ICONIC MUSIC VENUES PLAY VIDEO Antone's Nightclub Kick up your heels at a honky-tonk, jam at an intimate indie sesh or settle into a dark jazz club. Hundreds of local venues mean you’ll find the right rhythm on Austin’s music scene. within arm’s reach at tiny Chess Club . It’s a rollicking rock venue with a house show vibe. Dance until you drop at gritty cocktail lounge The Volstead , often featuring local DJs. Next door, sister club Hotel Vegas has a punk rock interior and two stages. The venues share a roomy backyard for bigger shows, DJs and dance parties. It’s all about the sound at The 13th Floor , with a premium audio system and sparkling psychedelic vibes. Neighborhood bar Valhalla hosts some of the city’s best rock and metal bands. Between sets, play pinball, Skee-Ball and pool. ROCK/ ALTERNATIVE parties, plus affordable cocktails. Neighborhood juke joint C-Boy’s Heart & Soul welcomes some of the best local soul and R&B talent in cozy digs. Longtime South Congress mainstay The Touted for its “All Are Welcome” tagline, Mohawk has an intimate indoor stage, plus a larger outdoor stage with multilevel balcony views. Empire Control Room & Garage still boasts its auto shop bones, but now this multigenre venue hosts everything from rock bands to themed dance parties on three stages. Resembling a Western saloon, the Historic Scoot Inn welcomes indie acts on the outdoor stage in their sprawling backyard. There are no bad views at warehouse-style Emo’s , hosting bands spanning diverse genres on their state-of-the-art stage. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q offers mid-sized shows for up to 2,200 attendees at their popular outdoor amphitheater. The musicians are BLUES/SOUL Wish a happy birthday to famed blues club Antone’s Nightclub , celebrating 50 years in 2025. On-site shop Big Henry’s Vinyl & Gifts does double duty as a box office and vinyl shop, with Antone’s merch and a curated record selection. Relaxed King Bee does it all — blues jams, date nights and dance The Tiarras at Flamingo Cantina 12 visitaustin.org TOP TO BOTTOM: ANTONE'S NIGHTCLUB; RRCD/JAY YBARRA
Austin Insider Guide 2026: Page 12
