Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: Austin - where to go for music?

  1. #1
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    735

    Default Austin - where to go for music?

    Heading to Austin in a month for a few days and wanted to know of any places to hear some good picking.

    I'll definitely be spending some time at Fiddlers Green. Any other shops in the area worth visiting?

    Could also use some suggestions on clubs to hear good music, and of course everyone's favorite BBQ joint.

    I'll be staying downtown, but am willing to Uber to a great spot.

  2. #2
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Check out Central Texas Bluegrass Association. They are very active on Facebook and list the shows going on around town and the area. Sundays, there is a Bluegrass brunch at Wild. Then there is a jam session at Oskar Blues. Monday night is bluegrass night at Radio Coffee and Bar, Thursday is Bluegrass night at St. Elmo brewery.

    https://www.facebook.com/CentralTexa...ssAssociation/

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mark Seale For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    String-Bending Heretic mandocrucian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    3,210

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    The Austin Chronicle is the source for what's going on in the Austin area! The paper is online.

    https://www.austinchronicle.com/

    Be sure to check out their Live music listings. Whatever the genre, it's around!

    https://www.austinchronicle.com/even...ic/2019-02-01/

    Check out Erik Hokkanen if he's playing anywhere in town that weekend. An inductee in the Texas Swing Hall of Fame. (my "kid brother")

    Niles H

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mandocrucian For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Registered User Jon Hall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Nacogdoches Texas
    Posts
    1,295

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    You should also see if Paul Glasse is playing somewhere.

  7. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jon Hall For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland north
    Posts
    277

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Seeing Paul Glasse would be a good reason to take a trip to Austin!

  9. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Idaho/Arizona 50/50
    Posts
    65

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    If you are going I would schedule a tour of Tom Ellis's shop. He is a really nice guy and a fantastic craftsman. It would be a visit
    that you would not regret.

  10. The following members say thank you to Keith Johnston for this post:


  11. #7
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Hall View Post
    You should also see if Paul Glasse is playing somewhere.
    If you catch the right week, he'll have a duo gig at Evangeline Cafe in South Austin. Those are not to be missed!

  12. #8
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ann Arbor/Austin
    Posts
    6,281

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Seale View Post
    If you catch the right week, he'll have a duo gig at Evangeline Cafe in South Austin. Those are not to be missed!
    +1 on Evangeline Cafe, even if PG is not playing there. A bit south of town, which is a plus. And the food is pretty good.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

  13. #9
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Seattle WA
    Posts
    821

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Last time I was there I found some great music around West Ave and 7th-ish (btw Via Pizza is near there and worth a shot. No NY pizza, but good)

    6th Street is fun too - though touristy. They close the street to cars around ~8p and you can walk around with drinks in hand from bar to bar. Pretty fun
    Information on lessons, gigs, and misc musical stuff: www.mattcbruno.com
    Weekly free Mandolin Lessons: www.mattcbruno.com/weekly-posts/
    My gear and recommendations: www.mattcbruno.com/gear-recommendations/
    Cooking fun: www.mattcbruno.com/quarantine-cookbook/


    Mando's in use
    Primary: Newson 2018
    Secondary: Gibson F9 2014
    Primary Electric: Jonathan Mann OSEMdc 5

  14. #10
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ann Arbor/Austin
    Posts
    6,281

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    The venerable Cactus Cafe should be on your list, Kevin, if you are up in the FG neighborhood / 38th st. neighborhood. It's on UT campus in the Union but is a great venue. Classic.

    Arguing about "the best bbq" is a Yankee thing. Discussing your "favorite bbq" is more true Texan. The "best" bbq in Austin, though, is really in Lockhart or Luling or Lexington or Taylor. You can Uber out there instead of standing in line at some Food Channel pick.

    My favorite hole-in-the-wall place for 'cue is House Park over on 12th street. You can walk over there from downtown. Or go to Ruby's after you been to Fiddler's Green. it isn't the best, but it's good. And it's close to our place.

    Despite all the hype around Franklin's, I always preferred John Mueller's 'cue. John's got a place open again up in Georgetown. No disrespect to Aaron, and I'm glad he is back in biz, he but I am too stubborn to wait in line that long and too ornery to deal with all the hype, and you can drive to Smitty's in Lockhart and get back to Austin while your buds are still in line.

    Then there's the whole discussion about tacos.....

    Have fun!

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

  15. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    St Paul, Minn
    Posts
    569

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    As far as music goes....it is all hit or miss. I rarely go north of the river for music. Continental Club, Saxon a couple other small clubs...for some reason whenever I am in town I keep getting disappointed. Just me I guess. I know it is there. I just keep missing it.
    Then again BBQ. Not going to miss on going to Lockhart. Which one? What a nice choice. But a local in Lockhart mentioned something about a joint in Luling....or somewhere around there.

    Always keep an eye on Old Settlers lineup...

    I'm going down to the Greyhound station, gonna get a ticket to ride.

    And just going up the "freeway bridge to nowhere" from Austin to Lockhart is worth the drive. Especially if you don't scare easy and have passengers that do.

  16. #12
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crockett, TX
    Posts
    1,058

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    For music stores Fiddler's Green is a must, glad you are going there.

    Also Austin Vintage Guitars is a great place. You won't find any/many mandos to speak of, but acoustic and electric guitars abound. South Austin Music is also a good store. If it is mainly about mandos, then Fiddler's Green is your place.

    Since you are downtown, I'm partial to Taco Shack on Brazos and 4th. Good stuff. Juan in a Million, on Ceasar Chavez, isn't very far away from downtown and is great also.

    If you like the outdoors, or swimming, Barton Springs, not far from downtown, is one of the most beautiful places in Austin.
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  17. The following members say thank you to ccravens for this post:


  18. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Texas Hill Country
    Posts
    43

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Howdy Kevin,
    Texas native here, but I'm new to the hill country, and my wife and I have been exploring the music scene and BBQ places a bunch this year.

    There are more shows going on daily than you can shake a stick at within an hour of Austin--so choose your flavor. Gruene Hall is an hour from Austin towards San Antonio, but well worth the trip, great little Texas town, restaurants, shops, and of course the oldest dance hall in the state...local and national acts. Ricky Scaggs was there recently.
    In the same area---Whitewater Amphitheater is hosting Willie Nelson in April????

    Fiddler's Green is a really nice shop---great mandolin selection--have the t-shirt to prove it!

    Collings shop is open on Friday afternoon for a tour---mandolin and guitar stuff, friendly bunch, very impressive and informative.

    BBQ---no one mentioned the Salt Lick yet....great place close to town. Get the all you can eat plate sampler if you are not from here, gives you a great variety to sample, and the desserts will hurt you! You can start a fight in Texas arguing about the "best" bbq. Black's in Lockhart is probably my favorite.

    Hope this helps. Have a great visit!

  19. #14
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crockett, TX
    Posts
    1,058

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by catndahats View Post
    You can start a fight in Texas arguing about the "best" bbq. Black's in Lockhart is probably my favorite.
    True.

    You can even start a fight about the "best" bbq in Lockhart! I love Black's, but many people swear by Kreuz, Chilsom Trail, and Smitty's has its fans.

    I'm torn between Kreuz and Black's. You really can't lose..
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  20. #15
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    735

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by ccravens View Post
    True.

    You can even start a fight about the "best" bbq in Lockhart! I love Black's, but many people swear by Kreuz, Chilsom Trail, and Smitty's has its fans.

    I'm torn between Kreuz and Black's. You really can't lose..
    This is exactly what I was hoping to hear...

    Also interested in favorite taco joints. Fair warning: the taco scene here in PDX is really REALLY good. My bar is high...

  21. #16
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crockett, TX
    Posts
    1,058

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Winn View Post
    This is exactly what I was hoping to hear...

    Also interested in favorite taco joints. Fair warning: the taco scene here in PDX is really REALLY good. My bar is high...
    I mentioned a couple in my previous post. There are MANY to choose from!
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  22. The following members say thank you to ccravens for this post:


  23. #17
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Winn View Post
    This is exactly what I was hoping to hear...

    Also interested in favorite taco joints. Fair warning: the taco scene here in PDX is really REALLY good. My bar is high...
    Solve both with Valentina's TexMexBBQ. Incredible food and tacos. These days, you don't really have to go to Lockhart for better BBQ. My in town favorite is actually Stiles Switch up on N. Lamar. If you do go to Lockhart, my preference is Blacks. Kreuz is not the same since the family split and they opened the big joint out on the edge of town. You can go up to Taylor to Mueller's, which is where a bunch of the in-town BBQ places learned, or go out to Llano to the original Coopers.

    https://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/

  24. #18
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Posts
    2,874

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Definitely try and visit Tom Ellis, you'll meet Pava as well.
    Of course go to Fiddlers Green
    BBQ: I agree you don't have to go out of town, there are many in Austin: Blacks (on Guadalupe, not the one on Barton Springs), Iron Works next to the Convention Center; County Line (either one); for a different experience, try House Park BBQ on 12th St just east of Lamar...a classic BBQ joint open only for lunch weekdays, been there since the late '40's.
    I'm also South Austin, so for music I will list: Continental Club; Saxon Pub; Radio Coffee; Evangeline Cafe (Monday is Austin Cajun Aces). Also check out schedule etc on the website for Austin Friends of Traditional Music www.aftm.us
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

  25. The following members say thank you to Capt. E for this post:


  26. #19
    ************** Caleb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    DFW, Texas
    Posts
    3,676

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    The Collings tour is fun (and free).
    ...

  27. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Driftwood, Texas, USA
    Posts
    276

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    I play the second Wednesday of every month at Evangeline Cafe, on Brodie Lane, in South Austin. Music is 7-9 PM, always a duo with someone really good. The food is great and the people are really nice.
    Paul Glasse
    Driftwood, Texas
    http://paulglasse.com

  28. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to pglasse For This Useful Post:


  29. #21
    Registered User doc holiday's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    alberta
    Posts
    1,337

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Hall View Post
    You should also see if Paul Glasse is playing somewhere.
    Definitely see Paul Glasse &
    definitely Redd Volkaert's 3pm saturday set at the Continental!
    Last edited by doc holiday; Feb-09-2019 at 3:15pm.

  30. #22
    Scroll Lock Austin Bob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Austin, Tx - some call it heaven
    Posts
    1,183

    Default Re: Austin - where to go for music?

    Check out Austin Friends of Traditional Music site, they have all sorts of music listings, though many are not bluegrass. But you'll often find a mando in the mix.

    As for BBQ, hard to go wrong. I always take out of towners toRudy's first and order them the moist brisket with a side of baby back ribs. For tacos, try Torchy's. They're friendly and I can eat there at least once a month and never get tired of them.
    A quarter tone flat and a half a beat behind.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •