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A concert.
Jenny Lewis performing at an ACL Live taping in July 2023.
Gary Miller/Getty Images

Rock Out at These Austin Live Music Bars With Drinks and Food

Feed your stomach and your ears with the best concert venues in the city

by Darcie Duttweiler Updated
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Jenny Lewis performing at an ACL Live taping in July 2023.
| Gary Miller/Getty Images
by Darcie Duttweiler Updated
1 comment / new

It’s no surprise that Austin loves concerts; the city is officially known as the Live Music Capital of the World since 1991, although the moniker has been used casually for way longer than that. In addition to gigantic annual music festivals (ahem, Austin City Limits the music festival), there are hundreds of live music venues across the city, and several major ones hosting some of the biggest touring acts today.

While not every venue has outstanding food or drinks (hey, sometimes a vodka soda will do when the performance is that good), many in town boast amazing food trucks, like White Horse’s Bomb Tacos or C-Boy’s Heart & Soul’s Halal Y’all ATX Weird Food. And, others have delicious foods made in-house, like Broken Spoke, or festive-themed food nights, like Sahara Lounge’s Africa Night with a free buffet dinner. Prepare to rock out, boot scoot, or get jazzy with a drink at Austin’s best live music venues.

For related maps, here are the best dive bars in the city.

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The Ballroom

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Head to the North Campus venue for a show at the former Spider House’s Ballroom where there are cocktails, beers, and shots, plus vegan burgers from on-site truck Arlo’s.

2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705
(737) 895-2580
(737) 895-2580

The Hole in the Wall

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This super-divey bar on the Drag is a perfect spot to catch an up-and-coming Austin band while crushing some beer and bites.

2538 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

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The Skylark Lounge

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Sundays are where it’s at when Soul Man Sam takes the stage at this hidden dive bar-slash-jazz and blues club in the MLK neighborhood, which serves up cocktails and beers.

2039 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 730-0759
(512) 730-0759

Moody Center

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The newest and biggest venue in Austin on campus has a plethora of local eats to enjoy while you’re jamming out to the biggest bands. There are sausages and big pretzels from German restaurant Koko’s Bavarian, coal-fired pizzas from Tony C’s, and barbecue from Stubb’s Bar-B-Cue, as well as Shaquille O’Neal’s breaded chicken sandwich chain Big Chicken, and Right On ‘Cue Tacos. 

2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
(512) 651-7600
(512) 651-7600

Sahara Lounge

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The MLK-183 live music venue serves up delicious cocktails Wednesday through Saturday, but the best time to go is for its Africa night on Saturdays, which includes a free delicious African buffet along with lively Afro-beat dance tunes.

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 927-0700
(512) 927-0700

Moody Amphitheater

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That “other” Moody concert venue, but this downtown amphitheater is outside, has a beautiful view of the Texas Capitol and offers up Tito’s Vodka drinks and food.

1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701

Mohawk

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The pours are strong at this lively rock and punk live music venue in downtown Austin. If you’re not one for mosh pitting or crowd-surfing, head to the mezzanine level for an excellent view. 

912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Cheer Up Charlies

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This queer dance club and live music venue is also the home of a second vegan comfort food truck Arlo’s, rounded out by the bar’s juice-based cocktails.

900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 431-2133
(512) 431-2133

Stubb's Bar-B-Q

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The iconic downtown barbecue restaurant and venue has two places to catch music: the intimate indoor stage, where Gospel Brunch can be found every Sunday complete with all-you-can-eat Southern breakfast and smoked meats, or on the huge, outdoor amphitheater, where headlining touring acts perform. 

801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(737) 465-1218
(737) 465-1218

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Elephant Room

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It’s all about jazz at this super dark, underground downtown club, where you can sip a martini to keep it classy or enjoy a beer on tap. 

Swift Building, 315 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
(512) 575-2925
(512) 575-2925

ACL Live & 3TEN at ACL Live

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Although you’re better off with the well drinks or beer at the city’s premier downtown concert venue ACL Live and its smaller counterpart 3Ten, the sound system and comfortable seating at the home of PBS series Austin City Limits simply can’t be beaten. 

310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 404-1300
(512) 404-1300

Lamberts

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In addition to a menu of slow-smoked meats, local beers, and classic cocktails, this longtime downtown barbecue eatery from McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality group offers live music upstairs every weekend. 

401 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-1500
(512) 494-1500

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Hotel Vegas

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It’s always a raucous time at this East Side venue, with spirited indoor and outdoor shows plus drinks and beers.

1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

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The White Horse

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Get some Bomb Tacos to go with your East Austin honky tonk excursion. You’ll need it after two-stepping the night away with live bands, whiskeys, and beers.

500 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 553-6756
(512) 553-6756

Also featured in:

Scoot Inn

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Established in 1871, the East Austin venue and bar is considered the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas, offering a wide range of musical genres for its stage shows. 

1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

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Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

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Dine on sausages and sip on draft beers while enjoying live music in this spacious downtown beer garden on the weekends. 

79 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 386-1656
(512) 386-1656

Also featured in:

The Continental Club

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One of Austin’s most legendary venues, you’ll feel transported back to the rockabilly era with classic rock, blues, soul, and more every night of the week at the Travis Heights club. Keep it simple with a brew or a vodka soda.

1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-2444
(512) 441-2444

Also featured in:

Güero's Taco Bar

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Looking for tacos, margaritas, and music in the heart of South Congress? Hit up this lively patio at the Tex-Mex restaurant, where bands play every Thursday through Sunday. 

1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7688
(512) 447-7688

Also featured in:

C-Boy's Heart & Soul

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This funky South Austin venue is the perfect place to start or end your night with live classic soul and R&B music every day of the week. Currently, the Halal Y’all Atx Weird food trailer is parked outside, dishing up Mediterranean dishes, like falafel and gyros. 

2008 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-0023
(512) 215-0023

Broken Spoke

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Fortify yourself on some chicken-fried steak before partaking in some country dance lessons to live bands at this truly iconic honky tonk on South Lamar. 

3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-6189
(512) 442-6189

Also featured in:

Emo's Austin

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Although it’s cleaned up its act since its days on Red River, this East Austin live music venue is still one of the best places to catch mid-size touring acts, plus sip on well drinks and beers.

2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

Also featured in:

Sagebrush

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Enjoy beer, live music, pool, food trucks, and more at this South Austin music venue. 

5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745

The Far Out Lounge & Stage

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The far South Austin venue and bar is another good outdoor music destination with access to a bunch of food trucks and several bars.

8504 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 351-9909
(512) 351-9909

Also featured in:

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The Ballroom

2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705

Head to the North Campus venue for a show at the former Spider House’s Ballroom where there are cocktails, beers, and shots, plus vegan burgers from on-site truck Arlo’s.

2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705
(737) 895-2580
(737) 895-2580

The Hole in the Wall

2538 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

This super-divey bar on the Drag is a perfect spot to catch an up-and-coming Austin band while crushing some beer and bites.

2538 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

The Skylark Lounge

2039 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78722

Sundays are where it’s at when Soul Man Sam takes the stage at this hidden dive bar-slash-jazz and blues club in the MLK neighborhood, which serves up cocktails and beers.

2039 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 730-0759
(512) 730-0759

Moody Center

2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712

The newest and biggest venue in Austin on campus has a plethora of local eats to enjoy while you’re jamming out to the biggest bands. There are sausages and big pretzels from German restaurant Koko’s Bavarian, coal-fired pizzas from Tony C’s, and barbecue from Stubb’s Bar-B-Cue, as well as Shaquille O’Neal’s breaded chicken sandwich chain Big Chicken, and Right On ‘Cue Tacos. 

2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
(512) 651-7600
(512) 651-7600

Sahara Lounge

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721

The MLK-183 live music venue serves up delicious cocktails Wednesday through Saturday, but the best time to go is for its Africa night on Saturdays, which includes a free delicious African buffet along with lively Afro-beat dance tunes.

1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 927-0700
(512) 927-0700

Moody Amphitheater

1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701

That “other” Moody concert venue, but this downtown amphitheater is outside, has a beautiful view of the Texas Capitol and offers up Tito’s Vodka drinks and food.

1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701

Mohawk

912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

The pours are strong at this lively rock and punk live music venue in downtown Austin. If you’re not one for mosh pitting or crowd-surfing, head to the mezzanine level for an excellent view. 

912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Cheer Up Charlies

900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

This queer dance club and live music venue is also the home of a second vegan comfort food truck Arlo’s, rounded out by the bar’s juice-based cocktails.

900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 431-2133
(512) 431-2133

Stubb's Bar-B-Q

801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

The iconic downtown barbecue restaurant and venue has two places to catch music: the intimate indoor stage, where Gospel Brunch can be found every Sunday complete with all-you-can-eat Southern breakfast and smoked meats, or on the huge, outdoor amphitheater, where headlining touring acts perform. 

801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(737) 465-1218
(737) 465-1218

Elephant Room

Swift Building, 315 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

It’s all about jazz at this super dark, underground downtown club, where you can sip a martini to keep it classy or enjoy a beer on tap. 

Swift Building, 315 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
(512) 575-2925
(512) 575-2925

ACL Live & 3TEN at ACL Live

310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Although you’re better off with the well drinks or beer at the city’s premier downtown concert venue ACL Live and its smaller counterpart 3Ten, the sound system and comfortable seating at the home of PBS series Austin City Limits simply can’t be beaten. 

310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 404-1300
(512) 404-1300

Lamberts

401 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

In addition to a menu of slow-smoked meats, local beers, and classic cocktails, this longtime downtown barbecue eatery from McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality group offers live music upstairs every weekend. 

401 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-1500
(512) 494-1500

Hotel Vegas

1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

It’s always a raucous time at this East Side venue, with spirited indoor and outdoor shows plus drinks and beers.

1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The White Horse

500 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702

Get some Bomb Tacos to go with your East Austin honky tonk excursion. You’ll need it after two-stepping the night away with live bands, whiskeys, and beers.

500 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 553-6756
(512) 553-6756

Scoot Inn

1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

Established in 1871, the East Austin venue and bar is considered the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas, offering a wide range of musical genres for its stage shows. 

1308 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

Related Maps

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

79 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

Dine on sausages and sip on draft beers while enjoying live music in this spacious downtown beer garden on the weekends. 

79 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 386-1656
(512) 386-1656

The Continental Club

1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

One of Austin’s most legendary venues, you’ll feel transported back to the rockabilly era with classic rock, blues, soul, and more every night of the week at the Travis Heights club. Keep it simple with a brew or a vodka soda.

1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-2444
(512) 441-2444

Güero's Taco Bar

1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Looking for tacos, margaritas, and music in the heart of South Congress? Hit up this lively patio at the Tex-Mex restaurant, where bands play every Thursday through Sunday. 

1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7688
(512) 447-7688

C-Boy's Heart & Soul

2008 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

This funky South Austin venue is the perfect place to start or end your night with live classic soul and R&B music every day of the week. Currently, the Halal Y’all Atx Weird food trailer is parked outside, dishing up Mediterranean dishes, like falafel and gyros. 

2008 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-0023
(512) 215-0023

Broken Spoke

3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Fortify yourself on some chicken-fried steak before partaking in some country dance lessons to live bands at this truly iconic honky tonk on South Lamar. 

3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-6189
(512) 442-6189

Emo's Austin

2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

Although it’s cleaned up its act since its days on Red River, this East Austin live music venue is still one of the best places to catch mid-size touring acts, plus sip on well drinks and beers.

2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

Sagebrush

5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745

Enjoy beer, live music, pool, food trucks, and more at this South Austin music venue. 

5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745

The Far Out Lounge & Stage

8504 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745

The far South Austin venue and bar is another good outdoor music destination with access to a bunch of food trucks and several bars.

8504 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 351-9909
(512) 351-9909

Related Maps