New Venues in Austin for Spring 2026 Meetings and Events

Hyatt Regency Austin, Horseshoe Bay Resort, Ēma, and Franklin Backyard among the latest additions to the city's event spaces

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:17pm

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Austin's event scene is expanding with several new and renovated venues opening in time for spring 2026. The Hyatt Regency Austin completed a major overhaul, the Live Oak Pavilion at Horseshoe Bay Resort unveiled a $16 million upgrade, Mediterranean restaurant Ēma opened at the Domain NORTHSIDE, and Franklin BBQ launched a private event space called Franklin Backyard. These new and updated spaces offer a range of options for corporate parties, weddings, conferences, and other gatherings.

Why it matters

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Austin is seeing a surge in new development and investment, especially in its hospitality and event sectors. These latest venue openings and renovations demonstrate the city's commitment to expanding its meetings and events infrastructure to keep up with rising demand from businesses, organizations, and tourists.

The details

The Hyatt Regency Austin's renovations included updates to 448 guest rooms, meeting facilities, and public spaces, plus the addition of three new dining concepts: Ripple & Roots, Cypress Grove, and Juniper Breeze Market. Horseshoe Bay Resort's Live Oak Pavilion underwent a $16 million transformation, blending classic elegance with rustic, locally inspired design elements across its 10,000-square-foot space. Ēma, a new Mediterranean and California-inspired restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, opened a 5,000-square-foot location at the Domain NORTHSIDE that includes a 130-seat patio. And Franklin BBQ, known for its celebrated barbecue, launched Franklin Backyard, a private event venue in East Austin that can host up to 250 guests.

  • The Hyatt Regency Austin completed renovations in November 2025.
  • Horseshoe Bay Resort unveiled the $16 million renovation of the Live Oak Pavilion in January 2026.
  • Ēma opened at the Domain NORTHSIDE in January 2026.
  • Franklin Backyard opened in January 2026.

The players

Hyatt Regency Austin

A hotel in Austin that recently completed renovations to its 448 guest rooms and suites, meeting facilities, and public spaces, as well as the addition of three new dining concepts.

Horseshoe Bay Resort

A resort in the Texas Hill Country that unveiled a $16 million renovation of its Live Oak Pavilion event space in January 2026.

Ēma

A new Mediterranean and California-inspired restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants that opened a 5,000-square-foot location at the Domain NORTHSIDE in Austin in January 2026.

Franklin Backyard

A private event venue launched by the famed Franklin BBQ restaurant in East Austin in January 2026.

Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants

The restaurant group behind Ēma, which marked the first expansion of the Ēma concept outside of Illinois.

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The takeaway

Austin's event and hospitality sectors are thriving, with a range of new and renovated venues opening to cater to the city's growing demand for meetings, conferences, weddings, and other gatherings. These investments demonstrate Austin's commitment to expanding its event infrastructure and solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for business and leisure events.