121. Threadgill’s
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 451-5440
Address: 6416 North Lamar Blvd.
Description: With two Austin locations, the original “Old No. 1” on North Lamar and the “World Headquarters” on Riverside, Threadgill’s embodies Austin music history. Both of these excellent restaurants offer some of the best down-home cooking around these parts, but they also are an integral part of the music scene, serving up a juicy selection of musical acts. The evening music schedule varies at both the North Lamar indoor spot and the Riverside outdoor beer garden, although both have Sun brunch shows around 11 a.m. The North Lamar brunch features bluegrass music; at Riverside it’s gospel. Another location is at 301 West Riverside Dr. (512-472-9304).
122. Beerland
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 479-7625
Description: The Austin American-Statesman calls this punkish club with a gay vibe “the heart and soul of Red River Street,” although well-established Emo’s down the block might dispute that. The decor is Old World cabaret.
123. The Chuggin’ Monkey
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 476-5015
Address: 219 East Sixth St.
Description: With a name like Chuggin’ Monkey, this club was destined for Sixth Street. The stage is tiny but it is right up front on Sixth. The Monkey packs in the crowds.
124. Elysium
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 474-2285
Address: 705 Red River St.
Description: Specializing in synthpop, gothic, industrial, rock, EBM (electronic body music), as well as alternative rock and electronica genres, Elysium is one popular nightspot for those who eschew the ordinary. The club presents live music on Thurs and Fri; DJs the other nights.
125. Emo’s
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 505-8541
Address: 603 Red River St.
Description: This Austin club just off Sixth Street is drawing oodles of fans for its eclectic mix of underground music. With two stages, one inside and one outside, there’s always an act worth seeing. If it’s punk/indie/electronica/garage/emo stuff you like, Emo’s is your place.
126. Flamingo Cantina
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 494-9336
Address: 515 East Sixth St.
Description: Calling itself “Austin’s Good Vibes Club,” this well-established place is where Austin goes to hear the city’s best reggae music, as well as ska, Latin, and world beat. You might also catch some hip-hop, rock, or alternative acts. Carpeted bleachers line two walls, offering great views of the band onstage. Of course there’s a dance floor, for when swaying in your seat just isn’t enough, and an upstairs open-air deck for dancing under the stars.
127. Maggie Mae’s
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 478-8541
Address: 323 East Sixth St.
Description: With three different stages offering simultaneous music on weekends, an airy rooftop bar upstairs, and private courtyard downstairs, Maggie Mae’s has no trouble drawing a crowd. Named for a famous London lady of the evening, Maggie Mae’s offers live music most nights. One band is featured during the week, but on Fri and Sat this 2-story club rocks with different types of music in three different rooms, including at least two live bands. The building, originally a general store built in 1874, predates Sixth Street’s historic Driskill Hotel by a dozen years. Maggie Mae’s is one of this strip’s longest running and most successful clubs.
128. Mohawk
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 912 Red River St.
Description: This popular spot on the outer limits of the Sixth Street Entertainment District says it draws its inspiration “not from the hairdo,” but from the Native American culture of the Northeast. An eclectic mix of music—hip-hop, jazz, indie, rock, and so on—is offered on both the indoor and outdoor stages Thurs through Sun. By the way, the club says if you happen to have a mohawk (the hairdo) “bring it on over.”
129. The Parish
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 473-8381
Insider Pick:
Description: This has been a hot Sixth Street nightclub for quite some time, and deservedly so. Austin American-Statesman music critic Michael Corcoran has called it “one of the last places to hear live original music on Sixth Street” and “Austin’s most handsome room.” All sorts of top bands play in this acoustically excellent space.
130. Red Eyed Fly
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 474-1084
Address: 715 Red River St.
Description: The emphasis seems to be on rock and funk here, but really it’s an electrically eclectic mix of great sounds, with some heavy metal and a bit of country rock tossed in the mix. There’s definitely some musical experimentation going on here.
131. Red 7
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 476-8100
Address: 611 East Seventh St.
Description: If you like punk and hardcore music—and who doesn’t?—you’ll love Red 7. Great bands perform outdoors on the covered stage.
132. Stubb’s
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 480-8341
Address: 801 Red River St.
Insider Pick:
Description: It’s hard to say which is more enticing at this Austin hangout, the excellent barbecue or the live music acts that perform on both the indoor and outdoor stages. The building itself is a historical gem. Built in the 1850s, it has been remodeled into a 6,000-square-foot 2-level restaurant with mahogany and cherry bars that date from the 1870s. Outdoors, two decks and bars overlook the stage. Today Stubb’s showcases both national touring acts and some of Austin’s finest musicians. The Gospel Brunch every Sun is not to be missed—reservations highly recommended.
133. Iguana Grill
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 266-8439
Address: 2900 RR 620
Description: The excellent view of Lake Travis and the great Mexican restaurant draw crowds of Austinites and out-of-towners, but the Iguana also offers live music mainly Fri through Sun starting around 6:30 p.m., and on random other nights. Check the website for the music calendar.
134. Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 394-7511
Address: 2905 Pearce Rd.
Description: Getting raves from Austin crowds since 1954, and newly updated and expanded in 2010, this is a super-casual place where you can just boat right up to the dock and hop in for a burger, a beer, or an evening of live music. Located on Lake Austin, Ski Shores is one of our favorite outdoor eateries. The stage, presenting Austin singer/songwriters during the summer, is so close to the water that the wake from the boats going by could almost serve as the rhythm section.
135. Starlight Terrace at The Oasis
City: Austin, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (512) 266-2442
Address: 6550 Comanche Trail
Description: Situated high above Lake Travis, the Oasis is famous for its fabulous view of the sunset. But the multilayered outdoor decks are also perfect for dining—and for listening to live music. The bands play all kinds of music, including Top 40, jazz, salsa, and much more. Austin bands, performing both original hits and popular contemporary music, make this place an inviting stop for those who want to experience the outdoor music scene in Austin.