Food + Drink
Best Live Music Venues and Bars in Austin
The Live Music Capital of the World — here are the venues that earn that title.
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
Saxon Pub
4.7⭐ (1,347 reviews) · Songwriter venue, South Lamar Legendary songwriter venue where the music is the point — not the decor, not the cocktails. If you want to hear the next big thing before anyone else, start here. 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
Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches
4.7⭐ (1,516 reviews) · Craft beer, kolaches, Manor Road Live music, kolaches, and craft beer — a combo that only makes sense in Austin. The patio stage draws local acts most weekends. View on TownHop →
The Continental Club
4.7⭐ (2,253 reviews) · Live music, South Congress The granddaddy of Austin live music. Blues, country, rockabilly — every night since 1955. No cover most nights. Just walk in and experience it. View on TownHop →
Sam's Town Point
4.7⭐ (582 reviews) · Honky-tonk, South Austin South Austin honky-tonk where the regulars two-step and the bands play real country. The kind of place Austin was built on. View on TownHop →
Find live music tonight — search "live music" on TownHop.
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