40 Greatest Clubs in Austin Music History

There's a whole lotta history in the links

 A club is defined here as having a capacity of 1,200 or less. Such larger venues as the Armadillo World Headquarters, ACL Live, the Backyard and Austin Opera House will be ranked next. Besides fun quotient, clubs are rated on history and influence which, admittedly, gives unfair advantage to older clubs. Your time will come, Hotel Vegas.

August 1987. Will Sexton’s 17th birthday party, with Charlie Sexton, who just turned 19, David Grissom, Alex Napier, Jeff Boaz on the drums, and Joe Ely. Photo by Casey Monahan courtesy Austin History Center.

1. Continental Club 1955- present

Neville Brothers at Liberty Lunch photo Bill Leissner.

2.     Liberty Lunch 1975- 1999

3.     Skyline Club 1946-1983

4.     Charlie’s Playhouse 1958- 1973

5.     Antone’s 1975- present

Juior Wells, Muddy Waters and Kim Wilson backstage at the Antone’s on Sixth. Photo Watt Casey.

6. Black Cat Lounge 1985- 2002

7.     Soap Creek 1973- 1985

8.     Club Foot 1980-1983

Gang of Four at Club Foot Nov. 1980 Daily Texan photograph courtesy of the Briscoe Center.

9.     Rome Inn 1975- 1980

10.  Split Rail 1953- 1978

11.  Raul’s 1978-1981

Photo Drew Dillard.

12.  Vulcan Gas Company 1967-1970

13.  Emo’s 1992- 2011

14.  Cactus Cafe 1977- present

15.  Hole in the Wall 1974- present

Painting by Bob Dylan

16.  One Knite 1968-1976

17.  Back Room 1973-2006

18.  Victory Grill 1946- presen

19.  Castle Creek 1972-1976

20.  Steamboat 1978-1999

21.  Beerland 2001-2019

22.  Electric Lounge 1993-1999

23.  Saxon Pub 1990-present

24.  Mohawk 2006-present

25.  Broken Spoke 1964- present

26.  La Zona Rosa 1989- 2013

27.  New Orleans Club 1950’s- 1971

28.  Henry’s 1981-1992

29.  The Beach 1983-1986

30.  11^th Door 1965-1968

Janis Joplin at the 11th Door 1966 Photo Bob Simmons

31.  Elephant Room 1991- present

32.  Chicago House 1987-1995

33.  Chequered Flag 1967- 1971

Photo Texas Dave McGarry 1994

34.  Flamingo Cantina 1991- present

35.  Mother Earth 1972-1982

36.  Cave Club 1986-1988

Photo Dana Kolflat

37.  Alamo Lounge 1981-1983

38.  Momo’s 2000- 2011

39.  Carousel Lounge 1963- present

40. Jovita’s 1992-2012

Lou Ann Barton at the AusTex Lounge circa 1980. Photo Kathy Murray.

Honorable mention: Room 710, TC’s Lounge/ Sahara Lounge, Jade Room, Austin Outhouse, Ritz Theater, AusTex Lounge, I.L. Club, Bevo’s Westside Tap Room, La Polkita, Alliance Wagonyard, Spellman’s, Ego’s, Cannibal Club, Mercado Carribe, Original Saxon Pub, Parish, Strange Brew, Waterloo Ice House, Sam’s Town Point, Casablanca.