AUSTIN MUSIC
The Live Music Capitol of the World

The Van Buren Boys rockin' out at the Red 7. Photo/thevanburenboys.com

Austin music has an international reputation for an eclectic overabundance of musical styles including country, western swing, gypsy, rock, punk, blues, jazz, folk, classical, Tejano, zydeco, bluegrass, roots, pop and world music.

Austin IS The Live Music Capitol of the World. Not a mere slogan, but documented fact. Nashville, Memphis, LA, Seattle, Chicago, New York, New Orleans, London, Paris and Berlin have fewer music venues per capita than Austin.

Austin music is everywhere. Live music at the airport, museums, BBQ joints, grocery stores, parks, coffee shops. Not to mention the 200 plus live music venues.

The Austin music scene brings over $600 million a year into the Austin economy. Music is an important part of every Austinites life. Most of us are rabid supporters of the Austin music scene.

Nothing can prepare you for a Friday or Saturday night in Austin. Music follows you everywhere. You can feel the electricity. Sounds seep out of the clubs, coffee shops and hotels. It's an experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world. That's not a Texas size boast, but absolute fact.

The Austin music scene must be experienced first hand to be appreciated.

Austin Clubs & Venues

Austin music has a wide array of music clubs and stages to choose from. Here you will find complete reviews of the most popular clubs plus my own personal favorites. The majority of Austin music clubs are clustered in several music districts.

Sixth Street Austin Music District

Sixth Street music district has more than 50 clubs, many have several stages.

MAGGIE MAE'S - 323 E. Sixth St.; (512) 478-8541; maggiemaesaustin.com
Austin music favorite of the UT crowd. Three stages, simultaneous music on weekends. Cover bands to original alternative. More about Maggie Mae's here.

MOMO'S - 618 W. Sixth St., Suite 200; momosclub.com
Singer-songwriter, heavy music calender. Several performers every evening. Known as a place to see up and comers. More about Momo's here.

THE PARISH - 214 E. Sixth St.; (512) 47p-0474; theparishroom.com
Great place to see quality original music performed in a comfortable and acoustically perfect room. Many styles. More about the Parish here.

311 CLUB – 311 E. Sixth St.; (512) 477-1630
AGAVE – 415 E. Sixth St.; (512) 469-7892
B.D. RILEY'S PUB – 204 E. Sixth St.; (512) 494-1335; bdrileys.com
BOURBON ROCKS – 508 E. Sixth St.; (512) 236-1707; bourbonrocks.net
DARWIN'S PUB – 223 E. Sixth St.; (512) 474-7399
DRISKILL BAR – 604 Brazos St.; (512) 474-5911
FLAMINGO CANTINA – 515 E. Sixth St.; (512) 494-9336
FRIEND'S BAR – 208 E. Sixth St.; (512) 320-8193; friendsbar.com
THE JACKALOPE – 404 E. Sixth St.; (512) 469-5801; jackalopeaustin.com
THE LAIR/IVORY CAT TAVERN – 300 E. Sixth St.; (512) 478-5287
NUNO'S ON 6th – 422 E. Sixth St.; (512) 833-5133; nunosonsixth.com
PETE'S DUELING PIANO BAR – 421 E. Sixth St.; (512) 472-7383; petesduelingpianobar.com
SHAKESPEARE'S PUB – 314 E. Sixth St.; (512) 472-1666
UNCLE FLIRTY'S – 325 E. Sixth St.; (512) 473-8891; uncleflirtys.com

Sixth Street in November. Photo/jdeeringdavis

Warehouse & Downtown Austin Music District

Located downtown south of Sixth Street and west of Congress Avenue. The Warehouse District is home to several of Austin music's legendary stages including the Austin Music Hall, La Zona Rosa and world famous Antone's, “home of the blues.”

ANTONE'S – 213 W. Fifth St.; (512) 320-8424; antones.net
Fourth incarnation of famed blues haunt appropriately named after Austin's godfather of the blues, Clifford Antone. Blues, rock, zydeco, roots featuring national talents like Jimmie Vaughan and just about everybody else you have ever heard of. More about Antone's here.

LA ZONA ROSA – 612 W. Fourth St.; (512) 472-2293; directevents.net
From Joe Satriani to comedian Lewis Black. The large venue can be uncomfortable but the quality of talent is undeniable. More about La Zona Rosa here.

AUSTIN MUSIC HALL – 208 Nueces St.; (512) 263-4146; directevents.net
Cavernous room, folding chairs and the best musical talent in the world. The Boss and Mr. Dylan play here so has John Fogerty and too many more to list. More about Austin Music Hall here.

ELEPHANT ROOM – 315 Congress Ave.; (512) 473-2279; natespace.com/elephant
Best jazz stage Austin music has to offer in the cozy confines of a basement location on Congress Ave. Perfect. More about Elephant Room here.

PARAMOUNT THEATER - 713 Congress Avenue; (512) 472-5470; austintheatre.org
Austin music history. John Phillip Sousa, George M. Cohan, Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson played here. Read more here.

CEDAR STREET COURTYARD – 208 W. Fourth St.; (512) 495-9669; cedarstreetaustin.com
FADO IRISH PUB – 214 W. Fourth St.; (512) 457-0172; fadoirishpub.com
LUCKY LOUNGE – 209-A W. Fifth St.; (512) 479-7700; theluckylounge.com
RINGSIDE AT SULLIVAN'S – 300 Colorado St.; (512) 495-6504; sullivansteakhouse.com
SPEAKEASY – 412 Congress Ave.; (512) 476-8017; speakeasyaustin.com
TAP ROOM AT SIXTH – 311-B Colorado St; (512) 472-6662
WHISKEY BAR – 303 W. Fifth St.; (512) 481-8599

Ghostland performing to a packed house
at the Austin Music Hall. Photo/daveiam

Red River Austin Music District

The Red River district extends from Sixth Street to Tenth Street on Red River Street. Known for its alternative music and trendy new clubs. Red River is home to Austin's best outdoor music venue - Waller creek Amphitheater located in Stubb's BBQ back yard.

STUBB'S BBQ AND WALLER CREEK AMPITHEATRE – 801 Red River St.; (512) 480-8341; stubbsaustin.com
Stubb's has inside stage offering quality live local talent. Bar, BBQ and Waller Creek Amphitheater where the White Stripes, Los Lobos and Willie Nelson have graced the stage. Hallowed Austin music ground with history. More about Waller Creek Amphitheater at Stubb's here.

EMO'S – 603 Red River St.; (512) 477-3667; emosaustin.com
Punk club with two stages. One is indoors, the other one outside. Indie, alternative, too many styles to list. Austin favorite. More about Emo's here.

BEERLAND – 711 1/2 Red River St.; (512) 479-7625; beerlandtexas.com
Rock & roll in a unique and sparse atmosphere. On a good night, magic happens. Local surf legend Burnin' Mike Vernon melts the walls with taste and chuzpa. More about Beerland here.

BEAUTY BAR – 617 E. Seventh St.; (512) 391-1943
ELYSIUM – 705 Red River St.; (512) 478-2979; elysiumonline.net
HEADHUNTERS – 720 Red River St.; (512) 236-0188; headhuntersclub.com
MOHAWK – 912 Red River St.; (512) 482-8404; mohawkaustin.com
RED EYED FLY – 715 Red River St.; (512) 474-1084; redeyedfly.com
RED SEVEN – 611 E. Seventh St.; (512)- 476-8100
ROOM 710 – 710 Red River St.; (512) 476-0997; room710.net

University Austin Music District

Extending on Guadalupe Street north of Martin Luther King Blvd. To 45th Street. Home to UT favorites Cactus Cafe and the good ol' well worn Hole In The Wall. Performing Arts Centers, Bass Concert Hall and Hogg Auditorium, are also an important part of the University music district. Not to mention the Austin City Limits taping studios.

CACTUS CAFE – 2247 Guadalupe St.; (512) 475-6515
Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Joe Ely, Nanci Griffith, Ani DiFranco, Richard Thompson, Bill Monroe, Dixie Chicks and Townes Van Zandt have played here. Nuff said. More about Cactus Cafe here.

HOLE IN THE WALL – 2538 Guadalupe St.; (512) 477-4747; holeinthewallaustin.com
University area's most famous Austin live music dive, tries to live up to past reputation of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, LeRoi Brothers, Doug Sahm, Alvin Crow, Tailgators and the Texas Mavericks. Read more about Hole In The Wall here.

NASTY'S – 606 Maiden Ln.; (512) 453-4349
THE PARLOR – 4301-B Guadalupe St.; (512) 323 -0440

South Austin Music District

This district is South First Street, South Congress Avenue and South Lamar Avenue. Loaded with great stages including the former burlesque club, the Continental and the nations #1 rated honky tonk, the Broken Spoke, among many other fine venues.

CONTINENTAL CLUB – 1315 S. Congress Ave.; (512) 441-2444; continentalclub.com
Dark, beer soaked Austin landmark. Top national and local talent in a friendly relaxed and well worn environment. Rockabilly and American roots music rule at the Continental. More here.

THREADGILL'S WORLD HEADQUARTERS - 301 W. Riverside Dr.; (512) 472-9304; threadgills.com
Threadgill's is next to the old Armadillo World Headquarters location. Called Threadgill's South, offering top quality local and national acts. Bluegrass, blues, folk and rock & roll. Great eats, too. More about Threadgill's World Headquarters here.

JOVITA'S - 1619 S. First St.; (512) 447-7825; jovitas.com
Underrated venue. Cornell Hurd, Texas Swing Kings make this Austin eatery a good place to relax and enjoy the music. More about Jovita's here.

BROKEN SPOKE - 3201 S. Lamar Blvd.; (512) 442-6189; brokenspokeaustintx.com
Serving up the best real country music in Austin since 1964. A genuine Texas road house with low ceilings and great dance floor. Everyone has played here including Bob Wills. I'm not joking. Country and western music mecca. More about Broken Spoke here.

SAXON PUB - 1320 S. Lamar Blvd.; (512) 448-2552; thesaxonpub.com
Best kept secret of all Austin live music, the Saxon Pub deserves more respect. Omar and the Howlers, Ian McLagan and the Bump Band. Celebrity hot spot. More about Saxon Pub here.

EVANGELINE CAFE - 8106 Brodie Lane; (512) 282-2586; evangelinecafe.com
Serving up great Cajun food and better roots zydeco, instrumental and Cajun music. Can get loud. Read more here.

ARTZ RIB HOUSE - 2330 S. Lamar Blvd.; (512) 442-8283; artzribhouse.com
Bluegrass, folk and acoustic. Great BBQ and awesome music make for a winning combination at this Austin music legend. More about Artz here.

HILL'S CAFE - 4700 S. Congress Ave.; (512) 851-9300; hillscafe.com
Ever hear of the Texas cattle drive legend, Charlie Goodnight? He started Hill's, it's still there today offering great music. More here.

TROPHY’S - 2008 S. Congress Ave.; (512) 447-0969

East Side Austin Music District

Located east of IH-35 between 12th Street to the north and Riverside Drive to the south. The historic Victory Grill is on the East side as is the Longbranch Inn. In the old Chitlin Circuit district.

VICTORY GRILL - 1104 E. 11th St.; (512) 902-5057; historicvictorygrill.org
Currently being restored to old Chitlin Circuit glory. Stage and cafe. BB King to Bobby Blue Bland. More here.

LONGBRANCH INN - 1133 E. 11th Street; (512) 472-5477; longbranchinn.com
PROGRESS COFFEE - 500 San Marcos; (512) 493-0963; progresscoffee.com
SCOOT INN - 1308 E. Fourth St.; (512) 320-0004; eastinns.com
T.C.’S LOUNGE- 1413 Webberville Rd.; (512) 926-2200
THE PEACOCK - 515 Pedernales St.; (512) 276-8979; peacockaustin.com

Austin Angels & Hallowed Ground Remembered

Austin has suffered the loss of many musicians and live music venues. We will not forget the folks who enriched our lives or the clubs they played in. Without either there would be no Austin music. We are eternally thankful they shared their lives with us through their music.

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1990), Townes Van Zandt (1997), Jesse Taylor (2006), Doug Sahm (1999), Keith Ferguson (1997), Don Walser (2006), Clifford Antone (2006), Soap Creek Saloon (1985), Liberty Lunch (1999), The Vulcan Gas Co. (1970), Armadillo World Headquarters (1980), Raul's (early '80s), Austin Opera House (1990).

Barb's TOP 10 All Time Favorite Austin Bands

Based on acts I've personally seen on several occasions at different venues.

1. Joe Ely Band / Townes Van Zandt (tie)
2. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
3. Fabulous Thunderbirds (original lineup)
4. Tailgators
5. LeRoi Brothers
6. Evan Johns & the H-Bombs
7. True Believers
8. Texas Mavericks (Sahm, Crow, Reed, Frosty, Sparks)
9. 3 Balls of Fire (original lineup)
10. Willie Nelson

Barb's TOP 10 Current Favorite Austin Bands

1. Joe Ely
2. Karen Valentine
3. LeRoi Brothers
4. Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra
5. Monte Montgomery
6. Ian McLagan & Bump Band
7. Jimmie Dale Gilmore
8. David Grissom
9. Ruthie Foster
10. Mike Vernon

Austin Record Stores

Austin record stores are as comprehensive as they are diverse. Any music fan will love Waterloo Records, Cheapo Discs or Antone's Records, where vinyl is still KING.

Waterloo Records :: Cheapo Discs :: Antone's Records

Austin Music Stores

My husband lives in music stores. RD plays the guitar. His collection of guitars is impressive. I learned one of the best places in Austin to run into musicians is in the music stores.

Found Charlie Sexton finger picking an acoustic guitar on the floor of Ray Hennig's HEART OF TEXAS MUSIC. He went completely unnoticed.

Just around the corner is AUSTIN VINTAGE GUITARS, a great store with some fine old wood and the best amp tech service in the city.

SOUTH AUSTIN MUSIC is another must. Old school store with a lot of excellent used gear at real friendly prices.

STRAIT MUSIC has been around since 1963 because their motto - Where Customers Become Friends - is exactly how they try to do business. Nice folks, great store.

The crown jewel of music stores offering high end guitar and amp gear. GUITAR RESURRECTION is an unapologetic boutique store. PRS to Dr. Z amps. Guitar Rez carries the good stuff.

GUITAR CENTER has two Austin stores. Rock bottom prices on all the popular brands. Guitars, drums, recording, Guitar Center carries it all and has a great selection of instructional how-to CDs.

Heart of Texas Music :: Musicmakers :: South Austin Music :: Strait Music :: Guitar Resurrection :: Guitar Center :: Austin Vintage Guitars

Austin Chronicle

The absolute bible of the Austin music and arts scene. The Austin Chronicle offers an updated weekly calender of live music performances.

Austin Chronicle also lists in store free concerts. New CD releases. Recommended music events. Roadshows is a calendar for national touring acts. Live music venues and Austin music club listings.

Live music in Austin would not be the same without the Chronicle. Their participation in Austin music festivals like South By Southwest (SXSW), Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival, Old Settler's Music Festival or the Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally have made these festivals what they are today.

Come to rely on the Austin Chronicle for spot-on accurate reporting of the Austin music scene. It's free, look around town, they distribute everywhere. More about the Austin Chronicle here.

Austin Music Award Show

The Austin Chronicle also hosts the Austin Music Awards Poll. The awards show is known for its world class keynote speakers. The awards show is held opening night of SXSW.

Contact the Chronicle for more information (www.austinchronicle.com). You can also vote and weigh in with your choice.

Austin City Limits

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS broadcasts to 853 PBS stations nationally. It's the toughest ticket in town.

For 31 years Austin City Limits has shared our local musicians with the rest of the country. Joe Ely, Flatlanders, Willie Nelson, Little Joe, Eric Johnson, Dixie Chicks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Alejandro Escovedo, Los Lonely Boys and many other fine musicians.

You can tour the ACL studio at 10:30 am. The KRLU station is located on the UT campus. Go to www.PBS.org/KLRU/Austin or pick up your phone and call (512) 471-4811. Ask for Austin City Limits tour information. More about Austin City Limits here.

AUSTIN TRAVEL TIP: The best time to schedule an Austin music vacation is over Christmas and New Year's holidays. All the bands are home and off the road. UT students have gone on Christmas break. Austin is lit up and every Austin live music venue bustles with musicians happy to be playing on a home stage. The Continental Club is very special at Christmas and New Years.

SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish

WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre

RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland

UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall

SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe

EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill

AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Townes Van Zandt :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: Clifford Antone :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House

MORE
Austin City Limits :: Austin Record Stores :: Music Stores :: Austin Chronicle

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