Stella's got a cure for what ails you...

Austin has more than its share of carcasses along the Information Super Highway, but we throw a heck of a pink slip party. Better still, Austin has happy hour down cold, and a warm stool waiting for every hacker-cum-slacker who staggers in. Best known is Toni Price's Tuesday "Hippi Hour" at the Continental Club, a melee of moods and hot acoustic guitar licks that's received national attention. Across the bridge at Antone's, the Gulf Coast Playboys exoricize demons on Wednesday with steamy Lousiana swamp tunes and a bowl of Carlos' superb gumbo. And tucked away in a parking garage, Egos hosts up-and-coming bands daily to revive the down-and-out. But when those stock options tank and you find your career in a cardboard box outside a locked office, my recommendation is the Carousel Lounge...

No place to stick your neck out?

In a rough-and-tumble section of North Austin, strategically located between the old airport and a package liquor store, sits the venerable Carousel Lounge, owned and operated by the Mebane family since 1963. A block away, grim commuter traffics grinds up I-35, while just across 52nd is Austin's cheapo spay-and-neuter clinic. It might be good location for a plasma clinic or alternator repair shop, but the silliest bar in town? What were they thinking? Where most set-up bars expect customers to bring their own dancing elephants, the Carousel provides one in shocking pink. Created by Austin's legendary Rory Skaagen and Bill Brakhage, the wall-to-wall circus motif defies patrons to take anything too seriously. Even the help gets into the act, conspiring to keep things festive. Those sublimely absurd hubcap lamps were made by Linda Lou, who still occasionally works the bar. And one of Austin's earliest "Americana" websites was produced by former barmaid Christian Noah, until her domain name lapsed briefly and pirates grabbed it, offering to resell it to her for just $1,000...

Free elephants - supply your own magic

Without a doubt, the Carousel's favorite objet d'art is Ms. Stella Boes, recently voted "hostess with the mostest" by the Austin Chronicle. Stella handles the front door, dances, works tables, dances, dispenses advice to the lovelorn, dances, and raises patrons' spirits to preposterous levels. Not too shabby for a grandmother in her 70's, who sells Avon on the side and is a mainstay of Austin charities and the Lutheran church. If you glean nothing else from that lady, take a hint: Get over yourself !

Austin's premiere cancan dancer

More convincing than Vince?

Resembling Vince Gill but sounding way more country, Michael Murray heads up The Mad Cowboys. Other groups have tried this slot, but the Cowboys may be the Carousel's perfect happy hour band. Michael handles lyrics, a Telecaster, or a tableful of drunks with real Texan grace and flair.

So let it all go for a while. Have a Shiner or two, and take an ex-coworker for a few turns around that nifty little dance floor. Since it doubles as a bandstand, expect to share it with The Mad Cowboys. That's half the fun, but keep an eye out for those horns...

Drummer Paul Gibb also handles the horn section

UPDATE: Michael moved back to Abilene to help out his ailing father, so the Mad Cowboys Happy Hour is history. But he still gets back to Austin one Sunday a month for a gig at the Carousel, so keep an ear out. Catch him before he joins the roster of Austin greats who got away...