Arriba Abajo Rooftop Cantina Opens in Downtown Austin
Check out Austin's gorgeous new Mexican-inspired restaurant at the Thompson Austin hotel, featuring an outdoor bar, pool, and lounge
Downtown Austin’s entertainment scene welcomes a fresh addition: Arriba Abajo Rooftop Cantina. Located within the Thompson Austin hotel at 506 San Jacinto Boulevard, this recently opened establishment takes the place of the former poolside restaurant, Wax Myrtle’s. Offering an inventive Mexican-inspired menu, a mezcaleria, and a variety of poolside programming, this new bar and restaurant provides a fresh option for patrons to explore.
Situated on the fourth-floor entertainment deck, accessible via a private entrance at the corner of San Jacinto and East 5th, Arriba Abajo boasts a warm and botanical ambiance with an open-air patio, a skyline-level pool, an outdoor bar, and scenic views of the cityscape.
“Arriba Abajo is more than an urban rooftop. It’s a place where drinks, dishes and nights are made to be shared,” said Nate Hardesty, managing director at Thompson Austin and tommie Austin. “We are excited to officially open our doors to the city, and welcome travelers and Austinites alike to enjoy what is a natural extension of the lively atmosphere that Austin fosters.”
A culinary journey through Mexico
Under the culinary direction of Chef Marc Marrone, Arriba Abajo offers a meticulously curated menu that celebrates the diverse flavors of Mexico, from the coastal regions of Oaxaca to the Yucatan Peninsula. With an emphasis on communal dining, the menu features small and large plates, house-made tortillas, and handcrafted cocktails infused with regional ingredients.
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“We built our entire menu by fusing together the convivial flavors of Mexico, and we wanted each and every item to encourage the importance of quality time between family and friends — both new and old,” says Chef Marrone.
Menu items include the Lobster Quesadilla ‘Pizza’ featuring chihuahua and cotija cheeses, Flaming Reposado-served Fajitas, Whole Roasted Branzino, and an extensive selection of tacos, salads, and tortas. Their dessert offerings include the Churro Sundae, Tres Leches Cake, and Mexican Chocolate Cake.
Crafted cocktails and mezcal magic
Complementing the culinary offerings is a creative cocktail program curated by Beverage Director Miranda Breedlove. Guests can customize margaritas as well as enjoy their signature drinks, such as the Hola Barbie (Vodka, hibiscus, grapefruit, cucumber, yuzu lime soda) and frozen cocktails like the Café Frio (Reposado tequila, coffee liqueur, chipotle, cinnamon, cold brew).
In addition to the cocktail menu, Arriba Abajo is home to an exclusive mezcal tasting room—Tambien Mezcaleria. Here, guests can explore a diverse selection of more than 35 mezcals, guided by an expert mezcalier. Tambien also offers specialty cocktails, private classes, and events.
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Arriba Abajo offers live music and poolside events every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as DJ sets. For those seeking event space, Arriba Abajo has over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor venues, including the Bayberry Room and the Tambien Private Dining Room.
Arriba Abajo is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. For reservations and more information, visit their website.