Backstage Bars And Hidden Venues: An Insider-Led Music Tour Of Austin

Where to start in what’s dubbed the live music capital of the world? Well, how about three toe-tappin’ tours, composed by tuned-in locals, and one barn-storming boutique hotel – all bookable on Culture Trip.

Ever since German singing societies began performing in Austin’s beer halls in the 1870s, live music has been a thing in the city. Its thriving scene means that you can hear live acts every night of the week in dive bars, honky-tonk saloons and jazz lounges. “The beautiful thing about Austin is that there is music spilling into the streets at every turn,” says Adrienne Wiggins, owner of Honey Moon, a whimsical local restaurant and cocktail lounge, which she opened with her musician partner, Reed Calhoun, on West 34th Street.

“I have lived and traveled all over the world, but the thing that keeps pulling me back to Austin is the natural vibration rumbling throughout this funky little music town – that obviously isn’t so little any more. Today, there are lots of great music venues all over Austin, but the best ones are the gritty hole-in-the-wall types, that you just happen to stumble upon while exploring.”

To help you tune in and turn up the volume, we’ve rounded up three music tours and one hip boutique hotel that’ll suit every genre of music fan, all bookable on Culture Trip.

Take a picture with Willie Nelson in downtown Austin |

Antones Home of the Blues hosts an array of cutting-edge bands |

Where to Stay: the Hotel

1. Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

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.

What to Do: the Experiences

2. Explore Live Austin Music With Award Winner

Tours

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.

3. Austin Live Music Experience

Tours, Activities

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.

4. Live Music Capital of the World Pedicab Tour

Tours

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.