Austin Nightlife

Austin nightlife revolves largely around live music, and there are certainly enough clubs to find DJs and dancing. Good Austin clubs can be found in and around the Downtown District, and complementing them are a number of bars to satisfy every possible taste and preference. When a break from the Austin dance clubs and bars is in order, the city has a lot to offer in the way of the performing arts. You can also try to catch a movie at any number of venues, including the historic Paramount Theatre.

There are lots of options for fun things to do in Austin once the sun goes down, though you don't have to wait until darkness falls to start your nightlife experience. The majority of the bars in the Texas Capital offer enticing happy hour specials that are worth taking advantage of, and since the city is full of excellent restaurants, getting some dinner and drinks before you hit the town can always be in the cards. Once the sun finally sets, the Austin clubs and bars start to heat up, especially on the weekends and when big time festivals such as SXSW, Austin City Limits, and the Texas Biker Rally are going on.

The 6th Street Entertainment District and the Warehouse District are where some of the best nightlife in Austin Texas is to be had, and Red River Street is not to be overlooked. Between these three Downtown districts, visitors are bound to find Austin clubs and bars that suits their needs, not to mention satisfying restaurants. The 6th Street Entertainment District is an especially renowned Austin nightlife hot spot, and if you want to stay close to all the action, the landmark Driskill Hotel can be found right in the heart of this area.

The mix of bars, pool halls, dance clubs, and restaurants in Downtown Austin is pretty impressive, with the 6th Street Entertainment District and Red River Street being the best places to catch a live music performance in the heart of town. The Warehouse District is more about expensive dining experiences and martini sessions, catering primarily to the slightly older crowd.

Anyone who is interested in enjoying some Austin nightlife can also keep the SoCo area in mind when trying to figure out where to go. Centered around South Congress Avenue, this area to the immediate south of Downtown Austin is where the Continental Club can be found, not to mention a variety of neighborhood bars. The Continental Club is an Austin nightlife landmark, thanks to the fact that it has hosted more than its fair share of top musical acts. When SoCo visitors aren't hanging out at a neighborhood bar or checking out some live music at the Continental Club, they might see what's on tap at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Set on the shores of Lady Bird Lake, this venue near the heart of SoCo offers a variety of cultural events, including live music performances and theater productions.

The best nightlife in Austin Texas isn't only centered around the Downtown District. Over on the shores of Lake Travis, for example, an outdoor amphitheater can be found, and as is true of the Continental Club, it has hosted many renowned acts over the years. Downtown is where most of the nighttime fun can be had in Austin, however, and there are plenty of good Downtown hotels for those who want to stay close to the action. The SoCo area is also home to some enticing lodging establishments that offer proximity to the best nightlife in Austin Texas.