Esther's Follies

  4.6 (529 reviews)
Claimed $$ Performing Arts, Comedy Clubs
Closed  
Esther's Follies

Esther's Follies Esther's Follies Esther's Follies Esther's Follies Esther's Follies Esther's Follies

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.

(512) 320-0553

Category

Nightlife near Austin, Texas, United States

Get Directions

525 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

 
 

Hours
Mon Closed  
Tue Closed  
Wed Closed  
Thu Closed  
Fri Closed  
Sat Closed  
Sun Closed  

Recommended Reviews

Other Nightlife near Austin, Texas, United States


 
 

Hole in the Wall

  4 (189 reviews)
Music Venues Dive Bars $
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":0},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":1},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":2},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":3},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":5},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1500","end":"0200","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":true}]
2538 Guadalupe St
Come, enjoy by hanging a sip of non spirits along with a tumbler later on. If I were in my twenties again, I would be a Jefe every week. Live music, a slot...
 
 

Speakeasy

  3.6 (311 reviews)
Speakeasies $$
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"0000","day":0},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"0000","day":1},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1130","end":"0200","day":2},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1130","end":"0200","day":3},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1130","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1130","end":"0200","day":5},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"0000","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":false}]
412 D Congress Ave
I want to give a shout out and thanks to Mark at Speakeasy, who helped me wrestle my 70 lb keyboard and case down the elevator avoiding a dangerous trip...
 
 

The Rose Room

  2.9 (137 reviews)
Dance Clubs $$
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2200","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2200","end":"0200","day":5}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":false}]
11500 Rock Rose
Riding up the escalator was the most fun part of my experience at Rose Room. I heard from my college friends that this is a fun club, but I mostly saw an...
 
 

Neon Grotto

  3.1 (16 reviews)
Bars $
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1600","end":"0200","day":1},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1600","end":"0200","day":2},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1600","end":"0200","day":3},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1600","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1600","end":"0200","day":5},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1600","end":"0200","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":true}]
318 Colorado St
Neon Grotto is a stark reminder I don't party like I used to. (#1) It's a unique combination of a dive bar meets lounge meets rooftop bar meets hipsters...
 
 

The Vortex

  4.1 (43 reviews)
Performing Arts Venues & Event Spaces Music Venues $$
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":0},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":1},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":2},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":3},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":4},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":5},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1700","end":"2230","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":true}]
2307 Manor Rd
Nice bar next to cute little private theater. Watched the Muttcracker - cute little play with rescue dogs.
 
 

Outer Heaven Disco Club

  3.9 (27 reviews)
Bars Karaoke Dance Clubs $
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":false,"start":"0900","end":"1700","day":0},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2100","end":"0200","day":1},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2100","end":"0200","day":2},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2100","end":"0200","day":3},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2100","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2100","end":"0200","day":5}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":true}]
1808 E 12th St
A very fun place to party. Came here on a bachelorette trip and watched this place go from completely empty to packed in the matter of an hour. The drinks...
 
 

Club Miami

  2 (4 reviews)
Bars Dance Clubs $
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2200","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2200","end":"0200","day":5},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"2200","end":"0200","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":false}]
15505 N Interstate 35
So loud! Can't talk, can't even think. I was deaf when I left and I could still hear it in my neighborhood. The drinks were overpriced and watered down. The...
 
 

Rockin J Piano Bar

  4.9 (15 reviews)
Piano Bars $
601 E Whitestone Blvd
There isn't much like late night drinks with family and friends. However why stop at just suds and buds? Add in some live music and watch the night liven...
 
 

Urban Rooftop

  3.9 (131 reviews)
Lounges Cocktail Bars $$$
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"2300","day":1},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"2300","day":2},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"2300","day":3},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"0000","day":4},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1000","end":"1500","day":5},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1600","end":"0000","day":5},{"is_overnight":false,"start":"1000","end":"1500","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":false}]
411 W Main St
Great place to wind down after work or after dinner at Urban.Eat.Drink They have a massive bar and made my wife's French75 perfectly. I stayed to my usual...
 
 

Jade Room

  3.5 (8 reviews)
Bars $$
[{"open":[{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1700","end":"0200","day":0},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1700","end":"0200","day":1},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1700","end":"0200","day":2},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1700","end":"0200","day":3},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1700","end":"0200","day":4},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1200","end":"0200","day":5},{"is_overnight":true,"start":"1200","end":"0200","day":6}],"hours_type":"REGULAR","is_open_now":false}]
2008 S Congress Ave
I wanted to like this place. The good: the music (and that's it). We came in on a Sunday night and were happy that we could find a place that was still...