Esther's Follies

Avg 4.6* in total 529 reviews.

Claimed  -  $$ -  Performing Arts, Comedy Clubs

Phone: (512) 320-0553

About the Business

Specialties

Musical Sketch Comedy, Political Satire, and Award-winning Magic all in one show!

History

Established in 1977.

In the beginning, there was nobody here but us turkeys.... In the spring of 1977, 6th Street was a neighborhood with an African-American/Hispanic/Lebanese heritage whose nighttime residents were primarily artists and winos. The JJJ Tavern had been dispensing drinks and philosophy at Esther's present site since 1950. Then, in the middle of 6th Street's 500th block, Michael Shelton and Shannon Sedwick, who already operated Austin's famed Liberty Lunch, leased an old, narrow bar at 515 (now Flamingo Cantina), throwing the first party on April Fool's Day. The next Friday night, it turned into an improvisational free-for-all of fun with singers, poets, dancers, mimes, musicians, and comics coming in off the street to create the unique comic environment where anything and everything could happen if it brought a smile. Led by Doug Dyer's creative musical productions, Terry Galloway's skits, William Dente's virtuoso creation of Dame Della Diva, and an inspired energy, the first shows explod

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Shannon and Michael S.

Business Owner

Shannon Sedwick and Michael Shelton met at UT Austin in the Theater Department in the early 60's and have been creating magic ever since.  They are also the owners of the iconic Austin pub the Tavern located on 12th & Lamar.

525 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701