The Top 5 Small Live Music Venues in Austin

Austin is recognized for having one of the best music scenes in the country. You'll find live music at just about every corner of our city, from a trip to your local grocery store to an afternoon at the park. However, the best place to take in a show is at one of these small and intimate live music venues in Austin:

1. Scoot Inn
1308 E 4th St
512.478.6200

If you aren't looking carefully, this hidden gem of a venue is easy to miss. The historic Scoot Inn features a massive backyard that offers plenty of room to rock out to your favorite bands. Tickets to shows can generally be purchased for $20 or under. If you're a foodie, you'll never leave the Scoot Inn hungry, as Arlo's Curbside Kitchen food truck is a staple, located at the front of the venue.

2. Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Rd
512.474.9991

For more than 25 years, Shady Grove has been a favorite spot for locals to catch an outdoor concert while enjoying some Austin-inspired home cooking. With entrees such as the Queso Catfish or Frito Pie, how could your appetite not be satisfied? The venue offers a free weekly music series every Thursday evening from April through September called Unplugged at the Grove that is not to be missed.

3. Hole in the Wall
2538 Guadalupe St
512.477.4747

This venue is exactly what it sounds like—one of the biggest dive bars in Austin that also happens to boast a great live music scene. At this venue, you can find a good mix of beginner bands, established touring bands, and famous rockers. A few bands that got their start gracing the stage at Hole in the Wall include Spoon, Fastball and The Gourds. You can catch a free "happy hour" show every Monday through Saturday at 7 p.m. that pairs well with the venue's drink specials.

4. C-Boy's Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress Ave
512.215.0023

While we've listed several places to catch an acoustic or rock show, we would be remiss if we didn't share this notable soul and R&B club with you. Upon walking into this venue, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time to the 1960s. You will find the very best in classic soul and R&B music that Austin has to offer, and you can enjoy all of the gumbo and chicken and waffles that your heart desires.

5. The White Horse
500 Comal St
512.553.6756

We couldn't put together a list of the best small live music venues in Austin without including The White Horse. This venue offers nearly-nightly (and mostly free) shows featuring the best that East Austin honky tonk has to offer. You can't come to The White Horse without indulging in Bomb Tacos, which offers more than 20 different varieties of tacos.  

What are your favorite live music venues near our Springs apartments in Austin? Share your thoughts below!