If you’ve ever walked down Sixth Street and thought, “What this block really needs is a magician, a musical, and a roast of every political figure alive,” congratulations — you’ve just described Esther’s Follies.

Part magic show, part comedy cabaret, part social experiment, Esther’s has been Austin’s premiere destination for satire, sequins, and spontaneous chaos for over 40 years. It’s not just a show — it’s a civic duty, a workout for your laugh muscles, and a mildly disorienting fever dream you’ll be quoting for months.

And make no mistake: you’re not just watching this show — you’re in it. That glass back wall facing Sixth Street doesn’t just open; it breathes. Every drunk bachelorette, cowboy, and tourist outside becomes part of the act. So consider this your comedy survival guide — a five-step plan to make the most of your night at the beating, bizarre heart of Austin’s nightlife.

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Step 1: Do Your Homework — Know What You’re Walking Into

Before you show up thinking this is another polite sit-down comedy club, think again. Esther’s Follies is Austin’s original controlled explosion — a blend of political satire, mind-bending magic, and musical numbers so outrageous they could make Congress burst into applause (or tears).

How to Prepare Like a Comedy Pro:

Pro Tip: Their Instagram is like a preview reel of the glorious madness. Follow it, laugh, and prepare your jaw muscles for endurance comedy.

Step 2: Bring the Right Crew (and the Right Attitude)

This isn’t a “Netflix and chill” kind of comedy night — this is live ammunition entertainment. If you’re bringing friends, coworkers, or that one relative who thinks “politics shouldn’t be funny,” have the talk before you go.

Esther’s is equal-opportunity offensive, which means everyone gets roasted — left, right, center, and whoever’s currently trending for saying something dumb.

Comedy Commandments for Group Prep:

Pro Tip: Matching shirts or group themes are encouraged. Nothing bonds a crew faster than a magician making your buddy disappear mid-sketch.

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Step 3: Arrive Early — The Show Starts Before It Starts

Sixth Street is an opening act all on its own. When the sun sets, it becomes a glittering parade of musicians, street performers, and confused tourists. Getting to Esther’s early isn’t just about the seats — it’s about soaking in that pure Austin electricity before stepping into the theater where it all gets amplified.

Your Pre-Show Ritual:

Pro Tip: Center seats offer the best view of both the stage
whatever wild nonsense is happening on the sidewalk behind it.

Step 4: Participate — The Comedy Gods Reward the Bold

At Esther’s Follies, clapping politely is for amateurs. This isn’t a library; it’s a contact sport. The performers feed off the crowd like caffeinated hummingbirds, and your reactions are their fuel.

How to Be an MVP Audience Member:

Pro Tip: Remember, hesitation is comedy’s natural prey. The performers are experts at turning nervous energy into hilarity — embrace it, and they’ll make you a star (or at least a punchline).

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Step 5: Reflect, Rehash, and Relive the Madness

When the curtain drops, the fun’s not over — it just spills back onto the street. Every Esther’s show ends in a glorious afterglow of inside jokes, shared chaos, and “Did that actually happen?” disbelief.

Post-Show Recovery Plan:

Pro Tip: Inside jokes from Esther’s shows have a shelf life of approximately forever.

Your Official Esther’s Follies Checklist

StepWhat to DoWhy It Matters1Research the showSo you’re in on the jokes before they land2Prep your crewAvoid mid-show pearl-clutching3Arrive earlyBest seats + free street circus4ParticipateBecome part of Austin’s living comedy5Reflect & shareKeep the laughter (and clout) going

Why Just Watch the Fun When You Can Be Part of It?

Esther’s Follies isn’t a passive night out — it’s an initiation into Austin’s weirdest, most wonderful cult of comedy. Between the glass wall, the political jabs, and the occasional on-stage hypnosis, it’s less “show” and more “shared hallucination.”

So stop reading about it and come live it. Grab your tickets at esthersfollies.com, bring your best laugh, and prepare for an evening that’ll leave you equal parts delighted, bewildered, and slightly suspicious of reality.

Because at Esther’s, we don’t just break the fourth wall — we invite the whole city to climb through it.