Applebee’s customers get surprise Jell-O shots while waiting for dinner. Then she discovers it turns into a party after dark

It turns out that an Applebee’s branch might be hiding a livelier version of itself for when the sun goes down. The discovery was made and shared by TikToker Steph (steph99879), who was amazed by an Applebee’s in Austin. As the Texas woman noted in the on-screen text of her post, “I didn’t know Applebee’s was so lit.” Her video captured a restaurant with low lighting, easy listening jams, and complimentary surprises that set up a surprisingly fun mood. 

While sitting in a booth, Steph asked TikTok, “Why is Applebee’s such a vibe?” As she sipped from her drink, she even pointed out that the restaurant was “playing the jams.” As Steph gets her food and grooved to the music, Applebee’s went on to surprise her. The clip cut ahead to where Steph announces, “Um oh hell yes! They just gave us these Jell-O shots.” She giggled as she showed the Jell-O shots given to her and her friend.

As they cheered each other, Steph said with amazement, “It’s a vibe as f**k.” The video went on to capture other lighthearted moments, like Steph teasing her friend when she couldn’t get the Jell-O out of the container. She suggested, “At this point, get your fork or a straw or something,” prompting laughter from her friend. The pair even discussed another patron whom they thought was going to propose, before Steph’s friend was distracted by a song she loved.

A byproduct of Austin’s nightlife

This unexpected scene at the William Cannon Applebee’s branch piques the interest of her viewers. Some even remembered a time when the location was known for its intense nightlife scene. One commenter remarked, “It used to be called club apple,” while another user noted, “Club Apps @ Cannon was pretty lit when they used to have a dj, about 10+ years ago.” One TikToker even claimed to have helped establish that initial atmosphere. 

They wrote, “William Cannon, I started that place, with my sound system, and projector, doing UFC fights and Games, then I got my boy at the time DJ to handle his business, and It got so live, I had to become the bouncer, then it got out of control. Club Apple had to stop, new management lol those were fun days, made tons of money!!!” Steph replied to him with awe, stating, “Oh wow that’s cool! We need to bring club Apple back.”

Not everyone was convinced by the video, however. Some users remained skeptical that the Applebee’s was that great. One TikToker noted, “H*ll Nah…Your Man needs to take you out More.” Another suggested she was having fun “cuz you’re drunk.” The suspicion isn’t surprising. Recently, a man who went to the Times Square Applebee’s happy hour ended up with an insane bill.

In another case, a TikToker was actually warned away from a menu item by the manager. As one of Steph’s viewers joked, “The nuggets look like they doordashed from McDonald’s and put sauce on them.” 

This phenomenon of finding unexpected nightlife in casual spots fits into a larger context of Austin’s reputation. According to Spectrum Local News, Austin was ranked as the fifth best city for nightlife in the world by the travel website Time Out in 2024. The survey highlighted Austin’s status as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” noting that the city has a genuinely exciting nightlife scene. 

Additionally, Austin Daily Herald reported that there is a growing movement toward “frictionless” recreation in the city. The piece argues that people are increasingly craving spaces that move away from over-management and bureaucratic red tape like corporate chains or traditional bars. 

Instead, the piece claims that customers prefer environments that prioritize freedom and atmosphere. The article concludes that the best nights out are often found in places that trust their patrons and focus on the immediate experience rather than rigid structures.

There is no way to tell if this branch of Applebee’s has embraced the ‘vibe’ for these reasons. However, for Steph and her viewers, the atmosphere was a wonderful surprise. Her video is a reminder that a great night out can sometimes happen in the most unexpected places. As Steph put it while she was waiting for her food, “The food might take forever to come out, but at least they are creating a vibe while you’re waiting.”