The video above is a walking tour of Music Lane in South Congress, Austin — a large mixed-use development that opened in 2020 just up the road from some of the most well-known live music spots in the city. The tour covers what Music Lane actually is, what you'll find there, and then digs into the real draw of the surrounding South Congress strip: the live music venues, honky tonks, and taco joints that have made this part of Austin worth visiting for years.
What Is Music Lane in South Congress?
Music Lane is a retail and office development located on South Congress Avenue, roughly between downtown Austin and the traditional South Congress strip. It sits not far from the Congress Avenue Bridge where people gather to watch the bats. The development describes itself as "the gateway between downtown and South Austin with an elevated shopping and lifestyle experience," and that marketing language is pretty accurate in terms of what you'll find there — boutiques, a hotel, restaurants, cocktail bars, a coffee shop called Two Hands, and health and fitness spots. It looks fancy, the people walking around tend to dress nice, and there's a pleasant tree-lined walkway running through the interior that feels like its own little lane. It's a cool enough place to walk through, but despite the name, you won't actually find live music at Music Lane itself. For that, you need to head to the surrounding South Congress venues.
What Live Music Venues Are Near Music Lane on South Congress?
The real music action on South Congress happens at the legacy venues and bars just down the road from Music Lane. Here's what's within easy walking distance:
- Continental Club — A legendary Austin venue featuring blues, honky tonk, and rockabilly acts most nights of the week, with an attached gallery space that also hosts live music
- White Tiger — A cocktail-focused bar next door to the Continental Club with live music on the patio and DJ sets inside
- Austin Motel — A retro-feeling motel where live music is sometimes staged right by the pool area, and you can pay to use the pool and grab drinks — it feels like stepping back in time
- Jo's Coffee — Home of the famous "I Love You So Much" mural, with a sinner's brunch on Sundays and popular breakfast tacos
- Guero's Taco Bar — A South Congress staple with regular live music where David Bridwell sat in and played a few songs alongside Sarah Rowe, a rockabilly artist out of New Mexico who was performing there on a Thursday evening
A Rockabilly Afternoon at Guero's
The highlight of this particular South Congress visit was catching Sarah Rowe at Guero's Taco Bar. She's a rockabilly performer coming out of the New Mexico scene, and she was generous enough to let David Bridwell jump up and play a few songs with her. The video captures some of that performance, and the lyrics paint the picture pretty well — she's a "hell-raisin', whiskey-chasin'" performer with real stage presence. Guero's is one of those South Congress spots that consistently books live music, making it a reliable stop if you're walking the strip and want to hear something good without planning ahead.
If you're visiting Music Lane, it's worth the walk. But bring your expectations for shopping and coffee there, and save your expectations for live music for the venues just down the road.