Uptown Sports Club and Meanwhile Brewing Co. Bring Custom Brews and Guest Chefs for Backyard BBQ Summer Series
The four-part series features pitmasters Aaron Franklin and Evan Leroy, chefs Fiore Tedesco and Davis Turner and sweets from Bésame and Tiny Pies
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Austin mainstays Uptown Sports Club and Meanwhile Brewing Co. announce a four-part summer backyard barbecue series, bringing together chefs, Meanwhile brewmasters and live music to offer a laid-back, approachable culinary experience reminiscent of the classic summer shindig. The limited series will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 2, Aug. 23, Sept. 6 and Sept. 20, with the event location rotating between Uptown Sports Club in East Austin and Meanwhile in South Austin. Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase here.
“Community is everything to us at Uptown, and we’re so excited to partner with our friends at Meanwhile Brewing Co. and such talented chefs to bring this backyard barbecue series to life,” says Uptown Sports Club co-owner Aaron Franklin. “We just want to bring Austinites closer together through good food, good beer and good music, and we can’t wait to do just that.”
The series will feature unique off-menu bites boasting a range of flavors from well-known local culinary talent, including Franklin, the legendary pitmaster behind Uptown Sports Club and Franklin Barbecue; pitmaster Evan Leroy of Leroy & Lewis Barbecue, who recently announced the launch of his cookbook, “New School Barbecue,” set to publish in 2026; Davis Tuner of coastal comfort food truck Huckleberry;, and chef Fiore Tedesco of neighborhood Italian restaurant L’Oca d’Oro and pizzeria Bambino. The team at Uptown Sports Club will also be providing additional grilled and cold food options at each of the four events. Desserts will be provided by scratch-made ice cream food truck Bésame and bakery Tiny Pies.
Meanwhile Brewing Co. will also launch a limited canned edition of their Custom Lager – a one-of-a-kind beer made specially for Uptown that’s been served on draft since its opening in March 2023. The American Premium Lager boasts a melody of lemon, dough and spice, pairing well with Uptown staples such as gumbo, shrimp po’boys and oysters on the half shell. In addition, each event will bring live music from local bands. Patrons at Meanwhile can enjoy the beer garden and dog-friendly outdoor event space. Guests of Uptown Sports Club, which has roots as a neighborhood dive dating back to 1893, can soak in the bustle of East Sixth Street from the historic building’s dining room or back patio.
“We’ve always wanted to make Meanwhile Brewing Co. a space where the community can come together to relax and enjoy each other’s company, and we’re lucky to share that sentiment with Uptown Sports Club,” says Meanwhile founder Will Jaquiss. “We’re excited to serve Custom Lager, our custom-made beer created with Uptown Sports and summertime in mind, alongside some great food created by really talented chefs.”
The full schedule of events is as follows:
- Friday, Aug. 2 at Meanwhile Brewing Co. – Evan Leroy of Leroy & Lewis Barbecue
- Friday, Aug. 23 at Uptown Sports Club – Davis Turner of Huckleberry
- Friday, Sept. 6 at Meanwhile Brewing Co. – Aaron Franklin of Uptown Sports Club and Franklin Barbecue
- Friday, Sept. 20 at Uptown Sports Club – Chef Fiore Tedesco of Bambino and L’Oca d’Oro
Tickets for the series are $39 per person and can be purchased here. Each ticket will include two drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), two food items and dessert from Bésame and Tiny Pies. Additional food and drink tickets can be purchased on site. This event is open to all ages, and children 12 and under eat for free. For more information about the series, please visit uptownsports.club or meanwhilebeer.com.
About Uptown Sports Club
Uptown Sports Club has roots dating back to 1949, when it opened as a neighborhood spot for locals in East Austin to drink, bet, watch sports games and hold court. Now, the restaurant has found its second life thanks to Aaron Franklin and a handful of friends united by their deep love for Austin. Maintaining the integrity of its original build, Uptown Sports Club has been thoughtfully reimagined for the East Austin of today. Located at 1200 E. Sixth St., Uptown Sports Club is a walk-in-only spot serving a Texas take on Louisiana-inspired cuisine, as well as coffee and classic cocktails. Open every day of the week, Uptown Sports Club is the ideal location for locals looking for a coffee run, a place to host a group lunch meeting or a nightcap that transports Austinites into their most cherished New Orleans bar. For more information, visit uptownsports.club or follow on Instagram at @uptownsportsclub.
About Meanwhile Brewing Co.
Whether you’re clocking out, riling up, winding down, or passing through, here in Austin, Meanwhile Brewing Co. is the place to pause time, catch a breath, and get a drink. We hope to show our fellow Austinites that Meanwhile beer and respite are synonymous. In fact, the brewery name is meant to gently remind our fellow humans that, though the world can be stressful and scary, there is often something wondrous and beautiful right underneath your nose. In other words, there is beauty to be found in the everyday, and always something to look forward to when you lift your head up. The beer and brewery embody this sentiment. For more information, visit meanwhilebeer.com or follow on Instagram at @meanwhilebeer.
