Friday’s focus in Austin will be on ghoulish get-ups and ill-fitting replicas forged out of cheap fabric. Yes, Halloween is legendary here, and it brings thousands downtown. But Saturday will bring a shift in focus: high fashion, original performances, and thrill-seeking legends in the form of F1 parties.
We have become accustomed to the big events here. When I originally moved here in the mid-90s, events were filled, for the most part, with locals in cut-offs and tank tops. We had the occasional rush of international guests during SXSW, but they were mainly clad in black and carried a guitar case. But, oh, how things have changed. And I don’t mean just the skyline.
This weekend marks the third year that the Circuit of the Americas track will host the Formula One race and each year, the parties seem to get bigger. They need to in order to impress the hundreds of thousands of international visitors. One group that has been wooing F1 crowds all over the world for eighteen years is the Amber Lounge. This pop-up party hosts drivers, celebrities, and apparently wine-writing SAHMs from Austin. I am honored to be attending this event as a guest of G.H. Mumm.

The party which begins at 10:30pm Saturday night will feature a performance by John Martin known for his work with Swedish House Mafia and, of course, plenty of G.H. Mumm. Tickets start at $380 for an individual ticket up to $34,850 for a Methusalum table. I think that may have been the gross receipts for 6th street in the 90s.
Tickets are not available at the door so plan ahead. If you want to toast with Mumm without going to the Amber Lounge, you can find it at the following downtown venues.* Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to work on the most important detail: WHAT TO WEAR?

*{I was given media passes to the event courtesy of G.H. Mumm for the event but was not asked to promote the event.}

**{The list of venues below was provided by Mumm and is not an endorsement although I have enjoyed several of them. Thoughts and opinions are my own.}
1. Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol
701 E 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701
• G.H. Mumm Pole Position Sparkling Sangria $12
• G.H. Mumm Champagne Glass $15

2. Ruth’s Chris Prime Steak House & Restaurant
107 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
• G.H. Mumm Champagne Glass $15

3. Due Forne
106 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701

4. Hilton Austin
500 E 4th Street, Austin TX 78701

5. Omni Hotel Downtown Austin
700 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

6. The Driskill Hotel
604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701

7. Taverna by Lombardi
258 West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701

8. Vince Young Steakhouse
301 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

9. Winebelly
519 West Oltorf Street, Austin, TX 78704

10. Summit
120 West 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701

11. Hotel Ella
1900 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX 78705

12. Little Barrel & Brown
1716 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

13. The Market
319 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701

14. Hangar Lounge
318 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701

15. Bess Bistro
500 West 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701

16. Max’s Wine Dive
207 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

17. Cru Wine Bar
228 West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701

18. Cantina Laredo
201 West 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78701