We have just returned from SXSW and are grinning from ear to ear.  South by Southwest is the kind of experience you can’t fully prepare for—you just have to dive in. And dive in we did. Over three whirlwind days in Austin, we poured more than 4,000 samples of Calexo, danced our hearts out, and connected with an incredible community of artists, musicians, and fellow revelers.

The Heart of the Party: Hotel Vegas & Mohawk Austin

Our SXSW home base was split between two legendary venues: Hotel Vegas and Mohawk Austin. Both played host to an ever-changing crowd of music lovers, festival-goers, and curious sippers, all eager to try Calexo. With each new band that took the stage, a fresh wave of people flooded in—giving us the perfect opportunity to introduce them to our lightly-lifting hemp-infused sparkling drinks.

The first day at Hotel Vegas was all about Cumbia—a high-energy, rhythm-heavy soundtrack that kept us moving from day to night. Between two stages, we discovered around 20 incredible new bands (MANY of which we’re still obsessing over). The next days brought a mix of metal, drag, tech talks, stand up comedy and street sampling, proving that SXSW is truly a festival of everything, all at once.

A Taste of Austin: Stargazer and The Little Gay Shop

When we weren’t pouring drinks or soaking in the music, we explored Austin’s vibrant community. A highlight was visiting our friends at Stargazer, where we sipped Calexo under the Texas sun in their stunning indoor-outdoor space. The area surrounding Stargazer is packed with a restaurant, a climbing gym, a kids' playground, and a sculpture park just across the street—basically, an ideal afternoon hangout spot. If you’re in Austin, put it on your must-visit list.

After that we swung by and got some great zines and a 3D printed butt flower vase at The Little Gay Shop.    Nestled in between a community art center and some great bars, this is perfect place to support the community and also pick up some one of kind gifts and browse an amazing collection of art books.

More Than a Brand—A Community

SXSW wasn’t just about sharing our drinks; it was about coming together. The Calexo team is spread across the country, so being in one place, enjoying the drink we’ve worked so hard to perfect, was something special. The magic of SXSW—great music, good company, and feeling fantastic both in the moment and the next day—is exactly why we started Calexo in the first place.

A huge thank you to our friends at Elevado, Long Coast, Boldt, Hop The Wave, Powered by Plants, Hectares, Lark, Crooked, and more for helping us put on an unforgettable event. Austin, you showed us a beautiful time—we’ll be back :)

Until next time

—The Calexo Team