City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 13729 Research Blvd.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 2700 Anderson Lane
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1120 South Lamar Blvd.
94. Gold Class Cinema
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 568-3400
Address: 3225 Amy Donovan Plaza
Description: The Domain shopping center in North Austin is home to an upscale version of the Alamo, part of the national Gold Class Cinema chain. Patrons relax in reclining seats and can request pillows, blankets and wait service for gourmet treats and beverages, both alcoholic and family friendly. Ticket prices reflect the amenities offered and come in around $30 each.
95. Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 472-5411
Address: 713 Congress Ave.
Description: The beautifully restored theater on the city’s main avenue hosts a summer film festival featuring the great classics of Hollywood. Also, given Austin’s emergence as a movie-making venue, premieres are held at the downtown theater.
96. Antone’s
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 320-8424
Address: 213 West Fifth St.
Insider Pick:
Description: If there’s one local club practically the whole world has heard of, it’s Antone’s—Austin’s home of the blues. Since 1975 this club, now in its fourth Austin location, has featured some of Austin’s best blues performers as well as top blues artists from around the country. In recent years Antone’s lineup has expanded to include rock, pop, and country acts also. This Austin institution swings with live music almost every night of the week, offering a continuous parade of some of the best live music from Austin and around the country.
97. Austin Acoustical cafe
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 474-5921
Address: 2874 Shoal Crest Ave.
Description: Want to sit back and enjoy some great acoustical music from local and national singer/songwriters, maybe even bring the kids? This alcohol- and smoke-free venue might be just the place. Located in the Lamar Activity Center, the Acoustical Cafe presents live musical acts on Sat evenings once a month. The shows begin early enough—7:30 p.m. for the headline act—to bring kiddies ages 8 and up. Of course you don’t have to be a parent to enjoy this acoustically excellent space.
98. Austin Music Hall
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 263-4146
Address: 208 Nueces St.
Description: One of Austin’s premier venues for national touring shows and local performers, the Austin Music Hall’s contribution to the local music scene is enormous. And now, thanks to a major renovation and expansion, it is bigger and better than ever. Outstanding performing artists from around the country have performed at this venue, including Bruce Springsteen, the Neville Brothers, Sarah McLachlan, and John Fogerty. This hall, which is indeed a glorified big black box with removable metal chairs for seats, also hosts the annual Austin Music Awards and other South by Southwest events.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 13742 Bee Cave Pkwy.
100. Broken Spoke
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 442-6189
Address: 3201 South Lamar Blvd.
Insider Pick:
Description: Willie Nelson has called the Broken Spoke his favorite watering hole. Texas Highways magazine has named it the Best Honky-Tonk in Texas, while Entertainment Weekly has said it’s the best country dance hall in the country. The Broken Spoke has appeared in a host of movies, documentaries, and commercials (including one for Foster’s beer that made the Spoke a household name in Australia). Since 1964 the Broken Spoke has been dishing up a steady stream of the best country music Austin has to offer—along with a full menu of down-home Texas cookin’.
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
102. Carousel Lounge
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 452-6790
Address: 1110 East Fifty-second St.
Description: Located just east of I-35, the Carousel Lounge has been serving up drinks and music since 1963. The Carousel features an eclectic range of live music—usually swing, jazz, Big Band, country, rock, or lounge acts—Tues through Sun nights. The lounge looks much as it did a quarter century ago, with those miniature jukeboxes (not in service) over the tables, an aqua-colored padded bar, and a big jukebox that’s loaded with lots of old music. This treasured Austin landmark is now being discovered by a whole new generation of music fans.
103. Cedar Street Courtyard
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 495-9669
Address: 208 West Fourth St.
Description: Jazz under the trees. Since Cedar Street opened in 1994, this lovely outdoor venue loaded with live oak trees has gained a reputation for featuring excellent local jazz musicians as well as acts from around the country. This is also the place for some good ol’ partying to the tune of some cover bands playing tunes from the 1970s and 1980s. Tucked between two buildings a few steps down from sidewalk level in the Warehouse District, this intimate setting is the perfect place for live music—7 nights a week.
104. Continental Club
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 441-2444
Address: 1315 South Congress Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Perhaps it’s the perennial odor of day-old beer that lends this club its primo atmosphere. More likely, it’s the long, long list of top Austin acts that have earned their musical wings at the Continental Club over the years—it celebrated its 53rd anniversary in 2010. Whatever the reason, the Continental Club is one of Austin’s premier live music venues, with an excellent reputation not only locally but around the country. There’s generally always somebody worth seeing within these dark walls.
105. Cool River Cafe
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 835-0010
Address: 4001 Parmer Lane
Description: This venue in far north Austin is really three distinct places in one: An elegant, and quiet, restaurant on one side; a sophisticated, and quiet, cognac lounge in the middle; and then a jam-packed and deliciously loud party bar on the other side, featuring live music and lots of dancing Thurs through Sat. This is one hot spot for both the young and old(er)—anyone who is looking for a good time.