The video above walks you through one of the best stretches in Austin if you're trying to figure out what to do in Austin on a given day — Barton Springs Road, from South Lamar Boulevard heading west to Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park. It covers the food, the scenery, the live music spots tucked along the strip, and ends with a stop at the legendary Hole in the Wall up near the UT campus. If you're planning a visit or just looking for a solid day out, this is a good route to have in your back pocket.
What Is Barton Springs Road and Why Walk It?
Barton Springs Road sits south of Lady Bird Lake on the western side of Austin. The strip is sometimes called Restaurant Row, and for good reason — it evolved from a quiet two-lane road into a busy corridor lined with restaurants, bars, food trucks, condos, and interesting little storefronts. That transformation kicked off in the 1980s when new development and heavy recreational traffic drew restaurant and bar owners to set up shop. One of the earliest was Chuy's, which opened in 1982 inside an old abandoned barbecue joint and has since grown to 38 locations. Green Mesquite Barbecue followed in 1988 and is still around. The whole stretch is walkable and has a good mix of daytime and late-night energy. As you continue west, you cross a bridge where the spring water flows out toward the lake, and you catch your first real glimpse of the Austin skyline. From there you're into Zilker Park — where ACL Fest is held every fall — and then Barton Springs Pool itself, where you can jump into cool, fresh spring water and float around with a view of downtown.
Where Can You Find Live Music Along Barton Springs Road?
A few spots along this walk have live music worth checking out:
- Green Mesquite Barbecue — A longtime Austin barbecue spot with an open mic on Thursdays and live music on other nights throughout the week.
- Juliet Italian Kitchen — An Italian restaurant that brings in jazz musicians, making it a solid pick for a dinner date with some background music.
- Love Lamp Matcha — A newer spot that had a stage and equipment set up and was gearing up to start hosting live music when the video was filmed. Worth keeping an eye on.
Hole in the Wall and a Night of Songwriting
The real reason for the trip was to play the songwriter happy hour at the Hole in the Wall, a famous music venue near the University of Texas campus that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. David Bridwell performed there with other songwriters before heading out for the rest of the night. Hole in the Wall has been a launchpad and hangout for Austin musicians for decades, and it still draws people who care more about the songs than the scene. If you're looking for a no-frills, real-deal Austin music experience, it's one of the first places you should check out.