Austin - Nightlife - Live Music

651 Red River St., Austin 78701

The Swan Dive

Live music venue with rustic white interior and buttery leather couches heave patrons back into the decadent 30s era. Nightly shows--from marching bands to jazz musicians-- booked throughtout the m... read more

208 Nueces St., Austin 78701
512-263-4146

Austin Music Hall

A major remodel was supposed to have improved this storied theater. It did. The upper deck makes for increased capacity. The crowd is more heterogeneous. And bands big enough that your mom's heard ... read more

305 W. 6th St., Austin 78701
512-457-0300

The Belmont

This rat pack hang is a triple threat. It’s a swanky supper club. It’s a boite. And it’s a Palm Desert patio bar. Slouch in alligator-green leather banquettes and tear into a stea... read more

912 Red River St., Austin 78701
512-482-8404

Mohawk

The popularity contest with neighbor Club de Ville was over before it started. The rooftop deck became the place to bask in live indie rock. Almost instantly. This is where Pitchfork next-big-thing... read more

1313-A S. Congress Ave., Austin 78704
512-441-2444

The Continental Club Gallery

This can’t be part of the Continental Club, you say. There's art on the walls instead of fuzz-bunnies. And your eardrums aren’t bleeding from an outrageously high decibel level. This an... read more

22308 Hwy. 71 W., Austin 78669
512-264-0318

Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill

Deceased namesake "Poodie" Locke was Willie Nelson's road manager back in the day. Naturally, he knew everybody in Texas music. Heavy hitters the likes of Ray Wylie Hubbard, Leon Russell, and Billy... read more

603 Red River St., Austin 78701
512-477-EMOS

Emo's

The gnarliest bouncers in town stand guard over this indie-rock compound. They’re harmless though. If you’re not an ass. On-the-cusp bands play inside and out for decent prices. Bring e... read more

315 Congress Ave., Austin 78701
512-473-2279

Elephant Room

One of the few places where jazz is not dead. Praisers Wynton Marsalis and Down Beat magazine wouldn’t lie. Walk downstairs into the subterranean pub. Grab a booth in the darkness. Order a pi... read more

1320 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin 78704
512-448-2552

The Saxon Pub

The owner of this live-music staple must be a former English professor. The players he books are predominantly singer-songwriters. Literate, wordy songs are their trade. The crowd consists of old-h... read more

612 W. 4th St., Austin 78701
512-263-4146

La Zona Rosa

It’s easy to get sucked into a bad view at this go-to for can't-miss touring rock bands. Dead-centerstage is a natural starting spot. But the perpetually bearded pack it there in a hurry. To ... read more

213 W. 5th St., Austin 78701
512-320-8424

Antone's

The Live Music Capital of the World owes its distinction in part to the namesake of this revered blues club. Clifford Antone's done more for black-white relations than the Oreo cookie. The old-scho... read more

2538 Guadalupe St., Austin 78705
512-477-4747

The Hole in the Wall

When's the last time you treated yourself to a good "arcade restaurant"? Like, to getting a high score with a greasy joystick, fried pickle, and bourbon? This Drag stalwart also dishes live music t... read more

1600 W. 5th St., Austin 78703
512-478-0336

Donn's Depot

The Donn is now taking requests. You name it. He'll play it. Just ask the old-school regulars. They've been jumpin' and jivin' at this former Missouri-Pacific train depot since the piano man arrive... read more

325 E. 6th St. , Austin 78701
512-473-8891

The Thirsty Nickel

This venue has not yet been reviewed. read more

711 Red River St., Austin 78701
512-479-ROCK

Beerland

Say you saw ‘em back when they were playing for peanuts and Lone Stars. The live music is rough yet passionate. You can shoot pool if you’re oblivious to interference. Skinny kids in ti... read more

214 E. 6th St., Austin 78701
512-479-0474

The Parish

"Now" bands used to play under the cool-blue orbs of lights. Slackers would pack one-hitters while indie rock reverberated off the hardwood floors. Cigarette smokers out front would be enterta... read more

3201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin 78704
512-442-6189

The Broken Spoke

The tour bus left for dead in the front is perhaps second only to Ken Kesey’s Further in terms of folklore. Remembrances of things past extend inside this museum of honky-tonking. Bob Wills t... read more

1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin 78704
512-441-2444

The Continental Club

Granddaddy honkytonk gets the tops in roots music. Greaser kings and cowpoke queens arrive in classic hoopties. Peanuts are split with the accountant who's never missed a James McMurtry show. The t... read more