A friend asked me was I interested in listening tosome live music tonight. Absolutely! First stop the Continental Club on S. Congress. This place is an Austin institution and one of the best places in the city to experience live music. This historic venue has been a local hangout for great music since the 1950s. The club was dimly lit with lots of stickers, graffiti, neon signage, paintings and interesting artifacts. While it has been a long time since I have been to the Continental club, it still felt truly Austin and very unpretentious. In the Continental Club you are literally I feet away from the live music. A dog was sleeping on stage, which made the place feel homey. The club is small and intimate, exuding a super personal persona. In addition, the sound quality is excellent for such a small venue. Tonight we listened to Hot Club Cowtown...they sounded folksy and a bit country western yet enjoyable to listen to. Folks were boot scooting, so maybe more country western. Mike the doorman was super personable and helpful. He happily provided the WIFI password and was super engaging. In addition, it is important to note the cover was free until 9 pm. The crowd was a mix bag...locals, tourists, and musicians who love live music. Austin is affectionately known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World". Great music...great time! read more

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The Continental Club is one of those places that never disappoints. If you love live music and a classic Austin vibe, this spot is a must. You can check out who's performing on their website, and tickets are easy to grab through Eventbrite. You can also buy tickets at the door, but it's cash only. Shows fill up fast, so plan ahead. We came to see The Peterson Brothers for an 8pm show, arrived about 15 minutes early, and snagged the last couple of seats. Any later and we would've been standing. The venue gets packed quickly, which just adds to the energy. Street parking only in the area, so give yourself a little extra time to find a spot. Bartenders were friendly and efficient, even with a full house. No food menu, just great drinks! I decided to have a sober night and the bartender made a tasty mocktail! If you want a great live music experience, arrive early, bring cash just in case, and settle in for a fantastic night. This place is a staple for a reason! read more

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This place is legendary. I've seen a few Texas music icons play here. They have great beers on tap and in the bottle... The service is friendly. It's definitely worth a stop whether a band is playing or not.. read more

Continental Club - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It's historic, so I'll round up my star rating. We went on a Wednesday night with a $10 cover for the 9:30 show, which started late. The waitress seemed super bored and far more interested in her phone than in doing her job, which was a bit annoying. Also, beware of the chairs! Some of them (the one I had) was super wobbly and falling apart. I put my hand on the bottom to help me schooch it forward and the seat came up from the legs, with my fingers going right underneath ot and temporarily crushing my fingers. One of my nails still hurts! Anyhow, the band seemed pretty good, but the sound mixing seemed off. The music was super, super loud (especially with the guitar distortion) and the vocal seemed too low. Too bad we couldn't catch some blues while we were there, but I'm glad we stopped in. No food here, so eat ahead of time. read more

We definitely didn't want to leave Austin without experiencing the "live music" that it's so well known for. However, it was a Tuesday night so not a whole lot was going on. We found the Continental Club and they were having a live band. We got in early and sat along the wall in a booth. The drinks were fairly priced ($10 or so) and the service was great. It's not a big place but it filled up, which surprised me for a Tuesday night. The band was GREAT. It was an older group of guys but they were so good. They were even heading out on a long tour the next week so they must be well enough known. It was such a fun night. The people there were so "weird" in the best way and we had a great time watching the band, having a few drinks, and people watching. I highly recommend coming here for a true Austin experience. read more

The Continental Club is pure old Austin charm. Great live music, warm vibes, and an atmosphere that feels authentic in all the best ways. Every visit reminds me why I love living in this city. A must stop classic! read more

Continental Club - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cool spot to listen to live music. Drinks relatively cheap at $10 for a cocktail. Cover on a Wednesday night was $10 but varies. The band was pretty good but we felt the sound was a little off with the vocals low. read more

We went to the small upstairs section of this bar and had a fantastic time! It's an intimate, cozy, hole in the wall feel with cheap drinks and great live music. We got to listen to Josh Perdue and his band play a combo of jazz, blues, funk, ska, you name it and they played it! Folks got up to dance too periodically. Overall a welcoming and fun space. Tips: bring cash for any cover fees because it was $10 cash only. The bar also charges a $1 fee for credit cards. read more

Great music venue This beer was really good: " shiner shandy" Would definitely come back read more

Continental Club - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

I finally had the chance to catch a show at Continental Club on South Congress! It came highly recommended, and overall I had a good time. We found paid on the street along South Congress. There was beer inside at the bar, although it was somewhat pricey. Also, there were some seating options, but in general, this was pretty limited. The stage is small and so the space gets pretty loud, which was a concern toward the end of the night. I also found it strange that the place books acts so late into the night -- the board by the bar showed artists on random weekdays starting their acts at 11:30pm or even midnight. Further, and I hate to say it, but the bathrooms were really gross. The women's bathroom had only 2 stalls, and one was completely clogged. The second one barely flushed, and the floors were pretty wet. I know this is a fantastic place for live music and tons of great big-name artists come through here, but I wish they would do more to spruce it up and make it more comfortable and clean. read more

The bands we saw in one day were good. We had bottled beer and never made it upstairs but it was fun and crowded for New Year's Eve. Staff were fast and communicated well. There isn't a lot of sitting but why sit when you can dance and mingle?!? We had fun! read more

The Review For Normal People: The Continental Club is one of the foundational venues of the Austin Music community. It has a status comparable to that of the Saxon Pub. Both the Continental Club and the Saxon Pub have an older age forty and up clientele. The run is to ex-hippies and tech people/arts people who never lost their cool. A visitor to Austin will almost never go wrong going to the Continental Club. You don't get the legendary bands of the Mohawk currently or Antone's in its prime. But you get an extremely solid cast of characters from a country-rock-folk-blues spectrum. You will almost never get a bad band (Unless John Dee Graham is playing cough cough cough cough cough.) If the Peterson Brothers are playing their blues, you will hear unforgettable music. The decoration is dive bar. The alcohol offerings are good enough for what you are trying to accomplish. I personally am a Mohawk kind of guy. Alt, Drone, Shoegaze, Noise, Dance songs written in 11/17 time, Anthemic moments ... That is what fires my spark plugs. For Continental Club's country-rock-folk-blues niche, I tend to go with Saxon Pub. The artists that they book are just a notch better. But for Keep-Austin-Not-So-Weird, the Continental Club has its place. A night at the Continental Club is almost always a good night. * * * The Review for Technophobes. I hate South Congress. There are some good establishments there. There are some overpriced rip-off-the-tourist establishments there. There are way too many tourists there. (Although I suppose they pay the bills for the Austin restaurant and club economy.) Parking on South Congress is a nightmare. The neighbors don't want their streets flooded with tourist cars. So there are signs everywhere saying in essence "If you don't live here, you can't park here." The spaces that exist have to be paid for with phone apps. This will not bother 98% of normal human beings. It will certainly not bother the 99.99999999999% of people who are Yelpers. Yelpers love their phones. I hate my cell phone. I am afraid of it. I don't know how to make anything work on it. I don't know how to read a QR code. I can't take pictures. I know how to make voice calls. I don't know how to text anyone. So I personally can't park anywhere on South Congress. If I plan ahead ... I can get to where I am going super-early ... Park at a distance and walk in. But I don't always plan ahead. On my most recent visit to the Continental Club, I couldn't find anyplace non-phone based to park. I took a space, sat in the Continental Club for about ten minutes, And the whole time all I can think about is that they are going to tow my car. The band was a perfectly lovely Americana-folk-rock group. The lyrics were probably excellent. But after my ten minutes of dread - I couldn't take it anymore. I left the Continental Club and moved my car to safety. Safety was C-Boy's one of my favorite clubs in the city. C-Boys has its own parking and the parking is free. They book a mix of funk, soul and blues with a heavy heavy orientation towards danceable. C-Boys too has an older clientele - But those babies dance up a storm. The dance floor at C-Boys is live. You know how this plays out. There was an amazing dance blues band playing. (The Moeller Brothers.) Various surprise legendary figures from Austin Music History showed up to sing a song or three. At one point, someone rode a full-size live mule through the club. It was a night to remember. My car was safe and sound and parked for free. I learned a life lesson that night. The Continental Club is famous. C-Boys is fun. read more

Great place to see a show. Bar staff always on point. Sound is good. Classic Auatin venue and vibes.

Very cool old school dive bar music joint. I went last time I was here and loved it. Wanted to come back this afternoon for a no-cover honky tonk piano bar, Didn't make it, but maybe will stop by tonight! read more

Continental Club never disappoints!! If you're a local yocal then this is the spot! Time capsule of old Austin. Music is great drink prices are decent! read more

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7/2025. An Austin tradition that's been around for seventy years. Cool place to hear live bands play--sometimes a cover charge. Rockabilly, country, blues, etc. No food, just chips but you can bring in outside food. Bar service. Recommended. read more

I had a short trip planned to go to Austin and after hearing that this city is one of the music capitals I knew I wanted to experience some live music during my stay. I wanted to blues specifically and was recommended that I go to the Continental Club. I was fortunate to find parking directly across the street from the venue. Cash is only accepted for cover charges and was $10 the evening I went. The venue is smaller than I expected but I was able to find front row seating. Space is made available in front of the stage for patrons who want to dance. There is a bar here and patrons can order directly at the bar or from the waitress who makes her way around the room taking drink orders. No food is offered here that I am aware of. I felt the interior climate was comfortable compared to the strong heat Texas experiences this time of year. It was refreshing to see such a diverse crowd patronizing the venue. The music was exactly what I wanted and lasted almost three hours. Definitely a fun experience and I feel I definitely got my money worth for the cover charge. read more

Stumbled on Continental Club while we were waiting for our reservation on South Congress. We stood in line for 30 minutes - hour, and once we got to the front they asked us for a $20 cover. I don't normally carry cash but luckily they have an ATM inside. While we were getting cash, the venue filled up and we didn't get a seat. There are not that many seats actually so I'd anticipate standing if you don't get there early. The band was epic and the drinks were strong. I loved my experience here. I felt like a true Austinite catching live music. read more

Cool atmosphere but awful band I asked a friend to show me historic/iconic music venues in Austin. The Continental Club was the first spot of the night. The afternoon band was just wrapping up so we came back later for the next band. First off the venue is very cool...comfy bench seating against the wall and hightop tables behind the dance area. It is a very small space so any seat has a nice view of the stage. There are a couple of seats at the bar (by the window) that you can reserve. The band we saw - The Point - was advertised as a local duo but there wasn't a description. We should have looked them up beforehand bc we didn't like the music...the drummer was good but the keyboard was just awful noise. The bar was pretty empty to start and everyone left during the set - definitely not worth my hearing or the 10 bucks But the atmosphere was cool and I would go back if someone amazing like Nikki Lane or Margo Price hopped on stage. Not sure why it is so hard to find Americana/Folk/Revival music in Austin. read more

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Amazing club for local live music and actual culture. Go on sunday or Monday night for good dancing.

An Austin staple, the venue doesn't disappoint. While the bar itself is a bit run down and the bartenders are far from kind and welcoming, the music made up for all. There was a Blues band playing when we were there, and it was hard not to enjoy. Some got up and danced, while the majority sat back and watched. Definitely worth a visit on any Austin trip. read more

Continental Club - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The music. Also friendly bar service. It's a great place to see a live music performance. The acts they bring in are top notch and the venue is small. read more

We saw live music all three nights we were in Austin recently but this place was by far the best! Easy to walk here from any number of nearby places and the sound quality/crowd/bar service was great. Would definitely drop in here next time we are in town. read more

While I don't get a chance to come here as much as in the past, the musicians and the staff have taken it back where it should have been all along. Got a rare chance tonight to see Casper on a free Thursday - he does not disappoint (and the staff are great too) read more

Was there on Saturday at 3:30 for music and dancing. Bar staff were friendly and very attentive. The music was amazing place was busy nice size dance floor. read more

Continental Club - Austin, Texas - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This long time jewel of austin must continue to shine! Some of the most amazing musicians have graced this stage!!

While traveling for our annual work conference, we decided we wanted to go somewhere with live music. We weren't really sure what to expect and upon arrival thought "what have we gotten ourselves into?!". There was a $20 cover per person (which being from a small town, we weren't used to), but when in Austin, right? We were all blown away! The bands were amazing, drinks were great (how can one go wrong with a Jack & Coke) and the service, despite how many people were inside. If I ever come back to Austin, I plan to make it a priority to come here and see whatever band is playing. This place is incredible and I understand why it's so loved by Austin. read more

My family and I were visiting Austin and wanted to see some live music so we stopped by the CC on Sunday, June 16th. Our experience mirrors some of the other patrons' experience with toxic staff--in particular a short, bald man who we found out does not even work there; apparently he just "volunteers his time." My step-brother sat in a wheelchair that was placed in the back room area. The room is eclectic and full of random furniture so we all thought it was just that--a random item that anyone could use. (There was no one in it!) The short, bald guy came up and asked, "Is that your wheel chair?" (Obviously knowing it wasn't.) When my step-brother jumped up and responded, "No, so sorry! I didn't realize it belonged to anyone!" the volunteer responded, "Then get the hell out of it!" Later, my step brother went up to him and apologized again. The volunteer did not accept the apology and was very rude in his response. Later, some of us were playing pool in the back. We were told by a woman (not sure if she's a volunteer or not) that we had to stop playing our game and go pay the new cover charge--even though the next band wasn't coming on for almost 40 minutes. (We paid an original cover to enter, but they charge a new cover each time--just FYI.) We would have paid the new cover and stayed, but she was so rude in her delivery that it simply made us want to leave. (We only had a few shots left in the game.) We couldn't understand why we couldn't just finish the game first--especially since the new band wasn't playing for quite some time. The actual employed bartenders were nice, but these two individuals completely ruined our experience. Instead of staying for the second show as we had originally planned, we left--annoyed and let down. We were a group of nine (9) people and had money to burn. But the unprofessional and rude staff proved to be too much. We would not return. read more

Have enjoyed the Continental Club-decades, but not today (5-18-2024), a balmy Saturday afternoon. Toxic staff. Watching live music and ordered a beer. $6 and left a $1 tip, cash. My wife joins me and desires a cocktail which is $8 iron so and I give the server a $20 bill. He explains he can't make change. So I give him a credit card and says the credit card machine is down. I ask what he wants me to do and he gives me a " go to hell look" and shrugs his shoulders. I asked again, what do you suggest we do about this? He grabs the drink, POURS it out and asks me to leave! Meanwhile my wife seeing the commotion walks up and asks what's going on whereupon I try to explain. At that point, several patrons at the bar witnessing the series of events are noticeably surprised what's taking place and one couple steps outside with us mystified at the hostile server's behavior. We love The Continental Club and will remain loyal to it and will assume this was a random occurrence. read more

This place is trash and will never come visit again, they couldn't take card for their cover charge and forced us to their atm that didn't work. After that they tried to send my upstairs to a tattoo shop upstairs Nextdoor just to pay to get in. Screw them and the high horse they rode in on and I hope no one ever goes this is trash read more

Great live music, friendly staff, decent drink prices, intimate venue, in a great location on SoCo. read more

Continental Club - a band playing on stage - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Absolute awesomeness. I never miss an opportunity to visit this landmark to enjoy a cold beer, whiskey, and the incredible live music. It never disappoints! The staff are always friendly even when overwhelmed by tourists. Can't wait to be back again!! read more

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We came on a mini trip and stumbled into this club it was so much fun! Amazing music and amazing staff no complaints! I will be coming back. read more

Continental Club - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I'm grateful to say I don't remember a more rude or racist door encounter in 25 years of playing and presenting music. That the door man--white, male, potentially drunk, apparently racist--may have mistaken me for an unhoused person neither absolves the mistreatment nor justifies its logic. I often use the ATM in the main room before heading to C Boys or up to the gallery to scout talent and remind myself just how virtuosic and plentiful Austin's music scene continues to be. I've never heard more than an obligatory mumble from the front of house team when I explain that I'm using the atm. But this time I was stopped. "You're not bringing that in here", referring to the water I was holding. I explained it was just water. I was wearing a black hoody to protect my locs, not unconscious of Trayvon Martin's recent birthday, whose murder had inspired me to grow them, free form, a decade ago...an exercise in witnessing what happens when you leave the black body, alone and at peace, to simply become, to enjoy one's embodiment. It was a layered encounter. I asked how I was supposed to leave my water outside. In an absurd show of force, the man grabbed my water from my hand, and began to walk out of the club. this escalation was histrionic to a level and degree that indicated in him a willingness or tendency to engage in actual violence. I'm not interested to know whether my appearance or subdued comportment triggered the intensity of his behavior. (I was laying low, just gonna listen to three hours of music as an artist). Now, I have to consider under which circumstance I could feel safe returning to that place. It was not a busy night. No need to treat any one on the street with such disdain and disrespect. Something emboldened this behavior, beyond a vigilant duty to keep items not purchased on site out of the club. It was honestly shameful. Austin, in order to grow into a mature arts town, will need to grow in its sense and value of diversity and the work of welcoming strangers that has shaped every great American city, which is at the heart of civility itself. read more

We were told to get there by 7pm to get a decent seat. 45 minutes later and they still weren't open and extremely rude. We just left before we even got in. Our first time at your club. We just moved here from Seattle where they have great clubs-definitely won't bother to come back. It's too bad. We were really looking forward to listening to the music (Peterson Brothers) and had pre-bought our tickets the day prior. Three of them. Thanks for nothing. read more

When you visit Austin you have to see live music and Continental Club is the place to do it! Known as a dive bar where Johnny Cash once performed at, it's one of those places where you just know someone gets their start here. Plus, it's a pretty damn fun place to be at. We visited Continental Club, as we could hear the live music playing on a Tuesday from the street. Located in South Congress, it's located along the main strip of businesses, around many restaurants and shops. It's easy to spot. And though it doesn't look like much from the outside, it's a gem on the inside. Get here early if you want to catch a show because the space inside is small. The chairs and tables right by the stage will be quickly filled, as well as the couches on the side. When we visited we were able to snag some seats in the back, but no one had an issue standing around the bar and listening to the music, while keeping an eye out on the world series game. I had a lot of fun here and learned about a new musician who I wouldn't have otherwise known about. Live music in Austin is an experience unlike anything else. It was a good time here, and I just love this small dive bar where musicians can interact with the crowd and do what they love. read more

Continental Club - Bonnie Montgomery performing! - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Legendary Austin music venue. I saw Tommy Taylor and Eric Johnson here. Intimate space. Cool decor.

Dark. Dingy. Wonderful. I came here with a friend in late February to hear the Peterson Brothers. We arrived a little late and were only able to hear about 10 minutes before they started packing up to make room for the next act. During a conversation with the manager, we wondered why they didn't play until 9:30 and were told "Everyone wants a piece of them -- and they are nice enough to visit with everyone -- so they leave the stage a little early so the next band doesn't get delayed." And that's just old school cool. In fact, the Peterson Brothers were so nice ... in addition to producing quite the jamming jam. (I think everyone will know who they are soon enough.) Back to the venue... It's an institution, and it's one of the few that I know of that hasn't left its roots to accommodate a broader crowd. If I lived closer, I'd be a regular. read more

Continental Club - Peterson Bros. - Dive Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

This was a great venue. The group that played the night my sisters and I were there was a fun group and their sound was great! I can tell the Continental Club vets their groups pretty well because of their quality. Hot Club of Cowtown was fun and had a full sound. Drinks were great, service was fast and the overall acoustics were a pleasant surprise. There were plenty of people dancing and it was so much fun! And did I mention the sound? So nice to be right at the stage and not deaf afterwards! Perfect timing for our visit to Austin. Definitely coming back. Another plus- not a teeny-boppy place. So nice to be among a more sophisticated taste. read more

Can never go wrong w/ this place. I was in Austin for a quick business trip. I had to check out CC, and it didn't disappoint. The music is always great. There were actually people in there at 1 AM on a cold Tues. morning. This is my go-to place in Austin. read more