North Loop Parlor: the local pizza place i love & will miss

In 2001, when I moved to Austin, I went out in search for a 24 hour coffee shop to study in and relax that wasn't Kens Donuts (I like the place but their coffee is instant) by campus.  I decided to venture off away from Guadalupe & West campus and finally found Epoch Coffee on North Loop.


I also found other locally owned stores & shops like Hog Wild, the Sign and Graphics shop, Pharas, The Musical Exchange, Monkeywrench Books, Counter Culture, and my favorite - The Parlor.

We've all done it.  If you have been to the Parlor between 8pm and 11pm (dinner time) you most likely had to walk right in front of the band, playing for a damn good pizza and a pitcher of Lonestar, to get the counter to place your order.  I have probably walked in front of at least 100 bands on various nights to eat a slice and have a few pints of tasty local beer. Bands like Cruiserweight, Bestview, Girl in a Coma, Red Leaves, the Offbeats, Joan of Arc, Guns of Navarrone, and a shit ton of other friendbands and local bands from around the neighborhood and Austin. It was the best place to go see free local music & eat a fresh pizza with fresh vegetables & damn good cheese (and in 2001 they were one of the few that made their pizza fresh with vegan cheese & have always had it as an option).

It sadden me to read that The Parlor North Loop will be closing due to an 'unexpected & substantial increase in rent, as well a short lease option' in 2 weeks.   Although there is another location The Parlor Hyde Park, I am still going to miss the HELL out of the North Loop location.  I discovered local bands like Red Leaves and even saw my hometown favorite band, Girl in a Coma, play for free.  I even remember showing up to a Red Leaves show and couldn't make it inside because there were so many people standing outside due to it being at capacity inside.  Singer, David, and Marcos were friends I most likely always saw busting ass behind the counter making pizza, taking phone orders, setting the band up, and keeping the music in the jukebox real and badass. I always loved that you can find handwritten song lists/albums on the back of order tickets from Jon Wayne's Texas Funeral to Modest Mouse's The Lonesome Crowded West - (sometimes there would be pictures too that corresponded to the music). 

Back patio mural at The Parlor North Loop

Last time I went to the Parlor was about 2 months ago while I was on bike. Despite the newbies that have popped up on North Loop Blvd like East Side Pies Too!, The Tigress Pub, Foreign & Domestic, Blackbird Clothing, and some other vintage store that isn't Blue Velvet or Room Vintage (anyone know the name?), I always went back for a slice at The Parlor. It was the lighting (red lighting undertone), the tattoo'd pizza makers/bike commuters, free local music, and the back patio that I love to go back to. It reminds me of friends and my first time discovering The Parlor. I'm gonna miss it. 


There will be music to be had still, while it lasts, pizza to be eaten, and beer to be drank at The Parlor North Loop Closing- June Farewell Music Fest 2011 beginning Monday, June 13th.  I plan on making it out to catch Bitter Birds (June 17th), Wino Vino (June 19th) and the last night of the location's opening on Tuesday, June 21st to see what "Very Special Guests" will be playing at 11pm.  Check out which bands are playing and make it out. Seriously. Or go eat some pizza and have some beer there. Support local businesses and let the neighborhood know you will miss The Parlor by bringing this little pizza joint, that will be dearly missed by all, to CAPACITY!!!!

Red Leaves at The Parlor North Loop