A popular downtown Austin haunt, Wax Myrtle's, is set to close its doors on December 31, ringing in the new year with an end-of-era bash before shutting down for good. This trendy spot, known for its poolside view and neighborhood vibes, will serve its final patrons at the Thompson Austin Hotel location, following a two-year run that started in February 2022. A new, yet-to-be-disclosed concept is expected to take over the space in early 2024, according to Eater Austin,
The closure marks a significant change for the Chicago-based Land and Sea Dept. group, which introduced the restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired menu including dishes like black-eyed pea falafel. However, over time, Wax Myrtle's pivoted to adequately feed the local's hunger for Mexican cuisine, dishing out tacos, nachos, and mariscos. Patrons can look back on their experience at Wax Myrtle's as they spend the closing hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on its last day before the party kicks off at 9 p.m., Nate Hardesty, the managing director of the Thompson Austin, said in a statement obtained by Eater Austin.
Revolving around concepts of leisure and relaxation, Wax Myrtle's quickly found its place in the city's social scene after its launch on Valentine's Day. The whimsically named establishment featured an inviting landscape teeming with plants, right in the concrete heart of downtown's music and entertainment district. The duo establishment Wax Myrtle's shared its unique atmosphere with both Thompson and Tommie Austin hotels, offering an escape for Austinites and visitors within a sea of skyscrapers, as reported by Tribeza.
The Wax Myrtle's design, brought to life by Venice Beach's Studio Collective, aimed to seamlessly blend the indoors with the outdoors, creating an ambiance that made guests want to linger over their drinks and meals. "The idea is to slow down, drink a glass of rosé or beer, eat some hummus, and hang out," Executive Chef Nick Erven had told Tribeza, reflecting a desire for patrons to stay put equally as long as they fancy, as per Tribeza.
