Just a few weeks ago, I found myself belting out those lyrics in a voice I usually reserve for solo car rides and late night karaoke. Instead, I was on a brightly painted bus singing along with a date, several new friends I had just made, and a talented Austin band.
When I moved here several years ago, I created a personal bucket list of all the places to enjoy live music. Unbeknownst to me, I had left one thing off my list: a bus.
With a certification in Tour Management and experience working as a tour director internationally, Meagan Fritts recently launched Twisted Texas Tours, building on the success of parent company Access ATX. With a Live Music & Brewery Tour and a Comedy City Tour, this local business offers a fun-filled experience for visitors and locals alike.
Pack a small cooler with water and your favorite adult beverages, then hop onboard! The Live Music & Brewery Tour leaves from Waller Creek Pub House on Saturdays at 2 p.m.
The distance to the breweries isn’t far, but you’ll probably want to stay hydrated and enjoy a cold one on the way. You never know about Austin traffic, and a cozy music lounge is always more enjoyable when the “bar” is at your finger tips.
Each Saturday tour may feature a different band, but ours was Belle and the Beasts. At first I thought the beer I brought made them sound familiar. Then I learned the members’ names: Brett Winning and Brian Wolff of Fair City Fire, and Dre Mazzenga of That Girl Dre. They’re collaborating as Belle and the Beasts, but still perform with their other groups. Luckily for our group, they weren’t taken aback by our off-key amateur singing, encouraging us to join in.
Our tour guide, Amber Pennybacker, provided interesting facts about the local area and businesses during musical breaks. Once at the breweries, she took care of our first round of flights, establishing herself as our new favorite.
Tour stops included Austin Beerworks first, then Friends and Allies Brewing. Both places had food available for purchase, with enough time to sit and eat at each stop.
The Comedy City Tour features music, as well, but it’s musical comedy instead of a band. Expect to see a variety show onboard, as tour guides create laughter throughout a historical commentary and improvisational dialogue. Everything is fair game, from quirky city facts and gossip, to how Austin is keepin’ it weird.
Content for the Comedy City Tour can be a little risque, and adults onboard may be drinking (both tours are BYOB). While you don’t have to be 21, you do need to be 13 or older.
This tour is held on both Saturdays and Sundays, departing from Irene’s at 11 a.m. The tour itself lasts about two hours, with a break in-between at Lazarus Brewing.
Expect to see Austin from a new perspective as this “unforgettable musical-comedy extravaganza on wheels” takes you throughout the city.
With the start of Twisted Texas Tours and expansion into public touring, Access ATX is growing. Fritts founded Access ATX in 2015 to provide luxurious, private group tours with unique experiences that support local businesses.
While Access ATX tours are customized for private groups of all sizes, Twisted Texas Tours (the public touring arm) caters to individuals or small groups who are happy to share the tour experience with others. Check out the Twisted Texas Tours website to see the schedule for featured City Tours. There are also seasonal tours, so be sure to check the calendar regularly.
Whether you’re in the mood for comedy or touring with local bands, Twisted Texas Tours has created a convenient way to do both. With fun entertainment plus the option to bring along your own adult beverages, these tours won’t conjure up school bus memories of the past. Cheers to that!
Follow Twisted Texas Tours on Facebook or Instagram for more information, or schedule a tour.
Who would you bring along on a Twisted Texas Tour?