Karol M.
Yelp
This is not your mom's Emo's. That Emo's was a drafty, beer and spit-spattered club off 6th Street where alt-rock/punk bands of the 80s and 90s drew fans wearing mohawks, studs and chains, and stage diving and mosh pits were a nightly occurrence. You just didn't know your mom was that cool.
This Emo's has risen from the ashes of The Back Room, sharing the same address as the once-storied rock and roll club, along with the painted black walls and ceiling (though it's much higher), and a more varied roster of modern bands, from EDM to tamer alt-rock acts. They work with the local radio stations to co-host shows, which is very cool. I saw Local Natives there this week as part of the 101X Indie Christmas show. Even though it's a big room, the show had an intimate feel because the stage is raised and the room isn't as big as Moody or Cedar Park Center, for instance. It's much nicer and a little larger than the Austin Music Hall. Sound and lighting are fit for a touring act, not an afterthought. Upcoming shows include NYE with Ghostland Observatory, Mutemath, a KUTX show with Margo Price, and a freaking Chippendale's show. No pushing, ladies.
Note that there is no seating. You will stand for the whole show, so wear comfortable shoes. They don't serve anything in glass, so beer comes in a can and mixed drinks come in a plastic cup. The crowd's behavior will depend on who the performers draw. Local Natives fans, mostly 20 to 30-somethings with real jobs, were polite and respectful and stood quietly watching and singing along; EDM crowds will be younger, wilder, and doing anything but standing still.
It's an all-ages venue, and minors are marked and tagged accordingly. Security is careful, so you'll likely get a pat-down and purse check out front. There are various lines for that, for ticket scanning, and for will-call. Get there early for dealing with all of that. Check the email they send before each show or their website for free parking in the area. They say it changes for each show. Be careful not to park in someones forbidden lot, or you will be towed.
Thanks for hanging around Austin, Emo's. I guess you could say we grew up together.