Austin Club - Austin, Texas

Stephen A. K.

My husband and I held our wedding reception at the Austin Club in December 2024, and despite a beautiful day, our experience with the venue management was overwhelmingly negative. The inefficiency and lack of professionalism from the Catering Director, Sarah, and Club Manager, Paul, both of whom have been employed at the venue a little over a year, added significant stress in the days leading up to and morning of our wedding. Once the event started, however, the food, servers, and bartenders were outstanding - we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for turning things around for us.

We encountered numerous organizational issues: written errors in communication from the venue about reception set-up times that resulted in unnecessary accommodation costs for friends and loved ones and forced me to cancel hair and make-up appointments the morning of the wedding; unannounced road closures on the wedding day causing logistical nightmares (that management was aware of in advance, but did not mention); unexpected fees, poor customer service/interpersonal skills, and several other management failures. Such problems forced us to take on extensive last-minute coordination tasks that were rightly the responsibility of the venue. Unfortunately, management demonstrated little concern or accountability when confronted about each challenge that we faced. In fact, the Club Manager later threw the Catering Director under the bus, claiming each issue was ‘all her fault’.

Additionally, we experienced various smaller issues: broken ballroom decor not attended to despite repeated requests, incorrect billing, and inappropriate behavior and remarks from management that demonstrated a concerning lack of respect for our event. We were even forced to address an inadequately handled invoice in the middle of the reception, further evidence of the disorganization that characterized our dealings with the venue.

Ultimately, the Austin Club issued a minor refund, though we felt this fell short of compensating for the array of issues, emotional strain, and the resulting costs. We advise others to consider alternative venues, as the management at Austin Club significantly tainted our experience. Nonetheless, we choose to cherish the joyous memories of our day, made possible by supportive family, friends, serving/bartending staff, and other wonderful vendors.

Jorge L. F.

Excellent venue for hosting small to medium ceremonies. Personnel is great and very attentive!

J M. Z.

This is a private club, but to maintain the 501c3, they have to be open to the public a certain number of hours monthly. But the vibe is exclusive old Austin. Clearly, there are not many rich old Austinites enjoying the club. Unlike the private clubs outside of the city. The staff is exceptional. I was there for the public brunch, which was delicious, though staff outnumbered customers.

Caleb S.

The Sunday brunch was spectacular. I'm so glad to been a part of it. Paul and his staff are very cordial hosts of the Austin club. I will be back.

Dale G.

Great atmosphere but the horderves were less than average.

Dora T.

Red Mass, salmon and spinach salad was OUTSTANDING. Super delicious. Elegant environment. Classy place.

pronins

The food at the Austin Club is good, but the atmosphere and decor are outstanding. It feels very traditional and the service is great.

Capt. C. M.

The Austin Club is a beautiful old place, brimming over with charm and history. Rife with a particular kind of ambiance and elegance, its cozy dining room and massive ballroom make it a singular location located in the heart of Downtown Austin. With exceptionally high demand across Austin for elevated dining and social experiences, this place should be packed on a regular basis - and it once was. The food was excellent; the bartenders were incredible; and the servers were snappy. As a service experience there was nothing in the area to rival it. It was a truly wonderful place to come.

It is now dying a fast death as a going concern.

At any moment, the General Manager might wander into a room and begin shouting. He shuffles in and yells at employees right in front of members and guests, often for simply doing their jobs. In one instance he yelled at an employee for accommodating another employee with a disability per ADA requirements. He is known to regularly pull employees into the President’s Room; close the door; and yell so loudly that anyone present in the bar down the hall can enjoy his every complaint along with the targets of his tirades, who then frequently depart in tears. But Ken Richardson’s abuse is not limited to employees. He is known to yell at members just as often as anyone else, often shouting random ramblings about cheapskates and expenses and how no one understands or appreciates how great he is. But with his one unfocused eye, no one is ever really certain if he’s yelling at a person or a wall. Temp agencies will no longer send their staff to work any club events, unwilling to subject any of their people to his vitriol and abuse. And with new employees leaving as quickly as they are hired because of his radically toxic management style, this usually leaves operations severely short-staffed. Which means he usually has to attend most functions himself, where he gleefully tells banquet customers that they are stupid as he sticks his dirty fingers into their wedding cakes.

Members are embarrassed to bring guests, not knowing if the food will be completely cooked or if the Grade D steaks will be served still frozen in the middle. At any moment Ken could wander in and begin shouting - hopefully at an actual person. The event programming caters to members who have been gone for decades, instead of capitalizing on an entire population actively seeking the kind of place this establishment once was (and could-be). Because he cuts legitimate costs at every opportunity, lack of any pest control has resulted in roaches regularly falling from the ceiling in both back of house and front of house spaces, and skimpy little cocktails get served in tiny dessert glasses.

It is heart-breaking to see a once vibrant and grand establishment get run into the ground by a tired old man who yells at everyone in sight. The Board of Directors have been terrible stewards of The Austin Club, choosing to lazily overlook the horrendous behavior of a toxic General Manager who should have been invited to retire long ago.