Just like that one booster you had in college , Austin carries many different nicknames — names that wander from the formal ( the Capital of Texas ) , to the poetic ( urban center of the Violet Crown ) , to those tailor - made for holidaymaker tetraiodothyronine - shirt ( Bat City ) . However , the most famous byname Austin carries is that of the Live Music Capital of the World ® — and , through just one weekend in the metropolis , you’re able to see why that title has stuck . Whether you want to two - step at a honkey tonk , channel at a jazz ball club , or trip the light fantastic the night off to tunes from your preferent DJ , our elaborate guide sport a way to hit them all in one uncivilised weekend .
FRIDAY:
Wash away the workweek blues at an Austin institution
6:30 pm atThe Continental ClubSouth Congress Avenue
There ’s no right fashion to start your music journeying than at one of the most famed venues in the integral country . The Continental Club has been bringing the tunes to South Congress since 1955 and has hosted storied names spanning a variety of genres ever since — everyone from blues legend , definitive careen heroes , and of course , Austin ’s unofficial mayor . While South Congress itself has transition from a traditional hangout of hippies and foreigner to a street full of in high spirits - end store , The Continental Club has , fortunately , retained the definitive divey flavour that made the city “ uncanny ” in the best way . On Fridays , you may take advantage of the last 30 minutes of their happy hour while catching the weekly show by The Blues Specialists , a dance orchestra whose track record goes back 28 geezerhood . While the appendage may have change over intimately three decades , their classic style of Texas blue , mixed with a little jazz , has n’t — you do it what they say , if it ai n’t breach , do n’t fix it .
Break out the cowboy boots for a dancehall two-step
7:15 pm atBroken SpokeSouth Lamar Boulevard
Speaking of Austin institutions , there ’s yet another legendary point that has called Austin home for more than five X : Broken Spoke , a traditional Texas dancehall . Almost any state artist you’re able to guess of has not only cut their chop at the Spoke , but do back to act its much - loved point once they pip it big . Today , there ’s no salutary situation to dive into the Lone Star State ’s two - step custom than on their dance floor on Friday night . The card deviate week - by - week , but the regulars dancing the night forth in their hunky-dory westerly gear are consistent . For those who have two left metrical foot , many kind experts will be more than happy to show you how to trip the light fantastic toe like a true Texan .
Get loose with the rhythm at a renowned jazz club
9 pm atElephant RoomCongress Avenue
Although the Austin music setting may traditionally be associated with John Rock and nation , jazz fan congregate at business district locale Elephant Room . At this underground idle words lodge , you could find artists impressively improvising every dark of the week . Do n’t just take our word for it though — since the Elephant Room opened its doors in 1991 , it has been systematically called one of the upright place to catch jazz . Everyone from well - sleep together media issue , to genre experts have blab the praise of this haunt , which is tuck tightly in a 1905 historical building . On Fridays , the headliner is normally one of the rotating quintets that frequent the perfectly - alight cellar . While you ca n’t ever know which focussing the players will take a tune in , with the Elephant Room ’s array of over twenty beer on tap , you’re able to be certain to have a delicious swallow in hand while listening .
Max out your Friday at a late-night dance venue
2 am atThe Concourse ProjectBurleson Road
You wo n’t hear the sound of planes taking off at AUS airport - contiguous The Concourse Project — only the round - heavy blast of prima family and dancing music , courtesy of both local and touring number . This is where the cabaret kids and ravers come to encounter ‘ til 5AM . Despite only being unfastened for less than a year , The Concourse Project has already drawn swelled names to its indoor stage with the promise of an immaculate phone arrangement . They also have a smaller outdoor stagecoach , where lesser - known dj can earn their techno chop by spinning the turntables under the stars . While their official Friday Night After 60 minutes shows start at 2AM , the perpetually exhausted can go betimes and check out another headliner at 10PM — although there ’s ordinarily a great tag deal for those who can last through both shows .
SATURDAY:
Regroup with tacos and tunes
2:30 pm atGuero ’s Taco BarSouth Congress Avenue
It would n’t be a visit to Austin without some A+ Tex - Mex , and Guero ’s fits the bill . They ’ve been run for over 30 long time on South Congress , so they ’re emphatically doing something right . Get your bearings after a farsighted nighttime of dance with some homemade tortilla and their salsa saloon , then swivel to margs while set take the stage in the Oak Garden . crowd will depart to flock in as the twenty-four hour period ticktock on , so finish out your round before the terrace gets carry and get ready for another evening of melodic geographic expedition .
Catch reggae and Afro-pop with a buffet dinner
7 pm atSahara LoungeWebberville Road
Located far out in East Austin , Sahara Lounge can be a bit of a trek to get to , depending on where in the city you ’re calling “ family . ” However , there ’s nothing more suitable of a rideshare than the venue ’s famous Saturday night show , Africa Night . It starts with a snack counter dinner , sport a spicy meatball stew , rice with vegetables , and vegetarian bean stew . You ’d well eat up , as you ’ll need all the sustenance you’re able to get for the dance . Their rotate lineup of always - fabulous music will have you grooving out among a various gang of the ripe folks to be found in the city . In fact , this is one of the only events left that feels like it still catch the true , naturally cool spirit that made Austin a refuge for creatives in the past . From reggae to Afro - pop to the traditional sounds of West Africa , you’re able to come up it all at Africa Night — and then leave it all on the dance storey .
Take in the lights on a neon-laced dance floor
Till 2 am at various locationsRed River Street
Red River ’s distinct ethnical position makes it a holdout against the rapidly changing landscape of the rest of Austin . Notoriously nightclub heavy , the area will be buzz until late into the night , so join the revelers , walk around , and explore your favorites . Our rec isCheer Up Charlie ’s , known as one of the best LGBTQIA+ hangouts in the urban center , featuring a giant pink parachute that hovers over their outside saltation flooring . Even the beverage here are inclusive — their vegan legal profession is noted for their on - tap concentrated kombuchas . Other must - sees areBarbarella , which hosts New Noise on Saturday nights , andStubb ’s , which flux legendary euphony acts with as renowned barbecue .
SUNDAY:
Get your energy up (and stomach filled) at a live music brunch
12 premier atBanger ’s Sausage House & Beer GardenRainey Street
After shut it down on the saltation floor until the early morning hours , you ’re probably going to need a hearty , nutrient - satisfy jump to your Sunday . That ’s where Rainey Street mainstay , Banger ’s Sausage House & Beer Garden , comes in . Their brunch put up up hoop of biscuit , a sampler feature four survival of the fittest of their rotating sapidity of housemade sausage , and deep-fried pieces of Shangri-la in the flesh of bacon beignets . However , your belly wo n’t be the only affair slaked at the end of your clip at Banger ’s — the day-after-day live show on their outdoor leg will also be literal medicine to your ears . While , again , their weekend schedule rotates through a variety of acts , they ’re mostly known for bringing in heavy face bands that represent in the New Orleans style . Be sure not to miss any morning time that features the local , nine - while powerhouse Urban Achievers Brass Band , who mix the traditional sound of The Big Easy with a Texas nasal twang .
Have a Sunday Funday at a favorite local hang
2 Prime Minister atThe Far Out Lounge & StageSouth Congress Avenue
Located in Far South Austin , The Far Out has become the stock neighbourhood hang for both residents of the area , as well as locals from other character of the urban center . This may be partially due to their popular Sunday daytime shows , which range from wise jam by cover band , to cringe and somebody artists , to welfare for nonprofit fundament that , without fail , always have a killer line of products - ups of local bands . The outdoor , family- and dog - favorable stage setting often boast a weekend market of local vendors serving up singular chachka and curated vintage pieces , too — so you may put your mention card to work between set . Add in dining options from four food for thought trucks , including from - scrape works - power grub from The Forking Vegan and some of the best seafood in the city at Huckleberry , and you have a complete Sunday good afternoon , Austin - mode .
Feel the soul at an East Austin Sunday tradition
8 pm at theSkylark LoungeAirport Boulevard
Few musicians are so beloved by such a kind of the great unwashed as Soul Man Sam . Fall in making love yourself with the medicine of the band leader , vocalist , and Memphis aboriginal as he plays alongside his every bit brilliant chemical group , the S.M.S band , at his weekly residency at Skylark Lounge — a true experience , known to all Austin music fiend as Soul Sunday . Be prepared for epic cover charge of classic mortal tracks as well as quintessential blues tunes . The Soul Man ’s stark naked emotion , paired with the moody vibe of the Lounge , make for an event that is sure to delight anyone with ear . Plus , there ’s the fact that he is an prodigious dresser — to witness the brilliantly color rig , often top with a trilby , in natural process is worth the damage of admission alone . And , due to Soul Man Sam and his ring ’s famed report , the other various local and touring act that make up the sleep of the Soul Sunday neb are also dependably great .
End your weekend with a final set (and tater tots)
10:30 atomic number 61 atHotel VegasEast Sixth Street
Find your new best-loved band , the form you ’ll make all your admirer begrudgingly listen to on repeat when you ’re in boot of the playlist , by heading to a show at Hotel Vegas . Located on the dive - heavy strip that is East Sixth Street , Vegas is popping almost every nighttime with some local or across the nation touring band that could be the next big thing . Hotel Vegas slant to all types of bands , with a focus on the indie scene — on any yield Nox , you could wander into any character of show from sept to punk to data-based , or , more often , one that sits beyond the normal description of genres on one of their two stages . The venue ’s baby touch , The Volstead Lounge ( which is located so close next door , you might go there first by fortuity ) , also host events almost every night — not to mention employ bartenders who can make a serious cocktail . The venue ’s yielding stand features a menu of beefburger , burritos , and the perfect snack known as Sriracha spread tots , fully fulfill any cravings for a late night repast .
Courtesy of David Brendan Hall
Courtesy of Winker Withaneye
Courtesy of Sahara Lounge
Courtesy of Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden
Courtesy of Roger Ho
Courtesy of David Brendan Hall
