Austin · AUSTIN LIVE MUSIC & BAR CRAWLS
21 reviewed
This is the Live Music Capital, and the trick is knowing which door is worth it tonight. These are the best live-music tours and bar crawls: honky-tonk two-steps out east, dive-bar runs off Red River, and guided nights that cover the cover charges, with prices, how many stops each one makes, and what the night really costs.
Austin Live Music Crawl: three stops, live local bands, and city stories on a Mercedes van. Entry fees included for $99.
“Get a taste of Austin live music. The team knows good music and were very time she organized. We got to see three good shows.”
Austin Haunted Pub Crawl pairs ghost stories with downtown bar stops. Walk about 2 hours at 8pm, with drinks bought on your tab.
“I would like to start off by saying our tour guide himself was very nice and informative. However, the tour itself was severely disappointing and badly organized. A major problem was the size of the group. Since there were so many of us (about 25), we had literally no time at all to order drinks. At the very first place we visited, the guide ushered us out when we hadn’t had a chance to receive the drink we ordered, and many of the group that did have a chance to order didn’t have a chance to enjoy their drinks. Unfortunately we had already paid and were forced to leave our…”
A small-group Downtown Austin pub crawl with 5 live-music stops, venue cover charges included, and time to order drinks and hang with locals.
“This was a good way to get us to go visit a few bars. However, given that there are so many bars open with no cover, we could have easily seen many of them ourselves for free.”
Join an Austin Downtown live music walking pub crawl on 6th Street with expert guides, fast bar entry, and drink specials for $36.
“Went on a pub crawl after a food tour and got after it with the boys. An absolute racket of a time. Will be going back soon.”
Austin’s Brew Bus tour mixes 3 brewery tastings, a food-truck lunch, and a live band on the bus for a low-stress beer afternoon.
“Cannot express how much fun this tour was! Went to 3 different breweries. The band was amazing and it was fun to sing along to their songs. The bus driver, Tom the Bomb, and our tour guide, Tex, were also fun to hang and interact with. I am planning on going again the next time in Austin. Can't wait to try the brewery brunch tour as well. Do this tour if you get a chance!!”
Small-group Austin live-music crawl with a local entertainer guide, AC van, and cover charges included for 3 great venues.
“Austin Detours' Live Music Crawl was an unforgettable experience! They take you off the beaten path to hidden gems you won't find online – think quirky venues with an atmosphere straight out of a Tarantino-Lynch film noir. Each stop had its own unique charm: the first, a red velvet haven with a killer country band and a lively crowd, the second, a hidden spot where a soul legend came alive on stage, and the third, a Tarantino-esque bar with an unexpected (and hilarious) surprise. It was truly surreal and unlike anything I've ever experienced. Trace and Kelty are fantastic guides! They provide a comprehensive history of Austin's music scene, keeping…”
Austin pedicab tour with a private guide to Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Antone's, and ACL Live in 90 minutes.
“Great experience! Caleb was a great guide and knew a lot about the city. Would definitely recommend!!”
Austin pub walk with a pro guide: stories from the 1870s, stops at Speakeasy, Firehouse Lounge, the Driskill, Congress Ave, and 6th Street.
“Jake was fantastic! Great guide to some of the city's coolest bars and a super interesting person to get to know as well. We visited four bars and walked through another one and all of them were good, if not great! Jake also mixed in some history at/before each bar, which Read more”
Get a guided backstage look at Austin City Limits at ACL Live inside the Moody Theater. A 90-minute daytime tour with photos, videos, and access.
“We had a good guide there were three or four informative vidéos. Did get back stage but there was a show tonight so we were a little restricted. There were lots of amazing photographs of performers and ACL Posters.”
Ride a pedal pub through Austin’s downtown bar districts for about 2 hours, with a cooler, sound system, and BYOB rules for groups.
“We celebrated a birthday. The experience overall was really fun . Our driver Gabriel had us laughing the whole time. We did the night time route and the scenery was beautiful.”
Austin’s Haunted Pub Crawl is a 2-hour walk with a live guide through historic bars, including Driskill Hotel and Buffalo Billiards.
“There was nothing to see - lots of walking and stops designed to make us purchase expensive drinks along the way -only very lengthy stories by an older woman who at the end literally almost forced us to tip her in front of the whole group. This one wasn’t great”
Roofless Austin mural party bus with dance floor, LED lights, BYOB stops, and photo moments across South Congress, East Austin, Rainey.
“Such a great time. DD was so nice, knowledgeable, and patient. We enjoyed ourselves. A timeless experience.”
Austin’s 3-hour speakeasy tour with guided stops at tiki, cocktail lounges, 6th Street, and Here Nor There for $50.
“Very fun experience. Guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. Each speakeasy has a completely different vibe. Be prepared to “check” your phone in the 2nd location.”
An Austin haunted pub crawl with ghost stories, local history, and time to buy drinks, priced at $36 for about 2 hours.
“Esteban was a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide. No one else signed up for the tour, so it was just him and me. I am sure he could have cancelled the tour, but he didn't. He took me to all of the spots and spent a good amount of time explaining what happened there to earn its haunted status. I never felt rushed to finish my drink.”
Three Austin rooftop bars in about two hours with free admission stops, a fun guide, and downtown night views. Drinks cost extra.
“Mary (our guide) was fantastic. She really knew the stories well and had lots of details to bring them to life. She was also great in making some recommendations for places to go and things to eat.”
