Downtown Austin live music bars and small venues?

Antone's

Red River has some of my favorite places for live music, but most will charge a cover or have bigger bands play there. They include:

Red 7 - might be a cover or a bigger band
Red Eyed Fly - just a cover most likely
Mohawk - usually have to buy tickets
Cheer Up Charlies - probably a cover
Beerland - probably a cover
Swan Dive - probably a cover
Valhalla - probably a cover

Stubbs is not a place you just walk in and out of, unless you are wanting to see a show in the indoor area near the bar. The outdoor area is for bigger concerts.

Elephant Room is not far form The Driskill and is one of my favorite places. It's an underground (literally) jazz bar. There's usually no cover on weekdays. Fridays and Saturdays usually have a $5-10 cover. They have a good beer selection too, so that's a plus.

I also second The Continental Club, but that's too far of a walk.

Most of the bars on dirty 6th (Congress to Red River) will have live music...mostly cover acts, maybe some original. I usually stay away because it's not my thing. If you are interested in these, check out Shakespears, Blind Pig, and Maggie Mae's.

Shiner's Saloon used to have some really good artist play their on Friday nights. He mainly plays classical guitar, similar to Rodrigo y Gabriela.

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and Maggie Mae's.

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Damn man.

Thanks BTW. But Maggie Mae's? How old is that place? I just know they pissed me off once for having the frickING GALL to turn me away because I was underage with "lost ID"?

How old or young is it now?

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Shiner's Saloon used to have some really good artist play their on Friday nights. He mainly plays classical guitar, similar to Rodrigo y Gabriela.

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Reading that through first I missed the word "similar". Thought the were there for a second.

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For what you are looking for, I second Elephant Room, Stubbs, Antones, and the Continental.
The Mohawk is awesome, but you might want to research the band playing and see if it's for you or not.

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Thanks. I want a place where I could leave and go to, or walk into after being at a decent restaurant? And not feel stupid at either place. Talking nice jeans and nice shirt or slacks and nice shirt.

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Thanks. I want a place where I could leave and go to, or walk into after being at a decent restaurant?

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Go to Lambert's for some awesome upscale BBQ then hit up Elephant Room or Antones. Also, Swift's Attic is above The Elephant Room. It's very good, but a tad on the pricey side with small portions.

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And not feel stupid at either place. Talking nice jeans and nice shirt or slacks and nice shirt.

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Yeah, there are very few venues that are dressy. You shouldn't have a problem.

Somebody mentioned E 6th. Try Eastside Showroom. You can eat there and they sometimes have some good music.

Apart from what's already been suggested, The Parish on East 6th is a great venue that I've seen some good bands at lately.

Check out their calendar to see if any of these bands are what you're looking for.

Also any "must go" bars? Music not necessary. Just a great old or new bar.


Again in 1994 and for SXSW in 2000 it was all about 6th Street. I'm little old and "creeper looking" to be in many 6th Street bars with college age folk.

my favorite music venue to see shows is at The Parish.

Acoustically I think it's the best. Just watched Low there Tuesday night and they sounded amazing!

You will have to dodge the trash that inhabits sixth street though. and sub is correct, beers were 5-6 bucks. But the sound in there is perfection.