Antone's bids farewell to 5th Street

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Antone's bid farewell to it's 5th Street venue on Monday night with a music-filled bash. The popular downtown venue will move to a new spot on Riverside Drive later this month.

Nearly two dozen performers took to the stage throughout the night to commemorate the venue's last night and to reflect upon the past.

"What else could I possibly say, I've performed here a thousand times," Jimmie Vaughn said, "and in all different situations, all different hours."

"The music here, the talent is just awesome, you're always going to see a great show," said one music lover.

The evening took off like most any big night at the music venue over the years, with a line stretched around the building and music lovers eager to get in.

Antone's has called 5th and Lavaca home since 1997, but announced in January it would be leaving that spot.

Club managers said it was a business move, mainly to find more space, and more parking.

"I've heard the (new) place is going to be really good acoustically, maybe parking will be less of a hassle," a woman waiting in line to get into Antone's said.

This will be the fourth move for the business.

"Every time it moved locations they said, 'Oh, it's not going to be the same, it's not going to be any good, it's over,'" Vaughn said, "and it always came back."

The new location on Riverside Drive is set to open on March 28.

This summer, Antone's will celebrate 38 years in business.