Austin Texas likes to call itself “The Music Capital of the Word”. A bold statement that is backed up by an impressive list of music venues. There is live music 365 nights a year in Austin. There are several hundred bars and clubs that on any given night have someone playing a tune. ACL is legendary. A few other really coo venues large and small make Austin one of the premier music destinations in the world. We start our list with a review of the big stages that are played by big time Rock Starts, the dive in to to local venues, clubs, bars, and theaters that make Austin the Music Capital of the World.
Big Act Austin Music Venues
Circuit of the Americas Amphitheater – Located at the race track near the Airport, it’s the biggest music venue in Austin. It has changed names numerous times. It’s a decent big ass amphitheater, thought it would have been nice to have made it a little bigger. The remote location isn’t the best. It’s one of two places all the big act play.
The Moody Center – The second biggest music venue in Austin is UT’s basketball stadium located just north of Downtown. It’s one of 3 venues names after the Moody family. So 2-4 our our list are the 3 Moodies. It’s way better accusticly, and just nicer that the old Frank Erwin Center that it replaced.
ACL Live at The Moody Theater – Located on the west side of downtown right next to the W, this is the iconic location for longest running music series in American television history, ACL Live. It’s the venue we attend the most with mid size acts like Wide Spreadk Panic, Robert Early King, and Trombone Shorty being shows we have seen the past few years.
The Moody Amapatheater – New to the music scene, this very cool venue is located near the Red River District and has some decent sized acts that put on a show. We took in a Glass Monkeys show shorty after this venus opened.
Austin’s Classic Music Venues
Stubbs – Located just off of 6th Street on Red River, is has a large amphitheater, a small indoor stage, and a pretty good BBQ restaurant. They have a great line up of shows and well know acts from Snoop Dogg to Ele King. It’s one of our go-to music venues.
Paramount Theater – An old school theater in Downtown Austin. Located on Congress Street just a few block from the capital and a few blocks from the heart of 6th Street. There are two theaters on the property. They have live music, movies, and other random shows. The building is amazing, and worth a visit even if the show isn’t the best.
The Long Center – A classical theater located on the south side of Lady Bird Lake. Ballet Austin, the symphony, theater, comedy and other music acts all perform here through out the year. It’s a nice theater and just a short pedi cab ride away from the 6th street action.
Emo’s – A long time staple of alternative and heavy metal music on 6th street, Emo’s moved to Riverside about 10 miles away a few years ago. The new place is nice, I got to see my first Woo Tang concert here when it first opened.
Cactus Café – On UT Campus the cafe turns into a music venue for all sorts of shows during the year. A cool place, but the crown can be a little young for this aging hippy.
The Broken Spoke – One of the few hole in the wall bars left on Lamar that helped to make Austin “Weird” back in the day. They have 2 step lessons and great country music. Go while you can, some body from Dallas is going to tear it down and put up condos or anther shake shack.
The Elephant Room – A jazz bar\club in the basement of an office building on Congress. Happy Hour shows from 6:00 til 8:00 sometimes. Weekeday normally no cover with a small cover on the weekends. It’s a super cool place.
The Continental Club – A S. Congress classic. It’s small place with quality acts.
Antones – A blues landmark has a new home on 5th street.
White Water Amphitheater Really cool venue on the river about 40 miles S of Austin.
