I was invited to the Rico Nasty with Sad Boi opener concert by a friend last week at Empire Control Room. We had a great time. Fortunately, since this is an outdoor venue the weather was good that day. Being less than 6' tall it was very hard to see the stage so most of my video shots are max zoom in from my iPhone camera. I highly suggest they consider lifting up the stage higher so those who are in the back and short can see the performers! At one point someone who was like 6'5" just decided to stand in front of me and I had to tell him I couldn't see a thing so thankfully they moved without too much drama so my friend and I could see as we were right at the area where the "garage" type door would close. My friend and I enjoyed a ranch water and the server was very helpful when we told her it didn't taste like we expected, so she fixed it! If I ever find myself there again for a concert, I hope they fix the stage height situation and or help shorter people with visibility by adding video screens! read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Love going here for shows! The indoor/outdoor venue under big tents just makes it feel like a fun festival. We went to a free Red River Street festival here for our first visit, and bought tickets to Blessthefall for our 2nd visit. Sound was great both times. We live nearby so we just ubered there, but there are parking lots and garages nearby downtown. Easy in and out. Short review, but happy to have this venue in town! read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is one of the best venues that you can go 24 a concert.Nice intimate, the stage is very close.The drinks are overpriced, not really.I'm just getting, but it's just like a bar.And the service, it's amazing.All the workers there know that you're there to have fun and just kick back and enjoy the music. I'm hoping they bring back some great bands. I saw a lot like birds which is one of my favorite bands.Ever love it thank you read more

Cool and small venue but it can get pretty hot, especially in the summer because it's an outdoor venue. However the staff are really chill and kind. They have an outdoor bar with a good selection of drinks and the restrooms are clean. read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I took a Lyft because parking and traffic are at a premium in that area plus they offered me half price both ways. It's a standing venue so I'd never been there but my favorite band had an album release show and I couldn't miss that. Chairs were set up in the back behind the sound board where the merch booths were located. I was very comfortable back there and had a great view of the stage. The sound was amazing and the crowd was electric. The staff was pleasant and helpful. The temp outside was very hot but it was cool inside. read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Madam Radar from the back of the garage - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is a great spot, I've only been twice so far and the vibe was extremely different for both shows. No food, but plenty on offer in the area. Ushers were super nice and on top of their shit. read more

Nice spot for sure for a concert. Im often coming down from San Antonio to see one of my favorite bands play. Venue is always big enough and has a nice size outdoor area as well. Service is friendly and efficient. read more

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I think this is one of my fave places to see live music. There are three different stages/venue areas and bars. The sound is professional and usually spot on. read more

WARNING WARNING WARNING: ARTISTS BEWARE... Empire Control Room not paying their artists after performing April and May 2026. Tickets sold and alcohol sold so money was made and still they are refusing to pay artist. WARNING WARNING WARNING! read more

This place seemed to have a lot of negative reviews so I was skeptical. We went to see Testament on a Thursday night. Take a ride share as there is no parking except on the street and there are meter monitors walking around ticketing people if neede be. The place had an outdoor open but covered stage area with a bar. Also, a smoking/seating deck section over behind the back of the building with a water station. Cool place. Inside they have a bar and a stage area as well where there was a separate band playing. It was a hot summer night but they do have fans outside in the covered section near the sides which helps. I had no complaints. I am on the shorter side (5'2") so it is always difficult to get a good view at standing shows but had a good spot near the back by the sound booth and was able to see just fine. Did not get bar drinks due to many reviews about double charges and roofies. Downside was they stopped the show due to lightning for safety issues of those under the tented cover which has metal poles. Bummer but not a huge deal. Plenty of other bars and food trucks within walking distance and they do allow you in and out. We did see the ambulance come out twice, not sure exactly what for but it was also an older crowd standing on the heat. What do I know? But I had a good time and wouldn't hesitate to visit again for a band I like. read more

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I went here for an '80's Dance Party. There was another event going on outside at the time with a long line up front. Would have been helpful if someone had been outside directing people. My friend and I got in the line next to the sign for the 80's party only to find out that we could have just walked right in. Drinks were decent priced and a good pour. Decent sized dance floor with seating away from it by the bar. Bathroom could have been cleaner, but several stalls at least. read more

Lets start this off with I am not a downtown person. Honestly I never had been but when I choose to go I usually have fun but it is with a single focus in mind. Hit up a few bars, see a show, comedy. Something specific, never been the lets stay all night bar hopping type. So take that with the upfront factor that most downtown places are just not my thing. This was my first time here, Inspire AD had found a new home here for their monthly shows. This was our first time back since Covid started and I missed it. This place was pretty good, it is outdoors but has a huge cover/tent. The back part where the wrestlers were and some seats and restrooms did have A/C though as the seat part is still out in the open I am guessing that the A/C struggles. The place was open yet could feel intimate, they had a bar with frozen drinks which should be a requirement at least in the summer in Texas. The staff was friendly and even handed out random prizes such as t-shirts and sunglasses at times to random people in the crowd. They had a huge jug of water you could just refill. I didn't do enough of that and ended up in a pretty bad way the next day. I am older and don't do heat as well as I used to, the long outdoors shows of anything wipe me out pretty good but as places go this one was one of the better ones. read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

Absolutely sucks. No way to see a concert if average height in back. No proper tiering to raise level of folks further back. No raised stage to see performers. No video screens. Fuck that. I should contact AMEX to attempt a refund. lol. At least try just to cause them annoyance. read more

The Empire is an interesting venue. I remember when it really was a garage. It's not a big venue, so if you like who you're going to see, this is an up close and personal kind of gig. That is if you want to cram yourself into the garage with everyone else. There's a lot of room outside of the garage. It's fairly flat which is nice for tall folks like me to linger further back and still see what's going on. There are a number of bars so the line is never too bad. It won't matter much because for how much they want, you won't be drinking a lot. If it's hot outside, you're going to want to snuggle up with all your friends in the garage where the stage is. They can keep it pretty frosty in there. The men's room is positioned just inside the garage, right about where everyone wants to stand under the AC vent. If the show is pretty full, it can be difficult to push your way through. The sound is good though. Parking in the area can be difficult and unnecessarily expensive, if you want to be within 2-3 blocks. Shows at the Empire can go pretty late too. They let DJs go on until 2am. Not sure if everyone goes inside or how they get away with that. I've seen more shows here than I would prefer to. I like the Mohawk and Emo's a lot more, but the Empire does have the small venue feel going for it. read more

Worst show experience of my life unfortunately. Couldn't see anything unless you were up close bc ground is flat and the area is shotgun shaped. Might be okay for some shows but not the one I went to last night. We are diehards and left less than halfway through. read more

Went to a show in the garage room which is a bit of an odd indoor outdoor venue to see a DJ I liked. Overall the DJ was great but the layout is a bit grungy. You can kind of see a bit of backstage on the side with some random things stored away so it really does feel like you are in someone's garage lol. Sound was good, bring your ear buds for ear protection or you will leave deaf! read more

I went to a Doublecamp and Alt Bloom concert here! The stage is located in a medium sized room that holds probably 80 or so people. I appreciate that they have iced water freely available! read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Fun fun fun!!! Definitely the place to go for abba night !! You will feel like dancing queenn!!! Fun to go with friends dressed up Themed drinks Friendly staff Bar inside is ok haha it's a bar but the outside Bartenders have a great pour n are so friendly read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - the menu - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

Wow the service here was so bad. The bartender was so incredibly rude. Several customers mentioned it. She was wearing a green dress with flowers on it. Spent the whole night talking to a person in a booth and then made everyone tip 20%. And she was so mad when people wanted a drink. She didn't even want to serve the band. I don't understand how she even works here when she clearly hates it. read more

I have been here twice, once in 2021 and most recently this year, 2023 to see one of my favorite bands. The music gets 5 stars but the venue isn't the most roomy or cohesive. To get from the entrance to the stage is a little confusing and is very hot because it is half indoor half outdoor. The restrooms are decently clean for this type of venue. The staff is pretty stand-offish. The location is near one of the worst parts of Austin safety wise, but security is good. Overall it's okay, I personally wouldn't just come to grab some drinks and hang out. If you're a music lover or are dying to see an artist it is absolutely worth it. read more

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Great outdoor venue. My friends and I saw the sold out Roosevelt show last Saturday. Staff seemed very no nonsense and straightforward and followed Covid protocols without being nazis about it. Bar staff was friendly and plenty of choices. The sound system was great as well as the acoustics. There also was easy in/out access of the restrooms no huge line. I had a great time looking forward to seeing another concert on a future Austin visit. read more

Staff is solid, bar is solid & the security staff is always ensuring everyone's safety. 10000/10

Poor description of the venue on the website with incomplete information about performance time slots. I blew $120 on Os Mutantes tickets only to find they took the stage at 10:40pm (on a Thursday). Doors opened at 6:30, but at 7 pm, nobody was playing on either stage that was set up for performances. FOUR HOURS from gates opening to the headliner taking the stage, absolutely insane! This place is just a bar with music on the side. I emailed the company to inquire about venue details and never heard anything back. Not family friendly as described, it's in fact far from anywhere that kids of any age belong. Hard pass for any future concerts!! read more

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I've been to three shows at Empire Garage, and I really like how intimate this venue feels. When I came here in fall 2021 and spring 2022, I did not see any water available, and when my friend asked for water at the bar, they said they didn't have any. But this time when I went in October 2022, they had water coolers and cups sitting outside. I think free water is really important at concerts, so I appreciate that. I usually come early to get a good spot. I would assume the view isn't great if you're not near the front because the stage is so low. The sound is deafening from the front row even with earplugs. The restrooms are good. My friend got a mixed drink for $10, so it is expensive but pretty normally priced. There are paid private parking lots nearby and some street parking. read more

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It's an interesting little venue. The staff is friendly. If you're not fortunate enough to get a spot inside the garage, you can't really see anything. Especially if you're only 5'3. Drinks are pricey af but that's Austin for you. Location is convenient to parking and there's lots of food options around. Sound quality was fantastic. read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - Menzingers - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

First time to this place for the Penelope Scott concert with my kiddo. It was such a nice venue! It has a smaller concert area and a larger one. I am assuming the garage. They had a lot of great music playing all around. I love the garage vibe with the huge stage. The outside patio is a great hang out too. If I lived in Austin, I would frequent this place. read more

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Kicked my little brother out because he was claustrophobic and vomited into a trash can, claimed it was because of "medical liability". Honestly a huge slap in the face. Like saying "oh you're suffering? Do that somewhere else because we don't want to get sued." If something had happened to my little brother because they kicked him out and left him literally stranded by himself, we 1000% would have sued this venue. It's all fun and games until you have a mental health condition. Talk about discriminatory. Claiming "medical liability" is a joke. They're just lucky my brother didn't get hurt or worse because they forced him out on the street alone. (He is 18 by the way, just a kid and easy target for passerby's.) read more

DON'T GET IT TWISTED... THIS IS NOT A GOOD REVIEW. The 5 stars are for Ricky Duran, Keith Sanders, and the vibe of the physical space .. but the staff, with the exception of Adam, is underwhelming.. and this particular person is EXTRA "special" .. arguably the least informed person I have ever met . Just clueless, and out of touch with social skills and reality.. Earth calling "Karen" . Just an awful, awful individual. Super rude to paying customers. read more

Empire Control Room & Garage - A blonde loser - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

It was a great venue to see a show. Came in from Dallas to see the Knower show and had a great time. The sound was good and it was comfortable while being outside. The doorman Sam was so cool and helped me out with some water when he saw I was getting a bit warm while waiting in line. All the staff that we interacted with were really great. I would definitely see another show here. read more

Loved hearing tunes in the garage! Musicians ( Jake Lloyd and Co. and Deezie Brown and his band) were tight! The live sound folks did a good job! Drinks wete spendy, but its a bar on downtown Austin. read more

Came for a Kendrick Lamar night and it was amazing! Great DJ, energy, vibe, and ppl! Love the bathrooms here as well as the layout with about 3 outdoor areas and an inside bar it's perfect for any weather! Cant wait to return read more

First went here a few weeks back and the concept is bad ass! Former auto shop turned venue? I'm there! Very fast service at the bar and very friendly bar tenders. I didn't get to go into the actual garage because I had some friends with me who weren't to big on being in the pit. Even standing under where the garage door closes, the view was still great. Sound kind of drowned out during the set, but there are a number of factors for that. Sound was still great, overall. Keep on rockin'! Shows Seen Here: The Menzingers/Oso Oso/Sincere Engineer (First Show) read more

We were here in the typical Austin summer weather, and wondered how enjoyable an outdoor event would be. It was a daytime concert and they did have accommodations to make it less steamy. Fans, coolers of water, definitely helped cool things down under the tent. My big complaint, which I guess came as more of a surprise to me than it might to others, was ALL the SMOKE. Bad bad air everywhere. My favorite law ever was the law passed banning indoor smoking, my lungs have been so happy! Now I have to beware of outdoor venues. Cigarettes and worse were just polluting all the air. read more

Empire is in my top 5 list of favorite venues! They have tons of space, and and a pack patio area that I love. The drinks are always great but what I like most is the staff, whether I'm there as a customer, or working with a band during a show, they are always super helpful and kind and that's something I really appreciate. If you come to Empire, you're definitely going to have a good time! read more

I've been to a handful of shows here, outside. The sound's good, it's a decent sized space but not too large (like Stubbs for example) so you're able to see the stage from anywhere. The drinks are priced like most bars/ venues on red river. Second to last time we were there they didn't have any free water coolers out and we said something because that didn't seem right, and when we were there last night water coolers were out! No parking, either take public transit, bike, walk, Lyft, or pay to park a couple blocks away. Women's restroom is usually decently clean and well stocked. I'd recommend a show here, overall good experience every-time I've come! read more

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Just a shout out to the crew working on our complex right now and a huge thank you to Roberto! Not only professional, but also extremely kind. He always has a great attitude and a kind word. He has also been so helpful to my husband who is slightly disabled. An ideal employee and human being! read more

Where to begin?!! I flew in from Southern California to start my week vacation. I want to acknowledge the security first. You have the most respectful and polite security people. They were fun that night (Nov. 23rd). I came to the Gimme Gimme Disco event which travels all over the U.S. to different cities. Austin rarely holds this event from what I observed. This has to be my favorite venue out of the state I've ever been to! The MC for the night encouraged everyone to get up and dance and come on the stage all night long. He was so energetic which made the event more enjoyable. If you attended this night, I was the tall guy with the ABBA band t-shirt on the stage during the majority of the ABBAS songs played by their great disc jockey! There were a lot of people dressed up like the 1970's DISCO years. If it returns again ever during a work break, i'm flying back to participate again. Please invite that MC to Southern California, he'd be a riot! Thank you Empire Control Room employees for a fun mini-vacation! Thank you Gimme Gimme Disco for playing there last night (Nov. 23, 2024). read more

It was a really fun spot and the owner is cool. We had a good time and would definitely go back.

Killer sound. Killer bands. Get there early and wait in line, worth the wait to get to the front of the stage.

I've been here a few times and I've enjoyed the performances. The one reoccurring thing is the bartenders have a horrible attitude. They treat you like you're an inconvenience. Last time I was there, the bartender was yelling at me because I kindly asked him for a simple change to my drink. I would get it if they were crazy packed but there was no one else trying to order. I will no longer be ordering drinks at this place but would go if there is a performer I absolutely love. read more