Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World" (self-proclaimed, not verified, but not wrong). Here's the current state of the scene.
Dirty 6th Street: The stretch between Congress and I-35 is the tourist strip. Bars packed together, live music pouring out of every door, bachelor/bachelorette parties everywhere. It's loud, messy, and fun. The music quality varies wildly — some bars have excellent bands, some have a guy with an acoustic guitar playing Wonderwall.
West 6th / Rainey Street: The "upgraded" nightlife districts. Fancier bars, cocktail lounges, rooftop patios. Less live music, more DJ sets. This is where the 28-35 crowd goes.
The actual music scene:
- Red River Cultural District — Mohawk, Cheer Up Charlies, Stubb's, and Hotel Vegas are the venues that matter. This is where touring indie bands play. This is the real Austin music scene.
- Continental Club (South Congress) — Live music since 1957. Blues, country, soul. The Tuesday night residencies are legendary.
- Antone's — The blues club. Stevie Ray Vaughan played here before he was Stevie Ray Vaughan.
- C-Boy's Heart & Soul (South Congress) — Blues, R&B, soul. Small room, loud music, great cocktails.
The challenges:
- Noise complaints from new condo developments near live music venues. People move next to a music venue and then complain about the music.
- Venue closures. The economics are brutal. Rising rents kill small venues.
- The "agent of change" ordinance: Texas passed a law protecting existing music venues from noise complaints by new development. It helps. Not enough.
Source: Austin Music Commission, Red River Cultural District, Austin Chronicle
Antone's is sacred ground. The blues history in that room is unmatched. See a show there before it's gone.