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 stumbled into this bar and it is the most beautiful space. The couch/ alcove seating they have is…read moremy favorite. You can sit to face the beautiful bar and watch the old movies they play. There is no sound so if they put the words on you could know what's happening but that's not the point. The vibe is curated! Their menu takes your through time and has drinks from each decade. It's such fun experience to drink through different eras.

"No I've never been to Austin, but I kinda like the music...all the people say it's crazy but I…read moreknow they don't abuse it..." (RIP Chuck Negron) This was my "Must go to" spot on the first day we were here...and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I made a reservation per recommendation on their website and I am glad I did. As the evening went on it got very busy. The foyer where you check in reminded me of the lobby of a small theatre. There were 2 velveteen curtains separating it from the restaurant. When the curtains parted a huge room with high industrial ceilings and architecture was revealed. WOW!!!! The hostess led us upstairs to the smaller loft bar and told us to sit where ever we wanted...So, we sat with a review to the entire place! We ordered food and drinks from their huge cocktail menu. We watched the bartender make both drinks with fascination. *BTW The bartenders here need to know how to make every cocktail by heart and there are over 50 specialty cocktails! Rosie and I went with: Vodkadora - Wódka Vodka, raspberry syrup, ginger syrup, lime, soda water Cigar Box - Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, smoked black tea syrup, RR lavender bitters, tobacco essence, served on an ashtray with a flamed cinnamon stick Food: CLASSIC REUBEN w/chips - 5/5 sooo good (Rye bread with Rosemary-Garlic Butter, Corned Beef, Swiss Cheese, housemade Sauerkraut & Russian Dressing) SALADE VERTE 5/5 - light and fresh Loved the industrial space and decor. Great for large groups - don't really recommend for children ~ and that's all I have to say about that...

I can't help but wonder if this is a new account, because I am surprised there aren't more reviews…read moreabout how fantastic the Christmas Miracle on 5th Street Pop-up is! I need to know more about how the bar gets ALL THE DECOR up, because there is no surface untouched by Christmas spirit. Tickets are required to get in it seems, you can purchase different tiers and also include a drink if you want. We got a welcome shot, tiny but warmed us up. I loved the drinks I tried, they really seem to make each one unique and so tasty. They are pricey, but consider this part of the experience. Every surface is decorated and I spent some time just slowly wondering, taking videos and photos. The staff are dressed up too. There are 2 rooms and an upstairs that can be reserved for private parties. Even the railings are wrapped! If you want to go somewhere that looks like Christmas threw up while sipping on cocktails and catching up during the holidays, this is your place.

The Eleanor is right next door to The Roosevelt and is its sister bar…read more It's mainly an event space with a concrete floor, a cool curved bar, exposed ceilings, and exposed brick and wood walls. Similar in design to The Roosevelt. If you want to go The Roosevelt without reservations and waiting for space to open up, this is a great way to pass the time until then. Just like The Roosevelt, they offer N/A cocktails, classic cocktails, and house creations. The N/A espresso martini is primo. The French 75 is one of the best I've had in the U.S. House creations, Show Business, Estatua Verde, and Standing Ovation are my faves! Show Business: Hendrick's Gin, Witch Hazel, Lavender, and other flavors Estatua Verde: White rum, sherry, lime juice, and more including smoke Standing Ovation: Campari, rum, bourbon, espresso, and more. So. Much. Goodness. They get pretty busy too and service can take a bit but never so long that it's bad. In fact, it's good, especially since you're getting high-end cocktails made by talented mixologists.

Where tradition meets boot-stomping energy, The Broken Spoke is an unforgettable honky-tonk from…read morethe first step inside to the Texas Two-Step. The lively atmosphere, classic country, and welcoming crowd make it clear why it's beloved. A deep sense of history adds to its charm, making every visit part of a true Texas tradition.

The atmosphere is great and really the only reason for my one star review is the dance lessons…read more There's just no excuse for that amount of bullying and mean spiritedness. I get it, she uses toughness as a defense mechanism. That's pretty easy to see. I took both group classes and a private lesson with Terri at the Broken Spoke, and my experience was very mixed. In group classes, her style came across as blunt and a bit teasing, which I could brush off. But during a private lesson, that same approach became much more intense. For about an hour, the feedback was delivered through constant put-downs...being called things like "bitch" , the C word, made fun of my body, and other insults in what seemed like an aggressive, joking tone. Having that directed entirely at me made it feel uncomfortable and, honestly, not very fun. At the end of the lesson, she told me she was hard on me because she saw a lot of potential, which I can appreciate. It also made me feel like she may not have realized how her approach was coming across in the moment. I've since noticed the reviews here are pretty split, and that makes sense. Her teaching style is very old-school, almost drill-sergeant-like...definitely more "learn by doing" with tough love rather than gentle guidance. I can see how some people might thrive in that environment, but for me, it didn't work, especially in a one-on-one setting. Overall, I respect the history and character of the place, but I'd recommend going in with a clear expectation of the teaching style, or trying a group class first to see if it's a good fit for you.

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.

First off, for a jazz club in Austin, it has all the ambience. Good conversation, pretty solid…read morecocktails and of course, great music. It is a very lively atmosphere that's accompanied with dim lighting after a long day. I really like how it's never too crowded since they control the amount of patrons allowed. However, service is not great. I hope it's a fluke, but consistency is present on how the waiters and bartenders interact with paying music enjoyers. Could not have begged more to order drinks or get a couple waters to a full table. I suggest tipping the musicians before being met with the lack of friendly service. Or even service for that matter.

The Elephant Room is one of Austin's most widely known jazz venues. It is located below street…read morelevel on Congress Avenue. If you are claustrophobic, this might not be the best place for you. From the street level, you walk down steps to enter the club. This basement club delivers an authentic jazz experience. The dim lighting, narrow long room, and close seating create an intimate atmosphere. Live jazz musicians are hosted every night of the week, often with multiple sets, featuring a mix of local musicians, rotating house bands, and visiting musicians. Because of the tight space, you are always close to the stage. Tonight's headliner was the Concept Orchestra. Cover tonight was $7. Cocktails range $14-16. The room was pretty tightly packed creating positive vibes.

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.

This unpretentious, eclectic, festive, multi-generational dive is off the rails. Get it?…read more Named after Donn, a local legend, who plays piano or tends bar at least once a week. The authentic but repurposed train station opened in 1972. In fact, a vintage railcar serves as an elevated viewing area of the dance floor, and you may want to check out the women's caboose. Literally, the depot has a caboose for a restroom! Going on a Friday night, we paid the $10 cover and it was a little crowded, but there were a few seats at the picnic tables in the wrap-around patio and I managed to step on only a few feet on the small dance floor, dancing to Donn and his Station Masters playing honky-tonk soul, western swing, and rock and roll covers. If you want a fun night, choo-choo-choose Donn's Depot. :

Had a great time at Donn's! It's a fun little spot with lots of character and a great crowd. The…read morelive music was great, and so were the drinks. The establishment is quite small, so expect it to be absolutely packed on weekends. Another nitpick is that the stage is tucked away in the corner of the building so you won't see much of the band unless you hit the dance floor.

We had such an amazing time at White Horse in Austin! I went with my husband and my best friend,…read moreand it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We all took turns leading during the lesson. The class itself was super encouraging and easy to follow, even for beginners like us. The instructor created such a positive, welcoming environment that made learning the two-step feel effortless. After class, watching the pros hit the dance floor was incredible--so much spinning and energy, it was honestly mesmerizing! The whole place just comes alive. We had an absolute blast and made such great memories. I'd love to go back next time--and honestly, every time--we're in Austin!

Want live music and good drinks? Say no more. This honky tonk has it all: live music, a patio, an…read morearray of beers and cocktails and classic dark, smokey, divey bar vibes. It can get pretty busy during love shows so be patient of you need drinks. I'd say, go back and order another one when you're halfway done with your current drink. Worth a visit to one of Austin's longest standing watering holes.

AMAZING!!! Last time my bf and I came to this Chuy's, we…read morewere super overstimulated and vowed to never go again, but after visiting a few other locations around Austin and coming back here- I can confidently say that they by far make the best rice and enchiladas! Their rice is so fluffy and fresh and their enchiladas always come out steaming- never skimping out on the sauce also. For the first time we also finally made it to the weekday happy hour from 3-6 PM and got the $5 "chips 'n' dips" deal with a new queso; the boom-boom queso and it was amazing!! Such a great deal considering the plain queso alone during regular hours is nearing $10...

Chuy's is my favorite Mexican food spot in Austin! I love the Barton springs location near South…read morecongress as it's cute and homey. When you come here, ALWAYS order the queso - it's the best!! I ordered the chicken flautas for my main dish when we visited and they were amazing. I usually order the boom boom enchiladas but the crunch these had was delicious. We did had to ask our server to turn the fan down, at one point they had it on full blast for some reason, but other than that they brought us a bunch of chips during our meal and were very attentive. If you're in Austin, check out this spot!