Austin Activities: Music

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Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World" www.ci.austin.tx.us/music. If you're into the bar and club scene, head to Sixth Street during the later hours for a wide selection of venues, many of which also feature live music. A note of interest regarding Austin clubs and bars: a new smoking ban prohibits smoking in any public building, including these establishments.

• The Cactus Café, 2247 Guadalupe (at 24th St.), ☎ +1 512-475-6515 (cactus@mail.utexas.edu), www.utexas.edu/student/txunion/ae/cactus. M-Th 11AM-Midnight, F 11AM-2AM, Sa 8PM-2AM (hours may vary during school breaks). A great place to hear many local artists. Much of the music that is played there seems to be singer-songwriter. It's musically akin to Austin City Limits and unlike Austin City Limits you can probably actually get in to the Cactus Café.

• Austin City Limits, (acl@klru.org), www.pbs.org/klru/austin. The venerable PBS show is filmed in the University of Texas' Radio Television and Film building.

• Stubb's BBQ, 801 Red River, ☎ +1 512-482-8422, www.stubbsaustin.com/music.php. This BBQ restaurant has some of the best selection of live music in Austin, thanks to Charles Attal, one of the owners, who is recognized nationally for his music booking business. Crowded on Sundays!

• Antone's, 213 West 5th, ☎ +1 512-320-8424, www.antones.net. An Austin original that has survived despite many hardships. Considered by USA Today to be one of the best Blues clubs in the nation, Antone's continues to be a launching pad for dozens of new artists each year.

• The Saxon Pub, 1320 South Lamar, ☎ +1 512-448-2552, www.thesaxonpub.com. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su Noon-2AM. An awesome live music venue. The Saxon hosts live music throughout the week and even has a "no cover" happy hour until 7PM. Look for the giant knight and neon guitar.

• Emo's, 603 Red River St (just off 6th St.), ☎ +1 512-477-3667, www.emosaustin.com. A great venue for live music. Two stages, inside and outside, showcase indie rock and other interesting performances.

• Hole in the Wall, 3600 Guadalupe (UT Campus ARea.). Unique UT campus area club. Great Live Music. Usually no cover. Unique mix of students and z's, craftsman and construction workers, gays, and professionals.

• Elysium, 705 Red River (Take I-35 to exit number 234B, 8TH), ☎ 512-478-2979, www.elysiumonline.net. Voted Best Dance Club 2003-2008 in the Austin Chronicle Readers' Poll