The video above takes you on a tour of Llano, Texas, a small Hill Country town about 75 miles northwest of Austin. With a population just above 3,000, Llano has the kind of quiet, lived-in charm that makes for a great stop on a Hill Country road trip. David Bridwell swung through town on a weekend of playing music around the area, including a gig at the Library at Big Iron in Round Mountain, and used the opportunity to explore what Llano has going on — from its historic downtown square to its surprisingly solid lineup of live music spots.
A Brief History of Llano, Texas
Llano's roots go back to the 1850s as a frontier trading center that grew around ranching, farming, and natural resources. Iron deposits in the area once had people believing Llano would become the "Pittsburgh of the West," and at one point the population was actually double what it is today. That boom didn't last, but the town settled into its own identity. The Llano Uplift, a geological formation about 90 miles in diameter consisting mostly of granite rock, makes the area an international destination for rock hunters looking for unusual specimens exposed at the surface. Llano is also widely known as the Deer Capital of Texas, claiming the highest density of white-tailed deer in the U.S. and drawing hunters from all over during deer season.
What Live Music Venues Are in Llano, Texas?
For a town of 3,000 people, Llano has a real concentration of spots where you can catch live music, most of them within walking distance of each other around the downtown square and its surrounding blocks.
- Llanex Theater — One of Texas's last small single-screen theaters, hosting concerts in addition to movies and home to the Llano Country Opéra
- Fuel Coffee House — A coffee shop right on the square with an indoor stage for live music performances
- Llano Beer Company — Located across from Fuel, a local brewery that books live music regularly
- Joe's Bar — A bar on the square that features live music
- LTX Mercantile — A shop on the square that also offers live music events
- The Falls — Situated near the Llano River just steps from the downtown square, with live music alongside the water
- The Barrel House — Located near the historic Rail Yard District, not far from the downtown area
- Sundown — A few blocks from the Rail Yard District, hosting solid Texas bands with more of a classic honky-tonk feel
Exploring the Downtown Square
The Llano downtown square is a National Historic District anchored by the 1892 county courthouse. It's a walkable area with restaurants, bars, boutiques, jewelry shops, and wine spots. The Llano River runs right next to the square, so you can cross a bridge and take in the water between stops. Nearby, the historic Rail Yard District has a visitor center and some of the old rail yard infrastructure worth checking out. David Bridwell wrapped up his time in Llano by heading south to Round Mountain for his gig, closing the night with original music at the Library at Big Iron — a solid way to cap off a Hill Country weekend.