Emo’s

I hate that now its all
The way to riverside i miss the emo’s on 6^th St
The good thing about the venue now is that i don’t get attacked by roaches like in the one downtown

The new Emo’s is *huge*. Other than the Moody Theater, I’m pretty sure that this is the largest indoor music venue in town. There’s bars strategically place, it’s hard to have a bad view, and there’s a good sized outdoor smoking area.
I agree with Catherine that it’s not anything at all related to the original Emo’s. It’s a clean and new concert venue now. The original Emo’s was a dirty, punky, divey bar that let local bands play in a tiny corner stage. Yes, I miss that Emo’s, just like I miss the Ritz and Cucaracha. Urinating in a trough of ice seems to be a commonality there, strangely enough. But I miss them like I miss old Austin. That time is gone — both in my life and in Austin — and that’s okay.
I just see it as a venue. The legend is just that now, a legend. Something that happened a long time ago that us old hands talk about from time to time in awed and nostalgic voices.
And yeah, Danimal is right — stupid choice to name them the same.

I recently escorted my teenager daughter to concert at Emo’s. I am a very protective Mother, and I would not hesitate dropping my teenagers off here for a concerts and being comfortable with the surroundings. The security staff, the security supervisor, and all the staff there are friendly and genuinely care about making this a safe enjoyable venue for kids and adults to come see great shows. It was clean, well run, well organized, and I appreciate what all of you to do maintain a great place to let our kids have some fun! We look forward to many more concerts to come. Never Shout Never and Metro Station were awesome! Thanks again!!!

So I was shooting photos here for the promoter that brought the act to town. I checked in at the front and showed the worker my ID and got my pit pass. The act had a couple of openers and like most venues, I was allowed to shoot the first 3 songs of each set, which I did. The main act comes on and there I am shooting like I did the previous acts. Then out of no where an Emo’s worker taps me on the shoulder and asks to see my photo pass (because obviously I walked past 3 security guards and into the pit without any type of credentials). I raised up my arm to show her the pit pass on my wrist and without even looking at it, she asks me to come with her and takes me backstage. She tells me to wait by the door and walks to the end of the hallway and radios that there’s a photographer in the pit without a pass despite me having my pit pass visible as hell on my wrist. We wait for another guy to come meanwhile the act is midway through his second song. Some guy comes, takes one look at me and says «she’s good.» The lady that brought me backstage then told me I could go back to the pit and finish shooting, for ONE more song. So while every other photographer got to shoot all 3 songs, I got maybe 1 and a half.
The whole experience left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Every photographer there had the same wristband as me, but I was the only one who was asked to prove that I was really supposed to be there. Oh, and I think this is the part where I mention that I was the only black photographer there and all the other photographers/​videographers were white.
But on another note, I’ve attended a couple of shows here as just a concert goer and it’s a pretty decent venue. Kinda in between The Parish and Austin Music Hall. The sound is okay, sometimes the mix levels can be a little off (beat/​instrumentals can be too overbearing and can’t hear the act) and the lighting is also pretty dope. It’s all GA, so this might be a problem if you don’t like standing. But it seems that’s there’s only two categories for the workers here: super helpful and cool or completely incompetent. Hopefully you won’t have much interaction with the latter.

This place is a mediocre venue at best. Came here NYE for Thievery Corporation. The security guard outside that checks IDs was extremely rude to us bc we didn’t move fast enough. Mind you we came here for thievery corporation on New Year’s Eve. The rest of the staff there was pretty nice. Also keep in mind I just saw the same exact show in Washington DC at 9:30 club. That show was incredible and more intimate. About half the size of Emo’s. Let’s talk about beer lines. Backed up. Sound quality is pretty decent.

Awesome venue! Large area, music carries well in here and sounds superb. There is a couple of bars in here to keep the alcohol flowing and the lines short. Parking is a tad annoying as was the 3 different lines we had to wait in. All in all, a pretty good spot to listen to some live music

Came for a ACL aftershow. I thought the sound in here was really good and great sight lines. The process getting in here with the line wrapping around the building and the doors opening late was kind of a cluster. I mean, the sooner those doors open the sooner they start selling beers. To quote a great film idiocracy «I like money». I’m not sure if they do. I also had hoped this place had a bar side that opened earlier. Without checking I had showed up earlier before the show hoping to have some drinks before heading into the venue but that’s a no-​go here. We über’d somewhere else to drink a little more then came back for the show.
The show I was at wasn’t too crowded. I had plenty of personal space. I’m a semi-​old dude so I like to stay a little back to the side and close to the bar. Not much else to say. Thought it was a big cool spot to see a band.

Maybe the line drawn here is based on age groups. The older I become the more I want comfort and quality in a concert venue, and I’m willing to pay more in the ticket price to get those things. Emo’s reminds me of standing around in someone’s crowded (albeit huge) garage listening to a band. Only instead of grabbing your beer from a cooler it’s a $ 7 can handed to you over a counter. The large outdoor patio is owned by smokers; non-​smokers can expect to involuntarily inhale lots of smoke laden «fresh air».

I wish more venues were like this in Houston!
Went here recently to see MSMR who was just awesome. Great energy and giving ah-​mazing vibes.
Doors opened at 7 but I was only interested in seeing MSMR who was expected to come on stage at 10 pm so I came around 9:30pm. I was really nervous about parking because most venues in Houston do not have easy parking so I was a bit panicked. However, the guards there showed me to the back and there were open spots! Jack pot! Granted, it wasn’t like it was empty but you definitely didn’t have to fight for one so I loved that. Could be that the band just wasn’t as popular but regardless, I was happy.
If you don’t feel like going home or driving after the event, there are some bars you can go to after the show. We went to Midway Field House to grab some drinks and played some pool. It was really empty but that was a-​ok with me.
Also, the bar (inside) is dog friendly apparently. we saw two small dogs there just hanging out on leases with their owners

Really great venue. Decent parking. Once inside, there’s lots of space to move around between sets and it’s easy to get right back in the middle of the action when the music starts.
They have several bars that make getting your drink on very convenient. Related to that, they have several clean and spacious bathrooms.
I also like that they have a patio for smoking and vaping. It’s really nice to have a place to have a seat and relax between performers.
Overall, we had a great time. Great show, good sound, lots of energy, but things never felt out of control. We will definitely be coming back for more shows at Emos.

4 stars but they need those ratings up. Great sound, first venue in a long time. The building is well ventilated, floors clean, plenty of space, and friendly staff. The parking is alright, better than downtown!

Good bands roll through here and the music sounds pretty, but it’s never conducive to social situations, very little seating, no real ambiance…
Go for the bands (and depending on the band, the merch).

Loved that you could see the stage so well from just about anywhere in the venue. Parking was hard, but I just parked in the lot across the street and crossed my fingers I wouldn’t get towed.
The bathrooms were disgusting but its expected in a place like this.
I only wish there were more seating options in the back for old farts (not quite even 30) like me who can’t stand for an entire 3 bands + setups. There were some, but it would be nice to sit back and have a beer while enjoying, rather than having to stand smushed with the crowd who was ready to dance/​jump/​get cray.

Great spacious venue, with massive bar and stage high enough to see the band from (nearly) everywhere… which is important especially when you are 5.3 like me.
We saw here «The Church» playing which was part of the SXSW festival and we had a great time. The acoustic was very good, we were right at the front and enjoyed the intensity from short distance.
We didn’t hang out after the concert was finished in fact we left before as we were worried about transportation back to downtown Austin and as New Yorkers we aren’t familiar with general transport… but we were lucky we shared a taxi with two other people and enjoyed a safe inexpensive ride back.
Even so if we had our own transport, this venue doesn’t inspire to socialize after the concert as it is very minimal and has almost a chilly atmosphere.
Tip:
If you haven’t your own transport, you may want to organize your ride home, prior concert !
I would come back here after all its about the band, sound and a great view and I would recommend EMO’S !

I barely remember old Emo’s, as I saw a show there once and it was when I was in college (basically eons ago), but it was what I expected it would be and it was a decent time from what I can try to remember (which is not much).
The husband wanted to see «Motion City Soundtrack» at Emo’s with some of his family members, and I was hella confused when he informed me that Emo’s was on Riverside because it’s not/wasn’t. Then through a few conversations with others, I deduced that Emo’s was now this ginormous concert venue isolated from other forms of Austin nightlife. Weird. Once we arrived at the venue, it all kind of made sense — Emo’s management likely wanted to accommodate larger crowds and increase revenues. I ain’t even mad about it, but of course this new Emo’s lacks the «charm,» if you will, of old Emo’s. It feels more or less like every other concert venue, massively high ceilings in a warehouse-​esque structure. Acoustics didn’t seem as terrible as some other reviewers have indicated, but I wasn’t exactly focused on the music.
I will say that I am appreciative that this venue was large enough in that I was not forced to awkwardly rub up against strangers. Additionally, there was virtually no wait for the semi-​overpriced drinks at the bars. Perhaps because this show was considerably populated by minors? But the three bars set up minimized the excruciating wait I typically associate with procuring alcohol at music shows. More importantly, the restroom lines — easy and breezy, which is often not the case at such venues.
Parking seems rather plentiful along the streets, although the later you arrive, the more you’ll have to trek to the actual venue. The doormen will likely warn you, but do not park on other businesses’ parking lots — you will be towed.
Sure it’s not the most intriguing and cool venue, but it serves its purpose.

Would it be wrong of me to pine for the original Emo’s?
Would it be so wrong to point out that Emo’s technically hasn’t been Emo’s in about fourteen years?
And would I really be an ass to say that Emo’s is nothing without its downtown location?
Fact is, it doesn’t matter if I’m right or wrong. Fact is, my questions point out some of the most obvious problems with this place.
Eric «Emo» Hartman hasn’t owned Emo’s Austin since the beginning of this century.
The last time I went to Emo’s was 1996, back when a good friend of mine was the GM who opened the place.
It’s supposed to be gritty and dirty. It was primarily punk. There are supposed to be lots of interesting characters, both in the club and on the walls. That was the whole point of the place.
But that all ended since Emo sold the place and C3 eventually took over the reigns.
Look, I have zero problems with the stage, the bars, the sound. All were fine, and I enjoyed the Psychedelic Furs last night. But this new place is depressingly bereft of personality.
Far as I can tell, it’s completely white inside, like a hospital. If they put in some colorful flooring and splashed some paint on the walls, it would be bearable, but I almost felt like I was watching the concert from a doctor’s office.
I sigh.

I’ve been to a handful of concerts here and come to the conclusion that the acoustics at (nu) Emo’s sucks. Or maybe the sound engineers just don’t care. Between absolutely horrendous audio mixing and the unnecessarily loud volume, artists and viewers alike are robbed of having a good experience. Honestly, it’s reached the point where I no longer want to see an artist once I realize the show is at Emo’s.
:(
Also be careful about where you park because you will be towed for parking at neighboring businesses.

I came here to see Led Zeppelin 2 on a rainy Thursday night. Parking was ample, but packed. Started off at Midway Field House with $ 1 PBR pints and walked over to Emo’s. The check-​in process was fast and painless, with a quick flashlight search of the purse (you can totally hide stuff… I don’t, I didn’t…I mean. never mind) and a quick check of the ID… that was easy.
3 bars with a nice arrangement of beverages. One rude bartender was encountered, but that can happen. The stage is typical, with a screen behind (not huge), and a good amount of lights. With general admission, what you see is what you get… one large open space, with plenty of room to walk around, dance etc (this was unfortunately not a danc-​y crowd…). I wish they had an upper level to make things interesting. Sounds quality was good; I wasn’t complaining.
Restrooms were fine, not disgusting. They have an open patio for the smokers. Oh, and although the smell of ganja was lingering and common, security was walking around heavily. No funny business for me. I would return to Emo’s…

Very nice venue. It’s one big huge open space, all one level. It would be cool if there was an upper level, but otherwise it had good sound quality and I would go see a show there again. Lots of bathrooms, they weren’t gross. 3 full bars. They charge you for soda even if you’re the DD which stinks. Lots of security walkin the place, so don’t mess around!

I really liked the new Emo’s. NOW, it was weird being here with my parents and surrounded by older folks. Seriously, it felt slightly sacrilegious. Like there is something wrong when Emo’s doesn’t stand for some form of rocking the establishment.
The new Emo’s is huge inside. Just a big concrete space, but the accoustics are great and we were able to enjoy the show pretty close to the stage without being squashed by the crowd. There were seats against the very back wall and I think that’s a nice addition.
Parking is pretty crap. There is a lot, but unless you come early forget it, you’ll be parking on the hill outside. We lucked out and were able to park literally right outside the venue on the street. Leaving was pie as we just pulled out and turned onto Riverside!
Decent location, but don’t expect it to be like the old Emo’s. There was no smoking inside and the place was rather clean. Not at all what I would expect from an institution with its history.
My only complaint was these people behind us brought their children. As in, one had to be carried and the other kept complaining because he couldn’t see the stage because HE WAS TOO SHORT! The music was way too loud and the crowd way too rowdy for children. Please don’t bring your kids to Emo’s. I really thought I was losing my mind when this little kid bumped into me and gave me the most pissed off look because I was blocking his view (usually my complaint about others). I don’t understand what the staff of Emo’s were thinking, allowing such young children inside.