Austin Music Hall

Lots of potential. The main floor needs to be slanted. All the laides around me could not see and people almost broke out in fights trying to get a view. If you move out to the side, you still can't see. If you go to the balcony, you can't see either unless you are right against the rail. They need projection TVs up there so you can watch the action. If you stand in the back to get some room, you can't hear, there are no speakers. The temperature was great as were the bartenders. Please consider these suggestions, this place has so much potential. :) Pros: Location, Memories Cons: Can't see from anywhere!!! more

I wish I knew 5 more languages so I could describe how bad this place is six different ways. We drove up from San Antonio on New Years Eve to see two of my favorites and were extremely disappointed. First attempt at getting a beer took over 45 minutes. Second attempt at getting a beer took over and hour and a half!!!! We literally sat in line from the time the Gourds went off stage to the time Robert Earl Keen came on! We missed the entire Reckless Kelly set! By the time we made it to the front the second time, they had run out of cans of beer, and wouldn't let us get a bottle. Instead, they poured what ended up to be half foam into a tiny cup. By the time people got to the front of the line, it seemed as though brawls were going to ensue. People were so annoyed that they walked out before REK came on. If that doesn't paint the picture for you I don't know what does. If people are willing to walk out before seeing REK, you know the conditions were dreadful. The management should all be fired and the owner should be kicked repeatedly in the 'privates' so he knows what his concerts feel like. The entire night I was thinking that at some point someone was going to jump out and tell me I was on some sort of deranged TV show and that it was all a big joke. As a side note though, through no efforts of the management, all three bands put on really good shows. Too bad I missed most of it because I was standing in line for a cup of foam. As another side note, the line to the bathrooms were really short.................I wonder why that is. By the way, for those that aren't aware, Robert Earl is actually offering a free cd to all fans who were upset with the concert. Just go to his website. Way to go Robert Earl! Now follow it up by refusing to ever play at this venue again! Lets let Reckless Kelly know about the conditions as well. Pros: Short bathroom lines Cons: Where do I begin?(bad acoustics, 1.5 hr beer lines, etc....) more

I wish I knew 5 more languages so I could describe how bad this place is six different ways. We drove up from San Antonio on New Years Eve to see two of my favorites and were extremely disappointed. First attempt at getting a beer took over 45 minutes. Second attempt at getting a beer took over and hour and a half!!!! We literally sat in line from the time the Gourds went off stage to the time Robert Earl Keen came on! We missed the entire Reckless Kelly set! By the time we made it to the front the second time, they had run out of cans of beer, and wouldn't let us get a bottle. Instead, they poured what ended up to be half foam into a tiny cup. By the time people got to the front of the line, it seemed as though brawls were going to ensue. People were so annoyed that they walked out before REK came on. If that doesn't paint the picture for you I don't know what does. If people are willing to walk out before seeing REK, you know the conditions were dreadful. The management should all be fired and the owner should be kicked repeatedly in the 'privates' so he knows what his concerts feel like. The entire night I was thinking that at some point someone was going to jump out and tell me I was on some sort of deranged TV show and that it was all a big joke. Pros: Short bathroom lines Cons: Where do I begin?(bad acoustics, 1.5 hr beer lines, etc....) more

Just reiterating what everyone else has already said. Austin Music Hall tried their best to ruin our New Year's Eve celebration. The staff working the bar tried hard but poor management put them in an impossible situation. Whoever was running the show that night needs to seek another occupation. Running out of almost every kind of beer is ridiculous for a REK show on New Year's Eve. And a few beer troughs on either side of the stage would have remedied a huge portion of the bar lines. Living in Austin we have too many choices to put-up with this. I will not be attending anymore events at AMH. I feel very sorry for the guests that drove from out of town for this show and were excited about what could have and should have been a great night. Just so ya'll know - we're ashamed the Austin Music Hall is in Austin... Pros: The Lineup - Robert Earl Keen, Reckless Kelly and The Gourds Cons: Rude door staff, SLOW drink lines, too crowded more

Just reiterating what everyone else has already said. Austin Music Hall tried their best to ruin our New Year's Eve celebration. The staff working the bar tried hard but poor management put them in an impossible situation. Whoever was running the show that night needs to seek another occupation. Running out of almost every kind of beer is ridiculous for a REK show on New Year's Eve. And a few beer troughs on either side of the stage would have remedied a huge portion of the bar lines. Living in Austin we have too many choices to put-up with this. I will not be attending anymore events at AMH. I feel very sorry for the guests that drove from out of town for this show and were excited about what could have and should have been a great night. Just so ya'll know - we're ashamed the Austin Music Hall is in Austin... Pros: The Lineup - Robert Earl Keen, Reckless Kelly and The Gourds Cons: Rude door staff, SLOW drink lines, too crowded more

I have been to over 100 concerts at small venues to large venues. Austin Music Hall shouldnt even be called a music hall. This lame excuse of a concert hall was just pityful. The place had terriable acoustics to hear any sort of music and the place was way over crowded. Granted it was New Years but there was way to many people and not near enough staff to help. They had about 8 to 10 bartenders to handle 3000 people. Rediculous!!! It took anywhere from 1hr to 1 1/2hr to get a drink. There was even an extra bar that was not even open!! There was no beer tubs and no other way to get a drink. All this was before Reckless Kelly, the 2nd band of the night came on!! You could only imagine what it would have been like when REK came on. The place was not prepared for that size of venue or amount of people on New Years. The management obviously have never had any premium bands play here or they just dont know how to put on a good show and make everything ""customer friendly."" My friends and I drove 5hrs for this show and paid $40 for a ticket and left after 2hrs. We did not get to see a show and did not get what we paid for(a good time and good music). All we got was a long drink line, overcrowded space, and very bad sound. This is a disgrace to Robert Earl Keen himself and everything that Texas Country Music stands promotes. He had no clue that something this bad could have happened but I am sure that he will never play this venue again. Who could blame him, with this type of service and planning I will be amazed if Austin Music Hall will ever have anyone want to play here again. more

I have been to over 100 concerts at small venues to large venues. Austin Music Hall shouldnt even be called a music hall. This lame excuse of a concert hall was just pityful. The place had terriable acoustics to hear any sort of music and the place was way over crowded. Granted it was New Years but there was way to many people and not near enough staff to help. They had about 8 to 10 bartenders to handle 3000 people. Rediculous!!! It took anywhere from 1hr to 1 1/2hr to get a drink. There was even an extra bar that was not even open!! There was no beer tubs and no other way to get a drink. All this was before Reckless Kelly, the 2nd band of the night came on!! You could only imagine what it would have been like when REK came on. The place was not prepared for that size of venue or amount of people on New Years. The management obviously have never had any premium bands play here or they just dont know how to put on a good show and make everything "customer friendly." My friends and I drove 5hrs for this show and paid $40 for a ticket and left after 2hrs. We did not get to see a show and did not get what we paid for(a good time and good music). All we got was a long drink line, overcrowded space, and very bad sound. This is a disgrace to Robert Earl Keen himself and everything that Texas Country Music stands promotes. He had no clue that something this bad could have happened but I am sure that he will never play this venue again. Who could blame him, with this type of service and planning I will be amazed if Austin Music Hall will ever have anyone want to play here again. more

I echo what everyone else is saying regarding the debacle that was New Years Eve at Austin Music Hall. Words cannot adequately describe how ridiculous it was to try to get a drink in that place... on New Years Eve! I waited at least an hour and a half for 2 crappy beers in plastic cups that were mostly head.... every single person in line w/ me was miserable and disappointed. As we got closer to the bar, the "lines" turned into huge mobs of people pushing towards the bar... they are lucky things did not turn violent b/c people were at their limits of frustration. Being a dedicated Texas country music lover, I stayed through the whole thing, and REK did pull off a good show, but it was w/out doubt the WORST concert experience I have ever had. The worst part, too, is that it was completely avoidable if someone with half a brain was running that place. Double (or triple) the bar staff, line the sides of the building with beer troughs, and limit the admission to a reasonable number of people... it would have been a completely different night for so many people if those small things were done. At this point, though, they have lost my business forever... I will not go back and will tell everyone I know not to give their business to Austin Music Hall. I hope that bands read these reviews, too, and decide that they won't play there anymore. It is time for a major overhaul at AMH. Pros: Can't think of any right now Cons: I will have nightmares about those drink lines for the rest of my life... more

I echo what everyone else is saying regarding the debacle that was New Years Eve at Austin Music Hall. Words cannot adequately describe how ridiculous it was to try to get a drink in that place... on New Years Eve! I waited at least an hour and a half for 2 crappy beers in plastic cups that were mostly head.... every single person in line w/ me was miserable and disappointed. As we got closer to the bar, the ""lines"" turned into huge mobs of people pushing towards the bar... they are lucky things did not turn violent b/c people were at their limits of frustration. Being a dedicated Texas country music lover, I stayed through the whole thing, and REK did pull off a good show, but it was w/out doubt the WORST concert experience I have ever had. The worst part, too, is that it was completely avoidable if someone with half a brain was running that place. Double (or triple) the bar staff, line the sides of the building with beer troughs, and limit the admission to a reasonable number of people... it would have been a completely different night for so many people if those small things were done. At this point, though, they have lost my business forever... I will not go back and will tell everyone I know not to give their business to Austin Music Hall. I hope that bands read these reviews, too, and decide that they won't play there anymore. It is time for a major overhaul at AMH. Pros: Can't think of any right now Cons: I will have nightmares about those drink lines for the rest of my life... more

6 of us drove Austin to see Robert Earl Keen for New Years at AMH...afterall Austin is known for its music scene and they know how to put on a good show. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Upon our arrival at AMH we couldn't figure out why people were jumping into out cab before we had the chance to even get out of it. They apologized and just said they couldn't wait to get the hell outta there due to 1hr 15 min beer lines. I tried to convince myself they were overexaggerating and surely it could not be that bad, affterall its New years and AMH has to be prepared for a sold out show. After our entry, within less than 2 songs time we were exiting as well and wishing we had never even gotten out of our cab to begin with. The beer lines which were meandering lines of chaos were indeed a minimum of 1hr and 15min long consisting of no less that 75-100 people per line. I asked someone at the front of the line how long they had waited to be sure.What a waste of $260. Completely unorganized and ill prepared. Now...La Zona knows how to rock it. AMH...very sad. Pros: I snuck my camera in Cons: 80 minute wait for single beer more

6 of us drove Austin to see Robert Earl Keen for New Years at AMH...afterall Austin is known for its music scene and they know how to put on a good show. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Upon our arrival at AMH we couldn't figure out why people were jumping into out cab before we had the chance to even get out of it. They apologized and just said they couldn't wait to get the hell outta there due to 1hr 15 min beer lines. I tried to convince myself they were overexaggerating and surely it could not be that bad, affterall its New years and AMH has to be prepared for a sold out show. After our entry, within less than 2 songs time we were exiting as well and wishing we had never even gotten out of our cab to begin with. The beer lines which were meandering lines of chaos were indeed a minimum of 1hr and 15min long consisting of no less that 75-100 people per line. I asked someone at the front of the line how long they had waited to be sure.What a waste of $260. Completely unorganized and ill prepared. Now...La Zona knows how to rock it. AMH...very sad. Pros: I snuck my camera in Cons: 80 minute wait for single beer more

A group of 15 of us made plans a month in advance to spend New Year's at the AMH. Robert Earl Keen was the headliner. I've seen him ten times at the very least. Drink lines were OVER an hour long!! I stood in line for twenty minutes and didn't move a single inch. Seriously, my feet didn't move. Eight bartenders serving 3,000 people is ridiculous. I was told this was normal procedure for sold out shows. Evidently the procedure needs to change! I left before REK even came on stage because I knew I wouldn't have a drink by the time midnight rolled around. I will NEVER, EVER go to another concert at AMH. It was by far the most miserable concert experience I've had. I also called to get a refund and haven't received a call back. I did speak to the "bar manager" and he defended this debacle by saying "everyone happened to all drink on the same night! We've had sold out shows before and there has never been a problem like the one you describe." Yeah bud, it's called New Year's Eve... Cons: Everything. more

A group of 15 of us made plans a month in advance to spend New Year's at the AMH. Robert Earl Keen was the headliner. I've seen him ten times at the very least. Drink lines were OVER an hour long!! I stood in line for twenty minutes and didn't move a single inch. Seriously, my feet didn't move. Eight bartenders serving 3,000 people is ridiculous. I was told this was normal procedure for sold out shows. Evidently the procedure needs to change! I left before REK even came on stage because I knew I wouldn't have a drink by the time midnight rolled around. I will NEVER, EVER go to another concert at AMH. It was by far the most miserable concert experience I've had. I also called to get a refund and haven't received a call back. I did speak to the ""bar manager"" and he defended this debacle by saying ""everyone happened to all drink on the same night! We've had sold out shows before and there has never been a problem like the one you describe."" Yeah bud, it's called New Year's Eve... Cons: Everything. more

I love music and I love live music even more. I have seen hundreds of shows in small venues like the Austin Music Hall (AMH), and I can say without qualification that the AMH is the worse venue I have ever been to. Besides having garage type acoustics at best, the staff is unfriendly (unless you are bribing them - which they are open to) and the wait to get a drink or any type was 1 1/2 to 2 hours long. Save your money and see whatever band is playing ANYWHERE else in the world! more

I love music and I love live music even more. I have seen hundreds of shows in small venues like the Austin Music Hall (AMH), and I can say without qualification that the AMH is the worse venue I have ever been to. Besides having garage type acoustics at best, the staff is unfriendly (unless you are bribing them - which they are open to) and the wait to get a drink or any type was 1 1/2 to 2 hours long. more

Worst venue I've ever been to. That's counting the time I've stood outside in the mud and rain, would much rather do that than go back to Austin Music Hall. If you're thinking about seeing a show here, save your money buy the cd invite some friends over and just stay at home. You and your friends will have a much better time. Beer lines were ridiculous, about 2 hours in line. Rude staff. No where to sit, saw a lot of people sitting on the ground. Just an over all bad, frustrating experience. Pros: It's big. Cons: Poorly managed. Can?t accommodate the crowds it packs in there. more

Worst venue I've ever been to. That's counting the time I've stood outside in the mud and rain, would much rather do that than go back to Austin Music Hall. If you're thinking about seeing a show here, save your money buy the cd invite some friends over and just stay at home. You and your friends will have a much better time. Beer lines were ridiculous, about 2 hours in line. Rude staff. No where to sit, saw a lot of people sitting on the ground. Just an over all bad, frustrating experience. Pros: It's big. Cons: Poorly managed. Can?t accommodate the crowds it packs in there. more

$40's to see 2 of my favorite bands seems way worth it right? Well whoever organized this New Years party spoiled it for thousands of people. I am sure if the Fire Marshall saw this he would have shut it down. They crammed in as many people as they could and just left it at that. Trying to get a drink was nearly impossible, I know people who tried and got in line for 1 1/2 hours and still never got to the bar. Many of my friends just walked out in disgust. I left after Reckless Kelly played and I really wanted to see Robert Earl Keen though if I had of done that it would have been my first New Years without a drink in my hand at Midnight. Thanks Austin Music Hall for wrecking thousands of peoples New Year. Pros: Great bands Cons: Poorly organised, they need Shay to come back. more

$40's to see 2 of my favorite bands seems way worth it right? Well whoever organized this New Years party spoiled it for thousands of people. I am sure if the Fire Marshall saw this he would have shut it down. They crammed in as many people as they could and just left it at that. Trying to get a drink was nearly impossible, I know people who tried and got in line for 1 1/2 hours and still never got to the bar. Many of my friends just walked out in disgust. I left after Reckless Kelly played and I really wanted to see Robert Earl Keen though if I had of done that it would have been my first New Years without a drink in my hand at Midnight. Thanks Austin Music Hall for wrecking thousands of peoples New Year. Pros: Great bands Cons: Poorly organised, they need Shay to come back. more

I would not recomend this venue to anyone. If their business is trying to see how many angry people they can fit into a warehouse then they are doing fine, but if they are in the business to entertain and accomidate their guest they are way off the mark. My experience was once they sold the tickets they didn't care at all. They said nothing about not allowing cameras we had to walk all the way downtown to return our camera to the car then they searched us at the door like were a bunch of convicts. Once we were I waited in line for two hours to get a drink in a line that extended all the way to the stage finally I gave up before I even reached the front. I asked to speak to the manager and his solution was if you don't like it you can just leave this of course is after he has my forty dollars and the forty dollars of sixteen of my friends. The company that owns this disaster is called Direct Events, They also own The Backyard, The Glenn, and Lazona Rosa. After my experience at The Austin City Music Hall I think it is safe to say that I will never step foot in any of the above places. Cons: See My Review more