Antone's Nightclub

07/24/09

Wish it weren't true!

by juniperjenny at Citysearch

It has come to the point where we have to boycott Antone's, which really bites because we love the place. Everything that is except for the bartenders. The past 2 or 3 times we've gone we've noticed serious attitude from them, even in us asking a simple question. This last time was horrible however. We ordered Red Bul and Vodka's and instead got something that tasted like sweetened toilet bowl cleaner. Taking one sip and returning them, the bartender made us new ones with real red bul. When we got our bill we were still charged $15.50 for the original bad drinks that we took back. When my boyfriend asked the bartender to take it off, it turned into an all-out yelling match in which the bartender's veins actually popped out of his neck. Then when he got a chance to talk to the manager, she said they would be taken off. We never even ended up signing the receipt, and the next day I checked online and sure enough the full charge was there PLUS A $12 TIP THAT THEY ADDED THEMSELVES!!! Is that illegal or what?

We can take a little attitude, we are from LA - but that was ridiculous. Way to keep your customers happy Antone's!!!

• Pros: The best music in town, great stage, wonderful history
• Cons: the worst bartenders and management in austin

01/01/09

Disappointment at Antone's

by Sam109 at Citysearch

I?m an out of town visitor who purchased tickets for the New Year?s celebration going on Antone?s reputation as a Blues club. At $25 a pop, not cheap. Unfortunately the band was a deep disappointment. The band, whatever its name, was not a blues band, playing more along the lines of a B-52 style, but not good. The singer was another disappointment. No chairs or tables and no reason to stay. We ended leaving Antone?s and paying full cover again at Nuno?s at Six for a party of four. If you want a real blues club, go to Nuno?s.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: High price, poor accommodations, beer selection, atmosphere, music.

12/31/08

EXPENSIVE

by austindweller at Citysearch

I realize that Antone's has had legendary players and I saw many great shows there but I stopped going there after paying upward's of 20+ to see the scabs and once the draft beer went up to 5.00/pint. Now I understand they no longer even serve draft beer. I did go to the old location off of Guadalupe or Lamar and was delighted at how much of a dive bar it was ('dive' being a good attribute in my book). I am unable/unwilling to continue to afford to see Live music in Austin after seeing prices scale upward. Antone's and Saxon pub/ Continental Club have sold out and lost the spirit of what was once a great place: Austin....Now only the rich can afford to see live music and still pay rent. Austin is no longer for the mainstream with all of it's day spas and expensive Art shops. I will be moving as soon as I possibly can. I really used to love the Scab's but it has become too crowded and full of drunk UT college brats and pretentious A-holes. It's hard to pay that much for a band and have to fight to catch a glimpse of them. I miss the old down home austin{sniff}.

• Pros: good music if you can see it
• Cons: expensive drinks, cover, parking. too crowded to enjoy, pretentious crowds, bratty UT students.

08/27/08

Blue Nostalgia in Purple Haze

by SRVfan at Citysearch

Antones is still the classiest club in town to hear any kind of music. I do miss the club on Lamar, and all the great times there. The last band I saw there was the Fabulous Thunderbirds ... and Tommy & Chris with someone they were playing with...possibly Charlie S and Bramhall. Will they EVER get together again? That was a classic group. They could've been SO powerful...the only next thing to SRV. At the new Antones on 5th St....I remember sitting against the back wall watching some band play...and Clifford was walking by in the main aisle in front of the band. He stopped and turned and looked directly at me. His eyes held vast energy, from all the greats he's known over the years - no doubt! He nodded and went on his way. It reminds me of the time SRV walked in to the Austin Opry House to receive his music awards. As he arrived with his friends and they all sat at their table front-center...SRV whirled into his front chair and immediately turned around to his left and stared directly into my eyes. Now THAT's "powerful stuff"~!

PS...does Susan still sell photos of those early days?????

• Pros: LOTZ of good memories from the 70's on. .
• Cons: I live too far away to be there as much as I'd like.

01/15/08

best club in austin

by austinchucksa at Citysearch

absolutely the best live music venue in the city..the best musicians and shows and the best place to see a show. This is the mecca of the blues and live music.Once you step in you can feel the legends and the legendary performances that they have and continue to create.. The dream of the founder,Clifford Antone,it inspires musicians and audiences every night the doors are open.And they are always open. Every night is a treasure, just like its founder. Go see a blue Tuesday show and you will become a believer. See the Scabs perform and tell me you are not in the presense of true greatness. But always remember Muddy Waters played at his club..as well as Stevie..and Angela..Even the great Pinetop Perkins at age 93 still plays there and he will tell you great stories of Muddy Waters if you ask.But no one told stories like Clifford ,it is what I miss most about Austin.rest in peace Clifford. you would be proud at your little blues club.The place still is great.Clifford's sister Susan is now in charge and telling stories and doing a great job.Ask Rich the bar manager for a drink and who are the people in the posters..there is a story behind all those photos.But it is still the music that is the heart of this club.And what a great heart it is and always has been.

• Pros: the music
• Cons: none