10 Spots To Enjoy Live Music In Austin, Texas

1. The Continental Club

The Continental Club has been a highlight of the Austin nightlife scene since 1957 and is still generating buzz as one of the best venues for roots, rockabilly, country and swing music. For more than 60 years, the Continental Club has featured amazing up-and-coming artists and renowned entertainers.

The club has been restored to its glamorous glory and today, the venue is a historic landmark with its neon sign glimmering over the hot rod cars parked out front. This tourist favorite has a calendar that is always packed with an exciting line-up that keeps the crowds flocking to the dance floor every night.

The Continental Club

Address: 1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

Website: The Continental Club

2. The White Horse

For classic country music, a rowdy dance floor, and the best of late-night entertainment, look no further than the White Horse. Honkytonk doesn’t get much better than this boisterous venue on Austin’s East Side. The White Horse is filled with locals swaying to twangy beats, grabbing draft beers from the bar and feasting on snacks from the Bomb Tacos food truck that’s on the property.

Every night, country, roots rock, folk, and Western swing acts take to the stage, and the White Horse even offers dance classes that will teach you to two-step like a Texan.

The White Horse

Address: 500 Comal St., Austin, TX 78702

Website: The White Horse

3. Mohawk

Mohawk is an energetic, eclectic and dynamic venue in Austin’s Red River District, where performers, from Iggy Pop and Green Day to Tenacious D have graced the stages. The live music lineup is constantly changing, which means there’s always the chance of hearing various genres on any given night.

The venue features an indoor stage with a fireside bar and a lively outdoor area with multi-tiered seating that stretches up to a rooftop patio. Mohawk is a neighborhood favorite for its commitment to supporting the local music scene and featuring new and different music in the city.

Mohawk

Address: 912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Website: Mohawk

4. Skylark Lounge

Laidback and friendly, the Skylark Lounge is a hidden gem that boasts brilliant live music from blues legends. This casual lounge is open seven days a week and is dedicated to hosting a lineup of amazing local and touring music talent. With a calendar filled with soul, jazz, blues and R&B artists and an intimate stage, there’s never a bad time to stop by this unique dive bar.

They also host weekly events, like comedy performances on Mondays and a Songwriter’s Open Mic on Tuesdays. This venue also has a terrific bar, billiards tables and an outdoor patio seating area.

Skylark Lounge

Address: 2039 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78722

Website: Skylark Lounge

5. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q

Country music is the main attraction at Stubb’s, but a menu filled with barbecue treats, like chopped beef sandwiches and jalapeño brisket tacos is also pretty alluring! Stubb’s Bar-B-Q was originally an establishment of Lubbock, Texas, but its Austin location has been a local favorite for many years.

Numerous music legends, including Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and Willie Nelson, have played at Stubbs and the venue continues its commitment to showcasing great performers today. There are concerts nearly every day and, with an indoor area, as well as an amazing outdoor amphitheater, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is open seven days a week and every Sunday you can enjoy a Southern-style brunch while listening to a live Gospel music performance.

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q

Address: 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Website: Stubb’s Bar-B-Q

6. The Historic Scoot Inn

Since the 1950s, the Historic Scoot Inn has been hosting live musicians, making it one of the oldest honkytonks in East Austin. Fun and casual, the Scoot Inn has an indoor and semi-shaded outdoor stage and live music performances are hosted every week. Open Wednesday through Saturday, the venue’s calendar is filled with an eclectic line up and features country, alternative and piano performances.

A beer garden patio adds to its relaxed ambiance and patrons can shoot Skee-ball while listening to live bands play. There are also two full-service bars inside and Texan craft beers, craft cocktails and Rosé are always on tap.

The Historic Scoot Inn

Address: 1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

Website: The Historic Scoot Inn

7. Parish

You can always expect a stellar lineup when you head to the sophisticated Parish. From hip-hop to funk, rock to reggae performances, the Parish is a superb indoor venue in the heart of downtown Austin and the calendar has multiple live performances every week. The venue has hosted guests from the legendary Pete Townsend to the contemporary alternative group Alt-J and is a favorite among Austin locals. Located above the Bat Bar and the Voodoo Doughnut storefront, the Parish has an intimate stage with only a 450-person capacity.

Parish

Address: 214 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Website: Parish

8. The Cactus Café

A popular option among tourists and locals alike, the Cactus Café has been hosting world-class performances since 1979. Today, this venue, on the University of Texas-Austin campus, continues to create buzz for its astounding lineup of acoustic music acts. Local, national and international performers alike grace the stage at this laidback and vibrant venue, where you can also grab a drink at the fantastic bar. The Cactus Café does not have set business hours, but live performances are usually scheduled several times a week.

The Cactus Café

Address: 2247 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78712

Website: The Cactus Café

9. C-Boy’s Heart & Soul

This classy lounge is a sophisticated music venue located on the vibrant South Congress Avenue. Named as a tribute to Louis Charles “C-Boy” Parks, the former manager of the iconic Rome Inn, C-Boy’s Heart & Soul is a glamorous venue with an impressive live music calendar. Open every night of the week, this venue has live music performances daily, as well as a spacious outdoor patio, the food truck La Gris Gris that serves up delicious Creole, Caribbean, and soul food and the dazzling “Jade Room” lounge. C-Boy’s features classic soul and R&B music on-stage and a jukebox filled with the music of bygone eras.

C-Boy’s Heart & Soul

Address: 2008 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Website: C-Boy’s Heart & Soul

10. ACL Live at the Moody Theater

This world-class venue is one of the city’s most renowned attractions. The Moody Theatre hosts the eponymous Austin City Limits, which is the longest-running music series in American television history. Countless musicians have performed at this venue since the first taping of Austin City Limits in 1974, including Willie Nelson, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran.

The ACL Live has a calendar that is packed with brilliant performers across many genres and live performances are scheduled for nearly every day of the week. Any performance at this outstanding venue is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Austin.

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Address: 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

Website: ACL Live at the Moody Theater

The music momentum of Austin

Austin really delivers on its claim to be the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The music scene here is constantly developing, changing and growing and this creates some of the best music experiences in the nation. No matter when you’re in town, these 10 venues always have something amazing on their calendars. Plan your trip to Austin, Texas today!