Sundown on Skylark
Austin blues club Skylark Lounge closing after 12 years
The Skylark Lounge announced that it is closing at the end of the week.
Austin is losing a reliable venue for live blues and community as the Skylark Lounge closes after more than a decade in business. Its last day will be Sunday, May 4, according to a Facebook post on the venue's official page.
"Thank you all for supporting us in 12 joyful years of astounding music, caring community, and unforgettable nights of celebration," the post reads. "We love and appreciate our patrons, musicians and staff beyond words."
The post does not name Skylark's reason for closing. Located at 2039 Airport Blvd., the venue became known for its "hidden gem," feel despite being locally well-known. Patrons appreciated the unfussy dive bar aesthetics, a relatively low cover charge of $10, and the quality of musicians who played there.
One of the most present regulars on the Skylark stage included was local blues musician Soul Man Sam and the SMS Band. Sam was born in Memphis and moved to Austin in 2011. He played a residency at the lounge on Sundays, plus some other weekend sets. The lounge also hosted a weekly blues jam to help musicians stay in touch.
Anyone who wants to say goodbye to the Skylark Lounge can stop by during this upcoming "farewell week." The venue promises "great music and familiar faces," and encourages locals to spread the word off social media. The team will also collect and repost photos from over the years on Instagram and Facebook.
Current operating hours at the Skylark Lounge are 5 pm to midnight from Wednesdays to Fridays, 5 pm to 1 am on Saturdays, and 5pm to midnight on Sundays. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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