About ScratcHouse Backyard
ScratcHouse Backyard was an intimate live-music venue located in Austin’s Red River Cultural District (617 E 7th Street). Housed in the former Beauty Bar/Holy Mountain building, it opened in 2016 and quickly became known for its powerful “Bass Boss” sound system (www.eventsfy.com). The club combined an indoor stage and bar area with a fenced outdoor patio – the “backyard” – giving it a unique indoor/outdoor club feel (www.austinchronicle.com). Unlike larger concert halls, ScratcHouse’s space was small and standing-room only, creating a close, dance-club atmosphere. The venue’s focus on electronic, hip-hop and dance music set it apart in Austin’s scene (www.austinchronicle.com). (Sadly, after only a few years, ScratcHouse closed its doors in mid-2020 amid the pandemic and rising rents (austin.culturemap.com); as of 2023 the space is not hosting shows.)
Events and Programming
When it was active, ScratcHouse Backyard typically featured a packed schedule of DJ sets and club nights. The programming was intentionally eclectic – as one Austin Chronicle guide noted, the club hosted “a locally-sourced variety of hip-hop, electronic, dance, and every subset in between” (www.austinchronicle.com). You could expect anything from underground EDM and house music events to hip-hop showcases or themed dance parties. Many local promoters and collectives took advantage of ScratcHouse’s lean, adaptable layout for special dance events and fundraisers. The venue also participated in citywide music events: for example, it hosted showcases during SXSW and Austin Free Week, and DJs would often spin late-night after-parties for downtown events. Because it was a club, most shows were standing-room and often charged a modest cover (often under $10–$15 for local nights, with higher prices if a national act was booked). Tickets (when required) were sold through event listings or at the door; there was no traditional box office, so shows were typically listed on the venue’s website or social media and sold online or at the time of the event.
Tickets and Booking
For events at ScratcHouse Backyard, tickets or cover charges varied by show. Most local night events had low-cost or free admission, while special concerts might be ticketed. Listings were usually posted on the venue’s social channels or through local concert calendars a few weeks in advance. There was no walk-up box office – instead, tickets could be purchased online (through ticket partners or event pages) or at the door when the show began. Popular shows sometimes sold out early, so the venue often advised fans to buy tickets as soon as they went on sale. Since ScratcHouse Backyard is currently closed, there are no tickets on sale; if it were to reopen, one would typically check its official updates or local listings for booking information.
Seating and Layout
ScratcHouse Backyard was a general-admission club with no reserved seating. The layout was simple: a main dance floor in front of the DJ booth/stage, with a full bar along one side. The club itself had a small rectangular footprint (imagine a couple of hundred capacity at most). In some spots near the back wall there were a few benches or stools, but most patrons stood or danced. A small VIP-raised area might be near the stage for filming or DJ gear, but in practice the whole room was standing-only. The outdoor “backyard” patio also had mostly standing room, with a few chairs or picnic tables brought in for special events; it sometimes hosted a second DJ set with a view of the indoor stage area.
Acoustically, the sound system was focused toward the dance floor. Fans favored being slightly off-center on the floor or near the middle to get balanced sound. Near the speakers (by the DJ booth) the bass can feel very strong, which is great for club music but might overwhelm the very front row. Conversely, hanging back by the bar or the small stage side ledges can make the music a bit quieter. In either case, there were no “bad seats” – everyone stands and dances. One thing to note: if you needed a quieter spot or a break from dancing, stepping out into the fenced patio gave a chance to chat and cool off while still hearing the music.
Getting There and Parking
ScratcHouse Backyard was located at 617 East 7th Street, just east of Red River Street and I-35. In practice that’s a few blocks south of the Omni Hotel and the Downtown Austin freeway divides. It’s a 5-10 minute walk east from the Austin Convention Center area. By car, you could exit I-35 at 7th Street and head east. There is no venue parking lot, so most attendees looked for street parking or nearby garages. Metered parking is available on 6th and 7th Streets; downtown meters typically require a fee on weeknights (often around $2 per hour, depending on the block) and can be free later at night or on weekends. Several pay garages (e.g. on Red River or near 2nd Street) are within a few blocks as an alternative if street parking is full.
Public transit options included the Capital Metro bus system. Multiple bus routes run along 6th and 7th Streets; for example, the MetroRapid or Route 4 buses have stops a block away on East 7th. If you’re coming from the northwest (like The Domain area), the MetroRapid Route 803 (formerly 103) along Lamar/Guadalupe also gets close. Capital MetroRail does not directly serve this spot, but the Comal Street station is a 20-minute walk north.
Rideshare drop-offs (Uber/Lyft/taxi) were commonly done on East 7th Street itself, near the corner of Red River (look for the venue marquee). It’s a busy downtown area, so plan for some traffic. The venue entrance is accessible directly from the sidewalk on East 7th.
Inside the Venue
Upon arriving, guests would typically wait in line outside until doors opened (often around 7:30 or 8:00 PM for music nights). At the entrance, staff checked IDs at the door; the venue enforced an age requirement (usually 18+ or 21+, depending on the event) so everyone needed photo ID. No large backpacks or coolers were allowed; small purses and clear bags were usually fine. After paying or showing a ticket, patrons entered a dimly lit, clubby interior. A full bar ran along the left wall, serving beer, cocktails and mixers. Right past the glass door was the packed dance floor stretching toward the DJ stage at the far end, with occasional ledges or benches along the wall for placing drinks.
The atmosphere was high-energy and informal. People often stepped outside to the fenced concrete patio (“the backyard”) to talk, smoke, or check out the second DJ set up there. The patio was enclosed by chain-link fencing and had some box tables and lights. Restrooms (men’s and women’s) were located at the back/side of the building (usually down a short hallway), and a small coat-check area was available on chillier nights for a nominal fee. Merchandise tables would pop up at larger shows, selling band/artist T-shirts or accessories. There was no in-house kitchen, so you wouldn’t find food inside (aside from pre-packaged snacks). The main “amenity” beyond music was the bar and the lively social vibe. Cell phone signal tends to work OK inside, though there’s no specialized venue Wi-Fi, so attendees relied on mobile data for ticket scans or photos.
Nearby Amenities
The Red River District is packed with options. Immediately on 7th Street are several bars and eateries. For example, Cheer Up Charlies (a multi-level bar with sandwiches and a front outdoor stage, two blocks west on 7th) is a popular spot for pre-show drinks. About half a block east on 7th sits a cluster known as the 7th & Red River Food Truck Court – here you’ll find a rotating lineup of food trucks offering tacos, barbecue, halal gyros, gourmet grilled cheese, crepes and more (redriverculturaldistrict.org). Notable trucks have included Asian Kitchen, Shawarma Point, Rodgers BBQ and others (updating over time) (redriverculturaldistrict.org). These trucks are especially handy either just before or after a show.
Within a 5-10 minute walk of the club there are many restaurants (from casual to upscale) and bars. The famous Sixth Street entertainment district is only two blocks north, with dozens of bars and music venues. Nearby are also the Austin Convention Center and Waller Creek area, which have hotels and a couple of chain eateries (like Burger Joint or Tex-Mex spots). In terms of lodging, downtown hotels like the JW Marriott, Hilton Austin, and Marriott are all within a 10-minute drive (5-6 blocks away). Many concertgoers stay in these downtown hotels or Airbnb apartments in East Austin. After events, ride-sharing is available; late-night buses run sporadically, and some people walk a block or two to get to Capitol Metro’s Dillo Daytime Airport Shuttle stops (if flying out).
What Makes This Venue Special
ScratcHouse Backyard stood out in Austin for its underground, community-driven vibe. Unlike many Austin clubs focused on rock or country, this venue was dedicated to DJs and the dance music scene – a niche that made it beloved by local ravers and hip-hop heads alike (www.austinchronicle.com). The combination of a raw warehouse feel with a friendly, inclusive crowd gave it a “DIY party” aesthetic. Its powerful sound system (the trusty Bass Boss speakers) and laid-back backyard patio meant artists could experiment with loud, bass-heavy shows and fans could dance freely without tables or seats (www.eventsfy.com) (www.austinchronicle.com). Socially, it built a sense of family among attendees. News reports from 2020 noted that fans saw the club as “a safe culture” and part of the city’s artistic heart (austin.culturemap.com), so its closure was widely mourned. All these factors – top-notch sound, a relaxed outdoor area, and a tight-knit community – made ScratcHouse Backyard a memorable spot in Austin’s live music history.
Visitor Tips and Information
Accessibility: The venue was single-level and ground-floor, which helped with accessibility. The front entrance had a small step inside, and one there was flat concrete floor. Staff typically could provide assistance if you had a wheelchair. Note that bathroom doors may be narrow.
What to Bring: Always carry a valid photo ID and some cash or card for bar drinks. Bring a small cross-body bag or wallet rather than a large backpack. Earplugs are a good idea if you plan to stand near the speakers (the music can be very loud during peak songs). It’s comfortable casual attire – many people come in jeans, T-shirts, sneakers or boots. High heels are not recommended since there’s a lot of dancing.
Things to Know: Expect club lighting and sometimes a haze machine during peak sets. Re-entry after leaving is generally not allowed (so use the restroom on one trip). Outside food/drinks are not permitted – there is a full bar, so plan to purchase bottled water or drinks inside. Most shows went late (often 12:30–2 AM), so arrange safe transport home. If you want to avoid lines or sell-outs, arrive early (doors typically open around 7:30 PM). Check the outfit’s policies if attending a big event: some nights may be 21+ only, or have strict no-professional-camera rules. Overall, come prepared to dance and enjoy an underground club environment. The venue had a relaxed, friendly vibe, but door staff enforced policies (so ID checks should be quick). Finally, follow local updates – if by chance ScratcHouse Backyard is revived or reused under a new name, its social media would be the place to learn about it.
