My wife and I used to enjoy stopping in Austin for a night now & then to go bar hopping to see a lot of live music. I was there last year after a long time away and found 6th. to be populated by a LOT more homeless than I remember, the whole 10 blocks smelled like sewage, it just wasn't what I remember.

My wife's birthday finds us traveling to the hill country and spending Thursday night in Austin. Can anyone make recommendations on where to go NOT in that cesspool to see live music, maybe hop from venue to venue? Or is 5th/6th the only option for that in Austin?

Thanks for any recommendations!

J.R.

Not as much live music, but there are quite a few nice bars and restaurants in the Domain on the north side of town.

My advice is to go someplace else, I would not take anybody I cared for (especially my wife) to austin.

Go to the Warehouse District, Rainey Street, or South Lamar. They're all close to downtown, but totally different vibe.

Do you already have a hotel? My son's a student at UT and we go to Austin ~6 times a year.

Rainey street looks interesting. I think we’ll give that a try. Thanks for the guidance!

Read about the "Rainey Street Ripper" before you go into that part of town after dark.

I asked a ln Austin cop where a good spot to go would be , he advised no where

Check out a bar named Long Play Lounge. There are 2 locations in Austin. I'd call ahead and ask if they've got live music on Thursday's and who's playing.

Ugh:/. Darn shame that one has to get out of Austin to enjoy Austin…

The website looks cool. We’ll check for live music and maybe check it out. Thanks for the tip!

I live 50 miles away from Austin and I drive to Fort Worth if I need anything important...nothing is going to happen in Austin that is good for a conservative.

It has gotten pretty bad, most the nightlife moved outside of Austin.

Y’all can check out “The Little Darlin” off south congress and east William cannon.

6th is a toilet these days....stay far away.

Listen to the man.

Watch out you don't step in bum [censored] while you're walking around there.

Go south past slaughter lane on manchaca. Look up Moontower and there are at least 3 newer bars down there and finish up at Giddy up.

He is probably correct.

Austin lost the fun time like on 6th street when you could go from bar to bar and have nickle shiners around the late 80's

It was fun back then, no cover charge, all bars had bands playing.

You just wander up and down 6th street until you found the band and vibe you liked.

I worked in Austin back in 2008 from June until September, Stayed at the Extended stay hotels off 183/35 area.

We couldn't find jack to do at night, it was me and my crew of guys we would be there Monday thru Friday

We would go to a Yellow Rose Cabaret and I would pay for VIP section for my guys, We would all get steak and veggies which was very good and it was pretty darn cheap, we would have a few cocktails, stuff some g stings and around 9pm we would go back the hotel to sleep and rest and get ready for the next day work

It was hot and humid that summer, I was pretty thin after that huge project was completed

JR you find a decent spot for the wife's birthday last night?

Rock Rose area in the Domain has a number of clubs--may have some live music depending on the evening. I generally stay out of Austin as much as possible.

The burbs around the city have a number of venue's--you might check the night you are in town for acts/shows. For instance, in CP we have the Haute Spot and they have a number of shows. You will probably need tickets depending on the act. I know there are other venues in the burbs so do I'd web search and see what acts are playing in the area.

Rainey street was a hit. No homeless or panhandlers, some live music, and good food. Ended the night at Antone’s listening to a darn good blues band.

Mama had a great day and night for her birthday, and that’s what matters. Currently watching a herd of deer walk be the back porch at the VRBO South of Fredericksburg and chilling. All good. Thank all of you for the tips!