A couple of years ago, we thought that the number of unsanctioned afterparties during ACL Fest weekend would reach SXSW proportions. This year, with more than a dozen free and unsanctioned parties, we think we’re almost there. Whether you’re looking to keep the party going after the festival or want to skip Zilker Park altogether, there’s more than enough to do. To help you navigate the waters, we’ve chosen our top 8. For a super duper list, head over to CoolinAustin.

But first: We’ve got  25 pairs of passes to the XBOX Music Lounge. We’ll be giving them away today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) on our Facebook page at 1PM.  Located right across the bridge from ACL at the American Legion every day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon-6PM, this artist and VIP lounge includes Revel Stoke Whisky cocktails, ZICO cocktails, Asahi beer and snacks. Superstar Spas, tattoo parlor, plus performances and DJ sets by ACL artists. Oh yeah, you can even cool off and play  “Gears of War 3.”

Want to win? Head over to the Republic of Austin Facebook Fan page at 1PM today and tomorrow!

Top 8 Parties during ACL Fest Weekend 2011

8. ACL Kick-off Party at the Parish

Kick off ACL with a free show with a kick-a local line-up featuring Eyes Burn Electric, Electric Touch, The Canvas Waiting, BK & Mr E.

ACL Kick-off Party at the Parish; (Thursday, 09.14.2011); The Parish (214 E 6th St, 78701); 9P-2A; FREE  Facebook Event

7. Echotone Remix – A Louder Night for A Louder Fight

Y’all know how much we love the Austin documentary Echotone. To kickoff their run at the Drafthouse, the guys are throwing a full-on remix party–and it’s free! Check it:

ECHOTONE REMIX is exactly what it sounds like. A remix of the sights, sounds, and delivery of this incredible movie. Three teams made of VJs and DJs will each throw down their interpretation of the film in order to get the body moving for the cause the movie champions – MUSIC!

Each team will take footage and music from the film and add new twists and sounds. The results will be a mixture of live and prerecorded video and sound remixing that will be projected onto the 25 ft high screen of the newly reopened ND Studios. The end result will be a night of sweaty dance goodness celebrating Austin, Echotone and of the artists.

Echotone Remix – A Louder Night for a Louder Fight; (Saturday, 09.16.2011); The ND (E 5th and Brushy, 78702); 9P-2A; FREE  Facebook Event

6. Deep Eddy Vodka Garden

Locally-made sweet tea vodka Deep Eddy Vodka hosts a 3-day party with free booze and free bands. Since it’s right outside of the festival, it’s close enough to get shit-faced and cool off while Coldplay or another mainstream band plays the main stage. It’s also free if you like Deep Eddy Vodka on Facebook.

Deep Eddy Vodka Garden; (Friday, Saturday, Sunday 09.15-09.172011); T1707 Barton Springs (kind of across from Chuy’s); 11A-MID; FREE with ‘Like” on Facebook

5. Art Disaster 13

Now an Austin institution, the Art Disaster parties combine some of the best local DJs with a kick-a line-up. I’ll let the Art Disaster folks do the talking:

City of Fire, Knuckle Rumbler and Beauty Bar are proud to present: Art Disaster 13! This biannual music showcase is taking place September 15 at Beauty Bar with 8 bands and 3 DJs taking over both stages all night!
This year will feature performances from: Crooks, Wild Child, SORNE, The White White Lights, Schmillion, Boyfrndz, Sleep Good, Sundress and DJ sets by Thick as Thieves and DJ Orion.

Only $3 when you RSVP on Do512.com.

What’s even more badass: If you RSVP on DO512, you get a download for a mixtape featuring all the artists performing!

Art Disaster 13; (Thursday, 09.14.2011); Beauty Bar (617 East 6th St, 78701); 8P-2A; $3 w/RSVP (plus free download), $5 w/o  Facebook Event

 

4. GayCL

A free event at our favorite East Side venue, Cheer Up Charlie’s, features Austin bands Follow That Bird, Rickey Jean Francois, Boy Friend, Kay Leotard, Agent Ribbons, The Great Aware. It’s also a fundraiser for Equality Texas.

GayCL; (Saturday, 09.16.2011); Cheer Up Charlie’s (1104 East 6th St, 78702); 6P-2A; FREE  Facebook Event

 

3. Silverton Partners presents…METRO AREA & LEARNING SECRETS

Man, throughout the early 2000s, Metro Area was the effing jam. With super chic, stylish house, Metro Area‘s joints could always get any club or party jumping. They’re one of the bands I’ve always wanted to see, and now thanks to Learning Secrets, it’s happening. For a taste, check out this their classic, Miura:

Opening for Metro Area is Houston’s Indian Jewelry. From psychedelic, experimental to driving electro, these guys echo early 80s electronic pioneers Suicide or Throbbing Gristle. And Austin’s Ricky Jean Francois is nothing but pure bliss.

What’s most amazing to me is that, thanks to Austin venture capital firm Silverton Partners and Austin’s Lamebook, this party is $5 with an RSVP. I’d RSVP and get there early. Beauty Bar is small, and it’s probably gonna fill up really quickly.

Silverton Partners presents…METRO AREA & LEARNING SECRETS; (Saturday, 09.17.2011); Beauty Bar (617 East 7th St, 78701); 9P-2A; $5 w/RSVP, $8 w/o  Facebook Event

2. Silent City Limits

The Enchanted Forest is probably one of my most beloved music venues. As the name suggests, it’s a magical world where art meets nature–and it’s right in the city. Due to noise violations, the Enchanted Forest was almost shut down forever. Then lo came the silent dance party. Instead of loud speakers blasting music, each participant wears a set of headphones. DJ sets are wireless transmitted, giving the crowd both a personal and communal experience. I missed the ACL party, but I don’t plan on missing this one–especially since it’s just a few blocks from my house.

Oh, and check out that line-up: The best of Austin meets the best of San Francisco. This will be a truly special event., Se

Silent City Limits; (Friday, 09.16.11 and Saturday, 09.17.2011); Enchanted Forest (S Lamar and Oltorf, 78704);1030P-8A; $15 advance/$20 at the door  Facebook Event

1. Ditch the Fest Fest 2

Ok, outside of Fun Fun Fun Fest, this may be the best damn line-up this year. Held at 5 different venues all day on Saturday, Ditch the Fest Fest gets you more than 75 bands for a $5 wristband–this ish is legit. In fact, if I had more time, I’d write a full post on just how bad ass this event is. Instead, y’all can just check this ish out and know it’s worth it:

Lucy The Poodle Productions Presents
DITCH THE FEST FEST 2
Saturday September 17th, 2011
Austin, Texas!!!

COST: $2 per venue OR $5 for a wristband that gets you into all 5 venues!!!

FULL SCHEDULE NOW AT http://lucythepoodle.com/ditchthefestfest

12 HOURS // 5VENUES // OVER 75 BANDS AND DJS // MOON BOUNCE // FREE SHINER BOCK PROVIDED BY BIRDS BARBERSHOP (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST) // VEGAN OPTIONS // BLACK LIGHT PAINTING // 8 BIT VIDEO GAMES // PERFORMANCE ART + DANCE BY THE JEZEBELLES // DREAM CATCHER MAKING + 90′S YARN CRAFTS // AEROSOL ART BY NIZ GRAPHICS // SPARKLE FINGERS BODYPAINTING // LIVE PUPPETRY BY THUNDER PUPPET // PROJECTIONS BY VID KIDZ // PHOTOBOOTH BY ZAPPY SPRINGS // BELLY DANCE BY ALTABIAH + MORE TBA…

CHEER UP CHARLIE’S // 2pm – 2am // 21+ ONLY
www.facebook.com/cheerupcharlies
=============================
MOTHER FALCON // JOHN CONGLETON SOLO (PLAYING SONGS FROM THE PAPER CHASE, THE NIGHTY NITE AND MORE) // BOTANY // HOW I QUIT CRACK // BUTCHER BEAR // MY EMPTY PHANTOM // THE SOUR NOTES // LOST RIVER/OLD RIVER // DESTROYED FOR COMFORT // GOLD BEACH // CHRISTOPHER FAIRMAN // ELAINE GREER // SOUNDFOUNDER // REAGANOMETRY // ATARIMATT // MULTI-TRACKER // OBSOLETE MACHINES // BOY FRIEND // DIGITAL ANTIQUE // MC SWEET TEA AND HER HEAD BAND // ENGLAND IN 1819 // ALIEN SHE // RIOTT ROCKETTE // FM CAMPERS // FEATHERFACE // JITTERBUG VIPERS // LITTLE LO // A SKY JET BLACK // BOY + KITE // BK & MR. E // CHARLIE BELLE // THUNDER PUPPET

RED 7 // 2pm – 2am // ALL AGES
www.red7austin.com
=============================
CHEAP TIME // MY EDUCATION // CHANT // LA SNACKS // RAYON BEACH // MR. LEWIS AND THE FUNERAL FIVE // THE WHITE WHITE LIGHTS // BRIDGE FARMERS // THE NOUNS // EAST CAMERON FOLKCORE // COMA IN ALGIERS // ACORN BCORN // RESIDUAL KID // HATCHET WOUND // WESTERN GHOST HOUSE // LAZERZ // THE BELL RIOTS // BOYFRNDZ // BLUE KABUKI // GORILLA GORILLA // WE WERE WOLVES // LA MIGRA // ST. JAMES SOCIETY // RICHARD HENRY // DJ PERSONAL BEST (LAUREN HESS OF AGENT RIBBONS)

BEAUTY BAR // 2pm – 8pm // 21+ ONLY
www.thebeautybar.com/austin
=============================
DANA FALCONBERRY // THE EASTERN SEA // JC & CO. // YOUR KISSES CAUSE CRASHES // SHE SIR // QUIN GALVAIS // LEATHERBAG // THE LONG TANGLES // HANDWRIT

SCOOT INN // 5pm – 2am // 21+ ONLY
www.scoot-inn.com
=============================
THE MIDWIVES // SHAKEY GRAVES // LES RAV // THE NOISE REVIVAL ORCHESTRA // TOTAL UNICORN // BITTER BIRDS // THE BAKER FAMILY // HOT COTTON (EVA MUELLER OF ONE HUNDRED FLOWERS)

CLUB DE VILLE // 6pm – 2am // 21+ ONLY
www.tinyurl.com/3sacrowd
=============================
BLACK PISTOL FIRE // NOT IN THE FACE! // THE SIDESHOW TRAGEDY // CHASE FRANK // FRANNY & ZOOEY // THE VITAMINS // PUMP FRICTION

Dayum, Lucy the Poodle has pulled out all the stops. And now, most of the proceeds are going to help victoms of the wildfires.

Related posts:

1. “ACL Fest 2009: How To Rock Out and Stay Green”
2. “Procrastinator’s Guide to ACL Fest 2009 Nights and After Parties”
3. “ACL Fest 2009: How To Rock Out and Stay Green Part II”
4. Austin rock-and-roll band Not in the Face’s sultry new album Bikini will melt your face off [REVIEW + LISTEN]
5. Robyn at ACL Live, 17th February 2011 [PICTURES]