Austin, Texas story
Fifty Years of Follies
On the bustling stretch of Sixth Street, there’s a venue that has been keeping Austin laughing with a wild mix of political satire, magic, and music for decades. Welcome to Esther…
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On the bustling stretch of Sixth Street, there’s a venue that has been keeping Austin laughing with a wild mix of political satire, magic, and music for decades. Welcome to Esther's Follies, Austin's original comedy club. Named after the famous actress and swimmer Esther Williams, this modern-day vaudeville theater has been entertaining audiences for fifty years, celebrating its milestone fortieth anniversary of performances back in 2017.
The shows here are fast-paced and packed with energy, blending magic, juggling, singing, dancing, and comedy sketches that poke fun at current events. Running every week from Thursday to Saturday, the performances last about an hour and a half with a short intermission. It’s a place where Vegas-style illusions meet sharp political wit, all viewed through a window that looks right out onto the colorful street life of downtown Austin.
Keep an eye out for the theater as you walk, and remember that keeping a city weird always starts with a good laugh.
Updated June 2026