Ellis Bar Interior – Austin, Texas

I’m in search of glow again. Something that I used to mention a fair amount on the blog. What’s glow? It’s not an official photographic term. Just something that I’ve coined that talks about the bright lights that bounce around, often in dark conditions. They impart a mood — a character of light that elevates the scene.

I often seek this out via neon lights and slick modern architecture. And now that Austin is growing up with increasingly sophisticated buildings, I’m finding it more in my hometown.

Ellis Bar is part of a new-ish development at 2nd and Congress that frames an entrance to a food hall in a revitalized older office building. It was closed on Monday night during a renewed pandemic slowdown. But I’m sure it’s usually more animated.

Ellis Bar Exterior – Austin, Texas

The path on the left of the bar leads downstairs to a plaza and food hall. The striking architecture and lighting make for a beacon that directs visitors to the heart of the complex. I think it does its job. Without it, the place would lack the visual interest to attract people to a facility that sits well below street-grade.

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