Live Music Venues in Austin: The Complete Guide to Venue Management Software

Austin calls itself the "Live Music Capital of the World"—and with over 250 live music venues, it might actually be true. Whether you're a venue owner looking for free venue management software, an artist planning a Texas tour, or a booker routing shows through ATX, this guide covers everything you need to know.

The Austin Music Scene

Austin's music scene is legendary. From the honky-tonks of Sixth Street to the indie clubs of East Austin, the city offers something for every genre and every crowd size.

What makes Austin unique:

More live music venues per capita than anywhere in the US
SXSW brings the global music industry to town every March
Strong local scene that supports emerging artists
Mix of historic venues and new spaces
Year-round outdoor music weather

Iconic Austin Venues

Stubb's BBQ

Capacity: 2,100 (outdoor amphitheater)
Genre: All genres
The Vibe: Legendary outdoor venue with incredible BBQ. The indoor stage holds 400. A bucket-list venue for touring artists.

The Continental Club

Capacity: 200
Genre: Roots, country, rock, blues
The Vibe: South Congress institution since 1955. Dark, intimate, and dripping with history. The gallery upstairs is even smaller and more intimate.

Mohawk

Capacity: 800 (indoor/outdoor combined)
Genre: Indie, punk, rock
The Vibe: Red River district staple with indoor stage and outdoor patio. Great sound, artist-friendly, books diverse lineup.

Antone's

Capacity: 350
Genre: Blues, rock, soul
The Vibe: "Austin's Home of the Blues" since 1975. Stevie Ray Vaughan's home club. Now on East Fifth Street after several moves.

The Parish

Capacity: 450
Genre: Indie, electronic, hip-hop
The Vibe: Sixth Street venue with great sound and sightlines. Books national touring acts and strong local bills.

Emo's

Capacity: 1,900
Genre: Rock, punk, metal, indie
The Vibe: East Austin venue that's hosted everyone from Green Day to Radiohead. Multiple stages and outdoor space.

Venues by Capacity

Small (Under 200)

The White Horse (150 cap) - Honky-tonk, country, two-stepping
Hole in the Wall (100 cap) - Indie, rock, legendary dive
Cheer Up Charlies (150 cap) - Queer-friendly, indie, electronic
The Lost Well (100 cap) - Metal, punk, dive bar vibes
Stay Gold (150 cap) - Indie, soul, East Austin

Medium (200-800)

The Continental Club (200 cap) - Roots, country, blues
Antone's (350 cap) - Blues, rock, soul
The Parish (450 cap) - Indie, electronic
Mohawk (800 cap) - Indie, punk, rock
Empire Control Room (500 cap) - Electronic, indie, hip-hop

Large (800+)

Emo's (1,900 cap) - Rock, punk, metal
Stubb's (2,100 cap) - All genres
ACL Live at Moody Theater (2,750 cap) - All genres, Austin City Limits tapings
Bass Concert Hall (2,900 cap) - Classical, jazz, larger acts
Germania Insurance Amphitheater (14,000 cap) - Major tours

Austin's Music Districts

Sixth Street (Downtown)

The famous entertainment district. Tourist-heavy but high-traffic. Mix of cover bands, original music, and everything in between.

Key venues: The Parish, Maggie Mae's, Flamingo Cantina

Red River Cultural District

The heart of Austin's indie and alternative scene. Protected cultural district with venues that book original music.

Key venues: Mohawk, Cheer Up Charlies, Empire Control Room, Elysium

South Congress (SoCo)

More upscale, roots-focused. Home to legendary venues with serious history.

Key venues: The Continental Club, C-Boy's Heart & Soul

East Austin

Rapidly growing area with newer venues and DIY spaces. More experimental and diverse booking.

Key venues: The White Horse, Stay Gold, Hotel Vegas

Venue Management Software for Austin Venues

Austin's competitive music scene means venues need efficient booking systems. Many Austin venues use venue management software to:

Manage high volume of booking requests
Track holds during SXSW season
Coordinate with multiple bookers and promoters
Discover emerging artists

Venue Pulse is free venue management software used by Austin venues to streamline their booking process. Features include:

Calendar management with hold tracking
Booking request handling
Artist discovery
Communication tools

Learn how Venue Pulse works for venues

How to Book Austin Venues

For Emerging Artists

Build a Texas following first - Austin venues want to see you can draw
Start small - Hole in the Wall, Stay Gold, and house shows are good entry points
Network at shows - Austin's scene is tight-knit
Use Venue Pulse - Search Austin venues and send booking requests directly
Time it right - Avoid SXSW week unless you're playing the festival

For Touring Artists

Book 2-3 months ahead - Austin venues fill up fast
Consider routing - Austin pairs well with Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio
Be realistic about draw - Competition is fierce; don't oversell
Bring your own crowd - Promote heavily; don't assume Austin will just show up

What Austin Venues Look For

Professional EPK with quality recordings (how to build one)
Realistic draw estimates (honesty matters)
Social proof (streaming numbers, press, previous shows)
Professionalism in communication
Flexibility on dates and billing

SXSW Considerations

South by Southwest transforms Austin every March. For venues, this means:

Official showcases - Booked through SXSW directly
Unofficial shows - Venues book their own programming
Increased demand - Everything books up months in advance
Higher stakes - Industry attention means more pressure

If you're a venue, having solid booking management software is essential during SXSW season.

The Austin Advantage

Why Austin is worth the effort:

Industry presence - Labels, managers, and press attend shows year-round
Festival pipeline - Good Austin shows lead to ACL, SXSW, and other festival slots
Media coverage - Austin Chronicle, KUTX, and local blogs cover live music extensively
Quality audiences - Austin crowds know music and appreciate good performances
Networking - The music community is accessible and supportive

Challenges to Know

Austin isn't without challenges:

Oversaturation - Hundreds of bands compete for limited slots
Gentrification - Rising rents have closed many venues
Noise complaints - Red River district faces ongoing pressure
Pay-to-play - Some Sixth Street venues charge artists; avoid these

Getting Started

Ready to book Austin venues? Here's your action plan:

Research - Identify 5-10 venues that fit your genre and capacity
Attend shows - See the venues in person, understand the vibe
Prepare materials - Professional EPK, quality recordings, updated socials
Reach out - Use Band Voyage to plan your tour
Be patient - Austin takes time; keep building and trying

Learn more about Venue Pulse | Start planning your tour with Band Voyage

Live Music Venues in Austin: The Live Music Capital