If you're trying to beat the heat, try an activity that isn't eating and drinking, or just shake things up, this list is for you! We've rounded up a number of unique things to do in Austin, all indoors! Explore the list below!
Updated August 2023
ART & CREATIVE
photo courtesy of Austin Pottery
AUSTIN POTTERY STUDIO & GALLERY
Located in the Allendale neighborhood, this group studio offers an assortment of wheel-throwing and hand-building pottery classes, along with handmade gifts! (Pictured)
Burnet Rd. | Directions
BLUE MOON GLASSWORKS
A retail and instructional art glass studio specializing in stained glass, glass fusing, flameworking, and jewelry! You can also rent studio space, a kiln, and get stained glass repairs, and design and fabrication of custom stained glass.
North | Directions
FEATS OF CLAY
A woman-owned and operated pottery studio offering a variety of classes with a gallery of artisan-designed stoneware made by local artists!
Burnet Rd. | Directions
MADE AT CRAFT
A walk-in craft room for adults with crafty DIY workshops varying from embroidery, wall hangings, collages, and more!
East | Directions
SLOW NORTH
A retail shop and studio with home goods, beauty and wellness products, and more along with workshops including soy candle making, a floral wreath workshop, a botanical gift tag workshop, and more!
North | Directions
UPSTAIRS CIRCUS ATX
A DIY workshop-meets-bar concept with leatherworking, woodworking, jewelry making, and DIY project workshops to enjoy while sipping cocktails!
Downtown | Directions
WOODCRAFT AUSTIN
A woodworking specialty chain that sells tools and supplies, and also hosts woodworking workshops!
North East | Directions
BOOK CLUBS
photo courtesy of For the Love of Books Club
FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS CLUB
A no-homework sort of book club where you can eat snacks and talk books with other book lovers! (Pictured)
North | Directions
BOOKS AND BREWERIES
Explore a different local brewery and a book that goes well with beer each month!
North | Directions
STEEPED IN BOOKS
Drop in for a talk and tea and share your thoughts about what you're reading or find new book recommendations!
Oak Hill | Directions
MUSIC
photo courtesy of Sofar Sounds
SOFAR SOUNDS
Bringing local artists and audiences together to create intimate, live concerts in unique, secret spaces around the metroplex! (Pictured)
Multiple locations | See locations
WHITE HORSE
Live country music is served in this spot every night with weekly two-step lessons and a taco truck outside!
East | Directions
WTF ICEHOUSE
A whiskey room with high-end whiskies, an outdoor patio bar and garden, and daily shows!
Downtown | Directions
COMEDY
photo courtesy of Creek and Cave
CREEK AND CAVE
An indoor and outdoor live performance space, featuring national touring stand-up comedians every night of the week!
East | Directions
EAST AUSTIN COMEDY CLUB
A comedy club that brings residents and nationally touring acts together in the East Austin area for an intimate night of comedy!
East | Directions
ESTHER'S FOLLIES
A modern-day theatre with acts that incorporate comedy, magic, juggling, singing, dancing, and sketches on current events!
6th St. | Directions
THE FAR OUT LOUNGE & STAGE
An alfresco venue offering food trucks, 2 bars, and picnic tables, plus a stage for live music!
SoCo | Directions
THE HIDEOUT THEATRE
A comedy club featuring seasoned and up-and-coming talent, plus a coffee shop for drinks and snacks!
Congress | Directions
VIDEO/ARCADE GAMES
photo courtesy of Blazer Tag
BLAZER TAG
Biggest laser tag arena in Texas complete with towers and ramps, an arcade, a snack bar, and an Austin SkyTrail ropes course! (Pictured)
South Ben White | Directions
CIDERCADE
An arcade bar with $12 admission for unlimited play on 150+ games! They also have adult beverages from Bishop Cider, pizzas, wings, and a patio on Town Lake!
East Riverside | Directions
DAVE & BUSTERS
A family-friendly chain offering a sports bar-style setting for American food and arcade games!
North | Directions
ELECTRIC SHUFFLE
A London-based bar and restaurant with high-tech shuffleboards, cocktails, and food!
Rainey | Directions
MAIN EVENT
A Texas mini-chain with bowling, billiards, laser tag, and an arcade, plus eats and a full bar!
North East | Directions
PINBALLZ ARCADE
This spot offers cafe eats and a variety of video games including new and vintage pinball machines!
Research | Directions
RECESS ARCADE BAR
A lively bar with a collection of old-school video games, drink specials, and paninis for snacking!
East | Directions
MINI GOLF
photo courtesy of Butler Pitch & Putt
BUTLER PITCH & PUTT
Pitch-and-putt course with nine par-3 holes and putting greens, plus bar food and a beer garden! (Pictured)
Barton Springs | Directions
THE DIRDIE BIRDIE
An elevated and immersive mini-golf course featuring several Austin landmarks and a culinary experience!
Domain | Directions
DUKE'S ADVENTURE GOLF
A family-owned and operated mining-themed miniature golf course with 18 holes that's BYOB!
E Slaughter Ln. | Directions
PETER PAN MINI GOLF
Since 1948, this family-owned pair of courses features whales, castles, and giant shoes!
Barton Springs | Directions
BOWLING
photo courtesy of Bowl High 5
BOWL HIGH 5
An entertainment venue featuring a full-service restaurant, an upscale bar and lounge, bowling lanes, axe throwing, virtual reality, a video game arcade, and a two-story, state-of-the-art laser tag arena! (Pictured)
Multiple locations | See locations
BULL AND BOWL
An entertainment destination with duckpin bowling, mechanical bull rides, great food, craft cocktails, and more!
6th | Directions
PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL
A lofty venue for bowling, karaoke, ping-pong, and other games, with a bar for cocktails and comfort foods!
Multiple locations | See locations
WESTGATE LANES
An old-school family bowling alley with rock 'n' bowl, bumper lanes, plus a sports bar and burger stand!
William Cannon | Directions
SPORTS/REC LEAGUES
photo courtesy of Austin SSC
AUSTIN SSC
Find year-round adult sports leagues like volleyball, soccer, pickleball, and more with happy hours and social events! (Pictured)
Multiple locations | See locations
AUSTIN ULTIMATE
Ultimate frisbee and seasonal leagues! The winter league fills up fast with two games each weekend, a jersey, a league disc, and food and beer at the fields.
Multiple locations | See locations
CRUX CLIMBING CENTER
A climbing center with boulder leagues! They also have climbing classes, yoga, fitness classes, and private lessons.
Multiple locations | See locations
SOCIAL CYCLING AUSTIN
A wide range of bike rides with unique events promoting socializing between all types of cyclists!
Multiple locations | See locations
SPHERE CLUB
Soccer leagues with a weekly match, a professional setup facilitated by coaches, and 40-minute games!
Spring Branch | Directions
SPORTSKIND
Premier sports leagues and team experiences for young professionals to cultivate a well-balanced life through team sports, fitness, and wellness!
Riverside | Directions
AXE THROWING
photo courtesy of Celtic Axe
CELTIC AXE
Axe throwing venues where you and your group can throw on your own while being supervised and trained by axe marshall pros! (Pictured)
Multiple locations | See locations
CLASS AXE THROWING
Throw axes as you learn, practice, then compete in a group tournament!
North East | Directions
URBAN AXES
Join a league community in Austin's original home of competitive axe throwing since 2017 or enjoy throwing and BYOB!
East | Directions
