The American Supper Club is returning thanks to a new restaurant that aspires to be a sophisticated and lively local restaurant, cocktail lounge, and social hub. The Statesman, located at 710 W. 6th Street in downtown Austin, will open its doors on January 19, 2024. It draws inspiration from Texas’ rich entrepreneurial past.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the idea of the American Supper Club became popular. Restaurants functioned more as a social hall for customers to gather and mingle over opulent cuisine and drinks. The Statesman aims to be a popular American Supper Club where customers become regulars, and people mingle and become friends. The new spot should be enjoyable, where guests can cultivate true friendships.
The Supper Club concept is personal for owner Craig Ley, founder of Eat, Drink, Live (EDL) Restaurant Group, who has overseen the day-to-day operations and development of the new Austin restaurant.
The culinary team is led by executive chef Dan Kennedy, whose resume includes an impressive background of working with celebrity chefs like Ludo Lefebvre at Trois Mec, Aaron Silverman at Little Pear, and Justin Bogle at Avance. Kennedy has also worked alongside Top Chef winners Michael Voltaggio at Ink and Kevin Sbraga at Sbraga.
The Statesman menu offers more sophisticated options like red snapper with sauce meuniere, roasted chicken breast with jus, and ribeyes and filets made with local 44 Farms ingredients, in addition to classics like seafood towers, crab cakes, and house-made pasta dishes (like cacio e pepe and tagliatelle with roasted mushrooms).
The dining room becomes a sophisticated cocktail lounge when the sun sets. Guests can listen to the music from a DJ while sipping delicious cocktails made by Austin-based mixologist Bill Norris of Midnight Cowboy fame.
Try the tequila old-fashioned, with a hint of cinnamon, a yummy twist to the Paper Plane called the Business Class, and the S.S. Margarita that’s a bit sweet with a hint of ghost pepper for a juicy kick.
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Guests can gaze at and enjoy a custom 20-foot piece of wall art by artist Michael Kalish, known for mixing pop culture and Americana style in his pieces. Other details include vintage fixtures, brown leather booths, and a button to order champagne.
For groups wanting a more intimate experience, the Statesman has a private area tucked in the back with tufted booths that accommodate up to 40 guests. There’s also a 30-seat outdoor patio with fans to keep patrons cool when it’s hot.
The Statesman will be open daily, starting at 4:30 pm, with dinner service until late. Go online to OpenTable to make reservations, and for more information, visit statesmanatx.com.
Vitals
- The Statesman
- Address: 710 W. 6th Street, Austin
- Website: https://statesmanatx.com
Map to The Statesman
Featured image from Pexels.com.
