a classic, intimate music venue that was nearly lost -- but remains due to the love of the many fans, this corner stage and back bar setup provide some of the finest live music performances in austin and offer a treat to longhorn alums as they return to the heart of the student union building on campus for a night out. long live the cactus!
Intimate setting. Friendly bar staff. Usual campus-like venue.
I lived in Texas for 22 years. This is the best tex-mex I've found outside of Texas yet! I highly recommend the green enchiladas! They remind me of Chuy's Stacked Enchiladas... before they went downhill (for any Austinites reading this!)
Truly an institution! I was very happy to hear that they weren't getting shut down. I love it here!
They used to have science lectures there. Good venue for that sort of thing.
lol, it was suppose to be a bar.
It does have drinks but it closes very early.
Best place in Austin to listen to live music, up close and personal with staff that merely tolerates visitors.
An amazing venue for a small show. The acoustics are fantastic and the Cactus Cafe has that nostalgic feel about it. The drinks were reasonable and the service was not bad at all. The best thing about this venue is the intimacy you feel. It feels almost like the show is in your front room with a small gathering of friends. If you want to really experience music- try a show at the Cactus Cafe.
If you love music, this place is one of the best ways to see it. Intimate venue. Quite and respectful audience. Great talent. Lesser known musicians. See them before everyone else does. And KUTX approved. Say no more.
Great little music venue in the heart of the Texas Student Union. And they have panel discussions and other special events there as well.
Great hideout on campus for some studying, group chat, or a drink. Also you can sneak away from the masses for lunch here due to the 21+ policy. Plenty of Zilker beer available also!
Legendary music venue in the University of Texas Union Building. Cool bar, tiny stage. The best of the best Texas outlaw players have been here. Tiny stage. Super cool venue.
One of my favorite music venues. The set up is intimate and the acoustics are great. I really like the bar located inside the venue. I've seen several musical acts here and I am hard pressed to find another comparable venue.
11:59 Songwriting performance blew me away. The creativity and camaraderie. The music, the laughs. Perfect way to end a weekend. What a classic venue
Cool place to go and relax at. Saw a guitar concert here and had a good time.
Intimate music venue with bar, lots of history to this place, very Austin.
Ok so I love it because it's so small and I got to see the singing voice of my favorite cartoon Jem and let me tell you Britta Phillips rocks
Had to stand up (it was so packed), but the intimacy and clarity of communication from the artist is phenomenal. No question, they want to play the room and the audience adores it. This is the best acoustic music room in Austin.
An Austin and UT institution. Very cool campus spot to check out some lesser-known musicians! Luckily, it's funding didn't get cut...(yet).
It's a wonderful little bar/cafe, but the hours are very limited.
I LOVE seeing shows here. You feel like you're almost in a private performance. Comfortable and you're right next to the stage, even in the back.
I saw Van Hunt here and I think he was disappointed. I wasn't, though. He kept trying to get the crowd to get up and move, but there's just not enough room to do that in this venue. It's very tight and intimate, so I don't think it lends itself to really rocking, loud shows...that's just my humble opinion. You just have to know where this place is because we walked for a half hour before we stumbled upon it. All in all, it's a cool little place and I know it's historic. I'd go here to see a "talk" before I'd go to hear a band again. It's just too small.
If you want to listen to acoustic music in a small club, this is the place to go. No serving of drinks during the show. No chit chatting while the performers are on the stage. What a concept.
If you get a chance to see a musician you like play here you really should go. Very intimate atmosphere. Tickets are always reasonably priced.
This is a wonderful intimate Austin gem. It's a fun excuse to visit the campus. Make sure you get there early to secure a seat and good luck with parking, be prepared to walk.
I like getting a beer here after class. The staff is nice, and they have an Italian language group that meets here weekly
Intimate setting with good acoustics. Bring a chair cushion if you can!
This venue is amazing. The staff that keep the place running have a beautiful historic building. This is one of the most intimate music venues I have ever been to. Community coming together and supporting musicians from all over the globe. Thank you again Cactus Cafe ,& KUT for your service to music and artists.
Love it here! Such a great place to see bands/artists play. The booze is fairly cheap, too.
The only downside is the parking. We went on a Tuesday for the local KUT radio event that discussed "How to Have a Bullsh*t-free Wedding" and we learned a ton and even found our pre-marital counselor. Fun time was had by all and the drinks were pretty cheap.
Intimate place to see whatever you are seeing, small but cheap drinks!
#old austin, baby. Everyone has played here. Chill student bartenders, eccentric profs holding office hours at the bar.
An incredible place to watch a concert. Billed as "legendary" and there's no question as to why.
Fantastic music venue, especially with beer in hand
Best spot around campus for eclectic fare - music, talks, debates. Friendly staff
cactuscafe.org