The video above walks through 12 different places to catch live music in Austin, covering everything from underground jazz bars to laid-back neighborhood hangs. David Bridwell visits each spot in person, showing what the rooms actually look and feel like — which is helpful if you're trying to figure out where to spend your evening. Whether you're new to town or just looking to dig deeper into the scene, this is a solid overview of what live music in Austin looks like on any given night of the week.
Where Are the Best Areas for Live Music in Austin?
Most of the venues in this video cluster around a few key areas. South Austin, particularly along South Congress and South Lamar, is packed with spots. Saxon Pub, C-Boy's Heart & Soul, ABGB, and Giddy Ups are all down in that part of town. North of the river, the downtown area has Antone's Nightclub and the Elephant Room within walking distance of each other. East Austin has Long Play Lounge, Skylark Lounge, and the Carousel Lounge. And if you're willing to drive a bit outside the city, Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse out in Spicewood has deep ties to Willie Nelson and his crew.
12 Austin Music Venues Featured in the Video
- Saxon Pub — An intimate room on South Lamar with music seven nights a week, often starting early enough to catch a set right after work. Brian Pounds was playing with Chris Beal during the visit.
- Continental Gallery — Sits right next to the well-known Continental Club. James McMurtry plays here regularly, and the video catches Church on Monday with Elias Haslinger and Dr. James Polk.
- C-Boy's Heart & Soul — A South Congress spot connected to the Continental Club family, focused on classic soul and R&B. The Derailers were on stage.
- ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company) — A beer garden with a relaxed outdoor vibe and a solid stage. Dallas Burrow was performing.
- Giddy Ups — A laid-back South Austin hangout where the regulars all seem to know each other. The Touchton Trio was playing on a weekday.
- Antone's Nightclub — Known as the playground of Stevie Ray Vaughan, operating for over 40 years in the downtown area. Emily Wolfe was playing the night of the visit.
- Elephant Room — An underground jazz bar in downtown that's been doing cool jazz in the basement since 1991. The Mitch Watkins Trio was on stage.
- Hole in the Wall — A divey spot right next to the UT campus with a songwriter-focused night where the crowd stays quiet and pays attention.
- Long Play Lounge — An East Austin spot that had Rent Party playing for swing dancers the night of the visit.
- Skylark Lounge — Bills itself as Austin's best blues and soul venue. A little crowded but full of energy. Diesel Davis was working the room.
- Carousel Lounge — Hard to miss with its circus theme, a carousel behind the bar, and a pink elephant behind the stage. Round Rock Rick was playing.
- Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse — Located out in Spicewood, named after Randall "Poodie" Locke, who was Willie Nelson's road manager. The story goes that when Willie played here, the road would back up with cars. The motto is "no bad days," and you'll see that phrase around the venue and beyond.
What Makes Austin's Music Scene Worth Exploring?
What stands out about these 12 spots is the range. You can hear jazz in a basement, swing music in an East Austin lounge, blues at a crowded neighborhood bar, or singer-songwriters in a quiet room near campus — all in the same city, often on the same night. Most of these places have music multiple nights a week, and cover charges tend to be low or nonexistent. The scene rewards showing up on a random Tuesday just as much as a packed Saturday. That's what makes it worth digging into rather than just hitting the obvious Sixth Street stretch.