Austin is an incubator for up-and-coming indie acts and a must-stop on national tours. And, with Central Texas weather lending itself to year-round indoor and outdoor concerts (as if you needed any more reasons to move to Austin), your live music venue options are nearly limitless. Here are the best spots to see some concerts in Austin.
1. Nutty Brown Amphitheatre
A neon cowboy out on Highway 290 West beckons Austinites to enjoy some country/western and Americana tunes under the stars in the midst of Texas Hill Country. On the weekend, you can catch all your favorite artists out on the enormous oak-shaded patio. Go for VIP if you want to sit through the show, otherwise, the amphitheater is standing room only. The rustic spot is also a restaurant, serving American home cooking.
2. Mohawk
On the corner of 10th and Red River in downtown Austin (at the northern end of the Red River District), the Mohawk is exactly what it sounds like—a rock venue. Renovated with recycled materials, this unique indoor/outdoor multilevel space is an Austin favorite. The likes of Iggy Pop, The Black Keys, Tenacious D, Big Boi, Ice Cube, Public Enemy, Bon Iver, and The Decemberists have all graced the Mowhawk’s stages. Two stages feature emerging talent from Austin and beyond on most days from 8pm-2am. Outdoors, join the mosh pit in front of the stage on the ground level, or choose a chiller balcony experience on the rooftop patio. The indoor stage is homier, with a fireside bar to boot.
There are three bars total, one indoors, one on the patio, and one on the roof deck—all serving stong pours at great prices. Even when there’s no live music, the Mohawk is a popular happy hour haven, with drink specials inside every day from 5-8pm. They also host special events like Punk Yoga.
3. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
Part BBQ joint, part live music venue, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q hosts nationally-touring acts and indie bands in the heart of the Red River Cultural District. There are two stages, one inside and one outdoors. Referred to as Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, the outdoor venue is a great place to watch a show with a not-too-small, not-too-big capacity of 2,200, impeccable sound and light displays, and clear sightlines from just about anywhere.
Go VIP with CB’s Lounge Preferred Access and enjoy the show from the elevated view of the upstairs patio, complete with private bar and bathrooms plus complimentary food and non-alcoholic drinks. The intimate indoor stage is located in the downstairs bar, with room for only 150 people. On Sundays, join Stubb’s for live music and a Southern comfort food buffet during Gospel Brunch. Oh, and the BBQ is pretty good, too!
4. The Continental Club
This classic South Austin spot has been around for six decades. Referred to as the “granddaddy of live music venues,” this historic hangout has been called “a crown jewel of the Live Music Capital of the World.” The South Congress stage has seen sets by Robert Plant, Wanda Jackson, and The Replacements since it opened its doors in 1955. Head here for roots, rockabilly, country, swing, rock, blues, jazz and/or punk music every night of the week. The dimly lit, 200-capacity room is very intimate and the stage is quite small. The Continental Club is the perfect place to pop in for a drink while strolling SoCo.
5. The Broken Spoke
via The Broken Spoke 
While you’re on SoCo, two-step on over to this honky-tonk. Standing between shiny new apartment buildings, this Texan dance hall is a piece of old Austin. The Broken Spoke has been hosting country legends like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton since 1964. Boot-scoot to live country music Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 9pm. Or, get there at 8pm and take a dance lesson beforehand. The South Austin bar is also a restaurant, serving up their famous, giant chicken-fried steaks, burgers, Tex-Mex and, BBQ.
6. Historic Scoot Inn
Established in 1871, this iconic East Austin landmark has a rich history: it’s the oldest continuously-running beer joint in central Texas. And today, the beloved East 4th Street location remains one of the most popular dive bars in Austin. The Scoot Inn hosts an eclectic mix of local and touring bands like Brownout, Harvest Thieves, White Reaper, and more, out on the patio Wed-Sat from 6pm-12am. The semi-shaded outdoor stage has a backyard vibe with a happening dancefloor, great sightlines, ample seating, a fully-stocked bar, and restrooms.
Indoors is where you’ll find Ivy’s Room bar, which was recently renovated to look like a Prohibition-era jazz club with leather and velvet seating, Tiffany-style stained glass lamps, and a baby grand tucked away in the corner. The soundtrack indoors consists of country and western 8-track tapes unless you’re lucky enough to catch some standards during one of the regular piano performances. The bar serves cheap Lone Star on draft, Texas craft beer, craft cocktails, and even rosé on tap! There’s also a rotating schedule of food trucks every night, including local favorites like Melted and East Side King.
7. The White Horse
While you’re on the Eastside, mosey on into the White Horse for some live music and whiskey on tap. This East Austin honky-tonk hosts live bluegrass, country-western, and Americana bands seven days a week. They also offer free blues, swing, and two-step dancing lessons. Order a “two-step” (a Lone Star with a shot of T.W. Samuels bourbon) from the full-service bar for just six bucks. The stage is, by design, in the back corner, which leaves ample dancefloor space. For those with two left feet, the decent-sized outdoor patio provides picnic tables for smoking, drinking, and chatting. When you work up an appetite, head to the taco trailer for $3 Bomb Tacos. This is a great place to end the night after bar-hopping down Dirty Sixth.
8. Zilker Park
This South Austin park is made up of 350 acres, where Barton Creek and the Colorado River connect. Every summer, Zilker hosts Austin City Limits Radio’s Blues on the Green, a free monthly concert series. Bring a blanket or chair, some friends, and even your dog, to enjoy some live blues music. It also hosts the popular music festival, ACL (Austin City Limits), where Lizzo recently had the crowd of 75,000 do a giant human wave.
9. ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Speaking of ACL, ‘Austin City Limits Live,’ America’s longest-running television music series, is now performed at The Moody Theater. Just head to the Warehouse district and look for the huge statue of Willie Nelson out front. The formidable, yet intimate, theater has been called the “Holy Grail of ATX indoor concert venues” due to the 2,750 capacity venue’s state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The theater hosts approximately 100 concerts a year, from Belle & Sebastian to ZZ Top. It’s also an official SXSW venue. The only problem is that parking is a pain—definitely get a rideshare to and from the venue.
10. The Parish
Inconspicuously nestled above Bat Bar and the Voodoo Doughnut storefront, amidst the hustle of 6th Street, this upstairs music room is widely regarded as the city’s best venue for sound. The 450-capacity space is intimate and cozy, with wooden floors and a stage that sits just above waist-high. From tribute bands to touring bands, The Parish does not discriminate when it comes to genres. The stage has welcomed such musical legends such as Pete Townshend and Slash, as well as up-and-coming artists like Alt-J and ZZ Ward, plus comedy and burlesque shows, and even karaoke. Heads up: All tickets are General Admission, so get their early to snag a spot up front by the stage.
Pull on your cowboy boots, grab an ice-cold Lone Star and enjoy live music at these Austin institutions. Still looking for your new place in Austin? Check out thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and get ready to enjoy some live shows!
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