We like to throw down with the best of ‘em. In fact, the authors of this site met at a SXSWi party. This fest is the place where deals get done and the drinks go down. Here’s our list of some cool parties to check out:
Friday, March 13
The Mix at Six Hosted by Social Media Group 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Six Lounge and The Tap Room (117 W 4th St)
Soft launch into the 2009 SXSW Interactive Festival experience with the Friday Night Mix at Six. Hosted by Social Media Group, this official pre-party provides a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new connections. Enjoy great views of downtown Austin from the rooftop deck and expanded room to network in the adjoining Tap Room!
AMODA Digital Showcase 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
The Mohawk (912 Red River St)
The Austin Museum of Digital Art presents a party featuring live electronic music and visual art. Expect video projections, interactive installations, and a Laptop Battle with musicians competing to outperform one another in a series of elimination rounds. Free for Interactive badge holders. [www.amoda.org]
Saturday March 14
Mobile Social SXSW BBQ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Brush Square Park (West Tent, across from the Austin Convention Center)
It’s pedals not panels at the Mobile Social BBQ. Music. Food. Beer. Schwag. Raffle. Explore the intersection of bikes, technology, and culture with Bike Hugger. Sycons, the DJs of the Sun to perform.
SXSW Interactive Opening Happy Hour hosted by Razorfish 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Madison (307 W 5th St)
Get your pre-party on with Razorfish at The Madison to kick off SXSW Interactive’s Opening Night. For VIP status, register for the event at the Razorfish SXSW Facebook page.
SXSW Interactive Opening Party Hosted by frog design 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St)
This is the legendary frog design party you’ve always been hearing about. Officially kick off the 16th year of SXSW Interactive at this unforgettable party!
OK! Happy Cog’aoke 10:00 pm – 1:00 am
The Scoot Inn (1308 E 4th St @ Navasota)
Happy Cog presents it’s first annual SXSWi karaoke competition. Join us for an open bar, unprecedented talent and demoralizing shame and regret. Sweet prizes for the winners. Hosted by Keyboard Man.
Sunday March 15
The SXSW Block Party 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Film + Interactive Trade Show (500 E Cesar Chavez St)
The Block Party, modeled after the popular pub crawl, is a new addition to the 2009 Trade Show. Talk with exhibitors in a festive atmosphere and enjoy complimentary appetizers and beverages.
SXSW Web Awards Pre-Party 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Downtown Hilton Hotel, 6th Floor Foyer (500 E 4th St)
Speculate on who will take home a coveted Web Award at the official pre-party . Complimentary beverages and delicious food will get you warmed up for the main event to follow.
Adobe 12th Annual SXSW Web Awards Ceremony – Presented by Adobe 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Downtown Hilton Hotel, 6th Floor (500 E 4th St)
The Web Awards Ceremony is the centerpiece of evening activities at the SXSW Interactive Festival. This year’s emcee is “conscious comic and vigilante pundit” Baratunde Thurston. The SXSW Web Awards are presented by Adobe, Web Awards Supporting Sponsors are Convio and All Web Leads.
FG SQUARED Party 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Lucky Lounge (209 W 5th St)
Hightail it over to the FG SQUARED shindig. It’s gonna be aces—grab a highball on the house and knock back some buckshot with Austin’s interactive marketing big leaguers. We’ll have a cool cat spinning all of Frank’s favorites, plus we’re playing BINGO (you heard me, Daddy-O.) Swing, baby!
Facebook friends.get Party 2009 9:30 pm – 1:30 am
Pangaea (409 Colorado St)
Do you develop, design or dance like a superstar? Facebook is hosting a party with live entertainment for our developers and partners. Stay up-to-date on all the SXSW activities by clicking here.
Monday March 16
The Rackspace Cloud SXSW Lounge Party 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Brush Square Park West Tent (across from the Austin Convention Center)
Come lounge with The Rackspace Cloud following SXSW Accelerator. Hookahs, hummus, henna. Beer, wine and wells. Tons of tech, too.
Nuclear Taco 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Brush Square Park (across from the Austin Convention Center)
Now in its 7th year of SXSW Interactive, Nuclear Taco Night is a celebration of masochistic cuisine. Join a loose confederation of geeks to share the tears of joy that only come from experiencing Austin’s hottest underground tradition: nuclear tacos. Don’t worry – there will be ice cream to cool off the taste buds and music from Austin favorite Hilary York.
The Great British Booze-up 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Shakespeare’s Pub (314 E 6th St)
The Great British Booze-up is back for its third year, and this time it’s personal. Those lovely guys from Clearleft, Boagworld and Naklab have put some money behind the bar and will be treating our American cousins to a good old fashioned knees-up to a soundtrack of great British tunes, straight from the mixmaster himself, DJ Clagnut. Choppa choons and lashings and lashings of tasty beer. What more could you ask for?
Blurb Party 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm
The Tap Room (311 Colorado St)
Join fellow Blurbarians at the Tap Room for a rockin time. Aside from the usual free drinks, we’ll have a sweet nacho bar and a slew of special guests. More info to come – check out the Blurb blog for all SXSW details as they’re announced!
Decider.com Party 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Mohawk (912 Red River St)
Celebrate Decider.com, the new website from The Onion and A.V. Club devoted to wise choices in arts & entertainment, food, and nightlife. Featuring The Lemurs, Low Line Caller, and more. Co-hosted with The Barbarian Group.
Mashable Party 9:30 pm – 12:30 am
Six Lounge (117 W 4th St)
Get ready to rock with music, drinks, and all around fun at the Mashable party. We’ve got some big things in store you won’t want to miss. Keep your eyes on Mashable and Mashable’s Twitter for more info.
Tuesday March 17
SXSW Interactive Closing Party Hosted by Media Temple 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
La Zona Rosa (612 W 4th St)
Hot new venue with lots of surprises in store. Be sure to stick around for this end-of-festival blow-out.
