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Best Live Music Venues and Bars in Austin

The Live Music Capital of the World — here are the venues that earn that title.

TownHop Team3 min read

Best Live Music Venues and Bars in Austin

Published March 20, 2026 · Updated weekly

Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World. Bold claim. But walk down Red River, wander East 6th, or stumble into a backyard on a Tuesday night — it's hard to argue.


The Icons

Mohawk

5.0⭐ (2,300+ reviews) · Red River, patio, cocktails The heart of Red River. Indoor stage downstairs, open-air stage up top. Every genre passes through here. If you only go to one music venue in Austin, make it this one. View on TownHop →

Hole in the Wall

5.0⭐ (857 reviews) · The Drag, UT Austin's oldest continuously running live music venue. Opened in 1974. Stevie Ray Vaughan played here. You should too (or at least watch). View on TownHop →

Sahara Lounge

5.0⭐ (1,100+ reviews) · East Austin, dog-friendly, patio World music in a backyard. African beats, reggae, cumbia — genres most Austin venues don't touch. The backyard is the venue, and it's magical. View on TownHop →


The Stages

Parker Jazz Club

4.8⭐ (961 reviews) · Jazz, cocktails A proper jazz club. Not background music — actual performances by serious musicians. The cocktails match the quality of the music. View on TownHop →

Elysium

5.0⭐ (467 reviews) · Goth, industrial, electronic, patio Austin's dark side. Industrial, goth, and electronic music in a venue that feels like another dimension. Perfect 5.0. View on TownHop →

Saturn

4.8⭐ (119 reviews) · Intimate venue Newer venue with a growing reputation. Intimate room, good sound, and a booking philosophy that favors interesting over mainstream. View on TownHop →

The Lost Well

4.8⭐ (519 reviews) · Punk/metal, dog-friendly, patio Punk and metal in a big East Austin backyard. Loud, fun, dogs welcome. The bar Austin needs. View on TownHop →


Music + Food

Eddie V's

4.7⭐ (2,600+ reviews) · Jazz, seafood, cocktails Upscale seafood with a live jazz lounge. Date night material with a soundtrack. View on TownHop →

Fig Italian Kitchen and Bar

4.8⭐ (1,359 reviews) · Italian, live music Italian food with live music is a combination that shouldn't work as well as it does here. View on TownHop →

1618 Asian Fusion

4.8⭐ (5,700+ reviews) · Asian fusion, live music, patio Nearly 6,000 reviews. The live music adds a layer to an already excellent dining experience. View on TownHop →


Music + Coffee/Beer

Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden

4.7⭐ (4,200+ reviews) · Coffee, beer, food trucks, dog-friendly Live music on an outdoor stage, surrounded by food trucks and craft beer. The most Austin sentence ever written. View on TownHop →

Kick Butt Coffee

4.7⭐ (2,700+ reviews) · Coffee, dog-friendly Coffee shop by day, music venue by night. The patio hosts everything from indie to punk. View on TownHop →

Mean Eyed Cat

4.8⭐ (982 reviews) · Johnny Cash, dog-friendly, patio The Johnny Cash bar. Occasional live music on the patio under that giant tree. Cold beer mandatory. View on TownHop →


Find live music tonight — search "live music" on TownHop.