Welcome to Austin, Texas: Live Music Capital of the World. We’re also big fans of quality craft beer and we’re lucky enough to have plenty of both within city limits.
There are plenty of places to grab a cold Shiner or Lone Star and catch some of the best local acts. But there are a few breweries hosting their own concert series, usually for free, and these events bring the whole neighborhood out.
Most of the Austin breweries known for live music sets have built stages right in their taproom with equipment that rivals other music venues in town.
So save out this list, mark your calendars, and head to your these breweries for some of the best live Austin music your ears will ever hear:
Austin Breweries with Live Music
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The ABGB’s The Sunday Best
Austin Beer Garden and Brewery, just off South Lamar, has literally everything you could want. Great live music on a stage that beautifully shows off the brewing equipment, delicious pizzas and salads for everyone, tons, TONS of seating with dogs allowed outside, and all the classic beer styles! It’s also been recognized for being a great brewpub on a national level. The ABGB team won Large Brewpub Of The Year & Large Brewpub Brewer Of The Year at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival!
Come down on a Sunday to catch their weekly free live music series: The Sunday Best. “Hang out under the trees. Drink some beer (that’s all made here). Hug your friends. Have a sandwich… or a slice or two. Swing your partners. That’s the Sunday Best.”
The warehouse style beer garden is a the perfect community gathering place to bring your friends and family. Expect to fill up on good brews and eats with music from some of Austin’s favorite artists.
Read This: Austin’s Best Brewpubs
Oskar Blues
I think Oskar Blues has really become the star in brewery music venues in Austin. The stage is the focal point of their already impressive taproom. Even the sound system is up to the standards of other big venues in town!
Oskar Blues in Austin is consistently hosting great music acts in everything from hip-hop to country music. Check out their calendar, they’ll have something going on for every holiday and event. Now you have another excuse to come up north and check out the craft beer neighborhood.
10420 Metric Blvd, Austin | Calendar
Read This: North Austin Brewery Guide
South Austin Brewery
I’m a huge fan of South Austin Brewery and their craft beers, but currently they are undergoing a taproom renovation. Before the renovation, they had an awesome stage that was the centerpiece of the taproom.
Featuring local acts, big and small, South Austin Brewery was a hip place to grab a beer and catch up with friends. My favorite part of this brewery is their upstairs taproom that usually features limited and one-off brews. I can’t wait to see what they do with this renovation, I know it’s gonna be an awesome reveal!
415 E St Elmo Rd | Website
St Elmo’s Grassy Thursdays & Funky Fridays
St Elmo Brewing is one of the first businesses open to the public in The Yard development. The Yard is part of the south Austin’s warehouse district and they’re keeping a commitment to preserving the Austin culture we all love. Which includes a heavy influence on supporting local music.
The south Austin brewery keeps that culture alive by hosting two weekly concerts. One on Thursdays for local bluegrass musicians and the other on Friday for funky Austin acts. It only took a few weeks before Grassy Thursdays became a the happening spot to be on Thursday nights, whether or not you live in the neighborhood! And then, Funky Fridays is pretty much the best way to start your weekend.
440 E St Elmo Rd G-2 | Calendar
Read This: St Elmo Brewing – The Scoop on Austin’s Exciting New Brewery
Independence Brewing’s First Saturdays
First Saturdays at Independence Brewing has the same wonderful vibe you’d get at your neighborhood block party. Except here, the taps of craft beer are always flowing. Called, “Austin’s Worst Kept Secret,” the brewery’s concert series is known to pull a huge crowd.
Every month, the brewery curates a line up with Austin Music Foundation’s Artists, and a portion of bar sales during the sets benefit AMF. First Saturdays is Independence’s way of showing us the proper way to throw a block party.
While the tour and beer tastings are free, bring some cash to purchase food and brewery merchandise. Wristbands are $10 and get you 3 beers! Also recommended, bring your own seating, like I said the live music event draws a crowd.
3913 Todd Ln #607 | Calendar
Uncle Billy’s Brewery’s Thursday Honkey Tonk Happy Hour + Sunday Gospel Brunch
Uncle Billy’s has the perfect combination of slow-smoked Texas barbecue and award-winning craft beers. The current head brewer, Trevor Nearburg creates special brews so frequently, you can always bet on trying something new when you head down to Barton Springs for a visit.
Head down to Barton Springs on Sundays for Brunch from 10am – 3pm, for $3.00 Bloody Marys & Mimosas and gospel music from Graham Wilkinson. If you can make down for a boozy brunch, stop by after your afternoon dip in Barton Springs to catch happy hour and honkey tonk music.
Every Thursday, take advantage of $1 off all Uncle Billy’s beer from 4pm – 9pm, with live music starting at 6:30pm.
1530 Barton Springs Rd | Calendar
Read This: Austin’s Uncle Billy’s Brewery Celebrates 11 Years of Beer and BBQ
Pin this to save as your guide to free live music with Austin craft beer!
What’s your favorite place to grab some craft beer and catch live music? Let me know in the comments!
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