Open Mic Nights for musicians
NOTE: I added this page to my website when I was hosting what was at the time “Austin’s longest, continuously running open mic” at B.B. Rover’s Cafe & Pub.Many open mic players would ask about other venues in the area with open mic nights. This list is not comprehensive, and it is almost impossible to keep current, so I suggest you call ahead of time before you go.
SUNDAY
Twin Creeks Icehouse
13400 FM 2769, Austin - 8 PM
Throwback honky-tonk brings a taste of 1970s Austin into the 21st Century. Another special place where I met a lot of area musicians, also the site of my 2017 album release party for HONKY TONK HYMNAL. When weather permits, the live music is outside on its creekside patio. HOST: Chris
MONDAY
NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street, Austin / 7-9 PM
Nice stage and great sound system. Kate Howard was the host, but I’m not sure if she’s still doing it.
Speakeasy
412 Congress Ave, Austin / 8:30 signup
Whiskey Girls Saloon
13700 Hwy 973, Manor TX / 7-10 PM
TUESDAY
Hanover's Draught Haus
108 E. Main St, Pflugerville - 512.670.9617 / 8:00-11:00
With its stage squeezed to the side of its longish interior, it still manages to offer good sound and reasonably good views of the performers. Out back, it has sandy volleyball courts, horseshoes, giant 4x4 Jenga, and other activities.
Posse East Bar & Grill
2900 Duval St - 512.477.2111 / 8:00-midnight
Located by the UT campus, it is a patio open mic (covered and with heaters during inclement weather). Be aware that as an outside "stage," smoking is allowed.
Sam's Town Point
2115 Allred Dr - 512.701.3411 / 8:00-midnight
A neighborhood bar built by neighbors. I once played a benefit show there, but haven't done its OMN scene yet. Good stage, plus room to dance.
WEDNESDAY
Edge of Town Saloon & Grill
15601 Vision Dr, Pflugerville - 512.251.9358 / 7:00 - 11:00
Nice stage and good sound system. The only downside, IMHO, is this is smoking-allowed-indoors establishment. Sometimes, it appears smoking indoors is required here.
Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos St - 512.201.2522 / 8:00
An old speakeasy from the Roaring Twenties (you enter through a hidden sliding door disguised as a bookshelf). Small stage, but big on atmosphere. Just a half-block off Sixth Street across Brazos from the Driskill Hotel.
Poodie's Roadhouse (a.k.a. Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill)
22308 Hwy 71 W, Spicewood - 512.264.0318 / 7:00-close
Since the early 1970s, this storied honky-tonk's stage has seen the likes of Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rusty Weir, and many other great country music stars come through the door. HOST: B.B. Morse.
Walburg German Restaurant and Beirgarten
3777 FM 972, Walburg, TX - 512.863.8440
Technically, not an open mic, this is an invitation-only songwriter showcase in the sleepy village of Walburg (about five miles NE of Georgetown). Best way to get invited is to go to a show and talk with the host afterward. HOST: Mike Mathis, Sr.
THURSDAY
Giddy Ups Saloon
12010 Manchaca - 512.280.4732 / 8:30-midnight (sign-up 8:00)
This far south Austin honky-tonk welcomes everybody, and you never know who might drop in. On my first visit there, W.C. Clark stopped by and sat in with the scheduled act before giving an impromptu set himself.
Gnarly Gar
18200 Lakepoint Cv, Point Venture - 512.267.1845 / 7 - 10 PM
Floating bar on north shore of Lake Travis; its open mic sometimes serves as auditions for performers seeking a Sunday afternoon gig (noon - 3 PM). HOSTS: Jay Dee Hicks and/or Douglas Clyde Martin
Green Mesquite BBQ
Still haven't made it to this OMN yet, but I love its outdoor stage, and have seen several great groups perform here over the years.
1400 Barton Springs Road -512.479.0485 / 7 PM
Kick Butt Coffee Music & Booze
5775 Airport Blvd, Ste 725 - 512.454.5425 / 7:00 (sign-up 5:45)
Brings in some live music acts (I saw Danny Fast Fingers play there), and offers two open mics nights: Tuesdays for poetry, and Thursdays for music.
Three Legged Goat
200 E Pecan #5, Pflugerville, (512) 968-0386 / 7 - 9 PM
Professional live music on Saturday nights, plus this Thursday OMN allowing both music and poetry slam. HOST: Dino Panichi
FRIDAY
Black Sparrow Music Parlor (last Fridays only, call first to confirm)
113 W. 2nd Street, Taylor, TX - 512.804.9626 / 7 PM (last Fridays only)
Great stage, great sound, great owners. This is a true listening room in Taylor, just 40 minutes NE of Austin.
_________________
To schedule a show, with John or The Kaye Pasa Trio, please put SCHEDULE A SHOW in the subject line of your email to davenport924@yahoo.com.
Picture at top of page: The Kaye Pasa Trio playing at Rumi's Tavern in Jonestown, Texas, with (L-R) John Davenport, Kaye Reznick, and Paul Teneyuque.
NOTE: I added this page to my website when I was hosting what was at the time “Austin’s longest, continuously running open mic” at B.B. Rover’s Cafe & Pub.Many open mic players would ask about other venues in the area with open mic nights. This list is not comprehensive, and it is almost impossible to keep current, so I suggest you call ahead of time before you go.
SUNDAY
Twin Creeks Icehouse
13400 FM 2769, Austin - 8 PM
Throwback honky-tonk brings a taste of 1970s Austin into the 21st Century. Another special place where I met a lot of area musicians, also the site of my 2017 album release party for HONKY TONK HYMNAL. When weather permits, the live music is outside on its creekside patio. HOST: Chris
MONDAY
NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street, Austin / 7-9 PM
Nice stage and great sound system. Kate Howard was the host, but I’m not sure if she’s still doing it.
Speakeasy
412 Congress Ave, Austin / 8:30 signup
Whiskey Girls Saloon
13700 Hwy 973, Manor TX / 7-10 PM
TUESDAY
Hanover's Draught Haus
108 E. Main St, Pflugerville - 512.670.9617 / 8:00-11:00
With its stage squeezed to the side of its longish interior, it still manages to offer good sound and reasonably good views of the performers. Out back, it has sandy volleyball courts, horseshoes, giant 4x4 Jenga, and other activities.
Posse East Bar & Grill
2900 Duval St - 512.477.2111 / 8:00-midnight
Located by the UT campus, it is a patio open mic (covered and with heaters during inclement weather). Be aware that as an outside "stage," smoking is allowed.
Sam's Town Point
2115 Allred Dr - 512.701.3411 / 8:00-midnight
A neighborhood bar built by neighbors. I once played a benefit show there, but haven't done its OMN scene yet. Good stage, plus room to dance.
WEDNESDAY
Edge of Town Saloon & Grill
15601 Vision Dr, Pflugerville - 512.251.9358 / 7:00 - 11:00
Nice stage and good sound system. The only downside, IMHO, is this is smoking-allowed-indoors establishment. Sometimes, it appears smoking indoors is required here.
Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos St - 512.201.2522 / 8:00
An old speakeasy from the Roaring Twenties (you enter through a hidden sliding door disguised as a bookshelf). Small stage, but big on atmosphere. Just a half-block off Sixth Street across Brazos from the Driskill Hotel.
Poodie's Roadhouse (a.k.a. Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill)
22308 Hwy 71 W, Spicewood - 512.264.0318 / 7:00-close
Since the early 1970s, this storied honky-tonk's stage has seen the likes of Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rusty Weir, and many other great country music stars come through the door. HOST: B.B. Morse.
Walburg German Restaurant and Beirgarten
3777 FM 972, Walburg, TX - 512.863.8440
Technically, not an open mic, this is an invitation-only songwriter showcase in the sleepy village of Walburg (about five miles NE of Georgetown). Best way to get invited is to go to a show and talk with the host afterward. HOST: Mike Mathis, Sr.
THURSDAY
Giddy Ups Saloon
12010 Manchaca - 512.280.4732 / 8:30-midnight (sign-up 8:00)
This far south Austin honky-tonk welcomes everybody, and you never know who might drop in. On my first visit there, W.C. Clark stopped by and sat in with the scheduled act before giving an impromptu set himself.
Gnarly Gar
18200 Lakepoint Cv, Point Venture - 512.267.1845 / 7 - 10 PM
Floating bar on north shore of Lake Travis; its open mic sometimes serves as auditions for performers seeking a Sunday afternoon gig (noon - 3 PM). HOSTS: Jay Dee Hicks and/or Douglas Clyde Martin
Green Mesquite BBQ
Still haven't made it to this OMN yet, but I love its outdoor stage, and have seen several great groups perform here over the years.
1400 Barton Springs Road -512.479.0485 / 7 PM
Kick Butt Coffee Music & Booze
5775 Airport Blvd, Ste 725 - 512.454.5425 / 7:00 (sign-up 5:45)
Brings in some live music acts (I saw Danny Fast Fingers play there), and offers two open mics nights: Tuesdays for poetry, and Thursdays for music.
Three Legged Goat
200 E Pecan #5, Pflugerville, (512) 968-0386 / 7 - 9 PM
Professional live music on Saturday nights, plus this Thursday OMN allowing both music and poetry slam. HOST: Dino Panichi
FRIDAY
Black Sparrow Music Parlor (last Fridays only, call first to confirm)
113 W. 2nd Street, Taylor, TX - 512.804.9626 / 7 PM (last Fridays only)
Great stage, great sound, great owners. This is a true listening room in Taylor, just 40 minutes NE of Austin.
_________________
To schedule a show, with John or The Kaye Pasa Trio, please put SCHEDULE A SHOW in the subject line of your email to davenport924@yahoo.com.
Picture at top of page: The Kaye Pasa Trio playing at Rumi's Tavern in Jonestown, Texas, with (L-R) John Davenport, Kaye Reznick, and Paul Teneyuque.
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