Live Music Austin

When a city awards itself the title "The Live Music Capital of the World", it had better come up with the goods... and Austin does. Country, punk, jazz, rock and more blare from its fabulous venues.

Texas is famous for its country music, and no trip would be complete without a night spent clomping your cowboy boots to live tunes. But it doesn't end there - you'll find pretty much any genre of music you could wish for in the more than 250 live music venues in Austin.

It doesn't matter when you visit, because you'll find live music playing every night of the week. So rest up beforehand, take a big breath and dive in. You'll have a busy schedule to keep up with if you want to see all the cracking bands playing. Sleep is for the weak anyway.

Live Music

  • The Mohawk is an oh-so-cool live music space with a bar, roof deck and indoor and outdoor stages where up-and-coming artists play. There's a great mix of genres to enjoy here.
  • Iconic Threadgill's is the place to go for comforting Southern fried chicken and a great mix of live music. Some cool trivia; this is where Janis Joplin once waited tables and sang.
  • Experience a true Austin institution at the Continental Club on South Congress Avenue, where you'll hear everything from rock to country and blues. They host some impressive local and national acts.

Jazz and Blues

  • Join legions of blues fans at legendary Antone's Nightclub, where greats including Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy have played.
  • Billing itself as "Austin's best blues bar", The Skylark Lounge is part dive bar, part live music venue that promises a rollicking good time.
  • Head down into the basement at The Elephant Room to hear some seriously cool jazz bands.

Country Music

  • Head down to the iconic landmark which is the Little Longhorn Saloon, a true Texan honky-tonk where 10-plus bands play every week.
  • Top country performers from Dolly Parton to Willie Nelson have played at the decades-old The Broken Spoke. This is a true Austin institution.
  • Whack on your cowboy boots and swing those hips at Donn's Depot, a converted train warehouse. Dance to golden oldies from swing to country.