Your Trip to Houston: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Shopping in Houston Houston's Top Festivals Best Food to Try in Houston Best Restaurants in Houston Top Bars in Houston Best Breweries in Houston Weather & Climate Houston's Airports Best Hotels in Houston Neighborhoods to Know Driving in Houston Houston's Public Transport 48 Hours in Houston: Itinerary Day Trips From Houston Best Beaches Near Houston Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Houston's Best Parks Museums in Houston Theater in Houston Live Music in Houston Your Trip to Houston: The Complete Guide close Overview United States Texas Houston Best Live-Music Venues in Houston By Shea Serrano Shea Serrano Instagram Twitter Shea Serrano is the author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Basketball (and Other Things)." He has deep roots in Houston, Texas. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 05/19/19 Share Pin Email Regardless of what kind of music you like to drink to, there’s a venue in Houston, Texas to find what your ears and mouth are craving. Whether it be hip-hop and amaretto sours, indie-rock with a sex on the beach, country and Long Island ice teas, or something in between, you’re sure to find it at one of these venues. 01 of 06 McGonigel's Mucky Duck fossilmike/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 Located in the Greenway/Upper Kirby area just north of US 59, McGonigel's Mucky Duck is an Irish pub with an eclectic lineup of musicians in the evenings. While the bar isn't fully stocked with liquor, it has a variety of beers and wines, as well as a full food menu with items like shepherd's pie and fish and chips. Tip: It's a smaller venue, so it's best to get your tickets ahead of time. 02 of 06 Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar Bar Boheme The (free) open mic night at Boheme on Wednesdays has grown into a mostly polished showing of some of Houston’s finer musicians. You’ll receive a mix of sounds, but you can expect the majority of the music to center around acoustic singer/songwriters. If nothing else, Boheme’s pomegranate mojito will help get you through any less-than-great acts. Expect an artsy, bohemian crowd. 03 of 06 Last Concert Cafe BFS Man/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 One of the more storied venues in Houston, LCC is home to hippies, a folkloric history, and a menu of Mexican food. Wander towards the back of the venue to find a surprising mini-amphitheater-esque set-up that can be found hosting everything from folk rock to R&B. Beers, margaritas, and the occasional mixed drink rule here. Expect an earthy crowd. 04 of 06 Kalahari Night Club and Bar Jasmin Veloso/Getty Images Owner Emman LeGrand has been a staple in Houston’s burgeoning African party population for some time now, so when he was signed on as GM at Club Kalahari, the venue gained instant credibility. This place is a night club, sports bar, and more. Of course, booking authentic Soukous performers from Africa has helped a bit, too. Kalahari punch seems to be the drink of choice here — though their $3 beers are popular as well. Fridays are typically the busiest nights. Expect a decidedly African crowd. Continue to 5 of 6 below. 05 of 06 Rudyard's British Pub Rudyard's British Pub and Grill If you're looking for a low-key, neighborhood bar in Houston, Rudyard's British Pub in Montrose is a great bet. The venue features a mix of punk, rock and metal artists and bands throughout the week and most weekends, as well as an open mic comedy night on Monday evenings. The beer selection is impressive, and the venue offers a wide variety of food to choose from. Tip: Only those who are aged 21 and older are allowed inside for shows. 06 of 06 Axelrad Axelrad One of the best bars in the Museum District, Axelrad is a great place to kick back — literally. Hammocks fill up the site's outdoor patio, giving "chilling out" a whole new meaning. In addition to live musical performances scheduled throughout the week, movies are also projected on the screen outside on Mondays. Occasionally, guest speakers, such as elected officials or candidates running for office will also come to give a talk or Q&A. While Axelrad is known for its beer selection, it also has cocktails available. If you're hungry, Luigi's Pizzeria is right next door, and food trucks often set up shop outside of the main gate. Shopping in Houston Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit