When I think about how lucky/blessed I am to live in Austin, Texas, I’m generally on the hike and bike trail or in some bar listening to live music. I really don’t have the words to describe the incredible feeling live music gives me. Austin is more than fortunate to have the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) at the end on this month (Sept 26-28, 2008) and the South by Southwest (SXSW) - Music, Film, and Interactive – Festival/Conference every March (13-22, 2009), but the foundation of live music in this city are the live music venues/bars. These local live music venues/bars bring in the national touring bands and the popular local acts, provide residency nights for local bands to polish their skill and sound, and finally, offer the struggling singer-song writers an opportunity to be heard and build a following. The following list of bars/venues (and links) are just a few of my favorite places to listen to live music:
Congress and South Congress
Continental Club – Simply the best – great owner and staff – great bar - great happy hour music – great late night music – get there early if you want/need to sit. If I had to pick only one bar for the rest of my life, this is the one.
Botticelli’s - Great Italian food and a wonderful garden in the back.
Jo’s Coffee (on Congress) - Music in the parking lot is always fun.
Trophy’s - I’ve only been once, but I like this place a lot. I loved sitting at the bar.
Guero’s (Oak Garden) - Everyone knows I love the bar and restaurant, but the big oak trees make the garden a special place to listen to live music.
Ego’s - Fun funky place – Basement of multi floor building.
Elephant Room - Home of live Jazz in Austin. Interesting location.
Threadgill’s South - Great outdoor venue. Great food.
5th Street and Warehouse District and West 6th Street
Antone’s – I love this place. Always a killer line-up of music. Depending upon the band, there is sometimes limited seating, so get there early or be prepared to stand.
Lucky Lounge - Fun place. Cool cat-walk on the backside of the bar to drink and listen to music.
La Zona Rosa - If you don’t mind standing this is where you will hear many of the national/hot Austin/Texas bands.
Momo’s - Above Katz’s – Great inside and outside venue.
Ranch 616 - They only have music one night a week, but this is a great Austin restaurant/bar.
Mean-Eye Cat - Fun place. Outdoor stage.
East 6th Street and Red River
Stubbs - The outdoor amphitheater is great, indoor stage is fun, and the food is wonderful – BBQ.
Emo’s - Unbelievably great. Multiple stages. International, national, Texas, and Austin bands.
South Lamar and South First Streets
Broken Spoke – The definition of a Texas Honky Tonk. Fun place to listen to good country music, drink cold beer, and dance with the ladies.
Saxon Pub - The bar/music venue that sets the standard for all others.
Freddie’s Place - Fun South Austin outdoor venue. Good drinks and food.
Jovita’s – Pure South Austin. Great place to dance. Thursday is my favorite night.
UT and Central City
Hole in the Wall – Classic Austin. Located on the Drag (across from UT). Love sitting at the bar.
Central Market – North – Yes, even some of our grocery stores have live music.
Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon – 42 Night on Monday. Music Tuesday-Sunday.
Threadgill’s North - New Indoor venue. Great food.
Nuno’s – On MOPAC – New kid on the block. Lover of the blues. Good food too.
OTHERS
Carousel Lounge - Funky fun place – Located northeast from the downtown. Cold cheap beer.
Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe – Great food and a great music venue. Located southeast from the downtown.
Gruene Hall (sorry the web site was not available at the time of this post) – Located south of Austin in Gruene, Texas – Bring a designated driver. The best dance hall in Texas – the wood floor bounce/sway while you dance.
As I visit more venues/bars, I’ll update this page. Please feel free to let us know your favorite Austin live music venues/bars in the comments.
