After having the doorman check our id’s we ducked in the door and up the narrow stairway to the second story space of this cool dingy club. The sister property, the Continental Club, was in between sets and we were trying to decide if we wanted to pay the cover charge to enter. There is no cover charge for the Continental Club Gallery and on this evening a cool modern bluesy style rock and roll group was performing. They had a really hip and unique sound that was very easy to listen to. The guys grabbed a few beers and we took up a nook to take the scene and the music in. I made myself comfortable on the upper level of the property on a beat up leather couch and had a quiet little spot to check out all the action from. One of the locals came over to converse and as he was a transplant, he declared other transplants to Austin as «kinda douchy.» Funny because I found this guy kinda douchy myself. It was interesting to converse with him and learn about the gentrification of Austin and how big businesses and tech is expanding in the city. The Continental Club Gallery is a cool spot where locals come and enjoy a bit of that old school Austin scene. Apparently, you better enjoy it while you can.
Mike H.
Tu valoración: 4 Feasterville-Trevose, PA
There is a lot of history at this bar and it is extremely small but cozy and feels like you are in your cool friends living room more so than a club. A very rare treat — now a note to the wise, this club is really for the 40 and over crowd. I went from 6th street to here because I was cramming all of Austin I could in for one night and am very glad I was able to even tho there was a $ 20 cover! Insane by Austin standards as all music is free basically and the locals think its despicable to charge for music. I am glad I was able to go here however if you are looking to party hard this is not the spot to choose.
Beth B.
Tu valoración: 5 Renton, WA
Wandered into this place on my first night in Austin, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled! It was before 9 pm so there was no cover. The staff was all really nice and laid back. My friend and I had a couple drinks, which were poured strong(love that)! We watched the Hot Club of Cowtown play the end of their set, and they were phenomenal! I loved watching all the people on the dance floor getting down to the good music too. My one complaint is that the bathrooms could have been nicer/cleaner, but you can’t expect too much from a live music venue. I’m definitely going back next time I visit!
Amy J.
Tu valoración: 1 Spicewood, TX
I have lived in Austin for years, my husband is a Texan and we started going to the Gallery since it first opened, but over time this little venue has started taking itself way too serious. I took my nieces and nephews on their first night in town and once inside realized that there was no one in place under 50. Not that that’s a bad thing, but not a friendly crowd. And definitely not a lively crowd. And this was a FRIDAY night. I would recommend if you have folks in from out of town, or you’re like us and like to party with a younger crowd, skip this club. Not your normal Austin experience, a little smug, and I am disappointed to say, a little boring.(And by the way, I’m over 50).
Karen R.
Tu valoración: 4 Austin, TX
The Continental Club is one of Austin’s classic live music venues. I’m actually a major fan of the small Continental Club gallery more than the official joint which provides a cozy small atmosphere with displaying top local acts. The drinks are decently priced and the entry is usually free. Insiders tip: Go on a Thursday when Tamika Jones is there. She’s Austin’s Beyonce with more spunk and jazz.
Gavin B.
Tu valoración: 5 Austin, TX
The Continental Club is an Austin destination for great music of every genre. Welcome to the worlds live music capital of the world!!! The downstairs can fit larger acts and more people, but my favorite is the upstairs and I’ll get into that below. They don’t have a crazy drink menu which is great as the drinks remain well priced for such a classic Austin joint. Best show: Tameca Jones every Thursday night and it’s totally worth a late work night. Tameca play in the tiny romantic Continental Club gallery(upstairs) and she’s perfect for the room. Ms. Jones should be coined Austin’s Beyonce with her amazing voice and crazy energy that she brings the room. I highly recommend this for a date night.
Adora N.
Tu valoración: 4 Austin, TX
I’ve been here twice and really enjoyed myself. Both times on a Tuesday night, so no cover woohoo! I’ve seen some great artists performing here, and its a funky, intimate setting. They do have a full bar, and random seating scattered around the venue. There is a backroom that’s a bit quieter with a sad-looking ping pong table, but it just adds to the character of this place. This is a cute hidden gem with a great chill vibe…
Ron U.
Tu valoración: 5 Austin, TX
As Shannon says, «hidden in plain sight». What we love about this part of the Continental Club is that’s its much less crowed than downstairs and has a much lighter atmosphere, you can hear each other talk and relax with a perfectly mixed cocktail. When you’re through you can hit the original club and rock it out. This is a great place to take close friends or clients that you want to impress.
Tay R.
Tu valoración: 5 Houston, TX
really little intimate space– one bar in the corner, one stage in the other corner. not a lot of seating, but we went on a random sunday night, so it wasn’t a full house. went on the suggestion of a friend, and did not recognize the band that was playing. turned out to be a jazzy, funky, soul singer kalu james. really amazing and so glad i discovered him music.
Kristen A.
Tu valoración: 5 San Diego, CA
Intimate space, with seating for 20 – 25 people. Saw a great show tonight — One Up featuring musicians from Mingo Fish Trap. Very talented musicians. Show began about 30 minutes late, at 11PM. It is permissible to bring in outside food, so we picked up a pie from Home Slice, and made sure to offer some to the bouncer and bartender. Cover is a steal at $ 5. A must-stop for music fans.
Paul A.
Tu valoración: 5 San Francisco, CA
Great place to hang out with the locals and see country bands, like Toni Price. Beer is cheap, and drinks are getting better.
Geoff R.
Tu valoración: 5 Huntington Beach, CA
I’d probably give this place a solid 4 star rating but I’m going with 5 because it was so different and unexpected after coming here immediately after the Continental Club next door. The regular CC is cool for sure but I found the Gallery really intimate. The darkish purple lighting, Tameca Jones belting it out on stage and a small happy crowd made it just what I was craving while on a business trip to Austin. Glad I found it.
Jacob D.
Tu valoración: 4 Brooklyn, NY
Such a great bar and music venue. $ 10 for 3 bands over five hours. Yup, awesome. Poor beer selection however, but still a good time.
Kathy M.
Tu valoración: 5 Overland Park, KS
This is a cool small venue. It is very intimate and feels a lot like you are sitting in someone’s house if you happen to get one of the couches. It feels very representative of the Austin music scene. It was fun listening to live entertainment in such a casual atmosphere — we had a wonderful evening there. I thought it was a bonus that it had a nice view of the city through the window by the bar.
Cyndi G.
Tu valoración: 3 Austin, TX
I love the intimacy of the space but the music doesn’t vary much. And the wine is just crap. Seriously, serve better wine-a lot of us drink it! If Saxon can do it, you can too, C Club
Amanda M.
Tu valoración: 5 Austin, TX
I’m in love. Not with my date. That was meh. But the Continental Club Gallery stole my heart. Close to the Continental Club is a staircase that leads up to the Continental Club Gallery. It was two doors down and worlds away from what I was expecting. For me, it was just like being back in a Memphis bar, minus the smoke. It was charming and I felt so at home. Small couches line the dimly lit room. People were dancing while a trio played old timey hits. When the singer broke into«La Vie En Rose» in beautiful French I almost died. It was absolutely wonderful.
Jamie W.
Tu valoración: 4 Austin, TX
I love this place! Great place to see live music. I just hate doing shots out of plastic cups… Never have never will like it.
Kelly G.
Tu valoración: 5 Austin, TX
If you love to dance, appreciate great music and good atmosphere, you can’t miss Tameca Jones every Thursday night. I hear the bartenders are super awesome too ;)
Kelly S.
Tu valoración: 4 Austin, TX
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.
Alida R.
Tu valoración: 5 London, Canada
I was in Austin for a professional conference, and after a long day my friend and I went out to catch some live music. I’d heard about the Continental Club Gallery(from Unilocal,of course), and after seeing the bats under the Congress bridge and catching some jazz at the Elephant Room, we wound up at the Continental Club. It was around 11:00PM.(Note: everything serving food in that stretch of SoCo closes by 11:00!) I convinced her to go in with me for«one drink.» Two and a half hours later we closed the bar, after having the time of our lives! Awesome thing #1: I went on a Thursday and saw Tameca Jones with no cover. She and her band did all cover songs, but they’re one of the coolest cover bands I’ve heard. And it’s great to groove along to funky, live renditions of music you already know and love! She’s there every Thursday: . Check it out! Awesome thing #2: I ordered my stand-by whiskey sour, and the bartender poured me one of the strongest whiskey sours I’ve ever had. I couldn’t hear her when she told me how much, so I handed her a $ 20 and hoped for the best. She gave me $ 16.25 in change! Amazing! *No where* in L.A. are drinks that cheap. Austin rocks! Strange thing #1: I had several whiskey sours over the course of the evening. Somehow each one cost a slightly different price? No matter, it was all(genuinely) cheap. Awesome thing #3: The crowd is chill and really cool. Definitely no hotter-than-thou L.A. types there. A diverse mix of people — different ages, backgrounds, and body types, and no one is too«clubby.» By the end of the night, everyone was dancing on the(tiny!) dance floor. Awesome thing #4: There’s a pool table on the second floor above the bar, with a kick-ass mural of the Virgen de Guadalupe flanked by guitar-wielding rockers. Awesome thing #5/Strange thing #2: My friend and I met this dude with a ridiculous waxed hipster mustache who(claims that he) has worked with(the real) Patch Adams and works as an «ontological counselor» in Mexico City. His two(alleged?) brothers were with him. Each of the three was born in different countries(missionary parents!) They were hilarious and awesome and definitely *weird*, just like everything in Austin. Keep Austin Weird and check out the Continental Club Gallery! If you see the mustachioed wonder there tell him I say hi… Tip: you don’t enter from the main Continental Club venue. A door or two north of the main venue is the entrance for the gallery, up a staircase.