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Empire Control Room & Garage

3.2 (128 reviews)
InexpensiveMusic Venues
Open 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

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Kalia A.

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.

Madam Radar from the back of the garage
Jane O.

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.

Angelina W.

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.

Outside during the lightning pause
Alysha D.

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.

Greg H.

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.

Ashley W.

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!

the menu
Chantel G.

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

Athena H.

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.

No bands playing.

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1 year ago

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

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3 years ago

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

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2 years ago

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

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Continental Club

Continental Club

4.0
(412 reviews)
1.4 mi
$$

A friend asked me was I interested in listening tosome live music tonight. Absolutely! First stop…read morethe 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!

The Continental Club is one of those places that never disappoints. If you love live music and a…read moreclassic 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!

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Continental Club
Continental Club
Continental Club

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The Roosevelt Room

The Roosevelt Room

4.4
(924 reviews)
0.6 mi
$$$
Full bar
Takes reservations

Upscale yet fun cocktail bar with great staff and drinks…read more Food: 4 Service: 4.5 Atmosphere: 4.5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: yes Highlights - Classy atmosphere - Upstairs has a few tables and a quieter smaller bar - Downstairs has booths tables and a long bar which is a bit more lively - Isaac: skilled bartender that was fun to watch him make the drinks - Great temperature controlled drinks super cold classes--it's the little extra things that make a differene - Some cocktails have very cool glasses: one with a very long stem, a skull, etc. - Martinis: unique shisho and solid vesper - Grilled cheese: looked basic but the gouda and cheddar mix garlic rosemary oil on the sourdough bread, and crispy cheese on edges were great. 4.5 stars - Looks nice but no dress code where the FAQ said come in what you are comfortable in which which I appreciate - Can make reservation on open table and choose upstairs or down Midlights - Downstairs has a different menu than upstairs : down more simple by time period, up more upscale detailed - Pretzels for dessert were just simple tiny crispy choc covered. 3 stars - For the grilled cheese might have been able to go with an upgraded chip from Ruffles--maybe even a Kettle chip Lowlights - Even in quieter upstairs can't hear the bartender when right in front of him - Special board featuring drinks but they were out of the one I wanted

My boyfriend and I came in for happy hour without a reservation and were seated immediately. The…read morebar had a dark, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. We ordered the Espresso Martini, Vodkadora, French 75, and Pisco Sour. All of the drinks were strong and delicious! The service was fantastic as well. The staff was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area! We'll definitely be back to try more drinks.

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The Roosevelt Room
BUCK TO THE FUTURE
 rye whiskey, manzanilla sherry, strawberry-basil purée, nardini amaro, ginger syrup, lemon, barrel smoked black pepper
BUCK TO THE FUTURE rye whiskey, manzanilla sherry, strawberry-basil purée, nardini amaro, ginger syrup, lemon, barrel smoked black pepper
ZOMBIE
 rr tiki rum blend, donn's mix, falernum, lime,
 grenadine, angostura, flamed absinthe, served in a skull with flamed cinnamon powder

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ZOMBIE rr tiki rum blend, donn's mix, falernum, lime, grenadine, angostura, flamed absinthe, served in a skull with flamed cinnamon powder
The Little Longhorn Saloon

The Little Longhorn Saloon

4.3
(272 reviews)
4.3 mi
$

It's a cool place with mostly friendly people and 2 pleasant for the most part, bartenders the last…read more3 times we went in there. My boyfriend and I will go to Bike Farm next door for bike service. We've have a few beers at Little Longhorn etc, but this one time (4:30 pm on a Wednesday) we went in recently. NO ONE was in there and I set my bag on a barstool, of maaaaaany open barstools. An older man walks up and says' "I MADE THIS BAR WITH HOOKS so you can put your purse underneath. It wasn't what he said, it was how he said it with a condescending attitude and tone. I was apparently a menace or "youngin" being rude. I removed my purse from the stool and put it on the way too tiny hook for anyone's bag and then LITERALLY NO ONE sat there the next 40 minutes until we left. I'm always thoughtful, that if it's a crowded place, that I wouldn't take up a stool with my bag . Him, his comment and attitude were unnecessary. Whether he "built" the bar or not. You're running customers off by having a shit attitude. See you never LLS and crappy attitude old man "who built the bar"

The Little Longhorn Saloon is famous for its Chicken Shit Bingo that occurs on Sunday nights. We…read moreactually visited twice a few weeks ago. Once during the week when friends brought us to some authentic Austin dive bars and then again on Sunday for bingo; which was really fun. The beer is basic domestic and imports. Drinks are more less standard cocktails and shots of "something." There was a band playing both nights we went and both were great. And, I was a winner at Bingo on Sunday when we went. Again, it was really fun and authentically Austin.

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The Little Longhorn Saloon
The Little Longhorn Saloon
The Little Longhorn Saloon

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3TEN Austin City Limits Live

3TEN Austin City Limits Live

4.0
(40 reviews)
0.7 mi
$$

I stopped by 3TEN for the first time to catch and take pictures of a free showcase last week. It's…read morea pretty small venue compared to ACL Live/Moody Theater, but it packs the same strength in the sound system plus the lighting and atmosphere is great overall. It wasn't too packed at the show I was at, so it wasn't crammed like a sold out show might be. There was plenty of space to party. It's like a smaller version of Moody Theater. Shocker! RIYL: An intimate venue with the perks of the main thing

Seeing Jon Batiste live at Austin City Limits was one of those nights you just can't ever forget,…read moreeven if time has passed and things have changed with whom you've experienced it with. So let me make sure to give ACL its due props! I was encouraged by my ex to put my name on the RSVP list for this exclusive experience and I hesitated at first. I tend to avoid all things in downtown. But I'm glad I didn't ignore this. Jon Batiste is not just hype. He is the real thing. Pure talent, fully present and full of joy, he is poetry in motion. Being able to experience a performance like that at ACL, free of charge, felt special in a way that's hard to explain. As my baby used to say, it was COSMIC. Austin City Limits ran the event flawlessly. The staff was kind, organized, and they clearly knew what they were doing. Our seats were super high up, but the view of the stage below was very good. We missed part of the intimate opening set down below right in front of the VIP section (an intentional special treat for them), but it was easy to appreciate why special donors were treated to that moment up close. What really stood out was the second half of the show. Jon Batiste and his band turned the venue into a New Orleans style second line, moving through the crowd, singing/dancing/playing music, eventually making their way up to the upper levels by us. It was thoughtful, inclusive, and joyful. No one was left out of the experience. The night itself was bittersweet in hindsight, but the music and talent was undeniable. The memory stands on its own. Thank you, Austin City Limits, for a night I'll always remember.

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Marker out front
Marker out front
3TEN Austin City Limits Live
3TEN Austin City Limits Live

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Clive

Clive

4.0
(302 reviews)
0.5 mi
$$

Clive is one of those bars where you can go with your friends, or your bachelor / bachelorette…read moreparty, or just go alone and meet someone new. My friend and I sat at the bar, ordered our drinks. Bartender was awesome. Red Sox game was playing inside on the TV. We chatted a little then walked around. The patio was playing a different baseball game on the big screen. The DJ was playing music. The couches had a couple people sitting and watching the game. Bathroom area had a written mural. Was a great night to be outside. Wasn't windy even though the patio was open. Dos have walls to cut the wind down. I believe there is an upstairs area too, but it was roped off. But it is a pretty large bar with an upstairs area. L

Clive is a one of the better bars in the area. It's a house that has been converted into a bar. Few…read moreyears back, they added a third level to the place which is where I spend most of my time. Each floor has a different vibe and plays different music. It gets chiller the higher you go. The bottom floor is definitely more DJ / House / Clubby type vibes. I dont think they host live bands (never seen any but could be wrong. Their outside area would be great for it) but they'll definitely have the occasional live DJ. I've been here a few times and each time they have a semi different menu each time. Drinks cost around 10 dollars. They do have happy hour starting as soon as you open and last until 8pm and you can save a few dollars. The back area is chill. They have some picnic style tables. I like coming here and people watch when I had enough of the music inside. Its definitely a chill dancing bar and always a place I swing by when I'm in town. The line does get pretty long on bigger nights, so expect a wait.

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Clive
Clive
Clive

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Empire Control Room & Garage - musicvenues - Updated June 2026

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