Austin is known as the live music capitol of the world. During SXSW this is undeniable – every bar, parking garage, and hole in the wall will have a live band. Even Subway will have a band next to the guy making a sandwich.
Throughout the rest of the year there is a lot of good live music but it’s harder to find if you don’t know the right spots. Here are live music recommendations by price range:
Free
White Horse – East Side – Hipster Honky Tonk – Short cab ride
Rattle Inn – West 6th – Young Professionals Honky Tonk – Walking Distance
East Side Show Room – East Side – Artisan cocktails, upscale hipster crowd
Blackheart – Rainey St – Rock/Jam bands – short cab or 15 min walk
Blues on the Green – Zilker Park – Short cab ride – Every other Wednesday during the Summer
Unplugged at the Grove – Shady Grove – Short cab ride – Every Thursday during the Summer
$5-10
Elephant Room – Downtown – Jazz – Walking Distance
Continental Club – SoCo – Blues/Rock – Short bus or cab ride (bus picks up out front)
Hotel Vegas – East Side – Indie/Rock – Short cab ride
Hole in the Wall – The Drag – Up and Coming Bands – Short cab or bus ride
Cedar Street – Warehouse District – 80’s Cover Band – Every Tuesday
$15-30
All of these venues typically have up and coming to well-known Indie bands – Walking Distance – Advance tickets recommended
The Parish – Dirty Sixth
Mohawk – Red River
Stubbs – Red River
3Ten – 2nd Street
red eyed fly – Red River
red 7 – Red River
$30-50
Big name shows at premiere venues – Advance tickets recommended
Paramount Theatre – Walking Distance – Historic
Moody Theatre – Walking Distance – State of the Art – It’s where they film Austin City Limits (The TV show on PBS)
Long Center – Short cab or bus ride – Big, Beautiful Venue
Bass Concert Hall – Short cab or bus ride – on UT Campus