Liberty Lunch

1976 -- 1999

Many good memories here. Photo/Barbara Lynne

Listen to Joe Ely's CD, Live at Liberty Lunch and you will get a true understanding of what a great music venue can be. Loud, raucous, filled with joy, love and a sense of communal sharing. You be the judge.

Done in by skyrocketing land prices that made keeping the club impossible. Its historic background includes being the site of Texas' third state capitol. Today it's an historic landmark. An empty lot with big development plans in the works.

This place was special. A large long room with the stage at one end and a long bar against the inside wall. It also had an outdoor terrace close to the stage with a few picnic tables. Sound was pretty good by the time the headliner went on.

Seeing Joe Ely's band here on New Year's Eve was an Austin music scene event. Awesome party.

But they didn't need a holiday to party. Originally opened in 1976. By the mid 1980s it was as much an Austin tradition as the Continental or Antone's.

The SXSW showcases here were some of the best in the city featuring reggae to punk.

Not a one trick pony. I saw surf guitar legend Dick Dale, the Blasters, Alvin Lee, Eric Burdon, Dave Davies, Evan Johns and the H-Bombs.

Stood shoulder to shoulder with Oscar award winner Forest Whitaker at one of Joe Ely's shows here.

The floor was wavy. Steel beams from the old Armadillo World Headquarters were used when Liberty Lunch got her roof.

RD says it was the very best of all the Austin venues. I would have to agree. If it was still open it would top my list of favorite Austin venues.

Winner of the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll, for ten consecutive years, Best Place to Hear Live Music.

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

Leave LIBERTY LUNCH and go to AUSTIN MUSIC.

Click here to go to Austin, Texas HOME.