When I walked into the Highball last night, the nervous excitement was palpable. There was the Highball staff working diligently cleaning up and scrubbing down anything that wasn’t covered (at this point, only the floor in the ballroom and the skeeball machines are covered), and then cleaning them again. There was also the major players, owners, managers, architects, etc, working on the layout of the couches in the bowling area. With a slew of inspections expected over the next few days, and Fantastic Fest happenings slated to begin later this week, I was witnessing a flurry of activity in preparation for an extremely important week at the Highball. “The Highball is in great shape and we will be ready for the Fantastic Fest sneak-preview opening,” Tim told me. “The progress in the last couple of days has been amazing and the space has really transformed.”
Diner as viewed from the west side of the Highball.
Inside the diner area, the bar back, with shelves and mirrors installed, is looking good. The protective cover has been taken off the bar top and all of the equipment (reach-ins, sinks, taps, stoves, ovens, fryers, etc) is being given a thorough cleaning by Highball staff.
Over in the bowling area, as I mentioned above, furniture (namely extremely attractive, shiny black couches) is in the process of being placed, maximizing the use of the area in conjunction with the scoring tables which (as of yesterday) are in place but not bolted down. Also, the protective covering had been taken off the lanes and ball returns and people were cleaning and mopping those areas as well.
Josh Jacobs installing speakers in the Paradise City karaoke room.
The Karaoke rooms are getting a lot of attention as well. All but two have work currently being done on them with regards to design and equipment installation. All the rooms are carpeted (take a gander at the Paradise City room), as is the majority of the Highball itself.
I asked Tim how he is feeling at this point. “My mood? Ecstatic. I can’t seem to wipe the smile off my face in anticipation of all the fun times in store at the Highball. I’m very proud of everyone involved for getting this project together in such a short amount of time.”
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I’ve got to go and check this place out. We have nothing like this in San Antonio. O
Posted by ollie foster on September 21, 2009
so, how do i find out about reserving some lane time for a company holiday party? i’ve got to have this planned soon and yours looks like the perfect environs!
Posted by Misses Loden on September 22, 2009
Hey guys…I suggest you get Twitter and Facebook accounts and add quick links at the top of the page at http://www.thehighball.com. After reading the article on http://www.statesman.com, I’m interested in what you’re doing, special promotions, etc., but it doesn’t seem like you have either of those accounts to follow when I search for you. (There is one Facebook account but it doesn’t look legit because Karrie is spelled “Kari.”) Thanks! Looking forward to exploring Highball soon.
Posted by Allison B on September 22, 2009
Has a date been set for the official opening? My birthday is 10/10 and I want to have the party there!
Posted by Jeff on September 23, 2009
So who can I charm & plead with to get into the sneak preview this weekend? My 25th birthday is Saturday and my fiance & I haven’t made any plans thus far. I’m getting slightly antsy to celebrate in style.
I read the Statesman article about the Highball this morning and tears literally came to my eyes when I read y’all got the Rock n’ Bowl lanes. The last time I went to Rock n’ Bowl was the Thursday before that fateful weekend in August 2005 (don’t say her name!). I bowled, hula hooped, and danced to Elvis tunes all night with charming old men who were there for their 40th class reunion. One of my favorite NOLA memories made bittersweet by its proximity to forced exile.
Anyway, can’t wait to see what you guys do with the place. Bowling, karaoke, AND skee-ball? I’m there. Hook a girl up for her quarter-century?
Posted by Samantha on September 23, 2009
I love the idea and the place looks great, but parking is already a nightmare at night due to the success of the Alamo Draughthouse, now just think of how many more cars there will be. Will there be overflow parking somewhere because the neighbors won’t like cars in the street.
Posted by blulou marini on September 23, 2009
living directly behind the alamo drafthouse, i am deeply dismayed at the coming of another business whose peak hours will be exactly the same as the theater that there are already not enough parking spaces for. i see no evidence of the additional 60 parking places promised to the city in exchange for the permit to open this business, could that be a lie? i have no driveway, i’m a working musician and kayaker, so nearly every time i park in front of my house, or a block away on busy movie nites, i’m carrying multiple trips of lots of gear. and that’s not talking about the young children who take music lessons at my house whose parents can’t get near to drop them off and pick them up. please please please address this parking issue in a way that doesn’t continue to make the neighbors feel like you’ve got yours and screw us!
Posted by beth galiger on September 24, 2009
I hope everybody can resolve these issues because the Alamo is one of the best companies in Austin right now with its huge community impact and exciting and fun events, I can’t wait to make The Highball yet another Alamo-driven destination for myself and friends.
Posted by Scott on September 25, 2009
I live just across the alley from the new bowling alley. I have suffered all summer from the noise and air pollution of the construction. Now I get to hear racket in the alley of people closing the place down, taking the trash, etc., until 3:30 AM and then first thing in the morning the diesel trucks start running just a few feet out my window while they unload supplies at the back door. The city of Austin has a new regulation that went into effect this month – you can’t let a diesel motor run for more than five minutes. Please make sure your delivery trucks observe this limit. Thanks.
Posted by Rebecca Swan on September 26, 2009
Is there a website or contact info for Highball? We are urgently planning a corporate event and love the idea of having it here. THanks!~
Posted by Jen Glatz on September 29, 2009
Can I suggest Pinball machines?… I just moved here recently and a couple quick searches for pinball machines in Austin yielded ZERO results. HOW CAN THAT BE. skeeball and pinball? solid.
just a suggestion.
alternatively, if someone does know where you can play pinball in this city, pleeeeease teeellllll meeeeeee
Posted by Dan on September 29, 2009
What are your hours of operation?
Posted by Ali on October 2, 2009
I was here on October 1 for the undead party and I have two things to say. 1) A $5 half empty beer is not an empty beer that can be taken by the staff when I am not looking, and 2) Why are the bowling shoes only in mens sizes? Should I bring my own next time?
Also, when you guys officially open, what will the prices be for bowling and such? Will I even be able to afford it?
Posted by Sasha on October 4, 2009
Is there anyone I can contact to find out if this will be open in November? I would like to plan an event there.
Posted by SB on October 5, 2009
Any updates on the Highball???? Opening day? We need more info!!
Posted by Barry on October 5, 2009
Well, that’s what you get for buying a house on the South side of Austin near movie theaters and bars that existed way before you moved in, Rebecca. That part of town has been zoned commercial since I was a little boy and if you move into the neighborhood, you’re asking for the noise. I don’t feel sorry for you. Sounds like you’re just a complainer who makes bad decisions anyway.
On a “high note, “we went to the Highball last night and instantly fell in love. Looking forward to more nights there.
Posted by Andy on October 19, 2009
Beth: You live there by choice. If you’d rather let the city have nothing going on rather than suffer an inconvenience, you’re welcome to move to the suburbs where you won’t have to worry about it. You can’t live close to downtown in an inexpensive house with no driveway or garage walking distance to the Alamo (which is a nice perk for many) and expect to have a parking spot right out front all the time.
Besides, where would you have them put in those 60 parking spaces? There isn’t any room left in that lot…
Posted by Corey on October 20, 2009
FYI, Andy, I live in an apartment house for disabled people and low income seniors. I live on a very small social security check.
They put subsidized housing in neighborhoods where nobody else wants to live.
Posted by Rebecca Swan on October 21, 2009
Andy and Corey,
Most of us around here like to have civil conversations about how we can have growth (welcome Highball!) and keep neighborhood life in central Austin comfortable. Everyone has the right to speak up, but when you post things on a blog like you did for all to read, it makes Austin look bad. It looks like we are a city made up of nasty, cold people, and that Austin is unfriendly like so many other American cities. The Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of Austin would probably appreciate it if you would tone it down and think of others besides yourself. Sometimes we can actually come to solutions that way.
Posted by Pat on October 21, 2009
I’m with you Pat.. My parents were zoo keepers, therefore I grew up witnessing the behavior of many types of animals. These two over territorial knuckle draggers, Cory and Andy, remind me of the excrement slinging howler monkeys, gibbons and baboons of my youth. If I were the Highball, I’d never trust these selfish primates with a bowling ball or god forbid analcoholic drink.
There goes the neighborhood!
Posted by Ben on October 21, 2009
I am the parent of a employee of the Hight Ball,I got to see the progress the High ball took, when I walked in last night I was blown away by everything, Tim and Karrie did a awesome job on everything, I love the light fixtures, Id love to find those for my own house. I wish you both nothing but success.
Posted by Tracie on October 26, 2009