Austin Live Music Tours | Tribe Bus Tours
Austin Live Music Tours: Your Guide to the Live Music Capital of the World
Austin’s Live Music Districts
6th Street (Dirty Sixth)
The most famous music strip in Texas:
- Vibe: Loud, crowded, energetic—the Austin party scene
- Music: Cover bands, rock, country, everything
- Best for: Bar hopping, bachelor/bachelorette parties, first-time visitors
- Tip: Most venues have no cover on weeknights
East 6th Street
The cooler, more curated sibling:
- Vibe: Hip, eclectic, local-focused
- Music: Indie, electronic, experimental, local artists
- Best for: Music enthusiasts seeking authentic Austin sounds
- Venues: Hotel Vegas, Mohawk, Volstead
Rainey Street
Historic bungalows turned bars:
- Vibe: Upscale casual, young professional crowd
- Music: DJs, occasional live acts, more background-focused
- Best for: Groups wanting music atmosphere without overwhelming volume
Red River Cultural District
Austin’s indie music heart:
- Vibe: Gritty, authentic, music-first
- Venues: Stubb’s BBQ, Mohawk, Cheer Up Charlies, Empire Control Room
- Best for: Serious music fans, discovering new artists
South Congress (SoCo)
- Vibe: Eclectic, daytime-friendly
- Music: Acoustic acts, buskers, restaurant entertainment
- Venues: Continental Club, C-Boy’s Heart & Soul
Iconic Austin Music Venues
The Continental Club
South Congress landmark since 1955. No frills, all music. Blues, rockabilly, country, and everything authentically Austin. Two shows nightly, affordable covers.
Antone’s
“Austin’s Home of the Blues” since 1975. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s launching pad. Still hosts legendary blues acts and rising stars.
Stubb’s BBQ
Indoor/outdoor venue combining great barbecue with great music. The outdoor amphitheater hosts national touring acts. Gospel brunch Sundays are legendary.
The Broken Spoke
Authentic Texas honky-tonk since 1964. Two-stepping, live country music, and a slice of old Austin. This is the real deal.
ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Home of Austin City Limits TV tapings. World-class acoustics, national touring acts, and the chance to be part of TV history.
The Parish
Intimate 6th Street venue perfect for discovering artists before they blow up. Standing room, great sound, sweaty and glorious.
Saxon Pub
South Lamar institution focused on songwriters. Three stages, seven nights a week, listening-room atmosphere.
Hotels in Austin with Live Music Events
Austin’s music scene extends into hotels, many of which host regular performances:
Hotel & Music Venue Combinations
Hotel San José: South Congress boutique hotel with courtyard bar featuring local acts and DJ sets.
The Driskill: Historic downtown hotel with elegant bar hosting jazz and acoustic performers.
Hotel Vegas: East Austin venue that’s become a music destination unto itself—part bar, part concert venue.
Geraldine’s at Hotel Van Zandt: Rainey Street restaurant with regular live music programming, rooftop views.
The LINE Austin: Lakeside hotel with Arlo Grey restaurant featuring weekend brunch entertainment.
Planning Around Hotel Music
When booking hotels in Austin with live music events, check their calendars for special performances. Many schedule local artists Thursday-Saturday evenings, making your hotel part of the Austin music experience.
Planning Your Austin Live Music Tour
Sample Evening Music Crawl (5-6 Hours)
- 6:00 PM: Party bus pickup
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at Stubb’s (BBQ + early show)
- 8:30 PM: Continental Club (South Congress legend)
- 10:00 PM: 6th Street venue hopping (2-3 bars)
- 12:00 AM: Late night music at The Parish or Antone’s
- 1:30 AM: Return transportation
Country & Western Night (4-5 Hours)
- 7:00 PM: Pickup
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at any Austin BBQ joint
- 9:00 PM: The Broken Spoke (two-stepping lessons start at 8:30)
- 11:00 PM: White Horse for late-night honky-tonk
- 12:30 AM: Return
Indie/Alternative Night (4-5 Hours)
- 8:00 PM: Pickup
- 8:30 PM: Hotel Vegas or Mohawk (check schedules)
- 10:30 PM: Empire Control Room
- 12:00 AM: Cheer Up Charlies or after-party
- 1:30 AM: Return
Why Party Bus Makes Music Tours Better
Austin’s best music venues scatter across multiple neighborhoods. An Austin party bus solves every challenge:
Venue Hopping Made Easy
Hit South Congress, 6th Street, and East Austin in one night without parking hassles or rideshare surge pricing.
No Designated Driver
Music and drinks go together. Professional transportation means everyone participates fully.
The Party Between Venues
Premium sound systems and BYOB policies turn transit time into celebration time.
Safe Late-Night Transportation
Austin’s music scene runs late. Having dedicated transportation beats navigating rideshares at 2 AM.
Group Cohesion
In Austin’s crowded venues, groups can easily scatter. The bus provides a reliable meeting point and keeps everyone together.
Austin Live Music Tips
Finding What’s Playing
- Do512.com: Comprehensive event listings
- Austin Chronicle: Weekly music calendar
- Showlist Austin: Detailed venue schedules
- Venue websites/social: Direct from the source
Cover Charges
Many Austin venues have no cover or low covers ($5-15) for local acts. Touring artists and weekends typically run $15-30. Major shows at ACL Live or Stubb’s amphitheater follow concert pricing.
Timing Your Night
- Most venues start live music between 8-10 PM
- Headliners typically go on around 10-11 PM
- Late night shows (midnight+) exist at many spots
- Sunday-Thursday are quieter but still have music everywhere
The Austin Sound
Austin doesn’t have one sound—it has all sounds. Blues, country, indie, punk, electronic, Latin, jazz… The city’s diversity means you can find almost any genre any night.
Tribe Bus Tours: Your Music Night Transportation
Tribe Bus Tours helps groups experience Austin’s legendary music scene safely and fully. Whether you’re planning a bachelorette bar crawl or a serious music exploration, we provide the transportation that makes it possible.
Why Choose Us
- Late-night service for Austin’s music hours
- Drivers who know the venues and parking situations
- Flexible timing—stay longer if a band is killing it
- BYOB keeps the party going between stops
- Safe, reliable pickup when the music ends
Popular Packages
Our bachelorette packages often include 6th Street music crawls. Bachelor parties combine live music with other Austin experiences. Corporate groups appreciate professional service for client entertainment evenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What night has the best live music in Austin?
Every night has live music, but Thursday-Saturday offer the most options. Wednesday is industry night with solid shows. Even Sunday-Tuesday have quality acts—just fewer choices.
Are there hotels in Austin with live music events?
Yes! Hotel San José, The Driskill, Hotel Vegas, and Geraldine’s at Hotel Van Zandt all host regular live performances. Check hotel event calendars when booking.
How many venues can we hit in one night?
With party bus transportation, groups typically visit 3-5 venues in a 5-6 hour evening. The bus makes transitions seamless while maximizing time at each spot.
Do we need reservations for Austin music venues?
Most venues are walk-in. Larger shows at Stubb’s or ACL Live require tickets. Some spots offer reserved tables—call ahead for special occasions.
Experience Austin’s Music Scene
The Live Music Capital awaits. Let Tribe Bus Tours handle transportation while you experience the best live music city in America.
Call us: (512) 501-4151
Visit: tribebus.com
From honky-tonk two-stepping to indie rock discoveries, we’ll get your group to the music and home safely.