Supporting Austin Music Venues During Shutdown

Alongside citywide efforts like Austin Community Foundation’s Stand With Austin Fund and the Red River Cultural District’s Banding Together ATX, many local music venues have launched their own fundraising options.

GoFundMe campaigns, as well as creative merch and presales for future concert events, help our city’s live music hubs cover immediate expenses and pay employees during a total shutdown of the event-based economy. After all, when businesses reopen, we won’t enjoy much of a scene without homegrown hosts. Scroll this list of efforts:

Antone’s

Austin’s Home of the Blues turns 45 in July, and could use some help getting there. The venue asks for $5 donations to support staff and resident musicians.

Barracuda

The East Seventh club set up a PayPal to help support staff during the shutdown. The business also offers merch online, including a $250 “Barry’s Royalty Key,” which offers free entry into all its shows for the remainder of the year.

Broken Spoke

The legendary honky-tonk launched a fundraiser to tip their employees, with all intake to be distributed equally among the waitstaff.

Cheer Up Charlies

The beloved Red River queer hub set up a GoFundMe, and all donations go directly to employees in need.

Continental Club

The South Congress go-to hosts an Employee Relief Fund online. All donations benefit workers at the venerable speakeasy and its sister hangout C-Boy’s Heart & Soul. All merchandise sales go into the hopper as well.

Far Out Lounge

The far South up-and-comer offers $25 “Golden Tickets,” good for two spots at an upcoming show, as well as a $1,000 “Everlasting Golden Ticket,” which guarantees free entry for life. They also offer slick posters on their Etsy shop.

Hole in the Wall

The campus-area classic opened up a Venmo fundraiser for bartenders @HITW_STAFF. Their restaurant also offers nightly deliveries of beer, wings, and more. Follow along on Instagram at @holekitchen.

Hotel Vegas

The East Sixth watering hole set up a PayPal to help support staff during the hiatus, alongside groovy tees online. Follow along on social media for their delivery nights, offering Frito pie, Lone Star, and toilet paper drop-offs, with all proceeds benefiting employees.

Lost Well

The neighborhood punk and metal outlet supports employees through an online store, including a new shirt reading, “The Friendliest Bar You’ve Ever Been Too Scared To Walk Into.”

Mohawk

Check out the indie institution’s web store for apparel and more, including the iconic “Defend Red River” tees.

Radio Coffee & Beer

The South Austin beverage stop and folk focal point hosts a GoFundMe for staff. They also now offer drive-through pickup for bread, produce, and other grocery staples. Support from home through their online shop.

Saxon Pub

All donations and merch purchases on the veteran South Lamar space’s website go to staff.

Stay Gold

Send the Eastside hangout’s staff some virtual tips via Venmo @staygoldaustin.

Stubb’s

The Red River giant offers dozens of t-shirt editions online.

Texas Mist

This home for the hard arts and more near the airport launched a GoFundMe to be split evenly among all employees.

Threadgill’s

North Lamar eatery and listening room urges fans to support through their online shop.

White Horse

The Eastside two-stepping locale accepts donations for staff on Venmo at @WhiteHorseATX. The venue also offers t-shirts proclaiming “This Ain’t Your Mother’s Country Club.”