Other entertainment in Austin
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Easily the most fun you can have at the movies: sing along with Grease, quote along with Princess Bride, or listen to professional hecklers skewer whatever movie they feel like mocking as part of the Master Pancake series. All that, and you can have food and drink delivered right to your seat.
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B
Broken Spoke
If you are ready for a little Texas two-steppin’, there is only one place you should dream of going: the Broken Spoke. This is country-and-western nirvana – a totally authentic Texas dancehall that’s been in business since 1964. Here you’ll find dudes in boots and Wranglers two-stepping around a crowded dance floor alongside hipsters, college students and slackers; many consider it an essential Austin experience. (You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot a big old oak tree propping up an old wagon wheel out front.)
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C
Emo’s
Long one of Austin’s great punk-rock clubs, the expanded Emo’s still has some of the cheapest cover charges in town. Alternative bands rule here, including quite a few touring acts. There are at least three or four bands nearly every night with punk, alternative rock and heavy-metal tendencies, and two stages along with outdoor tables. Shows are all ages unless explicitly stated otherwise.
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D
Tiniest Bar in Texas
The lounges around the Warehouse District (near the intersection of W 4th and Colorado Sts) are a bit more upscale and attract a more sophisticated crowd. Far W 6th St (from Lamar Blvd to Congress Ave) is the newest eat-and-drink destination: the fun-loving Tiniest Bar in Texas has a Wii game inside and a huge patio outside.
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E
Cactus Cafe
Inside the UT student union, this tiny venue has seen a stellar array of performers, including Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin, since it opened in the 1970s. Seating starts 45 minutes before showtime, but people start lining up even earlier. The focus is on the music, mostly acoustic.
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F
Saxon Pub
The superchill Saxon Pub, presided over by ‘Rusty,’ a huge knight who sits out the front, has music every night, mostly Texas performers in the blues-rock vein. A great place to kick back, drink a beer and discover a new favorite artist.
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G
Scholz Biergarten
Near the capitol complex, this enormous 19th-century German pub was one of O Henry’s hangouts back in the day. It’s a low-key spot, and is equally popular with politicians, UT students and European expats.
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Opal Divine’s Freehouse
Named for the owner’s grandmother, a woman who supposedly enjoyed ‘good drink and a good card game, ’ this breezy and spacious pub serves microbrews, imported lagers and almost 20 types of tequila.
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Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon
This funky little cinder-block building is one of those dive bars that Austinites love so very much – and did even before it became nationally famous for Chicken-Shit Bingo on Sunday nights.
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Donn’s Depot
Austin loves a dive bar, and Donn’s combines a retro atmosphere inside an old railway car with live music six nights a week, including Donn himself performing alongside the Station Masters.
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Casino El Camino
With a legendary jukebox and even better burgers, this is the spot for serious drinking and late-night carousing. If it’s too dark inside, head for the back patio.
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Deep Eddy Cabaret
This great little neighborhood bar is known for its excellent jukebox, loaded with almost a thousand tunes in all genres. Yep, it’s a dive, but a top-rate one.
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Highball
Bar? Brunch spot? Bowling alley? Karaoke? Skee-ball? Retro-swanky amusement emporium? The Highball is all of those things.
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Frank Erwin Center
Known as ‘The Drum’ among UT students, this major venue for concerts and UT sports can hold up to 17,000 screaming fans.
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Dobie Theatre
Part of the Landmark chain, the Dobie is a four-screen venue for independent, foreign-language and other offbeat films.
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Spider House
Spider House has a big, funky patio bedecked with all sorts of oddities. It’s open late and also serves beer and wine.
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Capitol City Comedy Club
Far from downtown, Capitol City hosts national headliner comics. Mondays are often reserved for local talent.
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IMAX Theater
The Bob Bullock Texas State History museum also houses Austin’s first IMAX theater.
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Lovejoy’s
Basically a bar with an eclectic coffeehouse vibe, this is a comfortable yet cool place to hang out, assuming you don’t mind a little (or a lot of) cigarette smoke. It’s got quirky touches like a table made out of a coffin, alongside standard bar amenities like a jukebox and pool table.
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R
Hyde Park Theatre
This is one of Austin’s coolest theaters, presenting regional premieres of off-Broadway hits and recent Obie (Off-Broadway Theater Awards) winners. Its annual FronteraFest presents more than 100 new works over five weeks at venues around town.
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Club de Ville
Before Red River was even a scene, Club de Ville was there serving cheap drinks in a space decorated with mismatched retro furniture. And that’s not to mention its cool, leafy patio – one of downtown’s best places to imbibe outdoors.
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Charlie’s
Up near the state capitol, Charlie’s is the oldest gay bar in town. Friendly staff, a laid-back atmosphere, pool tables, $5 steak nights and free parking are just some of the perks. On some nights DJs spin progressive house music.
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Malverde
Handcrafted specialty cocktails and DJs set the tone for this swanky upstairs bar, which is right above La Condesa. The outdoor patio with artful plant formations is a great place to watch the city below.
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Flamingo Cantina
Called ‘the last place with soul on Sixth,’ Austin’s premier reggae joint prides itself on its good rasta vibes and bouncy dancefloor. Seat yourself on the carpeted bleachers for good views of the stage.
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Elephant Room
This intimate, subterranean jazz club has a cool vibe, and live music almost every night. The cover charge stays low (it’s mostly free except on weekends), and there are happy-hour shows at 6pm weekdays.
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