Austin: The Music Scene in the Texas Capital City
Austin has garnered the reputation as being one of the most important music centers in all of the United States. One of the reasons why Austin has garnered this accolade is because of the outstanding music venues of different types that exist in the city.
Mohawk
912 Red River Street
The Mohawk is a popular Austin destination for live music and libations. Mohawk opened its doors in 2006 on the corner of Red River and 10th and has been a proverbial “happening place” ever since.
The Mohawk makes it a point to tell the world that “all are welcome” at the venue. This in includes a mix of different types of musical performers and patrons from all walks of life.
In addition to its great performers, Mohawk has gained a solid reputation for its adult libations and commitment to the local community. The Mohawk bar serves over 100 locally brewed small craft brews as well small batch spirits.
The Continental Club
1315 South Congress Avenue
The Continental Club hearkens back to another era. The Continental Club opened its doors for the first time in 1955. It now has the distinction of being the oldest continually running club in Austin.
The Continental Club has seen many incarnations before becoming the leading live music venue that it is today. When it first went into business, The Continental Club was described as a “swanky” supper club. It then transformed into Austin’s first burlesque club. After that, The Continental Club morphed into a working person’s pub, opening its doors at 7:00 a.m.
By the late 1970s, The Continental Club became the spot for a wide array of musical performers in Austin, which carries through to today. In the early 1980s, the venue was remodeled to its original design and to reflect as much as possible the look of the place when it opened its doors in 1955. That décor, with ongoing improvements, has remained to this day.
Friends Bar
208 East 6th Street
Friends has a laid back atmosphere and features live music nearly every night of the weekend. On weekends, live performances are followed by music presented by one or another of the Friends house DJs.
Friends is located in the heart of the Austin Historic District. Live music on Friday and Saturday starts as early at 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, like music at Friends begins at 7:30. Friends has become a prime spot for some of the lest local talent in Austin.
Austin Music Hall
208 Nueces Street
Austin Music Hall features a considerable array of solid talent on its stage the year around. This includes musicians performing in a number of different genres.
The Austin Music Hall has been around for a good amount of time. This has allowed it the ability to establish a reputation for quality music in a community filled with excellent performers.
ACL at the Moody Theater
310 Willie Nelson Boulevard
The iconic Austin City Limits remains a premiere musical presenter in the Texas Capital City. ACL hosts musical performances throughout the month at the Moody Theater.
Concerts featuring different types of performers are the staple at ACL at the Moody Theater. These musicians include national, regional, and local performers.
Austin City Limits has been a nationally recognized program since the mid-1970s. Since that time, the performers associated with Austin City Limits have been part of the ACL television program on PBS.
The White Horse
500 Comal Street
The White Horse is a fairly new destination for live music in Austin. In a fairly short time, The White Horse has established itself as a great venue for rockabilly, rock, and country.
The venue comes complete with a large dance floor and definitely has a honkytonk look and feel. The White Horse features some of the best local performers every night of the week. In addition to a full menu of adult libations, The White Horse has a reputation for serving some of the best barbecued chicken in Texas.
Sahara Lounge
1413 Webberville Road
The Sahara Lounge presents one of the most eclectic mixes of life music to be found anywhere in Austin. When at Sahara Lounge, you might hear Brazilian one night, funk the next, and swing after that. To say that there is something for everyone at Sahara Lounge most definitely is not an understatement.
In its prior incarnation, the building that houses Saharan Lounge was a lively blues joint. The vibrant tradition of top-notch live music, now of different genres, carries on today.
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Jessica Kane is a writer for Viking Fence, the number on fence rental company in Houston.
