Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Calhoun
Hi Adrienne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Reed and I got engaged right before we decided to open a restaurant together. We knew that if we were going to get married in the spring of 2020 and open a restaurant a few months later, that we would have no time to bask in the wedding bliss or take a honeymoon. One wine filled night, we decided to make the business that we were creating our forever honeymoon and the name, “Honey Moon Spirit Lounge” was born. Fast forward and neither of those things happened in 2020 like we had “planned” but eventually we opened the restaurant in 2021 and got married in 2022.
Reed was a musician, which means he’s spent most of his life in the service industry (haha) and I (Adrienne) fell in love with hospitality while living in LA and spending all of my time in a family friend’s restaurant. Together, our love for people, hosting, and passion for curating a magical and unique experience blossomed into what I call our “funky little love child”.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a business with your significant other comes with its own special challenges, but when you throw covid on top of that, I would say we have definitely had a bumpy ride at times. (And frankly, if any new restaurant owner tells you that it’s been smooth, they are lying! Haha) Owning the business with a romantic partner has made creating a work-life balance nearly impossible at times, but it’s also helped us realize how important the balance is to our success. On the business side, this beautiful old building requires enough constant care to scare even the ghosts that haunt it. But, it’s a building that has lived many fruitful lives in the Austin service industry, which bodes well for Honey Moon Spirit Lounge and is the base of the character itself. Although the road has been bumpy at times, we have had such an amazing time finding new ways to problem solve and provide the experience that our flourishing Austin community deserves. It might sound crazy, but my love of chaos and commitment to constant growth is why I am so addicted to the challenges that we face as small business owners. Hospitality is about creating a welcoming space for people to relax and enjoy; it may not always come easy but it is always worth the effort when you see the look of bliss on a guest’s face as they are walking out the door.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Every little detail matters. Of course the food and the drinks are why a guest is coming into the restaurant but we focus on so much more than that to create a memorable experience that will keep them coming back. My favorite part of our service is the post card that comes with the bill at the end of the meal. We’ve turned the art work around the restaurant into postcards. If you write a letter to a friend we will stamp your postcard and send it to anywhere in the world. It’s an extra little touch and not just a bill to pay. The postcard brings a smile to the guest and everyone loves receiving mail!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We are definitely starting to talk about a second concept that will be more on the casual side. Nothing is set in stone yet but we are getting really excited to brainstorm again. The beginning of an idea is always the most fun for Reed and I to explore our creativity and playfulness!
Pricing:
- Happy Hour: 4-6pm Tuesday-Friday (Half-off House Cocktails and Wine; $2 off all Beer; Special Snacks Menu)
- Oyster Tuesday: $2 oysters by the dozen or half dozen
- Wine Wednesday: Half off wine by the bottle
Contact Info:
- Website: https://honeymoonspiritlounge.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeymoonspiritlounge/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeymoonspiritlounge/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/honey-moon-spirit-lounge-austin-2?osq=honey+moon+spirit+lounge
Image Credits
Cassandra Klepac
