Moring to Night
Coffee, Cocktails, & Concerts
Words Janine Stankus | Photos Baptiste Despois
These days, many spots in Austin offer coffee and cocktails. But Radio Coffee & Beer Garden has been dialing up the day-to-night concept from its inception in 2014. With house-roasted coffee, rotating craft cocktails, and everything in between, Radio strives to create a “hang” away from home that keeps Austinites returning for more.
Radio East, sister locale to Radio Coffee & Beer Garden, opened in September 2023. The two-acre space expands on the original concept with two full-scale concert stages and a distinct drink menu. Inside, the vibe is largely similar to Radio Coffee & Beer. But Trey Hudson, partner and operations director, points out a deliberate difference: the ratio of coffee to spirits behind the counter. “There’s a 20% representation, physically, of coffee and about 80% cocktail because we want you to feel and see ‘bar.’”
Consistent R&D goes into crafting the drink menu, which rotates four times a year and includes event specials. Beverage director David Hudson dreams up seasonal cocktails like Spiced Maple Old Fashioned (Still Austin Whiskey, spiced dark maple, orange) and bold frozens like Saturn (Roku Gin, falernum, orgeat, lemon). His cocktail sense spills over to the coffee menu with showstoppers like Banana Yuzu Split and Pom Pom Matcha. “David, just being a complete nerd about cocktails, has taken it to the next level for us,” Trey boasts.
Despite being bar-forward, Radio East keeps the drink menu well-balanced. “The philosophy behind it all is creating delicious drinks, new, exciting things and really accessible,” Trey notes. He mentions the Oat Milk Vietnamese Iced Coffee, made with chicory cold brew from Radio’s own RCB Roasters. It’s a delightful vegan option that is such a crowd-pleaser that it has jumped from the seasonal menu to a staple.
You’ll always find a matcha or a chai and a range of hot espresso and cold coffee drinks to please every kind of caffeine drinker. The menu also features high-touch mocktails like Pretty in Pink (Ritual Gin substitute, Giffard Aperitif, orgeat, lemon), NA beers from Athletic Brewing, and THC seltzers.
According to Trey, what truly differentiates Radio isn’t just their drinks; it’s a feeling of comfort and conviviality. He explains, “Like you could be hanging out in your own living room; that’s something we do naturally…I don’t think you can manufacture it. But it’s how we feel when we’re here, because we have people who genuinely love being here.”
Shhhh…Don’t tell.
Trey plans on introducing a “secret menu” at Radio East location: something exclusively available at the bar. “You’ll have access to a different menu, different glassware…more complex cocktail build,” he grins. It’ll be something along the lines of a local’s secret offerings.
Radio Rosewood opening soon.
Radio’s third location is coming to historic East 11th Street, in the former Try Hard Coffee space. To be managed by David Hudson, Radio’s current beverage director, the new spot will focus more on cocktail service. They’ll introduce curated drinks special to the new location, including quality coffee cocktails and Mexican cocktails with new glassware and garnishes.
Contact:
3504 Montopolis Dr.
radiocoffeeandbeer.com
@radioeastaustin
