Better Half/Hold Out

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails is an all-day café and bar offering a blend of casual coffeehouse vibes and lively cocktail bar energy. Located just west of downtown, this bright and inviting spot features an airy indoor space, a cozy outdoor patio, and a 550-square-foot commercial kitchen. Hold Out Brewery is a popular craft brewery known for its laid-back vibe and meticulously crafted beers. The establishment offers a welcoming outdoor patio and an industrial indoor space.

Better Half is a renovation of a concrete block, freestanding building that used to house a rental car company. Conceptually, the building is divided in half lengthwise, in the spirit of traditional diners—with the bar along one side and the dining area along the other. The design is meant to encourage a more casual attitude, which informed the material palette of white oak, concrete counters, white tiles, and accents of blackened steel.

The design reflects the owners’ attitude toward aesthetics and service as well as functionality. During the day, the space is filled with natural light provided by a westward-facing façade of glass; the window frames the exterior courtyard and dining spaces while celebrating the site’s massive, 73-inch diameter heritage live oak tree. This perceptual extension of the interior space to the outdoors gives a sense of spaciousness to the otherwise smallish space.

Just a few steps away, Hold Out Brewery was conceived as a collaborative project between a group of passionate veteran brewers who wanted to create a space that combined great beer, casual vibes, and community spirit. Born out of a shared love for craft brewing and hospitality, the founders sought to develop a brewery that reflected Austin’s laid-back, yet creative culture.

Housed in a circa-1970s military Quonset hut from nearby Camp Mabry, the brewery features a large patio overlooking the 400-year-old live oak tree.

The owners envisioned a place where high-quality, carefully brewed beers could be enjoyed alongside exceptional food in a welcoming environment. Hold Out’s design and menu were crafted with intention, from the small-batch beers brewed on-site to the thoughtful, approachable pub fare. Since opening, the brewery has become a hub for beer enthusiasts and food lovers alike, bringing a fresh and innovative presence to Austin’s beer scene. – May Wong and Mikel Bennett, AIA