2026-08-28 08:49:47
Austin’s stages never go dark. From soulful blues to twangy honky-tonk to thumping EDM, the city’s music venues pulse with beats every night of the week.
Every night’s a party at Mohawk. Catch smaller acts on the indoor stage or bigger bands outside from tiered balconies. Multigenre 29th Street Ballroom puts you within arm’s reach of indie rockers, comedians and DJs taking the stage.
Start with pre-show drinks in the saloon-style lounge at the Historic Scoot Inn, then watch indie darlings on the outdoor stage. Hear a mix of hip-hop, rock, punk and indie voices from the stage at Parish.
The roomy outdoor amphitheater at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is a downtown favorite. See big names on tour, and don’t miss the joyful Sunday gospel brunch. Rub elbows (literally) at tiny Chess Club, boasting major noise from folk to indie to metal.
Sister venues The Volstead and Hotel Vegas do it all. Check out themed karaoke nights from emo to yacht rock, high-energy punk shows and DJ dance parties in the shared backyard. Heavy metal and punk rock dominate at rustic Come and Take It Live, where you can play pool between sets.
Inspired by Austin’s 1970s psychedelic music scene, The 13th Floor welcomes the next generation of rock and psych bands. Gritty Valhalla is a divey sanctuary for rock and metalheads, with pinball, Skee-Ball and arcade games.
Iconic Antone’s Nightclub has welcomed legends past and present, from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Gary Clark Jr. Pick up a souvenir record or Antone’s merch on-site at Big Henry’s Vinyl & Gifts before you leave.
Take the stage with open mic blues jams and karaoke at vintage-style King Bee, and catch Texas blues every Saturday. Feel the love at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, where nightly soul and R&B set a romantic vibe.
The Continental Club has anchored South Austin since 1955 with nightly blues, rock and country on an old-school stage. Slide a bookcase aside to reveal Firehouse Lounge, an R&B speakeasy inside Austin’s oldest fire station.
Above The Continental Club, the smaller Continental Gallery is a more intimate affair with live jazz most nights. Underground basement club The Elephant Room is cozy, with a low ceiling and dark interior.
The “no talking” policy at Monks Jazz Club means music comes first, now in a new South Austin location. At basement listening lounge Parker Jazz Club, nights are electric, with sultry blue lighting and craft cocktails. Elegant Prohibition bar Nica on 4th celebrates the Jazz Age with mellow music and high-end sips.
Major acts like Lady Gaga and the Eagles take the stage at the world-class Moody Center arena. Spend all day at Radio/East with morning coffee, seasonal cocktails and an outdoor stage for indie and pop. LGBTQ+- friendly Cheer Up Charlies welcomes everyone to its neonlit dance parties and drag shows.
Legendary ACL Live at The Moody Theater puts you close to your favorite artists and comedians, while intimate ACL Live at 3TEN welcomes rising talent, tribute bands and dance parties.
At Speakeasy, you’ll find the candlelit Music Lounge, cover bands in The Ballroom and an open-air rooftop with DJs. Local dive Hole in the Wall has been a legend maker since 1974 — acts like Spoon and Shakey Graves got their start here. The Far Out Lounge & Stage goes big on offbeat events, like psychedelic music festivals and colorful country showcases.
Catch festivals and international acts like Sting and Jimmy Eat World on Moody Amphitheater’s grassy lawn. The 04 Center rocks by night and still holds Sunday services in a 1960s A-frame church. Out at the Circuit of The Americas, Germania Insurance Amphitheater attracts names like Post Malone and KISS.
Relaxed Sahara Lounge brings global music to Austin. Saturday is Africa night, with Afrobeats and a complimentary spicy buffet. Honey-sweet reggae and upbeat Latin rhythms keep the mood high at Flamingo Cantina.
Latin club Mala Vida brings regional Mexican and reggaeton music to Downtown Austin. Nearby, DJs and Latin banda acts heat things up across all three stories of Mala Fama. Both clubs are neon wonderlands.
On the campus of The University of Texas at Austin, Cactus Cafe has launched student careers and lured pro musicians to its intimate stage since 1979. Nightly live music at The Saxon Pub starts at happy hour and continues late in a wood-walled listening den. Traditional and genre-defying acoustic guitar shines at The Rosette, home to the nonprofit Austin Classical Guitar.
Hip honky-tonk The White Horse welcomes first-time two-steppers with dance lessons Thursday through Sunday. Follow the white steeple to The Little Longhorn Saloon, an unfussy country dance hall with a storied past.
Friendlier than the name implies, Mean Eyed Cat honors Johnny Cash with cover bands and memorabilia. Austin’s oldest dance hall and a historic landmark, Broken Spoke is steadfast with country and western bands most nights.
Step into an Americana time capsule at Donn’s Depot, built from a former train station and rail cars. Sam’s Town Point is a gem worth discovering in a residential neighborhood, with nightly music and old-Austin spirit. Dreamy western spot Sagebrush glows with goodwill and an indoor sunset under wood rafters.
Miami fever dream Coconut Club is all hot pink and tropical greenery. Next door, Neon Grotto hums with vivid fluorescent lighting and flying unicorns. Both queer-friendly clubs bring the fun with rooftop DJ sets.
There’s a theme night for everyone at Barbarella — ‘80s, Y2K and new music nights, plus more. Sharing a back patio, Swan Dive hosts dance parties and entertainment ranging from drag shows to aerial performers.
Industrial Vulcan Gas Company is part-comedy club, part-music venue, ranging from EDM DJs to hip-hop acts to vampire-themed raves. Elysium Nightclub is a misfit enclave, where darkwave dance parties and the annual Goth Prom welcome the alternative set. The massive warehouse at The Concourse Project pulses with music from top EDM artists and high-tech LED lighting. Raves at Kingdom have everything you want — dim lighting, clear sound and parties until 4 a.m. on the weekends.
Be sure to follow Music Austin on Instagram at @musicaustin
CLICK HERE for more venues and the latest on live music in Austin
©Visit Austin. View All Articles.