The main dining room of Sociedad offers a cozy date night setting, complete with a full bar and revamped menu. (Gianna Means/Community Impact) (Gianna Ivy Means/Community Impact)
Following a renovation of the former Alcove Cantina, the Tex-Mex bar and restaurant reopened as Sociedad in April. Though operating under a new name, owners Michelle Ly and Erik Hall continue to run the business as they celebrate the restaurant’s 10 year anniversary this month.
How we got here
The husband and wife duo began their entrepreneurial journey in 2012 with a roofing company. They expanded into hospitality in 2014, opening The Rock Sports Bar, followed by Alcove Cantina in 2016 and The Flats three years later.
Local entrepreneurs Michelle Ly and Erik Hall own Sociedad. (Courtesy Sociedad)
Before it was Alcove Cantina, the location was home to Junior's, a local dive bar. Ly said that after retaining that dive-bar atmosphere for nine years, she and Hall decided to pivot and revamp the space.
“We had to figure out a way to attract more people downtown,” said Ly, a current Round Rock City Council member. “When there's economic downfall [and] other factors that we can't control, we need to figure out how to get some new faces down here.”
What to expect
The renovation aimed to elevate the restaurant into a more upscale venue.
“When you walk in, you don't feel like you're walking into a bar anymore,” Ly said. “You feel like you're walking into a restaurant.”
She explained that each space serves a different purpose: the front dining room provides an ideal setting for date nights, the outdoor patio hosts live music and events, and the back lounge offers a relaxed spot for gathering with friends.
The Fair is the newest addition to the Sociedad restaurant, and is currently under renovation. (Gianna Means/Community Impact)
Currently undergoing renovations, the latest addition to Sociedad will be known as The Fair. Located under the same roof as the existing spaces, Ly said The Fair will provide an extra spot to socialize and host events, and feature a stage, pool tables, and a full-service bar.
A key focus of the renovation was the restaurant's kitchen, which paved the way for an updated menu. Guests can access the full food and drink offerings from any of the bars in each section of the establishment.
One new menu item is the Fiesta Fajitas. (Courtesy Sociedad)
On the menu
The modern Mexican cocina's signature dishes include cheese skirt and steak, steak ranchero, and brisket barbecue tacos, alongside snacks items such as guacamole and nachos.
The drink menu features draft beers, signature cocktails—including an Oaxaca old fashioned and a spiced mule—and an extensive assortment of mezcal and tequila sourced from Oaxaca and Jalisco, Mexico.
Placards in the restaurant to pay homage to the original occupants of the buildings. (Gianna Means/Community Impact)
What’s in a name
To honor the building’s history, Ly and Hall preserved several heritage details throughout the restaurant. The lounge carries the nickname "Alcove," referencing both to their former restaurant name and Alcove Ice Cream, the building's initial resident back in 1881. Additionally, the The Fair takes its name from the 1886 grocery store that once stood in the same location.
“We rebranded as Socidad, which translates to society or community,” Ly said. “We are focusing on community, bringing people together.”
