There are so few places in Austin that remind me of the Austin I knew when I moved here in 1987. Giddy Up a south Austin live music venue and bar was one of them.
Well the owner has decided to not renew the lease due to… you guessed it… gentrification. Austin’s middle name.
Thank goodness the longtime owner Nancy Morgan was not alive when it closes it’s doors. She went on to another adventure in October of 2023. Hopefully they will move the building to one of the cool communities that have developed outside of Austin where you will find old Austinites building real Austin communities.
This is what Nancy’s son posted on Facebook;
Giddy Ups Update: Movin’ On Up, But Not Yet!
Hey Giddy Up Family,
We’ve got some bittersweet news, and it’s a two-step kinda situation. You might have heard some whispers, and that’s okay – we wanted our musicians to be the first to know. Due to a change in lease ownership, Giddy Ups will have to say goodbye to our current location after one last epic bash in early August.
But hold your horses! We’re not saddlin’ up quite yet. Throughout June and July, Giddy Ups will be open for business as usual, honoring all existing bookings and concerts. That means you can still get your dose of good tunes and good company!
Here’s the real kicker: We’re not happy about leaving. This whole situation feels more like a “yeehaw, out of here” than a genuine step forward for the neighborhood. We call it gentrification and an unsatisfiable act of greed, you might call it progress – whatever the label, it means losing a piece of that “living room extension” vibe as neighborhood bar and concert venue, that Nancy M. Morgan built – simply a place where you can come as a stranger and leave as a friend.
The good news for you, our amazing patrons: We’re not going down without a fight! The Giddy Ups team is actively searching for a new space to keep the music (and the mission) alive. We won’t leave you high and dry – our last weekend at this location will be an unforgettable “Out With A Bang” party to celebrate the long history and the heart of Giddy Ups.
The even better news: Our commitment to creating a warm and welcoming space for the community hasn’t changed. As soon as we find a new home, Giddy Ups plans to reopen, doors wide open, ready to welcome you back to the “Biggest Little Stage in South Austin.”
Speaking of that new home: If you hear of a space that sounds like a perfect fit for Giddy Ups, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Thanks for being a part of the Giddy Ups family. We’ll keep you posted on our search for a new location, and in the meantime, let’s make these next few months legendary!
See you soon,
The Giddy Ups Crew
