Swim Club Making Big Waves in the 512

The much anticipated poolside gastropub, Swim Club, opened June 24th and has been making waves in Austin’s financial district this past month. The concept is endearing–a flirty, colorful social club set in a historic pool, complete with themed grub, patio views, and artisan cocktails. Restaurants open every other week in Austin, but a social club is certainly more unique. One thing I am an advocate for is having a “Third place”– a sociological term that refers to a social space besides work and home that humans can retreat to. Could Swim Club be the new Third place that Austinites need during the sweltering summer months? I was obliged to accept an invitation from Swim Club on behalf of Texas Tasty to see for myself.

Ambiance and Refreshments:

Located in the Downright Hotel, Swim Club’s ambiance is a 1980’s Miami beach club fantasy, filled with magenta hues and soft jams. Walking in, I was immersed by the atmosphere: it was playful and nostalgic, yet alluring and flirtatious. With submarine views of the pool from the dining room, a hot pink billiards table, and a ball pit in a repurposed jacuzzi, it evokes a whimsical, Miami Vice-esque feeling. Seriously, it’s a place that makes Barbie’s Dream house look dismal and modest in comparison. Outside, lounge chairs and canopies surround a large rectangular pool. The bright pink and teal aesthetic makes it inevitable that you will take a few photos. You just will.

As for the food, Swim Club offers classic but fresh options that are perfect for poolside dining, like burgers, pizza, and tacos. A highlight of my meal there was the baja fish tacos, which featured snapper, housemade guacamole, cabbage, cilantro, and chipotle cream. The snapper was tender and flaky, and the fixings were fresh and delicious. It needed a little bit of heat for my taste, though, which I mended by adding some of the salsa from their dip trio plate, a quintessential appetizer and great equalizer for a frozen margarita.

The drinks really stole the show. The curated cocktail menu featured frozen drinks, inventive cocktails with a few classics thrown in, as well as an extensive beer and wine menu. There are even a handful of non-alcoholic cocktail options as well. I really appreciated the ability to upgrade any beer to a michelada. With my meal, I indulged in the Southside Cooler, a minty, gin-based drink garnished with a seasonal paleta. The drink was fresh, balanced, and had a slight bite to it from the kiwi-infused gin. My favorite beverage of the night by far, though, was the Aperol slush. This frozen cocktail is a fruitier nod to the aperol spritz, made with berry vodka, aperol, citrus, grapefruit, and a prosecco floater to top it all off. Hands down one of the best frozen drinks I’ve grabbed in the city. If you are a fan of aperol spritzes, definitely give it a try. 

Conclusion

Overall, Swim Club has got the recipe: an ambiance, a swanky concept, great drinks and food, and impeccable service. Impressively, it has full service throughout the club, including the patio, allowing guests to be able to explore. It’s also worth noting that a membership is not required to enter Swim Club. Both walk-ins and reservations are accepted, and anyone who dines also gains access to the pool for the rest of their visit. As for the question I posed at the beginning of this review, I do believe that Swim Club will become a beloved Third place of Austinites looking for a new social retreat. It’s not gimmicky, like most Instagram-worthy spots tend to be, but it’s certainly not boring, either. It’s cohesive, ubiquitously pink, and serves as a great hub to network and meet new friends. With that being said, I will certainly be returning, and I look forward to seeing Swim Club come into its own.

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