Backstage Bars and Hidden Venues: an Insider-Led Music Tour of Austin

Named for cult country figure Townes Van Zandt, this hip boutique hotel is full of riffs on Austin’s music scene – from the chandeliers made out of trumpets to the artwork cut from old records and vintage concert posters on the walls. There’s even music playing underwater in the outdoor swimming pool. Rainey Street Historic District is right on your doorstep, where many of the iconic bungalow-style homes have now become bars and restaurants, and nightly patio performances take place on garland-strung decks, especially during the SXSW festival in March. But don’t miss out on the perennially popular jazz brunch every weekend right here at the hotel’s Geraldine’s restaurant. When you’re ready to take off your cowboy boots, you’ll find Frette sheets and towels, Topo Chico bottled water and fragrant Atelier Bloem bath products in your city-spying room.

Head to the historic Continental Club, boogie to bluegrass at Radio Coffee and Beer or check out the Mystery Monday concert at El Mercado on this foot-stomping tour of Austin’s legendary music venues. Your tour guide, Will, is the ultimate insider: an award-winning local musician who’s recorded with the likes of Willie Nelson and Gary Clark Jr. – he might even serenade you with a song or two himself.

So many venues, so little time. How do you swerve the bad cover bands and hear the best live music Austin has to offer? Well, hop aboard this BYOB party bus and let their expert guides take you to three awesome venues in one action-packed evening. Locations vary, depending on what’s on, so you could see everything from rock to blues and country line dancing. Best of all, there’s a live band on board playing crowd-pleasing favorites, so you’ll be treated to a one-of-a-kind concert on wheels.

Sit back, relax and learn how Austin earned its moniker as the “live music capital of the world” on this picturesque pedicab (rickshaw) tour. You’ll wave to the statues of Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin, stop outside legendary blues bar Antone’s and swing by Austin City Limits Live, home of the eponymous PBS music series – all while listening (and possibly singing along) to a custom-made playlist, featuring songs by local legends.