b'P o r tA r a n s a sAbove/Left: The large and modern Nueces Bewery Co. stage at Sip Yard; Top: Sip Yard from above; Above: Family fun and great food, plus awesome live Texas musical acts; Below: The 21-and-up, 2nd floor bar at Sip Yard; Bottom: Terrific food from 1 of 6 restaurants.Sip Yard Brings Big Musical Acts to P0rt A For the first time, the island is home to a first-class, full-sized music andentertainment venue offering great food and bar serviceall family-friendlyOver the past decade, Port Aransas has emerged as theThe Sip Yard Port A partners settled on a design that, fastest-growingdestinationontheTexasGulfCoast,very importantly, made the most of the prevailing south-with high-end vacation homes selling at record priceseasterly gulf breezes that serve as the islands outdoor and major commercial redevelopment projects like Fish- air conditioning in the warm months. Dozens of picnic ermans Wharf changing the look of the marina district. tables are positioned in the large courtyard in front of While the beach and fishing are the main reasons visi- the stage, and the open kids play area is situated at the tors trek to Port A, evening entertainment like live mu- rear of the propertyallowing the kids to see the stage sic has forever been restricted to the towns popular,and the parents to keep an eye on their kiddos.but smaller, local bars. Seeing a wide-open opportunityThe center structure of the Sip Yard is where the main to bring bigger musical acts to the island, a group ofbar is located on the floor level, with a 21+ 2nd-level entrepreneurs started thinking bigvery big, and highbar above, and then a third-level terrace that provides profileabout the feasibility of a major venue to bea magnificent view of the marina and ship channel. An built at the most visible location in town. elevator is built into the center structure, and six unique That location is most of the northwest block at Northfood vendors operate in a horseshoe structure on the Alister St. and Cotter Ave., across from Trout Street Barnorth end of Sip YardCoffee Waves, Wok On, Vibe & Grill and Port A Outfitters and once home to theTaco, Slicees Pizza, Mochi & More, and Bayou Bistro.legendary Things bikini shop. The effort started withAfter just a short time open, Sip Yard is already attracting purchasing and combining eight lots with six differentwell known Texas artists like Gary P. Nunn and Ruben V, owners and then conceiving an outdoor design thatas well Coastal Bend favorites like Scarecrow People, works both for adult groups and families with kids. and crowds of vacationers and locals are strong.132THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE TheCoastalBend.com'