Welcome to Austin’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Austin. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
A small introduction to Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital of Texas, U.S., and seat (1840) of Travis County. It is situated the point at which the Colorado River crosses the Balcones Escarpment in the south-central part of the state, about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of San Antonio.
In the 1830s the first permanent Anglo settlers came and called their village Waterloo. In 1839, tiny Waterloo was chosen to be the capital of the new Republic of Texas.
In 1839, finally, the site was officially chosen as the seventh and final location for the capital of the Republic of Texas. It was incorporated under the name “Waterloo”. Shortly thereafter, the name was changed to Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas” and the republic’s first secretary of state
Business, research and development, and manufacturing concerns involving computers, computer equipment, semiconductors, telecommunications, software, and biotechnology are among the city’s major employers. Government, education, and health care services are also primary contributing economic factors. Railroads play a vital role in trade, with most international cargo traveling to international ports by rail. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened in 1999 on the site of a former U.S. Air Force base.
The city’s population is very much diverse. Less than half of its people are of European descent, more than one-third of the population is Hispanic, and African Americans and Asian Americans each constitute slightly less than one-tenth of the population. Austin’s educational resources, specifically the University of Texas (1881), which has its main campus there, have greatly contributed to growth.
Other educational institutions include Huston-Tillotson College, St. Edward’s University, Concordia University at Austin, and Austin Community College. At dusk, portions of the central city are lighted by “artificial moonlight” from mercury vapor lamps atop 17 165-foot (50-metre) tall towers (erected in 1894). Dozens of local recording studios and record labels make vital economic contributions. The South by Southwest Conference, devoted to music, film, and interactive media is held each year in March. The city is also one of the favorite moviemaking locations, and it is home to many artists associated with music and film.
The Nightlife in Austin
Austin serves a wide range of activities that one can enjoy in the night. There are some of the renowned bars, lounges, comedy clubs, and dance clubs for partying hard or you could simply enjoy a relaxing conversation with your other half while having a drink. The city has all sort of activities like you can take a beautiful ride or you can just go to the Café and can enjoy your nightlife with your friends.
Keeping in mind the diversity of people coming there. Austin is known for its cultural activities. There are other famous activities that you can do and enjoy a lot with like Elephant Room, Cap City Comedy Club, and The Goodnight. This is why it is loved for its amazing nightlife that it offers to its tourists and locals. You can enjoy the following activities especially music, comedy or visit the historical place to delight your tour with the true experience of Austin’s culture.
Elephant Room
Elephant Room is located below street level and features cool jazz in an intimate setting seven nights a week. Both local and national performance is taken to the stage and the joint is so hip that it’s not unusual to see both performers and patrons don sunglasses.
Called the epicenter of the Austin jazz scene, this lovely, little spot is the perfect place for a date and couples. Usually, shows begin around 9 pm, and with its location in the heart of downtown Austin, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy the dinner before the performance.
Stubb’s
If you want to enjoy a double dose of both restaurants and music Stubb’s is a great place as Stubb’s offers both great BBQ and live music. Its downtown location makes it Austin prominent outdoor venue which attracts big names acts across all genres of music. It also a great place to nurse a long Saturday night at Stubb’s features a gospel brunch on Sunday mornings. There really is a “Stubb” – Christopher B. Stubblefield from Navasota, Texas. Stubb’s legendary BBQ was started in Lubbock in 1968 (his sauce is even sold in grocery stores), and by the 1970s, Stubb’s restaurant in Austin became the heart and center of an explosive music scene.
The White Horse
The White Horse has quickly transformed from being an East Side neighborhood dive bar to one of the most popular bars for live music, dancing, pool, and patio hangout in town. With a rockabilly vibe, this modest place still has good prices on drinks and no cover charge for 99% of their live music shows (the only occasional exceptions are for specific artists or charity events).
Various dancers gather here; Two-Step, Zydeco and Cajun dance lessons are held weekly, and they host old-fashioned sock hops every second Sunday of the month at 9 pm. There’s a Bomb Taco truck outside for the munchies and a Popcorn machine inside. Dogs are always welcome on the patio.
Alamo Draft House
Alamo Draft house is a famous theatre. It has distinguished itself by the food and drinks service offered inside the theater, including an exceptional beer list. Other than the box office hits, they also offer periodical unique programming such as silent movies scored by local bands
playing live accompaniment, food-themed films such as Like Water for Chocolate served with a dinner matching the meals shown on screen and retrospectives of various directors and stars. Alamo has taken dinner and movie to a whole new benchmark. With five locations around town (and a sixth coming soon to Mueller), Alamo is a beautiful nightlife destination combined with several of their partner restaurants and bars.
The Goodnight
It is the newest addition to the multi-activity lounge concept, The Goodnight opened in The Village on Anderson Lane in November 2012 and bills itself as “absurdly magnificent.” Stepping into The Goodnight gives the feeling that you are stepping into an adult playground with an 80-person
social dining room, a groovy bar, and lounge where Dean Martin might feel at home, eight vintage bowling lanes, four custom billiards tables, two table-tennis courts, shuffleboard tables, an outdoor deck, and two private conference parlors. Constant live music and DJ mixing on the calendar is also there.
Continental Club
This city is known for live music, this granddaddy of them all has enjoyed its reputation as the premiere old-school music club since 1957. The likes of Willie Nelson, Tommy Dorsey, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Joe Ely have played here. Roots, country, rock, blues, jazz, Americana – the Continental Club has it all.
You’ll love the retro interior, with some of the best rockabilly, country, and swing memorabilia around. Also, don’t miss their award-winning Happy Hours. Be sure to check their website for upcoming shows, and keep your eyes open for one of the surprise guests that often take the stage unannounced; visiting celebs such as Johnny Depp have been known to jump up on stage and play.
Broken Spoke
The Broken Spoke is Texas’ most definitive dance hall and they serve up Texas’ best honky-tonk. There is a big dance floor for two-stepping while listening to a Texas legend. Take a self-guided tour of the small museum dubbed “the Tourist Trap,” where you’ll find country music curios like Bob Wills’ hat and Johnny Bush’s boots, plus photos of legends onstage at the Spoke such as Willie Nelson and George Strait. It might also be surprised to discover that the food here is pretty good, too. The barbecue and chicken fried steak both get rave reviews from customers, for good downhome Texas style cooking. And if you’re not sure of your dance moves, check out times for two-step and swing lessons, held every week.
When work proves trying and the world seems bleak, counter the dreariness with a visit to one of Austin’s best comedy clubs. These entertainment havens provide evenings of laughter and escape, ensuring that patrons walk away with a cheerier outlook and a lighter spirit. Shows can include improved, stand-up, or group comedy, and as seen at venues like The Hideout Theatre, they highlight Austin’s nightlife scene and the lightning-quick wits of local and national comics.
Cap City Comedy Club
This well-loved comedy club delivers refreshingly funny stand-up, raucous improv and a wildly popular variety show called PUNCH! A delightful deviation from the tired dinner-and-a-movie routine, the performances at Cap City frequently showcase the biggest stars in the comedy
cosmos, with past headliners including Dave Chapelle, Rob Schneider, and Carlos Mencia. Plus, you can enjoy the comedy along with drinks and snacks that are served there.
Best Nightclubs
Few pursuits tap into pleasures of nightlife more than dancing. Giving yourself over to the rhythms, the lights, and the energy is a total release.
When you want that feeling, you can go to the best dance clubs in Austin. Top DJs get things moving, and other patrons ensure that there’s plenty to see along the way.
Red Fez
A stylish club with Moorish accents, Red Fez delivers upscale ambiance to a relaxed clientele who come to drink, meet up and dance. DJs spin a mix of tunes from night to night, gracing patrons with everything from hip-hop to world music. As the night wears on, people give in their dancing urges
and heat up the floor, and you can occasionally catch sight of Hollywood celeb or two. Although drinks have a reputation for being a little pricy, they also have enough alcohol to be worthy of such fees. Hookahs, available for rent, give you the choice of ten flavors of tobacco.
Barcelona
Although it can be difficult to locate, Barcelona is certainly worth your sleuthing efforts. The hip, underground (literally) club is a stylish boîte whose pale shell is enlivened with bold and colored lighting. Bars anchor the ends of the narrow space, and private areas are peppered about.
Thanks to the preferences of individual DJs, the music changes each night, although variations of houses are prominent. Patrons take their dancing seriously, so if you can hang, Barcelona’s a beautiful place to show off your moves.
Graham Central Station
North of Austin, the Graham Central Station mega-club definitely lives up to its purpose. A jack of all nightlife trades, it clusters a variety of locations under one roof and lets patrons have their pick of the litter for a set cover charge. Denim & Diamonds feature C&W songs, Club Z offers pop hits, and Choppers is the biker-themed bar with tunes from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. If you’re ready for audience interaction, consider Alley Cats, the karaoke bar, or Wild Cats, where comely servers mingle with club-goers. Finally, the Live Room presents local bands, and a diner offers expected fare to help folks with sustenance for the night.
Oilcan Harry’s
The Can, as it’s called, has cultivated a reputation for attracting a bevy of fit, clean-cut gay men, and its appeal is longstanding. Themed activities nightly promise something special throughout the week, whether it’s karaoke, dating games or male dancers.
The dance floor stays busy too, although it’s not as hectic a place as it can be at some clubs. Three bars, including one on the outdoor patio, handle drink requests, and a pool table allows for a little competitive wagering. Straight folks are welcome to attend.
Best Restaurants
The capital of Texas, Austin is full of stellar cheap eats, family-run holes-in-the-wall, and even a Michelin star or two. The best restaurants in
Austin run the gamut from taquerias and noodle houses to rare cuisines like Portuguese and famous Texas food.
La Barbecue
La Barbecue is the most famous restaurant in the city. This restaurant specializes in Central Texas-style barbecue, slathering meats with salty and savory rubs. Meat-loving friends congregate on the
outdoor patio over smoky cuts and craft beers, and the edgy convenience store setting paired with splashy murals from artist Xavier Schipani makes it a haven for Instagrammers and food bloggers. Though La Barbecue is discovered by some as a back-up for when Franklin’s runs out, it is a carnivorous delight in and of itself.
ATX Cocina
This gluten-free restaurant has built a menu around their house-made masa, using corn sourced from farms in Mexico, which means fresh corn tortillas are a must. You’ll find mostly cocktails here which are tequila and mescal-based. Sipped by the well-heeled patrons (there is a dress code after all, “proper attire required”). The large restaurant is best for groups as well. You can come here for a birthday celebration or a dinner during a weekend getaway.
Clark’s Oyster Bar
This restaurant, especially the patio, hums day and night. You can come up with plenty of reasons to stop by. This restaurant is famous and perfect for business lunches, dates, family outings, and late
nights. East and West Coast oysters, which take center stage, are flown in daily. After oysters, split the pan-roasted Black Angus hamburger topped with gruyere, a legendary dish in Austin. The food of this restaurant is very tasty and delicious, although sometimes you have to wait for the table. Once you sit down, service here won’t make you feel rushed, even when the line’s out the door.
Elizabeth Street Cafe
The modern French-Vietnamese cafe has perfected bánh mì—the delicious breakfast versions have an egg base—with housemade, crunchy baguettes that can stand up to layers of spicy and tangy
sauces, marinated pork, local beef, and fresh sliced vegetables. You’ll see just about anyone stop by neighbors on their way to work, stylish moms after school drop-off, and couples and small groups in the afternoon swapping plates to share, and working their way through bowls of bún.
Pool Burger
Pick up a kitschy cocktail and gourmet burger from the Airstream trailer sandwiched between iconic dive bar Deep Eddy Cabaret and public swimming hole Deep Eddy. The tropical vibe here matches the post-swim patrons, who choose off the straightforward menu of excellent Wagyu beef burgers
on homemade buns (the Dazed and Confused veggie burger or the Loyal Forever double cheeseburger with ranch and pickled jalapeños are two favorites). Before you think this is just another Austin burger joint, know the place has the trademark stamp of cool from the restaurant empire that also owns Perla’s, Clark’s, and Elizabeth Street Café.
Best Bars
If your idea of nightlife includes hitting a bar for drinks and socializing, then is the best place to enjoy your night. We’ve located the best bars in Austin for hanging out and kicking back in. From long-lived mainstays like The Library Bar to busy places like Málaga Tapas & Bar. We present the top bars in town where you can enjoy with your friends at night.
Barfly’s
The epitome of dive bars in the city of USA, Austin, the perfect recipe for a successful dive has been achieved by barflies. All right, it’s more than that; it’s also a stellar jukebox, pool tables, foosball,
arcade games, a covered outdoor smoking patio, and friendly barkeeps. Join the eclectic and welcoming crowd any night of the week for enjoyment. Conversation, music and tasty drinks like the Happy Meal are Barfly’s special Lonestar and Jaeger combo.
The Jackalope
The Jackalope in Austin, TX, is liked by local people. This bar’s atmosphere is a bit like its namesake. It is odd but strangely lovable. In addition to the killer jukebox, outdoor area and excellent happy
hour specials, one of The Jackalope’s biggest draws is the scrumptious bar fare served until 1:30 am. Black and blue cheeseburger paired with the perfect drink, selected from 42 bottled beers, 14 drafts, magnificent frozen margs, and the famous Guinness Bloody Mary. It is the most favorite food ordered by the people who visited The Jackalope.
Shangri-La
With a watering hole type feel and a peculiar environment, Shangri-La definitely caters to the college crowd and is naturally a favorite among the young locals. It has a large outdoor patio, lots
of pool tables, old school video game arcade cabinets, and plenty of other fun oddities to keep you coming back. On the weekends, the joint opens up a second full bar and has a long happy hour period for the influx of students off of school and work.
Scholz Garten
Texas’s oldest tavern is still thriving, even after nearly 150 years in business, and its fascinating history is rooted in the German Biergarten tradition. Over the years, the place has welcomed innumerable
politicians, writers, artists, and musicians. Henry and his wife (active in local singing groups) even performed here a few times. Today, the place continues to be a favored bar, and it offers a good selection of beers and traditional German and Texan foods like bratwurst and barbecue. A great hangout.
Conclusion
All in all, Austin is a great place to enjoy your trip thus it can be said that Austin has a memorable historical association with the war events. We described a brief history of the city along with the details of how it came into being. We also discussed the Population, Climate, and Economy of the state.
We then put a light on several places to hang out with your friends and family in the night time. The Goodnight, Cap city comedy club and Elephant Room topped the list.
If we talked about the nightlife of the city, we established how easy it is to find a good club and bars to enjoy with your friends or family or a date. Such bars could really offer some great pre-made cocktails for you or you could just ask for a special drink to be served especially for you.
If you are feeling hungry you don’t need to worry, we also have suggested some of the finest restaurants in the city of Austin that offer exotic and delicious food along with your favorite drinks. You can really enjoy the taste of good food along with some great booze. And lastly, we went through a comprehensive list of Nightclubs that offered great music with some delightfully exotic options for drinks and cocktail that will polish your overall experience.
Make sure to check out the above recommendations and visit these places whenever you go on a trip of Austin so that you won’t miss the best options and will remember your trip forever.
