No matter what your scene is, the Live Music Capital of the World still serves up amazing music almost every night of the year.
Though in many meaningful ways, Austin has grown up from its hippie heyday when Willie Nelson first took the stage at Austin City Limits (ACL), you still don’t have to roam very far to find incredible live music in the Live Music Capital of the World. Music is around every corner—walk through a secret bookcase at a hostel or head into the local bodega, and you might just find your next favorite band performing on a real or makeshift stage.
Though many visitors come in for the biggies like ACL, SXSW or reunion gigs at COTA, it’s equally (if not more) fun to seek out the charming little venues that host excellent musical notes night in, night out, throughout the year. They are where local legends are made, international artists tour and where good ol’ Southern nights are spent. Whatever your tastes; pop, rock, country, classical or EDM, here are the best spots to catch quality live music in Austin, Texas.
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1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
The Continental Club on South Congress should be at the top of any Austin list for both visitors and locals. It opened its doors in 1955, and the 200-capacity room has since hosted the likes of Double Trouble, Paul Ray and the Cobras and Joe Ely back in the 1970s and ’80s, as well as legends like Robert Plant and Wanda Jackson more recently. The tiny stage and small room make any show intimate and electric.
310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
A larger-than-life statue of Willie Nelson lords over the home of the longest-running music series in television history: KLRU-TV/PBS’s Austin City Limits, where live shows are still taped here throughout the year (you can snag free tickets with a little luck if you follow the show’s social media pages). Otherwise, traditional concerts share the stage here. With state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and a formidable capacity (2,750 seats), every show at the Moody Theater sounds crisp, looks spectacular and feels epic.
801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
There are myriad reasons why Stubb’s is one of the best venues in town. The 1,800-capacity spot is nestled in the heart of the Red River District, which makes pre- and after-partying a cinch; the outdoor amphitheater features impeccable sound and light displays, plus clear sightlines from almost anywhere on the natural, gradual incline leading up from the stage; and—huge bonus—you can always enjoy barbecue treats like a chopped beef sandwich or brisket platter while soaking up world-class concerts.
305 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
Though it’s not the same as the original 6th Street location (according to purists), Antone’s (now on 5th Street) still maintains the spirit of the “World-Famous Home of the Blues," originally opened by Clifford Antone in 1975. The Texas base for traveling and local blues acts like Albert King, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Double Trouble back in the day, Antone’s still hosts renowned blues and roots musicians in its 450-capacity room. Almost every evening features an early and a late show, best enjoyed with a Knotty Vines cab.
900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
Located next door to the Mohawk in the Red River district, this self-described vegan and queer establishment is an ideal space to experience a more contemporary, bohemian side of Austin’s music culture. Cheer Up Charlies books mostly local acts for intimate performances on the indoor stage or on the larger outdoor stage, which connects to a spacious patio (a prime spot for enjoying kombucha on tap and fresh-squeezed juice cocktails). The outdoor stage features a natural limestone cliff face as a backdrop, perfect for expertly projected visuals.
912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
This joint at the northern end of the Red River District is a top destination for musicians and one of the most-loved locales among live music fans. Rowdier fans flood the ground level in front of the stage, while others seeking a more laid-back feel choose between three balcony levels, a rooftop patio and a bird’s-eye, side-stage viewing space. There’s also a homey, fireside bar and indoor stage. Even when there’s no live music, the Mohawk is a mainstay happy hour haven.
2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
Perched within the enormous Texas Performing Arts center is Bass Concert Hall, a venue famed for hosting the most prestigious tours in town. This is for music fans who prefer to add a little high-brow jazz, Broadway and classical to their musical diet, with a 2025 show lineup consisting of Sweet Honey in the Rock, “Hamilton,” and the irreverent Weird “Al” Yankovic.. During intermission, stroll around the gorgeous glass front facade and deck for towering views over campus.
501 Brushy St, Austin, TX 78702
Located in an inconspicuous upstairs room just above Bat Bar and the Voodoo Doughnut storefront, the Parish is widely regarded as the city’s best venue for sound. Despite its location amidst the hustle of 6th Street, the 450-capacity upper floor feels like an intimate safe-haven with its cozy, wood-floor interior and tiny, just-below-waist-high stage that features all types of musicians. The only downside comes during sold-out shows—since it’s all general admission, you’ve gotta arrive early to snag the best sightlines.
606 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
If kitschy spaces and trippy light shows are your thing, check out the varied events at Empire Control Room and Garage. With concerts of all sorts on one of three stages (one of them inside, another a repurposed auto garage) on almost any given night of the week, it’s no wonder Empire has become one of the most popular live music spaces over the past few years. Come for the live music, and stay for the DJ-fueled dance parties on the patio.
1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702
Scoot Inn has a history as rich as Austin itself. In 1871, the introduction of the city's railway prompted Sam and Nancy Wilson to open a grocery store next to the tracks. The business operated until 1955 when Aubrey Ivy (nicknamed "Scoot") and his wife purchased the store and renamed it Scoot Inn, where it has since served as a saloon and live music venue. A separate bar inside—dubbed Ivy's Room—features regular piano performances.
3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
This definitive Texan dance hall is all about letting your hair down. It doesn’t get much more Texan than two-stepping to live country music. There are dance lessons at 8pm Wednesday to Saturday, so hesitant toe-tappers can fit right in with boot-scootin' bosses. Grab an ice-cold Lone Star or three so you’re more willing to say yes when a stranger asks you to dance. After all that dancing, refuel with one of the Spoke’s famous (and famously big) chicken-fried steaks.
1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
If there is a more perfect way to listen to live music than atop your blanket on a beautiful sunny Austin afternoon at Waterloo Park, we don’t know it. Moody Amphitheatre opened in 2021 with a sound system that envelopes 11 acres of green space, which somehow feels quaint despite its capacity for 5,000 concertgoers. This is the official venue of the annual Austin Blues Festival, in addition to hosting many headliner acts, from St. Vincent to Teddy Swims and Gary Clark Jr., whose performances just seem even better outdoors in this park setting.
2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
Built to replace an outdated arena, Moody Center opened in 2022 (contributing only minor confusion among concertgoers who now have three named “Moody” venues to navigate in Austin). It’s a stunning 15,000-seat center rolling out the red carpet for the biggest names in entertainment to grace Austin stages. Bonus: Concessions are from favorite local brands like Stubb’s, Koko’s Bavarian and Mister Softee. In 2025, Kylie Minogue, Andrea Bocelli, Linkin Park and GHOST will all take the stage here.
701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
An iconic landmark across the riverbanks of Lady Bird Lake stands the Long Center, situated on an expansive green lawn connected to Auditorium Shores and functioning as a “backyard” concert space for Austinites who love experiencing music indoors and out year-round. Inside the center, you’ll find performances by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, as well as solo acts like violinist Itzhak Perlman. Outdoors on the world’s first 3D printed performance pavilion, free outdoor concerts pop up weekly throughout the spring and summer months.
2247 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78712
A mainstay for more than 40 years, the Cactus Cafe is in the heart of the University of Texas’s Austin campus, hosting up-and-coming singer songwriters testing their chops on their very first stages to veteran artists who relish the opportunity to mix it up with the young, enthusiastic crowd in this live music capital. You’ll never know when an artist like Jack White will duck in with only a few days’ notice and perform a pop-up for an intimate gathering of just over 100 people.
605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
In a hotel that celebrates Austin’s live music roots (the Van Zandt was named in tribute to Townes Van Zandt), the rooftop restaurant and bar Geraldine’s serves up hearty helpings of delicious beats most days of the week. Our favorite, Geraldine’s Jazz Brunch, is offered every Sunday and features local musicians easing everyone into a relaxing end to the week.
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