CLUB + VENUE: ’S BARS

WORDS: LYSSA MYSKA ALLEN club + venue IMAGES: TRAVIS TANK

THE BACHELOR’S BARS In fact, on a given night, you could fi nd any number THE MARQ of the brothers Bachelor—Brad, twin Chad, younger brother Wes, and brother-by-another-mother/best CHUGGIN’ MONKEY friend Jason Carrier—because all own and manage DIZZY ROOSTER The Marq and their three Sixth Street clubs: Chuggin’ THIRSTY NICKEL Monkey, Dizzy Rooster, and Thirsty Nickel. The rest of the Bachelor bars are the kind that give Sixth AUSTINITES ALL BELIEVE AUSTIN IS THE Street its well-earned reputation for drunken revelry, girls dance on the counters, frat boys guzzle beer, BEST CITY IN THE LAND, AND IF THE the cast of The Real World ffrequentedrequented tthemhem wwhenhen EXPLOSION OF DOWNTOWN LOFTS, they were here. The three bars are the quintessential BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS AND BARS college joints, and good ones at that. IS ANY INDICATION, PLENTY OF OTHERS ARE TRYING TO GET IN ON THE ACTION. SO But the brothers try not to get caught up in the SOMETIMES IT CAN BE HARD TO FIND NEW partying. Brad says, “I’m so fortunate that Chad, LOCATIONS THAT HAVE THE OLD AUSTIN Wes and Jason are the hardest workers ever … Our work ethic, I’d put up against anybody’s. We Gratuitous shirtless shower shots aside, Brad says AUTHENTIC, EFFORTLESS COOL—THE never, ever lose sight of the ultimate goal. And that’s on the Monday night show, “What you see is what DINOSAUR ON YOUR PIZZA JOINT, THE just to be happy and to be able to make these bars you get. And I say and do some very stupid things, AMY’S IN YOUR ICE CREAM, THE RUNNER succeed so we can all enjoy life.” I mean let’s face it, but that’s just me. Unfortunately, ON YOUR IDYLLIC TOWN LAKE. that’s just me! Yeah, everything I see is a true “Maybe they might wanna fi re me after doing the portrayal because I didn’t try to act like something Just as Austin manages to get away with being—or Bachelor,” he laughs. He knows they picked up his I’m not. It’s been interesting to see the girls, because at least appearing—effortless, barely six-month-old slack while he was off wining-and-dining in Malibu. I didn’t know a lot of what was going on behind the Warehouse District hotspot The Marq easily blends He’s quick to say, “The show approached me … scenes.” the fun and excitement of a Sixth Street bar with the My fi rst reaction was, ‘not a chance!’” His brothers suave sensibility requisite for the corner of Fifth and talked him into it; he credits them for saying, “Hey, Whatever his time in the limelight will bring—“I think Congress. The crowd is friendly but not overly fl irty; it’s an adventure, you might meet a really cool girl, the fi ve minutes of fame will go away very quickly,” the people are pretty without really fl aunting it; the give it a shot.” he says—a peek at Brad’s behind-the-scenes music is perfect for dancing but isn’t overpowering. life reveals less of the is-he-or-isn’t-he-Botoxed? Even the name itself, owner Brad Womack says, So did he meet a really cool girl? image and more of the outgoing, engaging, hard is just right: “The Marq was just simple enough, it worker persona. And that persona is what makes sounds like we’re not trying too hard ... We wanted Despite his local playboy reputation, don’t write off his bars so successful: “I’m very proud to say that to say ‘mark the spot.’” your favorite bachelorette yet. The show’s fi nale airs every single one of our bars has won, at one time or sometime in mid-November, and Brad says it’s “Not another, ‘Best Staff,’ ‘Best College Bar,’ ‘Best New A little bit like the city he inhabits, it can be hard to fi nd soon enough!” Bar.’ I mean, each and every one of those bars.” the real Brad Womack. His average-Joe demeanor is a bit buried beneath the glitter of his ABC reality … But don’t get too heartbroken either, because A trip into The Marq will give eager Austinites and show, The Bachelor, with its beautiful bachelorette Bachelor Brad does have a lot of affection for the visitors alike a glimpse into the genuine article: harem and stoic rose ceremonies. But step into The local ladies: “Austin girls are beautiful on all regards, Austin-style bar and Austin-style Bachelor. They Marq on any given weekend, and you will fi ndnd thethe realreal not just on the outside … we’re all lucky to live here don’t try too hard; they exhibit the casual cool style Brad Womack (who turns 35 this month)—tending … Austin girls are great, you know, they’re perfect. So and sincere excitement for life that makes Austin the bar, shaking hands, cleaning up spills. why do the show? Why the hell did I? I don’t know.” place everybody wants to be. am+e

10 / AUSTIN MUSIC + ENTERTAINMENT