Top 15 Austin Venues for Large Groups

Austin has its fair share of famous and unique event spaces. However, for a state capital city, Austin has not historically been a big convention market. Until recently, Austin was a smaller city, especially compared to Houston, Dallas or San Antonio. Austin has become a event destination in recent years, and the city has grown exponentially in popularity. The infrastructure of the city hasn’t kept up with the skyrocketing demand, which means that venue availability is limited. Finding exactly the space you want for an Austin event can be a challenge, unless you have a lot of time to plan and research venues. When planning an event in Austin, it’s essential to lock in your venue ASAP. That said, Austin has many incredible new and historic venues that are perfect for events of all kinds, from conferences to celebrations. As a premier Austin DMC with with years of research and experience planning Austin events, here are Goen South’s top 15 favorite venues in Austin for events with large groups:

  1. Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater: Perhaps the most well-known Austin venue, ACL Live at the Moody Theater hosts over 100 concerts a year and is where Austin City Limits, the longest-running music series in American television history, is taped. This state of the art venue is extremely flexible and spacious, with a seated capacity of 300, and a standing capacity of 2,700. If you’re planning a large event and want the most iconic Austin venue, look no further than ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
  2. Fair Market: Located in the center of the vibrant East Austin area, Fair Market is a contemporary indoor-outdoor space perfect for large events. With 12,000 square feet of indoor space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor space, there is plenty of room to spread out and let your creativity run wild. Fair Market is the perfect blank canvas for unique events, from corporate conventions to social celebrations. Fair Market has an indoor seated capacity of 400, and a standing capacity of 2,000.
  3. UT Stadium: What could be more quintessentially Austin than hosting an event at the University of Texas Stadium? Officially known as the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, it’s the eighth-largest stadium in the United States. While the stadium is currently in the middle of a remodel and expansion, it’s still the perfect space for a variety of events of all sizes, from corporate meetings to private events to fundraisers and more. Hiring a knowledgeable Austin DMC is the best way to help you plan an unforgettable event at UT Stadium.
  4. Brazos Hall: This early 20th-century grain mill is now a beautifully-restored event venue located in downtown Austin. With brick walls, wooden rafters, and pine floors, Brazos Hall has an upscale warehouse feel and is fully-equipped for corporate and social events. The main hall has a seated capacity of 500 and a standing capacity of 900, while the covered rooftop deck can hold a maximum of 250 seated guests or 450 standing guests. Brazos Hall is a blank canvas with “good bones” that can be decorated and set up for a variety of events.
  5. Star Hill Ranch: Star Hill Ranch is a collection of 22 buildings, all built from 1850 to 1935. These historic buildings were carefully transported from all over Texas and have been restored into a small, charming town. This location is famous for not only its history (Lyndon B. Johnson’s plantation is among the restored buildings), but because it is a hub for film and television. AMC’s The Sun and episodes of The Walking Dead were among the shows filmed at Star Hill Ranch. With a captivating history and space for events from 20 guests up to 2,000, Star Hill Ranch is a magical and unique venue just 20 miles out of downtown Austin.
  6. Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden: For groups that want to enjoy a laid-back, authentic Austin experience in the middle of the lively Rainey Street district, Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden fits the bill. It truly is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy good company. Guests will love the laid-back outdoor area and potential for people watching on Rainey Street. At Banger’s, there’s something for everyone on the menu, with 200 beers on tap and over 30 types of homemade sausages plus a full menu of delicious offerings. For a fun and unique Austin event, Banger’s is the place to be!
  7. 800 Congress: This gorgeous downtown venue is a minimal, industrial space perfect for hosting corporate and social events in Austin. 800 Congress is an indoor-outdoor venue with an airy open warehouse feel, exposed brick walls, 17 foot tall ceilings, and a street-level covered outdoor patio. With a total of 5,800 square feet of space, 800 Congress is perfect for large groups; it has a seated capacity of up to 250 guests, and a standing capacity of up to 600.
  8. Lustre Pearl: This adorable bungalow-turned-bar is credited as what helped transform the Rainey Street District from a quiet neighborhood to the bustling hot spot it is today. While it closed in 2014 to make room for hotels and other developments, Lustre Pearl is back and better than ever with two locations in Austin. If you’re looking for an old-school Austin vibe for your event, look no further than Lustre Pearl.
  9. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q: The legendary Stubb’s Bar-B-Q was the heart of the Austin music scene in the 1970’s. Musicians including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Muddy Waters, and George Thorogood played at Stubb’s. Today, Stubb’s still serves up cold beer and delicious barbecue, and music continues to be at the heart of the venue. There are multiple event venues at Stubb’s, including a private bar, a covered patio, a 4,000 square foot lounge, and a large amphitheater that can hold up to 400 guests seated, and 2,200 guests standing. Be a part of Austin history with an event at Stubb’s.
  10. Salt Lick BBQ: Located in the small town of Driftwood in the gorgeous Hill Country, the Salt Lick is a BBQ icon that’s been around for over 50 years. Their beautiful location amongst the live oak trees is perfect for events of all kinds, from weddings to meetings to luncheons and more. With multiple venues on the property to choose from, both indoor and outdoor, you can’t go wrong with The Salt Lick! The largest space on the property, the Pecan Grove, seats up to 350 guests; there are multiple smaller private rooms and spaces, too. An Austin DMC can help you choose which space is right for your event!
  11. SPiN: Do something outside the box and host an event at SPiN, a ping pong hall in downtown Austin. With multiple ping pong tables, a bar, and a private room and VIP area, SPiN is great for fun-loving groups of ten and up.
  12. The Belmont: Part music venue, part event space, The Belmont is the perfect place to host anything from an intimate gathering to a multi-day extravaganza. With a swanky interior, spacious stage, double dressing rooms (created to Prince’s specifications!), rooftop patio with downtown skyline views, and beautiful courtyard, this 6th Street venue has it all. The Belmont has two stories of space, plus outdoor areas, and can hold up to 1,000 standing guests.
  13. La Zona Rosa/LZR: Austin has changed a lot in recent years, but the recently renovated and reopened La Zona Rosa, now known as LZR, is a piece of old-school Austin. La Zona Rosa was one of the most well-known and well-loved music venues in its former life; Prince performed at South by Southwest in 2013. Today, the space is now open for all types of events, from private gatherings to multi-day celebrations, but events that include music and entertainment fit the iconic venue’s history perfectly.
  14. Antone’s: Known as the “Home of the Blues,” Antone’s has been bringing jazz and blues to Austin for over 40 years. Antone’s has a rich history and has hosted a multitude of legendary musicians, including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Ray Charles. Located in downtown Austin and recently renovated in 2015, Antone’s has both an upstairs and a downstairs space with a total standing capacity of 650 guests. Hosting an event at this famous and historic venue is perfect for fans of jazz and blues.
  15. The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria: With stunning views of Lake Austin, romantic and historic Mediterranean architecture, and sprawling grounds, it’s no surprise that Laguna Gloria, the home of The Contemporary Austin’s Art School, is an award-winning wedding venue. It’s also a wonderful space for corporate and social events. Laguna Gloria has several event spaces, including an early twentieth century villa with room for 50-75 seated guests, and outdoor terraces and lawns that can be set up with seating for up to 150. For those who are looking for a historic and beautiful setting for an event, Laguna Gloria could be the perfect place.