Satellite ATX, the longtime restaurant and live music hangout serving Austin's Circle C neighborhood on the southwest side, is closing for good later this month. The owners say the final service is set for Sunday, July 26, which will bring nearly two decades of neighborhood dinners and late-night shows to an abrupt stop.
Owners announce final service
In a short public note, the owners told regulars what many had hoped they would never hear: "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close Satellite ATX." The message explains that the restaurant will keep normal hours through the final service, although hours and menu options could shift as operations wind down. According to the Satellite ATX site, the note is signed simply "Ben and Kullen."
Two decades and a recent ownership change
Satellite opened in 2006 and steadily turned into a Circle C fixture, the kind of spot that was part diner, part date night, part post‑game hang. The current owners only recently took the reins, purchasing the business in July 2024. As Community Impact reported, the new team had talked up renovation plans and a refreshed push for neighborhood-focused programming.
Neighborhood stage for live music
After taking over, Hardaway and Kifer doubled down on the venue side of the operation, reviving free performances and expanding the live music schedule, according to CultureMap Austin. With the restaurant sitting well outside the downtown entertainment grid, that emphasis on shows helped turn it into a reliable neighborhood stage and a convenient stop for touring acts who did not need a Sixth Street backdrop.
Final days and how to follow
As the countdown to closing night continues, the owners are urging guests to keep an eye on the restaurant website and social feeds for any last-minute changes. The Satellite ATX homepage currently lists Sunday, July 26 as the final day of service and includes a public thank-you to staff, musicians, and community partners who helped keep the place humming over the years.
What the closure leaves behind
The farewell note did not explain why the owners chose to shut the doors, and there was no immediate information about what might move into the space next, CultureMap Austin reported. For southwest Austin residents, the loss means one fewer casual, low-cost stage and the disappearance of a familiar neighborhood hangout that mixed comfort food, patio nights, and live music into a single, well-worn room.
