Austin’s Longest-Running Improv Venue Hideout Theatre Relocates to South Austin

After 26 years at 617 Congress Ave., Hideout Theatre & Coffee House, a one‑stop spot for caffeine and improvisational comedy, will relocate to Art Hub ATX at 2801 S. Interstate 35 Frontage Road just south of downtown Austin.

 “The Art Hub is exactly the kind of weird and funky that defined Austin when The Hideout was first built in 1999,” said Kareem Badr, co-owner of Hideout Theatre. “We really couldn’t have hoped for a better fit.”

Despite the unfortunate circumstances of essentially being “kicked out” of their downtown location, according to co-owner Jessica Arjet, the Hideout Theatre found a silver lining in its new home. While the former location offered proximity to one of Austin’s most famous streets, the new site brings its own benefits, such as proximity to other creatives and an opportunity to bring improvisational arts to South Austin.

The right fit

“The first time that we walked into (Art Hub ATX), we saw a bunch of other artists coming in and going out,” Arjet said. “I don’t know how to describe it. It just felt right.”

Among the plethora of visual artists and galleries at Art Hub ATX, Arjet, Badr and third co‑owner Roy Janik realized that one form of art was missing — the performing arts. Likewise, the Art Hub ATX community was just as excited to welcome more creatives as it was to have a coffee shop on site.

“One of the things that is preeminent for the Hideout is being a place where people can really express themselves,” Arjet said. “So, being in a building where that’s going on in a bunch of different ways is so exciting, and it feels like there is this beautiful energy.”

Hideout Theatre’s new South Austin home

Losing its downtown site was jarring for Hideout Theatre, given the century‑old building’s history and the theater’s ties to it. Arjet said Hideout Theatre, founded in 1999, played a key role in reviving downtown Austin into the vibrant city center it is today. Compounding the challenge, the theater had less than a year to secure a new location.

“With a lot of the other places (we looked at), it was hard to see how it was going to work,” Arjet said. But after finding Art Hub ATX, she said. “I could see pretty quickly, everything was going to be fine.”

Additionally, the new site offers greater accessibility and affordability than the old one, which for a nonprofit like Hideout means more funds can be funneled toward its mission of cultivating the arts and building community.

“We can focus on the arts more than the profit,” Arjet said. “That’s a really great thing.”

Despite many changes—some beneficial, some bittersweet—a few things about Hideout will remain the same, regardless of location.

With a target opening in February 2026, the Hideout will begin offering improv classes, build a performance stage and, of course, open its signature coffee house. To support its development, the Hideout is raising funds through Fundrazer, with all donations going toward keeping the arts alive.

“We’re just a fun community. The Hideout is, ultimately, a group of fun weirdos who like to perform and play,” Arjet said. “That community and feeling is going to stay the same.”

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