Historic Event Venues in Austin

From lushly landscaped outdoor gardens to elegantly restored historic mansions, Austin offers an array of event venues that tap into local history and offer new innovations within treasured landmarks. For a true Austin experience, book one of these iconic venues for your next event.

Lutie's Garden Restaurant. Credit Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection.

Authentically Austin

The Paramount Theatre & Stateside at The Paramount
For large-scale corporate meetings, movie screenings and special fundraising events, these two historic theaters offer traditional theater seating and new, state-of-the-art sound and digital technology. The Paramount Theatre accommodates up to 1,250+ people, while Stateside at The Paramount accommodates up to 305 people. Read about The Paramount’s current health and safety protocols.

Commodore Perry Estate
Auberge Resorts Collection has transformed this beloved Austin estate, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which now features 54 guest rooms and suites within its original Italian Renaissance-style mansion. Hold an event in one of the five spaces in the Mansion (accommodating up to 150 guests), the manicured grounds of the Gardens (for a reception of up to 300 people), the 1,600-square-foot Chapel (accommodating up to 250 theater-style) or Lutie’s Garden Restaurant, offering Texan and New American fare, for up to 140 guests (reception-style).

Mattie’s at Green Pastures
Modern and vintage styles seamlessly intermingle at this new Southern restaurant inside a lovingly restored turn-of-the-century farmhouse. Choose from an array of private dining spaces, as well as indoor and outdoor event venues, whether you’re planning a dinner for 12 or 160.

Republic Square
An outdoor park in the heart of Downtown Austin, this revitalized historic space can accommodate small outdoor events from company picnics to team-building events, as well as large events from festivals to expos, for up to 3,500 people. Learn about Republic Square’s health and safety guidelines.

Republic Square. Courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance.

Scholz Garten
Staking its claim as Austin’s oldest drinking establishment, Scholz Garten was founded in 1866 and continues to be the place to celebrate University of Texas at Austin football wins (a tradition here since 1893). This versatile venue can host up to 1,221 guests.

Fiesta Gardens
The sprawling outdoor Fiesta Gardens, situated on the shores of Lady Bird Lake, hosts some of the biggest festivals in Austin. It also offers a 4,000-square-foot, hacienda-style building with an outdoor patio overlooking a lagoon that can accommodate 200 people combined. Note that Austin Parks and Recreation Department site/event rentals are   temporarily suspended  .

German-Texans Heritage Society
This German nonprofit group hosts popular events like the annual Oktoberest and Christmas Market, as well as community programs such as German language classes. Rent the historic German Free School building, which includes beautiful outdoor gardens.

Millett Opera House/The Austin Club
Plan an elegant event at The Austin Club, housed in the ornate former Millett Opera House. For meetings, rent one of the private rooms, including the intimate House Conference Room that features a portion of the 1870s opera house’s exquisite hand-painted ceiling. Throw a cocktail party in the gold-hued Medallion Room, where the entire ballroom can accommodate 300 for a stand-up reception or 250 guests for a seated dinner.

The Lawn at Seaholm
With the Art Deco-style Seaholm Power Plant as its backdrop, The Lawn at Seaholm is an expansive outdoor green space that sits right across the street from Lady Bird Lake and the Central Austin Public Library. The Lawn, which accommodates 2,000+ people, can be divided into a number of different configurations to suit your event. Note that The Lawn at Seaholm is temporarily closed to events.

The Contemporary Austin – Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria. Credit Brian Fitzsimmons.

Historic Homes

Daniel H. Caswell House
A two-story Victorian home boasting vintage-style furnishings, a lush front lawn and big wraparound porches, this venue near the Texas State Capitol can accommodate up to 80 people for an elegant, seated gathering or up to 150 people for a reception-style event.

Laguna Gloria
This lakeside estate in West Austin features a Mediterranean villa, gorgeous gardens and an outdoor amphitheater for an unforgettable event held indoors or outdoors. Capacity is dependent on set-up, ranging from small gatherings up to groups of 250 people. Learn about Laguna Gloria’s visitor safety guidelines.

Chateau Bellevue
This majestic, castle-like venue feels like something out of a fairytale. Take your pick of luxurious event spaces, from the intimate Evans Dining Room to the sprawling Chateau Ballroom for up to 150 guests.

Neill-Cochran House Museum
With grand columns and luxurious chandeliers, this Greek Revival mansion in Central Austin exudes Southern charm. The historic home accommodates 50 inside or up to 200 outside, with convenient on-site parking for up to 40 vehicles.

Brush Square Museums & Park
Within the East Sixth Street National Register Historic District are the Brush Square Museums that include two historic homes: the Susanna Dickinson Museum (home of the only Anglo adult survivor of the Battle of the Alamo) and the O. Henry Museum (former residence of the famed short story writer), which is closed until late 2021 for renovations. Brush Square Park’s shady lawn and courtyard spans two acres, located between the two historic homes, and is a popular spot for private events.

Courtesy of the Driskill Hotel.

Sixth Street Historic District

Maggie Mae’s
Consisting of four renovated historic buildings dating back to the 1870s and located just one block from the Austin Convention Center, this vast venue offers numerous spaces: a vibrant rooftop deck, a rollicking live music venue, a sultry lounge and much more. With seven bars, three stages and multiple floors, this venue can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

The Driskill
Texas grandeur reigns supreme at this historic hotel on Sixth and Brazos Streets, where 18,000 square feet of event spaces await, from stately boardrooms to elegant ballrooms. Rooms range from the stunning Mezzanine, capable of holding 500 guests, to the intimate Governor’s Boardroom, for up to 15 guests. Learn about The Driskill’s cleanliness commitment.

Speakeasy
A block from Sixth Street in the heart of the Warehouse District, this three-in-one event venue offers more than 9,000 square feet of space, as well as plenty of entertainment for large groups, with two live music stages, bowling lanes and a pool table. Room capacities, which include a rooftop terrace with city views, range from 25 classroom-style to 1,000 for a reception.

Broken Spoke. Credit Winker Withaneye.

Iconic Music Venues

Broken Spoke
A vestige of true Texas dance halls, this no-frills saloon is the perfect spot for a casual night of boot-scootin’, live music and good eatin’. Give your large groups of up to 600 people an only-in-Austin experience with two-step dance lessons, a country music concert and a buffet of chicken fried steak.

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
The smell-it-before-you-see-it bar, restaurant and live music venue serves up slow-smoked barbecue like Black Angus brisket, along with wood-grilled steaks, chops and seafood. Lamberts can accommodate full restaurant buyouts for 200+ people and second-floor events (including a live music stage) for up to 85 people, as well as gatherings on its back patio for 60 people.

Güero’s Taco Bar
Güero’s Taco Bar is known for its icy margaritas, fresh Mexican dishes (including handmade corn tortillas and mole) and the live music performed in its outdoor Oak Garden, Wednesday through Sunday. Güero’s Oak Garden can accommodate up to 750 people for live music. Learn about Güero’s health and safety practices.

The Continental Club
Opened in 1955 as a swank supper club, the retro Continental Club and its intimate upstairs Continental Gallery present nightly live rockabilly, country, rock, jazz and soul music. The Continental Club can accommodate parties up to 175. Note that The Continental Club is temporarily closed. ​

Historic Scoot Inn
Opened in 1871, the Historic Scoot Inn is the oldest bar in central Texas, and continues to host live music of all genres. Today this cozy spot feels like visiting someone’s home, making it one of East Austin’s most sought-after concert venues and event spaces, accommodating up to 1,050 guests. The rustic outdoor patio, perfect for warm Austin nights, features a bar and small stage.

Courtesy of the George Washington Carver Museum.

Museums

George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center
The first African-American museum in Texas offers its Boyd Vance Theatre (seating up to 134), grand atrium Lobby (100 seated/250 standing) and a commercial kitchen for private rental. Available reserved free rooms include a 12-seat conference room and small dance studio that accommodates up to 25 people. Note that the museum is temporarily closed.

Mexic-Arte Museum
Texas’ official Mexican and Mexican-American fine art museum offers several vibrant gallery spaces for private events. The main gallery space is ideal for small- to medium-sized receptions, luncheons, corporate meetings and panel discussions. Combine the first-floor main and annex galleries to create a standing cocktail party for up to 200 guests. And be sure to plan a private museum tour (offered in English and Spanish) for your group.

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