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Austin, TX 78701
tourdesk@austintexas.org
1-866-GO-AUSTIN
www.visitaustin.org
Live Music & Nightlife in Austin
With more than 250 live music venues, Austin is justifiably known as the Live Music Capital of the World®. If you’re looking to experience it for yourself, or you’re trying to find something fun to do at night in Austin, then you need to visit one of the city’s many hip and happening entertainment districts. Whether you’re looking for a rowdy party hangout scene and large crowds or a place to kick back with a pint of beer and listen to an intimate acoustic show, you’ll find it in Austin. Of course, Austin’s quantity of places to hang out can be daunting for even those who live in the Texas Capital. Don’t worry; we’re here to help. Read on to learn about each of the city’s hotspots and what you can expect from each.
South Congress
South Congress Avenue occupies a hilly and tree-filled part of Austin just south of the Colorado River. Walk along South Congress Avenue and you’ll have your pick of restaurants serving everything from American to Italian and Mexican cuisine. There are quite a few trendy shops and an art gallery in the area to browse as well. Make sure to snap a few photos of the public art throughout the district, including every couple’s favorite, the “I Love You So Much” mural.
What You’ll Find: Art Gallery, Bars, Hotels, Live Music, Shops, Street Art, and Restaurants
Top Spots: Continental Club, Guero’s Taco Bar, and Saxon Pub
East Austin
The East Austin area of town, covering Sixth Street east of I-35, offers a quirky and relaxed alternative to crowded Sixth Street. Find a cozy spot in a coffee shop or the outdoor patio of a bar and nurse a drink of your choice, then order something delicious from a food truck. Don’t miss the graffiti-style murals spread throughout the district.
What You’ll Find: Bars, Coffee Shops, Live Music, Murals, and Restaurants
Top Spots: Shangri La, The White Horse, and The Liberty
West Sixth Street
Austin’s West Sixth Street District is where young 20- and 30-somethings go. Retaining its fun and youthful vibe but with a dash of sophistication, it’s a fine alternative if you’d rather avoid Sixth Street’s crowds. Along with the night time hangouts, the area has a diverse selection of restaurants for you to choose from, including everything from a sandwich shop and Latin cuisine to a 24 hour diner and fine southern fare.
What You’ll Find: Bars, Craft Beer, Restaurants, and Live Music
Top Spots: The Rustic Tap, The Dogwood, and Irene’s
Rainey Street
Tucked away on the eastern bank of Lady Bird Lake just a few blocks from Sixth Street is Rainey Street. Upscale bars serving craft brews and a wide range of high-end restaurants sit within and among historic homes, giving the whole district an easygoing charm.
Perfect for date nights and pints of beer shared with friends, you’ll want to stop by Rainey Street while you’re in Austin.
What You’ll Find: Bars, Craft Beer, Live Music, and Restaurants
Top Spots: Banger’s, Container Bar, Craft Pride, and Lucille’s
Red River
While you can hear bands performing throughout much of Austin, the heart of the Texas capital’s live music scene can be found in the Red River Cultural District. Located along Red River Street which intersects Sixth Street, it’s here you’ll find local and touring acts doing their thing. This is where you’ll find many of Austin’s live music venues, including Elysium, Empire Control Room & Garage, and Stubb’s BBQ – home to an outdoor stage that hosts regional and nationwide acts throughout the year.
What You’ll Find: Beer, Crowds, Live Music, and Restaurants
Top Spots: Stubb’s BBQ, Cheer Up Charlies, The Mohawk
Sixth Street
Austin’s famous Sixth Street is as much a hub of nightlife as it is an attraction for travelers. Once the sun sets, this entertainment district is closed to vehicle traffic freeing up the streets for throngs of bar hoppers. Sixth Street tends to attract a younger crowd that reflects Austin’s status as a major college town. The party runs from Thursday through Saturday every week along Sixth Street from I-35 to Congress Avenue.
What You’ll Find: Cheap Drinks, Bars, Crowds, Live Music, and Restaurants
Top Spots: Blind Pig Pub, Firehouse Lounge, B.D. Riley’s, Parish and Maggie Mae’s
Warehouse District
Good food, tons of live music, and an upscale nightlife scene await in Austin’s Warehouse District. Located just west of Sixth Street, the district is just the place if you’re looking for a lively nightlife with more mature crowds. The gritty backdrop makes for a vibrant scene that draws a diverse crowd thanks to its range of live entertainment, restaurants, LGBTQ scene and unique shops.
What You’ll Find: Coffee Shops, Bars, Live Music, Shops, and Restaurants
Top Spots: Cedar Street Courtyard, Oil Can Harry’s, and DuMont’s Down Low
2ND Street
Running the length of 2nd Street from Congress Avenue to San Antonio Street, this easy-to-walk section of downtown Austin features local and national-brand shops, a diverse selection of restaurants, and trendy bars.
Wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget to snap a photo with the Willie Nelson Statue at the intersection of 2nd Street and Lavaca Street.
What You’ll Find: Coffee Shops, Live Music, Shops, and Restaurants
Top Spots: ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 3TEN, Lambert’s, La Condesa
