It's a rainy night in Austin. My girlfriend is in town because my cousin and her fiancé are getting…read moremarried in Austin. It's also the weekend of our one year anniversary. An hour ago it wasn't raining, but now it's pouring. A few months ago, I heard of a newer bar and experience called Equipment Room just right off of South Congress. Music means everything to me. Nothing can express emotions and instill a feeling in 3 minutes like a song can. I live for that. Equipment Room is inherently Japanese in concept. Existing in Japan for over 50 years, listening bars combine high fidelity audio equipment with impressively crafted cocktails and alcohol combining the passion of music in a space to gather with comfortable chairs and a beautiful atmosphere. The concept has expanded westward as all cool things inevitably do, but I would never think a spot would be successful in Austin like it would be in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and so on. As I back my car into a parking spot on South Congress, I grab the umbrella out of my trunk and walk my girlfriend and me to the entrance trying to not get ourselves soaked in the process. This is not the first time we have tried to go to Equipment Room. We tried to get a walk-in table just to see out of morbid curiosity and that was a failure. I booked her and me a table for this night and I was madly looking forward to it. As we got to the small entrance, we were introduced to the hostess who brought us from the stairs into the main underground space and to our seats on the couch in a large wraparound sofa with other parties sitting near us. The music is faint from the entrance, but once you walk through the main walkway, a wave of sound hits your eardrums. You're immediately engrossed into the music like walking into a concert hall or putting a fresh pair of headphones on for the first time. As we sat down, selections from Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik were playing through the speakers. Our hostess introduced us to their "User Manual" (their menu) where it contained all the snacks and drinks you could get your grubby hands on. There's more than just drinks and food on the menu. The first page introduces the concept and gives a few house rules. The second page shows all the equipment this so-called room has, from the premium Klipsch speakers, their preamps and amplifiers as well as their turntables and mixers. It's a dream page for music nerds. I want a $15k speaker in my apartment, but those noise complaints would never end. Our waitress came by shortly to give us water and take our order. Their menu is quite expansive, but the main pages we were told to check out were their A-side drinks or the classics and their B-side drinks, which are more experimental. We had to go with experimental for starters because who knows when you'll get to try something similar again. I started with a Goca Dünya while my girlfriend ordered a Deceptacon. The Goca Dünya was a vodka based floral drink with pistachio foam and Amaro Nonino, an Italian herbal liqueur. The Deceptacon was a rum-based cacao drink with a touch of lime and mint. It took a little time for our drinks to come out, clearly, as they are quite intricate. I loved my drink, bluntly. The pistachio foam was a great balance to the herbal flavors at the bottom. My girlfriend and I continued to enjoy each other's company as the music continued. The space we were in was decorated with posters and memorabilia from legendary artists coming through Austin and some general music decor like that purple album from that Prince guy. The DJ-curator that night was on a tear playing incredible soul music holding the bar hostage with a taste of funk. Jimmy Smith came next before transitioning to a few tracks from Bobbie Gentry. The last albums he pulled out were Steely Dan's Aja (a stone cold classic) and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life (a top 10 album of all time). Not only was he playing classics like Isn't She Lovely, but he threw down some deeper cuts like Black Man and Contusion. Incredible. We both got another drink with my girlfriend getting their A-Side Espresso Martini while I got the Brown Sugar from their B-Sides. It was a seaweed and mushroom infused whiskey with a few more bells and whistles and it was super unique. Quite a bit of their menu is Japanese-inspired in homage to the originators of listening bars. This includes Japanese beer, sake, and Japanese-inspired food and beverages on their menu. Very cool. The worst part of the night came when our hour and 45 minute reservation came to a close. I could've stayed there for another 3 hours and never grown tired, but with how popular this space has become, they gotta kick you out at some point. This is an experience you have to have. It's worth it. I'll be strolling back in soon enough because there is nothing like this in Austin and it's truly a special space. RIYL: Actively listening to music.

Loved this place so much..!!! If you want to go somewhere to just lounge with low lighting and have…read moresome delicious drinks with great music in the background , this is place is it! They play no digital music and their speakers are installed throughout the whole building. The sound is great! The menu was so cute and on theme. The furniture and decor is mid century modern. I went here for my birthday and they gave my table a round of Sake shots, which was nice! My table ordered drinks: the Brown Sugar, Goca Dünya, Suffer No Fool (non alcoholic), Vitamin C. They were all delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol! It was well balanced! I seriously recommend the Goca Dünya--that pistachio foam was addictive! For food, we got the Cheese board to have something to pick on and we demolished it, haha. It came with marmalade and crackers. The cheeses were great, along with the dried fruits and nuts. The cheese selections seem to rotate every other season, which is cool.

Absolutely incredible experience at the Concert Dome in Austin! We saw the Taylor Swift Strings…read moreshow, and it completely blew us away. The atmosphere was immersive and unique, unlike any concert setup we've been to before. One thing that really stood out was how easy everything was logistically. Parking was smooth and convenient (a huge plus), and the dome itself is fully air-conditioned, which made the whole experience comfortable even with a big crowd. The only heads-up: if you're someone who struggles with motion sickness, you might want to take precautions. The immersive visuals and environment can be a bit intense at times. Overall, it was a 10/10 experience and we'd absolutely go back again!

We went to the ConcertDome for the Love-themed music over Valentine's Day weekend, and it was such…read morea fun experience. The musicians, sound, visuals, chairs, etc., were all great. As we arrived, we were given a couple of drink tickets to use at Austin Beerworks - Sprinkle Valley (they share a parking lot) and after grabbing drinks we went to our seats, which were comfy recliners that go all of the way to a lie flat position. They also gave each person a pack of chocolates to go with the theme. We will definitely go back for more shows.

A friend asked me was I interested in listening tosome live music tonight. Absolutely! First stop…read morethe Continental Club on S. Congress. This place is an Austin institution and one of the best places in the city to experience live music. This historic venue has been a local hangout for great music since the 1950s. The club was dimly lit with lots of stickers, graffiti, neon signage, paintings and interesting artifacts. While it has been a long time since I have been to the Continental club, it still felt truly Austin and very unpretentious. In the Continental Club you are literally I feet away from the live music. A dog was sleeping on stage, which made the place feel homey. The club is small and intimate, exuding a super personal persona. In addition, the sound quality is excellent for such a small venue. Tonight we listened to Hot Club Cowtown...they sounded folksy and a bit country western yet enjoyable to listen to. Folks were boot scooting, so maybe more country western. Mike the doorman was super personable and helpful. He happily provided the WIFI password and was super engaging. In addition, it is important to note the cover was free until 9 pm. The crowd was a mix bag...locals, tourists, and musicians who love live music. Austin is affectionately known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World". Great music...great time!

The Continental Club is one of those places that never disappoints. If you love live music and a…read moreclassic Austin vibe, this spot is a must. You can check out who's performing on their website, and tickets are easy to grab through Eventbrite. You can also buy tickets at the door, but it's cash only. Shows fill up fast, so plan ahead. We came to see The Peterson Brothers for an 8pm show, arrived about 15 minutes early, and snagged the last couple of seats. Any later and we would've been standing. The venue gets packed quickly, which just adds to the energy. Street parking only in the area, so give yourself a little extra time to find a spot. Bartenders were friendly and efficient, even with a full house. No food menu, just great drinks! I decided to have a sober night and the bartender made a tasty mocktail! If you want a great live music experience, arrive early, bring cash just in case, and settle in for a fantastic night. This place is a staple for a reason!

I understand why some say Antone's is the best nightlife in town! It was actually just my speed ~…read moregood music vibes and chill light dancing among some while I did my signature chair dancing. I saw some great music Saturday night and was lucky to get a chair up close. The seating did fill up and the standing room area was pretty full, so keep that in mind for show times. I was also very lucky to grab their last 5mg delta-9 Tejas Tonic ($12) and a Topo Chico ($4). Cheers to Austin carrying happy drinks without the alcohol. It was perfect but I wish they had more in stock, we were ready to sip on that sizzurp. Great staff at the bar though! They do have a cover but keep an eye out for deals! We got bogo tix for $25 through ticketmaster. Overall great time at Antone's! I had so much fun and it is within walking distance of so much so great place to see a show.

Came here for a jazz concert. What a wonderful time with live music and a good crowd…read more I truly enjoyed the mix of beautiful sounds of the instruments and the singer was fenomenal. Getting to downtown on that area is just getting harder with construction and difficulty to find good available parking. The homeless are scattered in that area as well. However, thankfully the show was early in the day and the place made it to be enjoyable at least inside you transfer to the world of music. I didn't stay long to have experience any service, but I did see staff being attentive and ready to clean up tables. The place looks clean and well kept. The darker atmosphere makes it very relaxing and intimate.

The lost well became the found well…read more Rough opening for the neighborhood metal/punk bar is back. And in a location that's not extremely far away. This location almost seemed a bit larger. They even have a small parking lot this time. Street parking is still on the table. No food at this location yet. But I'm excited to see this place to its fullest.

They're back!!! Opening night was Friday, August 15th, 2025 & it was miraculous!…read moreNow located at the former Tropicana on Airport Blvd., this BELOVED bar & music venue is resurrected to its former glory. It's absolutely amazing that they were able to reopen in just a year. My only complaint is that we walked to the old location and now we have to make a five minute drive. Lol. Friday night was insanely fun, crazy, busy, & loud, which means perfection. Which also means I was too busy having fun to get pics. The new setup is rad, old school, & welcoming. The Lost Well has always been inclusive and continues to be. The bar staff are some of the best people you'll ever meet. Industry pros! The prices are affordable. The ambiance is "we're all family". The sound system is killer. Bands sounded amazing. Welcome back, y'all!

Not only is this an amazing venue for live music it is also a non-profit that uses music to serve…read morethe people of the surrounding area in very special and heartwarming ways.

We came here to see Guy Forsythe and were not disappointed. It's a mini concert hall that seats…read moreabout 70 people in comfy chairs. All attention is on the artist, and it maintains a nice intimacy. They have a small reception area where they check you in and made wine and beer available for purchase (including Buckethead, which I really like) at very reasonable prices. It's really not a commercial affair at all. It's a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that also does great and meaningful work in the community. They're truly musical ambassadors, fueled by passion and a firm belief in the power of live music and the role it plays in a healthy society. I will absolutely come back again! Six stars; one more than the maximum allowed!

I really would rate this 3.5 stars…read more It's a pretty cool place. Entertainment was great (band=Suede), food was good, drinks were good. Service was fair, at best. We were a table of 12, but that wasn't really the problem. One person who ordered, her food was given to someone else. When she inquired, she ordered again and it took over an hour to get her food. Her second beer never arrived. Unfortunately, she said this is the norm here. She comes here often, mainly for the entertainment. The server was quick to take our original orders, but follow up was zero. No attempts to get second drinks, any other food, nothing. It wasn't that busy, so I'm not sure why the service was so bad. I flagged him down for my second drink after waiting over an hour, and my friend was still waiting for her beer. It was like our table was in the ignore zone. I would come back again, but would probably order from the bar for drinks. 20% tip was included in the bill because of large party. I'm sure my friend was pissed about that considering her service was terrible. Mine was meh. Overall it was a great evening with friends. The good outweighed the bad, but don't expect great service. Enjoy the entertainment value here - Thats what makes this place special.

Visited Spare Birdie twice, once for bowling with my kiddos and most recently for a ladies night…read moreout. Had a wonderful experience both times! Reasonable prices for bowling, and well maintained lanes. Very friendly and attentive service. Beautiful space. I enjoy their extensive menu of drinks and food. They make a mean espresso martini! Small plates are the way to go at this spot. Highly recommend the Korean chicken sliders, pork belly lettuce wraps, and red chili cauliflower! Super flavorful and delicious.

Great people, great weekend. Spent 4/20 weekend here, quiet nights with a chill vibe.read more

The music ranch has changed a lot in recent years. New management has evicted a lot of the people…read morewho were bringing the place down. This is an amazing place for artists and The owner has multiple pieces of land. I lived there and finished a lot Of my schooling and was able to travel with awesome people I met.

This place is a total hoot. Go for Chicken Shit Bingo, you will not be disappointed. It's one of a…read morekind.

It's a cool place with mostly friendly people and 2 pleasant for the most part, bartenders the last…read more3 times we went in there. My boyfriend and I will go to Bike Farm next door for bike service. We've have a few beers at Little Longhorn etc, but this one time (4:30 pm on a Wednesday) we went in recently. NO ONE was in there and I set my bag on a barstool, of maaaaaany open barstools. An older man walks up and says' "I MADE THIS BAR WITH HOOKS so you can put your purse underneath. It wasn't what he said, it was how he said it with a condescending attitude and tone. I was apparently a menace or "youngin" being rude. I removed my purse from the stool and put it on the way too tiny hook for anyone's bag and then LITERALLY NO ONE sat there the next 40 minutes until we left. I'm always thoughtful, that if it's a crowded place, that I wouldn't take up a stool with my bag . Him, his comment and attitude were unnecessary. Whether he "built" the bar or not. You're running customers off by having a shit attitude. See you never LLS and crappy attitude old man "who built the bar"

Came here for the AFI concert. I liked the venue and it seemed really organized. I had a cranberry…read morevodka and it was reasonably priced. We had table seating and the view was nice. The employees were very helpful getting us in and out of there with ease.

I'm only reviewing for the tour of the facility (not a live show), but it was the highlight of my…read moretrip to Austin. Our tour guide Gordon was a gem. He had so many nuggets about the venue and performers. The photographs and art were amazing. Being able to walk on and around the stage was killer. Seeing the green room and backstage operations was fun. If you can take the tour, do it.