The capital of the Lone Star State is known all over the world for its live music but, as in-the-know local Madeline Hollern points out, it’s also a great place to enjoy everything from heavyweight cultural highlights to bars radiating intimate neighbourhood vibes

While an influx of tech workers has made Austin a prominent cyber city, Texas’s capital still maintains its counterculture vibe and bragging rights as the Live Music Capital of the World, a slogan the city actually trademarked because of the abundance of live music on offer. Any night of the week, you can wander downtown and find live music playing somewhere – from the set of a live television show to a pop-up concert in a convenience store, not to mention incredible cuisine and nightlife where people never take themselves too seriously. We chatted with Madeline Hollern, editor of Austin Monthly, to get her latest favourite recommendations for visitors.

Food and drink
Though Austin was always a great place for food trucks and burger joints, Hollern says she’s seen more options opening up from new restaurants in the city this year. “We’re getting more diversity in terms of types of food and price points, which is very welcome,” she says. One of her favourite new restaurants is Bambino, a pizza restaurant offering hand-tossed pies with a daily changing menu in East Austin.

Far East Austin is where you’ll find some of the trendiest bars and restaurants in the city. Start your evening at Sign Bar (you’ll recognise it by the melange of neon), and then when you get hungry, head next door to Lao’d Bar. A newcomer on the Austin bar scene, Lao’d Bar represents a departure from the standard bar fare. “It has some of the best food I’ve had all year – it’s incredibly tasty Lao-inspired food, and it’s getting accolades left and right,” says Hollern.