Let me start out by saying that, this is in Austin and you know what side of the political pendulum this city is in. I am on the other side of that. I speculated what type of humor / jokes they were going to portray in their acts and I was right. But here is the deal...If you are heavily on the right and you cant take a joke, or two, or several... do not come. They even made some jokes about their own side. The magic shows were great along with the entire show. Everyone was very nice, the food / drink service was good and the ambiance was nice. Very good spot for humor, but if you are easily offended, especially regarding political humor, just look somewhere else. I had fun and I can see myself going back. Thank you for the great time. read more

Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Loved this experience. This place has definitely been around for awhile and I can see why. Got there early to scope out the location and upon entering you provide your name and they provide a paper to give upon entering the show room. There was a group on the patio area where you can order tacos, I did not partake. Then the bar area inside. You can take drinks into the showroom as well. Scoped out the venue which was bigger than anticipated and really enjoyed the fish tank TVs. So fun! The show was entertaining and up to date with references all relevant to the current times. Everyone on stage was great and their chemistry can be seen. The audience was laughing 99% of the time and the show went back fast! I'd totally go back for a local Austin night out with good laughs. read more

See all

Esther Follies is an Austin staple! They've been performing for 50 years, providing amazing entertainment for all guests attending their shows. They do a mix of comedy, magic, music , and just overall great entrainment for their shows. It's mainly themed around local and world politics + the LGBTQ community. Tickets are approximately $40. The show is about 90 minutes, with a 5 min break halfway through. They have a bar on site, and a taqueria that's connected to their building as well. Highly recommend the taqueria, it's authentic and delicious! Absolutely recommend for locals, visitors, and those who just want to enjoy a great show in the best city in the country! read more

See all

Had an absolute blast! The show was amazing! The cast really killed it! I will be back and will tell everyone I know about this place 10/10 must do in Austin! Drinks were good! All the staff was also very lovely. Such a great establishment and ambiance! read more

Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Got tickets to Esther's Folly's after a recommendation from our Uber driver as soon as we got into town. I had a great time, laughed at almost all of it definitely got political, which was OK with me, but I can see where some people would be a little turned off by it. It was a mix of magic comedy singing all in a theater that reminded us of our childhood theaters. Venue is funky to say the least, but I think that adds to the charm of the Follies. read more

Have family and friends coming to town? Bring them to Esther's. It's a magic show, comedy show and everything in between! You can definitely go more than once since they do change up their acts periodically. Pro tip: if you get tickets online, you usually get added to their mailing list. They do BOGO offers often. read more

Esther's Follies - Outside entrance - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

It's mostly politically charged humor with no shortage of song, dance and expertly made props. What else could you possibly need? Magic. Turns out, you need magic. Toss an accomplished magician, extravagant blacklight decor and a full bar into the mix and you've got yourself some Esther's, mi amigo. The show is about 90 minutes long with a 5-minute intermission and makes for a great night out. Really fun. read more

Esther's Follies - Lobby - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

A fabulous, current yet fabulous show. Magic, merriment and music in a small venue with staff that want nothing more than you to have a good experience. Drinks are good, the show better. A classic. read more

See all

If you would enjoy being in the audience of the now defunct The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, you'll probably enjoy this show. It was about 1/3 political. I did have some laughs otherwise. read more

I've been volunteering at SXSW for a few years now and most of my volunteer shifts have been at Esther Follie's. Gotta give it up for this place being old school Austin. Some amazing performers have graced the stage, yet it's basically hidden in plain site. Everyone that works here is cool, and honestly it's just the perfect size venue for the acts they have there. I've sat all over the theatre and basically never had a bad seat! read more

What a super fun evening! Intimate venue.... Probably max 100 seats? Hilariously entertaining. Think SNL vibes with different short skits and some magic. Very entertaining! Bar on entering so grab yourself a drink or two. They do have an intermission where you can preorder the second half drinks and pay so that they're ready for you rather than waiting to order. Great lobby area for fun photo ops. Will definitely visit again if back in town. read more

What I got: Friday Night Tier 1 Tickets ($40 each) Aya's take: First time in Austin and I'm so glad we came to Esther's Follies! Esther's Follies has been around since April Fool's Day in 1977. I had no idea what to expect going into it and honestly, it was so much better that way. When we arrived, there was live music by a few cast members. Suddenly, the night of comedy, magic, and music began. It's pretty fast-paced which kept me super engaged and I enjoyed the satirical bits that poke fun and highlight current events in politics and pop culture. The magic by Ray Anderson was outstanding! I had never been to a vaudeville-style entertainment like this but I will say it is a must-do in Austin! I highly recommend adding this to your Austin itinerary. read more

See all

This was a fun experience in Austin. There is a food truck outside and a bar inside with available seating prior to the show. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and the performances were great!! Left with a bellyache from the laughter! Much needed! Highly recommend and would definitely go again! read more

See all

A fun show , magic was amazing and sitcom hillarious , would go again real soon for another good laugh !

The ticket information should include this is a political show. We wouldn't have come. Ticket information listing this as a Saturday Night Live style show is misleading and inaccurate. Save your money, time, and ears. read more

Great show, excellent performers! It was a fast paced, non stop good time. Lots of laughs and very entertaining. We sat in B2-3 which was great for accessibility because my partner needed extra leg room for his immobilizer, however we weren't able to see the entire show (outside the front window) from this angle. So closer to the aisle if on the far right side is probably better. We didn't eat but there is a taqueria attached with food options you can bring into the show. No veggie options though. If you're in Austin, go check it out! read more

Esther's Follies - Entry area - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

It's an Austin comedy staple for a reason. Grab a couple of beers, and maybe some popcorn and candy, before grabbing your seat (there is no table service.... Or tables, for that matter). It offers stadium-style seating to optimize any view. Check the website for updated performances- they range from standup to improv and more. Hopefully, the downtown reorg won't detract from getting to or continuing to enjoy this magical venue. read more

So so so fun! Had a blast! So funny my tummy was hurting. I will definitely be coming back for a fun night :) read more

Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

At first, I thought this place might be cool. As a Black woman, I immediately noticed the audience was almost entirely white--that was already unsettling, but I tried to let it go. The show started off cheesy and a little cringe, but harmless enough. Then came a performance that completely crossed the line. They did "Ice Ice Baby" with performers wearing "ICE" vests, making deportation "jokes" and racial comments. The crowd--mostly white--laughed like it was all fun and games, while my friend, a Hispanic woman, felt VERY uncomfortable sitting there watching people laugh at the idea of her community being targeted. That wasn't comedy. It was ignorant, disrespectful, and disgusting. Turning real trauma into a punchline is not entertainment--it's erasure. If you value inclusivity, humanity, or just basic decency, do NOT go here. If I can give 0 stars I would. read more

In our daily life , it is so fabulous to be able to go to such a great show , laugh out loud, be amazed and leave feeling so great ! This is a must visit for anyone 18 years and older to make plans to go too! Do not miss ! Wishing I could give this incredibly talented professionals a 10 star review ! read more

They have some snacks and drinks. There are so many good things to say about this place. The bar tenders are attentive and offer you to make your orders for the break before going in. Do that because it's quick and easy to pick up your drinks. As for the show... it was nothing that I expected in the middle of 6th street. Magic, Comedy, Singing and other spoofs. Absolute must see if you venture into Austin. Bring a group with you. This show is totally worth every penny spent. read more

Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Had an absolute blast at Esther's Follies! The vibe? Immaculate. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of that classic Austin weird-in-a-good-way energy. The show was a perfect mix of sketch comedy, magic, and musical satire--all delivered with incredible talent and timing. Honestly, I was grinning the whole time. Full disclosure: the comedy leans left, so if political humor with a liberal twist isn't your thing, this might not be your jam. But if you're down for some smart, sharp laughs (and a few roastings), you're in for a treat. Highly recommend if you're visiting Austin or just need a night out that's fun, lively, and a little bit ridiculous--in the best way. read more

Brought some NY friends visiting Austin to see Esther's Follies. It was our first time, too. Even for people who grew up regularly seeing Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, this gem in Austin was the hit of their visit! We enjoyed the variety of political satire, musical creativity and a fantastic comedic magician. The sketches were fresh with current events, which means that we'll be able to go back time and again, and see a new show each time. The actors were all talented, and we loved the magic bits. I highly recommend the show! read more

See all

This was our first date since our baby was born and what a treat. Illusionism, comedy, satire. The comedians had a field day with Donald Trump's corruption, and we enjoyed every minute of it. We will be back! read more

An Austin staple, an absolutely awesome experience for locals and visitors alike! I enjoyed my recent experience at Esther's Follies so much - the talented cast, hilarious + clever content, and casual atmosphere was all such a blast. It was so unique to see improv, comedy and magic all wrapped up in one show, for a very reasonable price! I also appreciated that they worked with me to change the date of my tickets due to one person in our party getting sick on the day we'd originally booked tickets for. Super flexible and accommodating. I recommend springing for tier 1 seats, and grabbing a beer from the bar beforehand. Parking in that area is tough, so plan to arrive early. read more

Inexpensive campy fun was had by all! This theater started their run in 1977 and is going strong today. Some originals are still busting up the audience with much humor and aplomb. From magic tricks to political silliness, to Texas humor and beyond you will be laughing your worries away! read more

See all

I hadn't been to Esther's pool in a number of years, but on a recent Saturday, I joined a group from my neighborhood for the early (7pm) show. We had a full row reserved a few rows back from the stage to limit our chances of being among the "chosen." As people were taking their seats before the show began, one of the talented performers was singing away, making remarks as she went. The earliest skits were among the best of the evening and, of course, given the upcoming election, many were politically inspired. The cast, including founder Shannon Sedwick and longtime magician Ray Anderson, was amazing as always. Shannon's Patsy Cline number was just as I remembered it, but it's still funny. Ray's antics and quick humor were great. Other cast members were amazing in both their vocals and energetic performances. I need to go back again soon! read more

Don't miss Esther's Follies if you visit Austin. Incredibly funny, very up-to-the-moment sketches about what's going on in Texas and the U.S. You will legit laugh until your sides hurt. I live in San Antonio, but come to Esther's Follies every couple of months. It's a different show every time, but always an amazing show. The magician is incredible too. The people walking by on 6th street add to the show, and the cast is both inside and out. Incredibly well done comedy and magic. Have dinner first at the Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill two blocks away. Truly, you will not regret it. read more

Such an Austin spot! The decor was a vibe and the cast was such a vibe. It was comedic gold and the venue is the right size to feel intimate. Also probably the best magic show in Texas - not of that boring pick a card bs, this guy was LEGIT. Heading back for my second show this week and I'm looking forward to their new material / I hope the presidential debates will be worked in there... read more

Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

First time visiting this show and I can see why it's a staple in Austin. The mix of magic, sketch comedy, and musical numbers was fun and moved at a good pace. The magician stood out the most -- super polished and genuinely impressive. The energy from the cast kept things lively, and the smaller venue made it feel up close and personal no matter where you sat. That said, the show leaned heavily into political humor, which might not be everyone's taste. Some skits felt more like commentary than comedy, and I think a little more variety in tone would have helped balance the experience. Still, there were enough laugh-out-loud moments to make it worth going. All in all, it's a fun night out with a unique vibe. A little uneven in places, but definitely something different and memorable to do while in town. read more

My wife and I have been here quite a few times, sometimes bringing friends or family and everyone has a good time. The humor is great and they mix fast pace, quick humor with some fun skits covering just about everything Texas and a few other things besides, I don't want to ruin anything as they do have some recurring sketches. The place is always fun, the staff is friendly and the performers are all great. You get more out of it the more you know about Texas but even non Texans will have a good time. I feel this is an experience so no words or review could really explain it, you have to go. But maybe a little overview may help? First the waiting/lounge area is nice, lots of seating and cool decor. Esther's has been an Austin stable for decades, we even got the book as soon as it came out. You open with an intro song in the style of a piano and singer setting the tone. Then quick fire modern up to date jokes, songs, and short playlets on recent events, sometimes as recent at that day which is super impressive! There are songs and ideas of what to do with Texas. The Congress and Senate are given some vicious cuts and there are some fun musical numbers, some about nightlife in Austin or living in Texas. This alone would be worth it but then you add Ray, the resident user of Magic! This guy is amazing! We have sat up front right on the stage, the middle, to the side, and it never fails to shock and entertain us. The music, the flair, the magic, the humor. This guy is on another level. You get both the amazing cast and Ray which either alone would be worth the cost and time but two great things that go great together??? *CHEFS KISS* There are also windows to the street, they mix in performers out there and sometimes you can tell and other times you are not sure if it is a non Esther's person or one of the cast. Even just the people walking by become part of the show. They stop and watch, flip you off, wave, laugh, stare. It is all part of the fun and idiom of Esther's Follies. It is packed with all sorts of humor and commentary. The energy is always high and while you will have sketches you prefer over others they are all clever or funny. We will be going again and then again. read more

Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Found the performances very funny at times but it was very political and one sided. Magician was the highlight both in performance and content. read more

Having done open mic night and a horrible comedian myself, I can appreciate the courage it takes to get up under the lights, intuition to make people laugh and the spine to shake off bombing on stage. However, throw in some theatrics along with song and you have something special. That is what I got to experience for my pre-birthday activities when my girlfriend shocked me with tickets to Ether's Follies. One of the highlights of my brief 3 years in Texas as of this writing in March 2024. Located in a relatively safe section of town off of 6th St, I've never noticed this hole in the wall before. Its outside façade is very unassuming and I was extremely surprised when my girlfriend got us tickets for my soon to be SECOND 21st bday... She suckered me good by saying we were going to see a play, which was a nice touch to throw my suspicions off. Walking in the establishment it oozes a crazy collection of odd murals, paint schemes, statues, sculptures and an assortment of mis-mashed art. After checking in to the left of the lobby is the bar. The bartenders are quick to fill your drink orders and while not having a huge selection of drinks they have enough to put a smile on your face before you even get to see the cast of comedians. As a side note the restrooms are to the right of the bar and during intermission the lines become a little long, you've been warned. I rather liked holding area. I literally took roughly 10 minutes to take in the atmosphere. I was abruptly but pleasantly interrupted as the ushers dropped in and began to seat the patrons. You walk in and the tunnel opens up to stadium fold up seating. Not the most comfortable seating choice but once the show starts I submit it the comfort rather quickly leaves the mind, replaced by quality entertainment. The stage is small, but dominates the eyesight as the music section is to the left. Curiously the windows allow people to look in and the audience to look out, more on that later. Before our night started, we were reminded no pictures of video during the performance, so take pictures of your "I was there" moments now. A wonderful woman came out in an interesting 1800s Midwest dress and proceeded to give a fun musical number loosening up the audience while prepping them of things to come. Please note, there is satire of all kinds including impartial political jabs. So, if you're of a certain persuasion and are triggered by a party being insulted, consider this your warning. But to reiterate the jokes are thrown at both parties in an effort to keep things fair and balanced. The show itself has music, magic, audience participation and long and short form jokes. Another warning if you're on the front row or close to the stage, you "might" be called upon to join in the fun on stage. My show had the entire front row occupied by the Swedish navy, which made them hilarious fodder for the comedians. As I mentioned earlier and was totally unexpected but "all the world is a stage" as you notice people outside are part of the show. That's right innocent people are unwittingly part of the show at times while the cast do go outside which you can see through the window further enhancing the shows humor. Finally, we did have some heckler at our show. Having done standup before, I can advise, the worst people to "try and punk" are comedians. We're ready for it, the staff and audience are on our side, it's a nuisance and finally you'll look stupid. Anyways, the crew shamed the guy pretty good and he was kicked out. All in all, it was a night for me to remember and it could be yours as well if this type of entertainment tickles your fancy. Heck even if it doesn't, I challenge you to give it a try to broaden your interests. As I stated I've done standup and I give it five out of five stars for comedy and while I did high school choir the cast really has talent in the singing department as well. The magic is the least pronounced but well done as a nice diversion between bits (bit meaning the next wave of comedy sketches). Overall, this crew was superb and knocked it out the park. The whole experience is perfect for a first or 100th date, a friend's night out or just an excuse to do something different. Give it a whirl you won't regret it. read more

See all

Cool setting for sure, but it's more than just a left leaning show. With the thousands of jokes they could make about Biden, etc, they didn't even try to go both ways. Each skit was hitting every left leaning talking point; Tesla, ICE, inflation, abortion, No Kings, 401k, tariffs. They impersonated and ripped on Trump and Elon nonstop. I'm all good with this, if you're fair and go both ways. By intermission we had enough and left. Unfortunate because it had all the makings to be a great show read more

Great for a good night laugh. I don't drink and there wasn't much to do at night that doesn't involve eating or drinking but this place did it for me. I love how they're up to date on everything. The show was very engaging and overall had a great time. Would definitely try to come back one night. read more

Hilarious, witty and contemporary! Loved their sequences of song/jokes mixed in with some classic magic tricks. Production quality is high enough to be in NYC or Chicago. I knew EF was an Austin legend and now I've experienced first-hand why it's so. The show is better than any review can describe. If you're in town visiting or live here, don't miss this amazing production. It's vaudeville but it's not slapstick. Also, as others have said and now I've seen, there's not a bad seat in the house because it's an intimate venue and a slight slope creates good views even in row 10. read more

Esther's Follies - a man on a stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

These people are funny, entertaining and provide an amazing evening of entertainment! You must try it

I have lived in Austin for over 25 years and just went to this comedy club for the first time. My expectations were not high, as for some reason I thought it would be quite hokey due to the fact it is on 6th street and perhaps simply there as a tourist draw. My friend is a comic and got tickets, so I agreed to go. The performance went above and beyond my expectations. It was an excellent experience, all around, from the funky decor to the on point comedy to the jaw dropping magic. The content was current, the choreography incredible, all the performers truly skilled at their craft. The audience was a mix of young and old (but not kids) and a mix of tourists and locals. Part of the show included members of the audience, which was fun to watch. I was also thankful not to be sitting in the first few rows due to this! I will definitely go back and know I can look forward to seeing something different but completely amazing on my next visit. read more

Esther's Follies - Incredible performance by all at Esther's Follies - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

Absolutely hilarious and super well put together. It's a fast-paced sketch comedy show with sharp political humor, fun magic, and even musical numbers--the cast has seriously great voices. The improv with audience members added a cute, personal touch. Drinks were fine, not too strong but solid. Overall, a really fun and balanced show. Highly recommend whether you're local or just visiting Austin. I know I'll be going back read more

There's nothing I can write in here that will depict the cleverness and insane hilarity that you'll experience at Esther's Follies. I went expecting a standup comedy act with some music. Omg was I pleasantly surprised after walking not so great 6th street. This place is a gem of a comedy, magic and music spot. It is a must see when you're in town. If I lived here I'd be a regular. From the ticket counter to the drinks to the seating and the immense treat of the writing and choreography.... I am a fan. I will never come to Austin and not come to Esther's Follies. Wow. Do it and let me know how right I was. read more