The Continental Club Gallery

I love this place. One of my favorite hang outs in Austin. Go with friends, on a date, or by yourself. It doesn't matter. It's about great music in a cozy space with bar that serves. I try to catch Ephraim Owens and co. (trumpet and ensemble) whenever I can, but you can pop in any time for any act and feel the magic. Shows tend to be on the free side (donations for early shows and/or $5 for late shows) which is awesome, too. Oh, and there's always some new and exciting art on the walls.

Since it was my only night in Austin, wanted to soak up as much live music as I could, and had time after work for a few more songs.  The Continental Club next door was charging $10 cover for some drum-intensive acts, and I was in the mood for something more mellow, so headed upstairs to the Continental Club Gallery.

Felt like a mix between a dive bar, a coffee shop, and someone's well lived-in living room.  The musician/guitarist up on stage, James Bullard, was really phenomenal.  Mix of all sorts of people in there. No cover, and got a good cocktail for just $5. There's even a nice view of the Austin skyline from the bar and a ping pong table! A great laid-back place for some seriously good live music.

The Continental Club is pretty damn iconic in the grand scheme of things. But the Continental Club Gallery should be right up there with it.

Somehow I ended up here twice in one week. Once to see the greyhounds in action and once to see the inimitable Tameca Jones. It's a shotgun style bar that can get hot, packed and rowdy -- especially when the blues are gnarly or the jazz is pumping. You never know who you're going to see play here or sit in but you can be assured it will make you want to dance.

This space is upstairs next to the continental club and never has a cover (as far as I know.) It's got a small bar that's a little too pricey for my taste -- but then I'm cheap. The one off shows and the regular folks don't skip on the soul.

It's not indie, it's not americana, it's not heavy metal or 80s rock. It's a bunch of incredibly talented musicians playing their asses off. It's like that great beating musical heart of Austin's jazz & blues scene found its way here and never left.