The video above takes you on a walking tour through the Bouldin Creek, Austin neighborhood, starting along First Street in South Austin before ending up at a talent show over at Radio Coffee and Beer. It's a rainy-day walk that gives you a real feel for what this part of town looks like now — the mix of old bungalow homes from the 1920s and 1930s sitting alongside newer restaurants, food trucks, boutiques, and art galleries. If you've ever wondered what makes South Austin feel different from the rest of the city, this stretch of First Street is a good place to start.
What Makes the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Worth Exploring?
Bouldin Creek sits just south of the river and west of South Congress. It used to be the southern edge of Austin, and you can still feel that history when you walk through. First Street is sometimes called the Mexican Mile because of the concentration of Mexican restaurants and bakeries that have lined this strip over the years — places like Polvos Mexican Restaurant and the now-closed La Mexicana Panadería. You'll also find Elizabeth Street Café, Sway, and Lenoir along here, plus food trucks, vintage clothing shops, tattoo parlors, natural soap stores, and even auto repair. The famous "Greetings from Austin" mural is here too, and it still draws a steady stream of tourists posing for photos. There used to be a wildflowers mural featuring Tom Petty nearby, but that one has disappeared.
One of the deeper layers of this neighborhood is its connection to Blaze Foley, the legendary Texas songwriter who reportedly had a treehouse right along the creek. You can take a short walk off First Street to find the creek itself, and if you stop by Once Over Coffee Bar, there's a back patio overlooking the water that carries some real Blaze Foley energy. It's easy to sit out there and imagine what this neighborhood looked like in the 1980s when he was around.
Where Can You Find Live Music Near Bouldin Creek?
A couple of spots in and around this neighborhood regularly feature live music worth checking out:
- El Mercado — A restaurant on First Street known for its Monday Night Supper Club, where musicians like Barbara Nesbitt and Pat Byrne are regular performers
- Radio Coffee and Beer — A South Austin hangout that hosts a monthly talent show run by Sunny Fairlee, with a welcoming crowd and a lineup that usually features around nine performers per night, mostly musicians
David Bridwell actually played a set at the Radio Coffee talent show on the night captured in this video. Because of the rain, everything moved indoors, but the crowd was supportive and the performers were solid. If you're a musician looking for a low-pressure spot to play in front of a good audience, that monthly talent show is worth seeking out.
Bouldin Creek Café and the Local Food Scene
One standout stop on this walk was Bouldin Creek Café, easily one of the most popular spots on this strip. The inside feels comfortable and lived-in — good music playing, a relaxed atmosphere, and the kind of place where you'd want to park yourself with coffee and food for a while. It's a real Austin spot in the best sense. Between that, the restaurants along First Street, and the food trucks scattered throughout, you're not going to go hungry walking around this neighborhood.