Austin’s most memorable live music experiences do not always happen at the city’s biggest venues. Sometimes they happen in a dimly lit basement, a neighborhood patio, or inside a dive bar where you wandered in without knowing who was playing.
As an East Austin apartment community inspired by the city’s creativity and musical roots, we know that finding the right venue is about more than checking a concert calendar. It is about knowing where to go for an intimate jazz set, an outdoor indie show, a spontaneous night of blues or a dance floor that feels unmistakably Austin.
This local guide includes a mix of hidden gems, neighborhood favorites and Austin institutions that still deliver an authentic live music experience. Loved by locals and our apartment residents.
Some require tickets, while others are perfect for walking in, grabbing a drink and discovering your next favorite local artist.
Hotel Vegas
- Location: East Austin, 1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Genre: Varies
“The Bad Lovers, Gymshorts, and Borzoi at Hotel Vegas” by MarkScottAustinTX is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Hotel Vegas is a music venue, bar, and patio wrapped into one. Located on the famous East 6th street, Hotel Vegas brings rock n’ roll to a dive aesthetic, hosting indoor and outdoor shows almost every day.
Jam-packed live music appearances span from the genres of rock, blues, psychedelic, and DJ mixes. The venue is small, and therefore loud.
If you haven’t been before, bring earplugs and for a nice drink, head to their sister bar, The Volstead, next door. If you get hungry amidst a back-to-back lineup, no worries – you can often find a food truck on the back patio.
Antone’s Nightclub
- Location: Downtown Austin, 305 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78701
- Genre: Blues, hip hop, R&B, indie-punk
“carolyn wonderland at antone’s #1” by jmtimages is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Antone’s is an Austin classic. Locals and even outsiders of the city may know about Antone’s as it is consistently named one of the popular nightclubs in Austin.
Reigning for 50 years as the “Home of the Blues”, it continues to draw crowds outside of its genre namesake, including lovers of rock, R&B, hip hop, and punk.
This venue attracts artists from the big-and-famous to the small-and-emerging. Come for Texas blues, communal vibes, and an awesome night in downtown Austin.
Cheer Up Charlies
- Location: Red River Cultural District, 900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
- Genre: Dance and drag
Expression is at the heart of Cheer Up Charlies, a woman-owned LGBTQ+ bar in the heart of the Red River Cultural District. Live music is held on their outdoor stage and their typical lineup includes DJs, local punk and rock bands, and drag shows. No matter what, you can guarantee the music will make you want to dance.
Adorned with pink parachutes hanging from the ceiling, colorful neon lights from all angles, and an outdoor disco ball, Cheer Up Charlies makes you do exactly what it’s supposed to – cheer up. Enjoy a kombucha cocktail and the electric energy at Cheer Up Charlies!
Stubb’s
- Location: Downtown, 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
- Genre: Varies, Gospel Brunch
“Empires at Stubb’s Austin” by nan palmero is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Not only known for their brisket, beer brunches, and BBQ sauce, Stubb’s is also known for their live music venues in both indoor and outdoor stages.
They’ve held large concerts with artists like Jane Remover, Snoop Dogg, and 6LACK, as well as smaller, more intimate live music sessions with local acts.
On Sundays, Stubb’s holds a popular Gospel Brunch, where you can enjoy a buffet of barbecue while listening to live gospel music.
ACL Live
- Location: Downtown, 310 West Willie Nelson Boulevard
- Genre: Varies, headliners
“Counting Crows Concert at ACL Live in Austin” by Katie Haugland Bowen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Known for its major headliners, all seats with good angles, and high-quality acoustics and lighting, ACL Live is where to go for a legit concert.
ACL Live has two venues at one address: The Moody Theater venue, which holds 2,750 attendees and sticks to mostly headliners, and the 3TEN theater, which holds an intimate 350 in general admission seating for more localized artists or amazing cover bands.
The Moody Theater stage has three floors, each with a full bar. The balcony seats sit above the Mezzanine, which are right above the general floor. Depending on the show, you’ll either have GA tickets or reserve seating.
If you’re looking for an incredible concert in the live music capital of the world, ACL Live is where to go!
Historic Scoot Inn
- Location: East Austin, 1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Genre: Country, Rock, Indie
“DSC08110” by bobtomli is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
The Historic Scoot Inn has been presenting live music in a honkytonk indoor-outdoor dive since 1871. On an unsuspecting stage in a rustic backyard decked with string lights, and a wood-planked patio has been artists like The Wombats, Benee, and local indie-country artists.
Here you’ll be introduced to artists in the sphere of indie, rock, country, blues, and some DJ sets, depending on the calendar, in a classically Texas atmosphere, making it one of the best in Austin.
Be prepared for dirt floor standing to watch the show, concert-grade lighting and acoustics, craft cold beers, and a touch of Texas class on the inside.
Friends Bar
- Location: Downtown, 208 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
- Genre: Rock, Blues, local indie artists
“Friends Bar on 6th Street” by Tim Patterson is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A bit of a fringe, but nevertheless an Austin staple, Friends Bar is known for its live music every day, almost all day long. If you’re looking for a casual spot to introduce you to Austin’s music scene without a prepaid ticket or cover charge, Friends Bar is where to go.
It’s located on the famous East 6th Street where you find yourself anyway on a weekend downtown or during an Austin visit.
The music here is very rootsy with incredible guitarists, indie-rock jams, or blues bands. Expect lots of dancing and an energy where everyone seems to be involved, fostered well by an intimate stage setting and a large bar right next to it.
Radio Coffee & Beer
- Locations: East Austin, South Austin, and Rosewood
- Genre: Bluegrass, local indie artists
With three Austin locations serving locally roasted coffee, craft beers, food trucks, and live music, you can’t go wrong at Radio Coffee & Beer. A huge outdoor patio is the backdrop for live country, bluegrass, indie-rock, and DJ sets.
Radio is where you either come for the music and become thrilled for the fact that some of Austin’s best food trucks are on the lot, or you come for a locally crafted cup of coffee or beer and find the music a delightful surprise.
Daytime neighborhood vibes are what Radio is about. Our favorite is the East Austin location on Montopolis for the big stage!
Donn’s Depot
- Locations: Old West Austin, 1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
- Genre: Bluegrass, folk, country, piano, indie-rock
Donn’s Depot is very Texan, very divey, and a bit Austin weird – but not if you’re used to it. Donn’s is not the place you’ll find tourists. It’s the place you’ll find locals of all ages dancing, singing, and maybe watching others to catch the infectious appeal of an unpretentious dive that refuses to modernize.
Live music is held every day in a consistent format featuring rock, folk, country, two-step, and piano.
If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic Austin atmosphere with of all the fun and none of the pageantry, Donn’s Depot is where to be.
Elephant Room
- Locations: Downtown, Swift Building, 315 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
- Genre: Jazz
“ephraim owens quartet” by halliehh is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
It’s not often you find a place like the Elephant Room that speaks true to the love of jazz music. Housed in the heart of downtown in an intimate basement with low lighting, moody blue neon signs, and fantastic talent no matter the night, Elephant Room is perfect for a date or low-key night out.
The Elephant Room is consistently named as one of the best jazz bars in Austin. Our expert local tips? Come a bit before the show to get the best seats, stick to beer and wine, and pay attention to the excellent musicians. They are the heartbeat of Austin!
Lirica: Apartments That Feel Authentically Austin
Lirica is a luxury apartment community in East Austin that values the musical soul of the city. We offer spaces to connect, unwind, and work, including a Hi-Fi Lounge where residents can play records and relax.
Explore our studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments for rent in East Austin near your favorite live music venues!
