Known for being the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, TX, has plenty of live music venues throughout the city.
But which ones are a must-visit when traveling to the South?
Gregory Steinberg of Austin Texas compiled some of the best music venues to visit when visiting the Lone Star state.
Speakeasies to Lounge Vibes
Austinites love music. For one, the Austin City Music Festival is held annually at Zilker Park. But even when there aren’t any music festivals, people still visit the city to listen to live music:
The Continental Club
The Continental Club often comes into people’s minds when the topic of live music venues is brought up.
Regardless of where they reside, live music enthusiasts consider the Continental Club the “granddaddy of live music venues” – and people go out of their way to visit this place that first started welcoming music lovers in 1955.
That’s why it’s no surprise that the Continental Club has hundreds of musicians who aspire to play their music at this venue. They’re already fully booked for the rest of 2023.
If the Continental Club is too crowded, perhaps try Elephant Room.
Elephant Room
Tucked in the basement of the historic Swift Building is every jazz lover’s haven.
Elephant Room has been hosting live jazz music since 1991. But to enjoy the experience better, try some of their cocktails – Elephant Room has over twenty varieties of draft beers and wine selections.
Furthermore, those who enjoy historical landmarks can also check this place out. It has an ambiance similar to the golden age of speakeasies.
But for younger folks who would rather listen to rock music, Emo’s is an excellent venue.
Emo’s
To those who just started listening to the rock genre, try going to Emo’s (formerly called The Back Room) – it hosts events to introduce its patrons to the underground punk rock scene.
For instance, on November 15, Wolfmother will perform at Emo’s. So will Moon Taxi on December 1 for their Set Yourself Free Tour. Moreover, Emo’s also welcomes other musicians who play different genres.
But to watch concerts, one venue stands out among Austinites.
ACL Live at The Moody Theater
The Austin City Live at The Moody Theater is a music venue with a 2,750-seating capacity. That said, many events are held in this theater. In the next several months, highly anticipated tours and concerts will take place at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Such as:
| Artist | Date |
|---|---|
| Kesha (with Jake Wesley Rogers) | October 15, 2023 |
| The Flaming Lips | November 8, 2023 |
| Chicago | February 13, 2024 |
| Keane | September 12, 2024 |
However, for smaller venues, Mohawk offers an atmosphere almost as lively.
Mohawk
Compared to other live music venues, Mohawk is relatively new. However, despite only being established in 2006, Mohawk instantly grew in popularity due to its all-inclusive, non-judgmental approach to its patrons and musicians.
On their website, they stated, “We accept and encourage all genres—of music, music lovers, and music staff,” they added that “music is a language that everyone speaks, without bias.”
And who wouldn’t agree with that?
Summary
Austin, TX, is home to several amazing things: sunny weather, breakfast tacos, and a bustling live music scene.
Head to Austin and see what the talented musicians are playing.