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The venue

About Cactus Cafe

Welcome to the Cactus Cafe, an intimate listening room and bar housed on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Since opening in 1979, this beloved venue has hosted legendary voices in a cozy setting that favors close-up, attentive listening. With a capacity of 153 seats, the space combines tasteful seating, a warm bar area, and a straightforward layout that makes it easy to secure your seats and enjoy the performance. Whether you're a longtime Austin music fan or a first-time visitor, we’ve got you covered with practical tips on parking, transit, and nearby stays and dining.

Accessibility and location are core to the Cactus Cafe experience. The venue sits on the UT campus at Texas Union, 2308 Whitis Ave, Austin, TX 78712. For transit, CapMetro serves the area with routes including 1, 801, and 803, making it feasible to reach the venue without a car. Campus parking operates on a permit basis, so consider nearby garages like UT Co‑op (2214 San Antonio St) and the San Antonio Garage (2420 San Antonio St). ADA parking is available in front of Hogg Auditorium. After the show, you’ll find several convenient hotels just steps away, including Moxy Austin – University and The Otis Hotel (Autograph Collection), both within walking distance. If you’re planning a night of iconic Texas songcraft, you’ll be in good company with past performers like Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, The Chicks, and Robert Earl Keen. Book with us to secure one of the 153 seats for a memorable evening.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Location: Texas Union, 2308 Whitis Ave, Austin, TX 78712.
  • Venue type: intimate listening room and bar, on the UT Austin campus.
  • Capacity: 153 seats (per UT Austin Event Spaces listing).
  • Seating/chart: public seating chart not published; layout described as intimate with chairs/tables and bar-area seating.
  • Transit: accessible via CapMetro routes including 1, 801, 803.
  • Parking: campus parking is permit‑only; suggested garages include UT Co‑op (2214 San Antonio St) and San Antonio Garage (2420 San Antonio St); ADA parking in front of Hogg Auditorium.
  • Nearby hotels: Moxy Austin – University and The Otis Hotel (Autograph Collection) within walking distance.
  • Notable events: hosted artists such as Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, The Chicks, Robert Earl Keen, and many others.
  • History: opened in 1979; briefly challenged for closure around 2010–2011 but was revived and remains active on campus as of 2026; not demolished or renamed.