Stubb’s Amphitheater is Austin’s most iconic outdoor music venue — a 2,500-capacity open-air stage built into a natural limestone slope on Red River Street, where the convergence of Texas barbecue, live music, and the warm Austin night has made it one of the most memorable concert experiences in the United States. People don’t just go to shows at Stubb’s. They make pilgrimages.
This guide covers the history, the three stages, what to expect on show night, tickets, parking, and the best hotels within walking distance of the venue.
The History of Stubb’s
The story of Stubb’s starts with C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield — a Texas-born cook and music lover who ran a legendary barbecue restaurant and music venue in Lubbock before bringing his operation to Austin in the 1980s. Stubb was known as much for his generosity as his brisket; he fed musicians who couldn’t pay and hosted impromptu concerts that became part of Lubbock’s cultural lore. Buddy Holly, Joe Ely, and Muddy Waters all ate at his table.
Stubb died in 1995, one year before the Austin venue that bears his name opened on Red River Street. His family and friends built the amphitheater in 1996 on the site of a former warehouse and parking lot, carving a natural bowl out of the limestone slope that drops toward Waller Creek. The setting was accidental genius — the terrain created a natural amphitheater that puts the stage below the audience, giving even fans at the back an unobstructed sightline and the creek-cooled air rolling in from the east.
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q still operates on the property. You can eat brisket and sausage before the show, which is exactly what Stubb himself would have wanted.
The Three Stages
Stubb’s is not one venue but three, all on the same property — which means on any given weekend, there can be multiple shows happening simultaneously across different scale and genre.
Waller Creek Amphitheater (Main Stage)
The main outdoor amphitheater holds approximately 2,500 people and is where Stubb’s reputation was built. The natural limestone bowl, open sky, and creek proximity create an atmosphere that indoor venues simply cannot replicate. When the headliner takes the stage on a warm Austin evening under the stars, you understand immediately why people fly to Austin specifically for this experience. Headliners range from major indie and alternative acts to hip-hop, Americana, and country.
Indoor Stage
The covered indoor stage holds around 1,800 and operates year-round regardless of weather. It’s used for slightly smaller headline acts, winter shows, and events where climate control matters — though it maintains the same Stubb’s character and production quality as the outdoor room.
Patio Stage
The smallest of the three stages hosts local and emerging acts in an intimate setting alongside the Bar-B-Q restaurant. Free or low-cost shows here are a regular feature of the Stubb’s programming calendar — it’s how new Austin bands get in front of an audience that’s already at a world-class music venue.
Shows and Programming
Stubb’s programming covers an unusually wide range: rock, indie, hip-hop, country, metal, Americana, electronic, and everything in between. What the venue doesn’t do is genre snobbery — if an act has an audience, Stubb’s will book them. This has made it home to everyone from Erykah Badu and The Roots to Vampire Weekend, Willie Nelson, and Metallica. The outdoor stage has hosted some of the most celebrated live recordings and performances in modern music.
Stubb’s is also the anchor venue for Austin City Limits Music Festival warm-up and satellite events, and hosts regular gospel brunch events on Sunday mornings — a Stubb’s tradition that has its own devoted following.
Tickets
Tickets for Stubb’s shows are sold through the official website at stubbsaustin.com and through authorised partners. Unlike the Comedy Mothership, Stubb’s shows are generally available through mainstream ticketing platforms. For major headliners, tickets move quickly — if a specific show is on your radar, buy as soon as they go on sale. The gospel brunch and patio shows often don’t require advance tickets.
What to Expect at Stubb’s
- Arrive early for the barbecue. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is genuinely excellent — brisket, sausage, ribs — and the restaurant fills up before major shows. Budget an extra hour before showtime if you want to eat.
- Dress for weather. The outdoor amphitheater is fully exposed. Austin summers mean 95°F+ heat at show time; spring and autumn evenings can be cool. Check the forecast and dress accordingly.
- The sightlines are exceptional. The natural slope means you can see the stage clearly from most positions in the outdoor room. Being further back isn’t a penalty — it’s a different and often more comfortable experience.
- General admission standing for most shows. The main outdoor amphitheater is standing room, with limited seated sections available for some events. Get there early to stake out your position.
- Age policy varies by show. Many shows are 18+; some are all-ages. Check the specific event listing before buying tickets.
Getting There and Parking
Stubb’s address: 801 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701
Stubb’s sits in the heart of the Red River Cultural District, which means downtown parking applies — competitive on show nights, but manageable. Street parking on Red River and surrounding blocks is metered (free after certain hours depending on the block). Several paid lots operate within a short walk. Rideshare is consistently the easiest option for major shows, with plenty of pickup activity on Red River after the crowd empties out.
If you’re staying at a downtown hotel, many are walkable to Stubb’s — which eliminates the parking question entirely.
Hotels Near Stubb’s Amphitheater
Stubb’s Red River location puts it within walking distance of downtown Austin’s full hotel inventory. The best strategy for a Stubb’s show is to stay downtown and walk — no parking, no surge pricing, and you can move on to the rest of 6th Street or East Austin after the show ends.
- Hilton Austin — Large, centrally located, and a straightforward walk to Red River.
- Marriott at The Capitol — Steps from Congress Avenue, easy walk to Stubb’s.
- Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue — 4-star, well-located for Red River shows.
- Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown — Boutique hotel close to the Red River district.
- Tommie Austin (JDV by Hyatt) — Near 6th Street, walkable to Stubb’s.
See our guide to downtown Austin hotels near 6th Street for a full breakdown of the options closest to Red River. If you’re comparing hotels across the city, our complete Austin hotels guide covers every neighbourhood and price point.
Stubb’s Amphitheater FAQ
Where is Stubb’s Amphitheater?
Stubb’s is at 801 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701 — in the Red River Cultural District, close to East 6th Street and the downtown hotel corridor.
What is the capacity of Stubb’s outdoor amphitheater?
The Waller Creek Amphitheater outdoor main stage holds approximately 2,500 people. The indoor stage holds around 1,800.
Is Stubb’s all-ages or 21+?
Age policy varies by show — some events are all-ages, others are 18+ or 21+. Always check the specific event listing before purchasing tickets.
Does Stubb’s have food?
Yes — Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is a full restaurant on the property serving Texas barbecue (brisket, sausage, ribs). Arrive early on show nights as the restaurant fills up before headliners take the stage.
What type of music does Stubb’s book?
Stubb’s programmes across genres — rock, indie, hip-hop, country, Americana, metal, electronic, and more. It’s one of the most genre-diverse major venues in Austin.
More Austin Music Venues
Stubb’s sits at the heart of Austin’s Red River music district, surrounded by more great venues. Explore the rest of the scene:
- Mohawk — Stubb’s neighbour on Red River, Austin’s premier independent venue for indie, punk, and metal — dual indoor/outdoor stages.
- ACL Live at the Moody Theater — Downtown Austin, 2,750 capacity, home of the Austin City Limits TV taping.
- Continental Club — South Congress’s legendary blues and roots club, live music seven nights a week since 1957.
- Antone’s Nightclub — Austin’s home of the blues, founded in 1975, where Stevie Ray Vaughan and the blues masters played.
- Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park — A 5,000-capacity open-air amphitheater one block from the Texas State Capitol.