As the Live Music Capital of the World®, Austin offers good times and great tunes to everyone who visits, regardless of their age. In fact, checking out a performance counts among the best things to do in Austin when you’re under 21.
Teens can find family-friendly live music at concert venues, breweries, outdoor events, and festivals. Below you’ll find many of the most exciting options.
The Brook & The Bluff at Stubb's. Credit to Alex Parker.
Live Music Venues With Under-21 Shows
If you’re under 21, Austin has a lot to offer. There are highly respected spots happy to welcome teens to many of their music events.
Emo’s
Emo’s has hosted top indie acts like Sleater-Kinney, Spoon, and Sonic Youth. The concert venue frequently hosts under-21 shows, and you can find upcoming all-ages performances on their calendar.
ACL Live at the Moody Theater
ACL Live at the Moody Theater is home to the longest running live music television show in history and proudly advertises itself as an all-ages performance space for the majority of shows.Teens are welcome to visit and enjoy iconic acts at an ACL Live taping or one of their regular concerts by both local and touring acts.
Stubb's
Stubb’s outdoor amphitheater has brought high-energy music shows of all genres to Austin since the mid 1990s. Guests of any age are generally admitted (with some show-by-show exceptions; be sure to check the details for the particular show that interests you and your teen!).
Mohawk
Mohawk in the Red River Cultural District showcases the best of indie rock and punk performances. Here, teens can typically attend a wide variety of shows (again, with some exceptions; check specific show details before purchasing tickets).
Courtesy of Meanwhile Brewing.
Family-Friendly Breweries & Beer Gardens
Breweries and beer gardens may be associated with alcoholic beverages, but these spaces are popular destinations for all ages types of shows in Austin.
Austin Beerworks
Austin Beerworks has two locations with playscapes for young guests, kid-friendly bites like burgers and ice cream, and frequent live shows that are open to everyone.
Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (ABGB)
ABGB off of South Lamar Boulevard is a major favorite among families, and their indoor stage is a perfect choice for rain-or-shine live music for adults and kids alike. Don’t forget to order some of ABGB’s famous pizzas to keep you nourished in between dance breaks!
Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden
In the downtown Rainey Street district, Banger’s serves a widely beloved Sunday brunch complete with loaded egg and sausage sandwiches, French toast, and shrimp & grits, all while younger or older guests can enjoy some lively Americana & Big Band music on their roomy outdoor patio.
St. Elmo Brewing
St. Elmo Brewing also has regular live music for all ages at their two locations in South Congress and East Austin. Sprawl out with their spacious indoor-outdoor seating and top-quality eats from food trucks like Spicy Boys and Patty Palace.
Meanwhile Brewing
Meanwhile Brewing, a Southeast Austin institution with a huge lawn, is home to multiple food trucks, a soccer field, a top notch playscape and a big outdoor stage that presents plenty of shows for music lovers of any age.
Radio Coffee & Beer. Credit to Jay Ybarra.
Coffeehouses, Casual Spots, and Outdoor Spaces
Austin loves its coffee shops and outdoor spaces because they frequently have live music for guests of all ages.
Radio Coffee & Beer
Radio Coffee & Beer in South Austin, hosts a locally famous Bluegrass Night on Mondays, and older or younger guests can mingle, listen, and dance as these rollicking tunes play.
Central Market
At the Central Market grocery store location in North Lamar, live music happens on their expansive outdoor patio every Thursday-Sunday, and under-21 music aficionados are more than welcome.
Farmers Markets
Farmer’s markets are excellent weekend destinations for families who love music; check out the performances at the SFC Farmer’s Market in Downtown Austin on Saturdays and the Mueller Farmer’s Market on Sundays.
ACL Festival. Credit Taylor Regulski. Courtesy ACL Festival.
Teen-Friendly Festivals & Seasonal Series
Austin’s music festival schedule is the stuff of legends, and plenty of these events warmly invite teens to attend.
Austin City Limits is famously open to all ages, and listeners under-21 can also visit the free Blues on the Green festival in August, the Drop-In Free Summer Concert series at the Long Center from May through August, the Stay Black & Live Festival on Juneteenth, and many more.
Be sure to encourage your teens to observe festival-specific bag policies, to arrive with plenty of time to work their way through the entry lines, and to stay sun-smart with sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water.
