Texas capital? Sure, but what about the music?

Michael Ventre

Many will recognize Austin as the state capital of Texas. But to many, it holds an even more distinguished title: “Live Music Capital of the World!”

Although the statehouse displays portraits of Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush, the many stages of this upbeat, energetic college town are where the real hero-worshipping takes place.

Austin has gained the reputation as a welcome mat for some of the most creative and innovative musical acts in the country and, indeed, around the world. As a result, the locals have developed a sophisticated palate for music, demanding excellence in a nice way.

The reason is simple: The acts that are coming along now have tough acts to follow.

The list below purportedly is “The Top 10 Most Popular Venues to See Live Music in Austin.” However, a caveat: This is a sampler for the traveler diving into Austin for the first time. There are loads of top-notch places to see great live music in Austin, and while the quality of the bookings all around town is uniformly high, certain venues might fluctuate a bit from season to season. Only the most fanatical music freaks residing in Austin can tell if Venue A has “gone downhill lately” or if Venue B “is really cranking the past few weeks.”

The following 10 provide a nice cross-section of popular places designed to satisfy a variety of tastes: 

ANTONE’S
213 W. 5^th St.
(512) 320-8424

One of the top blues venues in the U.S., Antone’s is a reliable host for some of the top regional and national acts. It has two long bars with no stools and a large area where folding chairs are brought in for patrons to sit on, and a modest cover charge. And it has a few cocktail tables with stools. But you don’t go to Antone’s to sit still. Some of the premier blues greats have graced the large and accessible stage over the years, including Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Pinetop Perkins. But while it specializes in blues, Antone’s also has expanded its sphere to include other musical genres as well. Founded by Clifford Antone in the 1970s, it has helped launch the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughn and the Fabulous Thunderbirds and remains one of Austin’s most important music landmarks.

EMO’S
603 Red River Street
(512) 477-3667

If various forms of indie rock ring your chimes, then check out Emo’s, regularly one of the most vibrant clubs in town for “alternative lounging.” It has two stages and a patio area where you can kick back and choose from a bevy of beers, but be prepared for a gritty street scene with lots of tattoos, piercings and wall-to-wall bodies. It can get crowded, but it’s also loads of fun. The music is no-frills, peel-the-paint rock, much of it (but not exclusively) of the punk variety involving both local and touring alternative bands. It attracts a younger, edgier crowd, since it is just a short walk from the beehive of activity that is Sixth Street. If this is your scene, Emo’s won’t let you down.

THE CONTINENTAL CLUB
1315 South Congress Avenue
(512) 441-2444

This is an intimate and friendly joint along a funky stretch of South Congress, just over the bridge and outside of downtown.  It started as a burlesque club, but new owners took over in the ‘70s and began booking acts like Stevie Ray Vaughn (a statue of the late great guitar maestro is not far away from here along the river), Kinky Friedman and the Butthole Surfers. Then more new owners moved in and “retro” fitted the place. Now the retro theme prevails in the décor and in the acts. Such local legends as the Blues Specialists, the Mother Truckers and Redd Volkaert will keep you pleasantly immersed in their brand of blues-rock while you sip happy hour drinks. Usually you can catch an early show and skip the cover, which kicks in at 9 p.m. when they kick you out if you haven’t paid. But it’s worth the dough for a real taste of Austin flavor.

THE ELEPHANT ROOM
315 Congress Avenue
(512) 473-2279

The jazz snob, the jazz neophyte and the occasional jazz enthusiast will all be comfortable in the cool basement that is the Elephant Room. But regardless of your level of knowledge and expertise in the area, this is most assuredly serious jazz. It’s the kind of place you’d see in a ‘50s film involving a jazz hangout in which everybody wears sunglasses — sophisticated, yet comfortable and unpretentious. Most of the acts are relatively local, but they book an occasional touring attraction as well. The Elephant Room is below street level, of course — most basement spaces are these days — so it’s possible to walk past two or three times before finding it. There is a full bar, beer on tap, and a small cover on weekends. There is also smoke, as Austin works out its revised smoking ordinance.

LA ZONA ROSA
612 W. Fourth Street
(512) 263-4146

Located in the Warehouse District a few blocks from the core of downtown Austin, this relatively simple club books an eclectic array of both up-and-coming acts as well as nationally known headliners like Willie Nelson, Slayer, Los Lobos, Blues Traveler, Johnny Winter and Neko Case. There is a club side and a larger stage. People storm the big stage to get to the front, there is no seating and it can get rather crowded. Capacity is around 1,200, and for the hotter attractions you can count on all of them showing up. But La Zona Rosa’s reputation is in its booking. It regularly boasts one top show after another. While the comfort level is dicey, who needs comfort when you’re busy moving to the music?

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