Strange Brew, Lounge Side (CLOSED)

Hold up—a coffee shop is among Austin’s best live music venues? Yep, or at least so says the public consensus, which just voted the Lounge Side (concert space) as winners of Best Live Music Venue, Club Sound and Venue to Play in the 34th annual Austin Music Awards. That may have a lot to do with their inherently calming M.O.: the venue occasionally hosts louder rock shows, but the bulk are what they call “listening shows,” during which they ask that you “Please observe SILENCE” (read the sign above the stage, yo) or risk getting booted. And you won’t get stuck choosing between coffee or tea—they serve beer and wine, too. Given its location near a relatively residential area in South Austin, Strange Brew provides a splendid escape from the more party-oriented atmosphere of downtown.