The video above walks through 15 Austin live music venues and the local artists playing at each one, giving a real sense of what the scene looks like across different neighborhoods. If you're trying to get a feel for austin live music beyond Sixth Street, this is a solid starting point. David Bridwell hits spots from downtown to South Austin and even out to the edges, covering everything from jazz clubs and coffee shops to grocery stores with bands playing between the aisles.
What Are the Best Venues for Live Music in Austin?
The video covers a wide range of places, and what stands out is how different they all are. Here's the full list of 15 venues featured:
- Antone's — Iconic downtown blues club with deep history, having hosted acts like BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and James Brown
- Antone's Records — Record shop on Guadalupe Street near UT that occasionally hosts album release shows with live performances
- Friendly Rio Market — A convenience store that sometimes clears space for young bands to play right in the middle of the shop
- Kick Butt Coffee — Coffee spot open since 2008 with food, beer, open mic nights, martial arts-inspired decor, and events like the Fem Rock Showcase
- Red Bud Isle House — Neighborhood hangout near Manor Road known for its Monday picker circle hosted by Beth Chrisman and Sharita Perez
- Sunny Backyard — East 7th Street bar with cocktails, pizza from a food truck out back, and live music
- Parker Jazz Club — Intimate basement jazz club in the Warehouse District owned by award-winning jazz musician Chris Kimura
- Lambert's — Upscale slow-smoked barbecue restaurant downtown with a live music bar upstairs in a refurbished general store building
- Cosmic Pickle — South Congress area spot with coffee, drinks, food trucks, and a stage in a garden-like setting
- Captain Quackenbush's — Popular bakery and coffee shop with a dedicated sound space and stage, hosting a well-attended open mic run by Paige Renee Barry
- Radio East — Newer Radio Coffee location in East Montopolis with a supportive crowd and indoor live music
- Show Me Pizza — Neapolitan-style pizza place on First Street with live music on the backyard patio
- Food Truck Park — Collection of food trucks with shaded seating and occasional live music
- Manchaca Springs Saloon — Dive bar south of Austin proper with a Hill Country feel, historic oaks, a large outdoor stage, antiques, and barbecue
- Sagebrush — South Congress live music venue with bands playing every night of the week and daytime weekend shows
Local Artists Featured
Part of what makes this video worth watching is the focus on local talent rather than touring acts. Artists featured include The Wild Seeds, Jack Henry, Stalefish, Black Da Vinci, Meta, The Parker House Band, Finger Pistol, Mala Nota, Jessica Healey, Cast Iron Shoes, Gareth Fowler, Sydney Wright, Sabrina Ellis, Heather Bishop Duo, and Nether Hour. Every one of them is a local Austin artist, which gives a much more honest picture of what you'll actually encounter on any given night out.
More Than Just Downtown
One thing that comes through clearly is how spread out the Austin music scene really is. Downtown spots like Antone's and Parker Jazz Club get a lot of attention, but some of the most interesting shows are happening at coffee shops in South Austin, convenience stores near campus, and dive bars past the city limits in Manchaca. If you only stick to the well-known strips, you're missing a lot of what makes this city's music scene worth exploring in the first place.