Austin News

Austin’s music scene is a little less hopping now that three music venues and bars in the Red River Cultural District have shut for good. 

The area has seen plenty of hardships related to the extended COVID-19 pandemic. The three latest creative business casualties are indie music venue Barracuda, dance club and DJ spot Plush, and hip-hop venue Scratchouse.

Barracuda announced its closure in a Facebook message June 10.

“The time has come for Barracuda Club to bid adieu," the message said. "From the incredible artists to our amazing staff, we thank you for making us part of your lives for the last 5 years. For our going away party, we ask that you share a memory of us with #Barrys4ever.”

In that message, the club announced that proceeds from merchandise sales would benefit the Austin Justice Coalition and remaining concerts and shows would be rescheduled. The trio of Jason McNeely, Max Vendever and Johnny Sarkis opened the venue in 2015. Barracuda has held virtual concerts in addition to giving employees a portion of merchandise sales before the closure announcement.   

The closing of Plush was announced in May. General manager Ryan Cunningham attributed the closure to the “combination of ever-raising prices and new regulations.”  According to Eater Austin, the plan is to eventually move to another location. The club was opened in 2000 by Melissa Villarreal. During the closure initiated in March, Plush distributed donations for staff members, which they obtained through Venmo. 

During Scratchouse's temporary closure in March, manager Matthew Robinson said the main reason was rent costs. Scratchouse opened in 2016, after taking over the space that had been known as Holy Mountain.

All three of these venues were closed in March as Texas took precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and has resulted in the pandemic.