great things about the strip is that there is literally something for everyone. We have vintage, boutiques, sex shops, coffee, bars, food (one of the top restaurants in the city right now, Foreign and Domestic), music venues, shops, and a [grocery] store,” said Lori Goodpasture of Room Service Vintage. “In addition, because of our location, our price points are lower than stores that are located near or in downtown Austin.”

North Loop is a kind of Mecca for Austin’s vintage shoppers. The area boasts more than four vintage stores, all within a stone’s throw of each other. For those on a budget, vintage stores are the way to still look stylish while keeping your wallet intact.

“As far as vintage shopping goes, because of the recession, people who used to shop for new items are now discovering the value in shopping vintage and people who have always shopped vintage keep coming back to North Loop,” said Goodpasture.

Another asset of North Loop shops is its accessibility. Not having to pull your hair out trying to park downtown, the easy-going vibe is most certainly welcoming.

“One of the great things about the North Loop strip is that it doesn’t have the congestion and parking problems that many shopping areas are plagued with,” said Susan Davis of vegan food trailer Counter Culture.

Straying a little off the beaten path is the elusive Dart Bowl. For those looking to live out their Lebowski fantasies, there is no better place to yell “Over the line!” at your friends than at Dart Bowl.

“I love the place, because it is incredibly authentic. You have waitresses who have been there from the 70s, with massive southern accents and big Bouffant hair, and it just smells of bowling history,” said Royal.