Blues Venues in Austin, TX

Antone's Nightclub is a 700-capacity 21+ Austin institution established in 1975 by the late Clifford Antone, widely credited as one of the founding rooms of the Austin blues and roots music scene. Located in downtown Austin, the room has hosted decades of legendary performances and remains one of the most respected blues venues in the country. This is a room with a serious history that expects acts to bring something real.

C-Boy's Heart and Soul is a 21+ lounge in Austin presenting live music seven days a week, introduced by Continental Club owner Steve Wertheimer as a dedicated soul and blues room. The programming leans hard into soul, R&B, and blues, and the Continental Club pedigree means the room takes music seriously.

Donn's Depot is a 200-capacity 21+ Austin bar built inside an actual train depot car, running live music six nights a week, Monday through Saturday. Mondays through Fridays are reserved for regular performers, with Saturdays open to new bookings. The room programs local acts only.

Friends Bar is a 251-capacity 21+ Austin bar running two to three shows per day, seven days a week, with Sunday through Thursday reserved for residencies and Sundays also hosting a blues jam. The volume of programming means relationships with regular performers matter more than one-off pitches. Local acts only. The venue has a PA and mixer but performers must supply their own mics, mic stands, and cables.

Lambert's Downtown Barbecue is a 190-capacity 21+ Austin institution in the carefully restored Historic Schneider Brothers Building, serving inventive BBQ and modern Texas cuisine alongside live music. The room has a full sound system and suits acts that can work a dinner crowd in a well-regarded restaurant setting.

Sahara Lounge is a 100-capacity 21+ Austin bar in the historic TC's Lounge building on East Sixth Street, preserving the building's character while running a rich and eclectic live music program. The East Sixth Street location puts it at the quieter, more neighborhood-oriented end of Austin's most active music corridor.

Stubb's Bar-B-Q is a 1,800-capacity all-ages Austin icon with two stages: an outdoor amphitheater and an indoor room, capable of hosting shows any night of the week. The outdoor stage is one of the most photographed live music venues in the country. No unsolicited booking inquiries are accepted.

The Continental Club in Austin is a 200-capacity 21+ Texas institution established in 1955 and widely considered the most important live music room in a city built on live music. The full house sound system is provided. Getting booked here carries real weight in the Austin music community.

The Saxon Pub is a 168-capacity 21+ Austin institution running live music seven nights a week on South Lamar, one of the most reliable and beloved rooms in the city for both artists and audiences. The house sound system is provided. If you have played Austin for more than a season and have not played the Saxon, it belongs on your list.

The Volstead is a 100-capacity 21+ Austin cocktail lounge and east side dive bar hybrid that serves up classic vintage drinks alongside live music, with most shows running on weekend nights. The room has a warm and unpretentious personality that makes artists and audiences feel genuinely at ease from the moment they walk in.

The Water Tank Bar and Grill is a 100-capacity 21+ northwest Austin original since 1992, offering daily specials, karaoke, and live music in a neighborhood setting that has kept regulars coming back for decades. The venue provides a stage and sound system for performers. Mics must be supplied by the performer.