New Braunfels TX — Live Music Venues, Dance Halls & Nightlife Guide
7 videos · Your guide to the live music scene in New Braunfels and the surrounding Hill Country area.
New Braunfels sits about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio and 50 miles southwest of Austin, a Texas Hill Country city with a population approaching 100,000 that still holds onto a small-town feel rooted in its German-Texas heritage dating back to 1845. The downtown area and the nearby village of Gruene are the two main hubs for live music and nightlife, and both are covered extensively in the videos on this page. From the oldest dance hall in Texas to hidden speakeasies, rooftop bars, and pizza joints with live bands, New Braunfels has a surprisingly deep and varied music scene.
The guides on this page walk through more than a dozen individual venues and events across the New Braunfels area, including Gruene Hall, Phoenix Saloon, The Poor House, Redbird Listening Room, Goodwin's Speakeasy, Moonshine and Ale, Sidecar, Krause's Cafe Beer Garden, and many more. You'll also find coverage of major events like Wurstfest and the Songwriters Harvest at Landa Park, plus river-area venues like Mountain Breeze Campground and Lone Star Float House. The videos feature dozens of Texas artists performing at these spots, giving you a real feel for what each venue is like on any given night.
Whether you're planning a weekend visit, relocating to the area, or just trying to figure out where to catch live music on a Thursday night in downtown New Braunfels, the videos above cover the full range — walkable downtown bars, Gruene's historic venues, brewery taprooms, wineries, and seasonal river spots.
Videos
What These Videos Cover
New Braunfels Live Music Scene: Top spots for Texas nightlife
In New Braunfels Live Music Scene: Top spots for Texas nightlife, 14 different venues and events are featured across the area. Coverage includes Wurstfest at Landa Park with performances by Alex Meyer at the Gross Zelt stage and Squeezebox with Molly B at Wurst Hall, plus the Songwriters Harvest featuring Jacob Augustine. The video also visits Mountain Breeze Campground along the Guadalupe River for the In a Jam Down by the River event with Dustin Brown and Landon Hoffman, and stops at Gruene Hall for a Gary P. Nunn show, along with Winery on the Gruene.
New Braunfels nightlife: Exploring downtown after dark (vlog)
New Braunfels nightlife: Exploring downtown after dark captures a Halloween Thursday night walk through downtown New Braunfels, starting after a visit to the historic Riley's Tavern where Sid Grimes hosted a performance. The video tours the downtown roundabout, the gazebo, the train depot museum, and the heritage mural, noting the real freight train that runs through the center of town. Stops include Phoenix Saloon (noted as famously haunted), Moonshine and Ale (a touristy piano bar with live band karaoke), The Poor House, and newly spotted spots like Cowboys and Cadillacs Rooftop Bar and Lost and Found rooftop bar.
New Braunfels top spots for live music (14 live music venues and bands)
New Braunfels top spots for live music covers 14 venues and artists in the area. It opens at Gruene Hall, dating to 1878, with a Radney Foster performance, then walks over to Gruene Grove for the Ryan Lawless Band. Along the Guadalupe River, the video features Lone Star Float House with John Evans during their Sunday Serenade series. Other stops include Dry Comal Creek Vineyards with Stella, Guadalupe Brewing with Mason Norris, Double Dave's Pizza Works on Gabriel Place with Monty Good, Bootleggers Pizza in downtown with Luke Leverett, Tavern on Castell with Brian Snipes, and The Poor House.
A tour of downtown New Braunfels, Texas (Texas Hill Country vlog)
A tour of downtown New Braunfels, Texas opens with a visit to Phoenix Saloon for a performance by Andy Hollman. The video provides an overview of the city's two main entertainment districts — downtown and the village of Gruene — and covers the German-Texas heritage visible in the architecture, food, and culture. Downtown spots mentioned include Moonshine and Ale, The Poor House, Water to Wine (noted for good food and music), Muck and Fuss with Jess and Dave performing, Sidecar speakeasy, Lone Star Lounge, and Brauntex Theater.
Where to go in New Braunfels for live music
Where to go in New Braunfels for live music kicks off at Gruene Hall with a Sunday Songwriter Shindig featuring William Beckmann, John Baumann, McCatlin, Austin Meade, Marie Bagwell, Kevin Galloway, Taylor Ray, Mike Harmeyer, and Topo Chico Cowboy. The video then visits Gruene Cottages for Max and Heather Stalling, Goodwin's Speakeasy for a Tuesday songwriter night hosted by Bill Whitbeck (bass player for Robert Earl Keen), the Redbird Listening Room for Jason Eady, Phoenix Saloon for Jim Wesselick singing Cowboy Coffee at open mic night, and The Poor House.
Where to listen to live music in New Braunfels, Tx
Where to listen to live music in New Braunfels, Tx starts at the Redbird Listening Room, highlighting their Thursday open mic songwriter nights and a performance by Slade Cleaves with Scrappy Jud Newcomb. The video then moves to Phoenix Saloon, described as a building from 1871 where chili powder was invented, featuring a lunch performance by Tony Taylor and a School of Rock set by The Waves. Other venues covered include The Poor House with the Ali Matice Band and Sean Hart, Moonshine and Ale as a tourist-friendly piano bar, and Sidecar at Prince Solms Inn.
Things to do in New Braunfels: Downtown Walking Tour (Music, Food & German History)
Things to do in New Braunfels: Downtown Walking Tour walks through the downtown area on a random weekend, focusing on food, drinks, and live music. The tour starts with the German heritage of the town, established in 1845, and visits Krause's Cafe Beer Garden during an Oktoberfest event with the band Rollin. Stops include Naegelin's Bakery (the oldest bakery in Texas, from 1868), Phoenix Saloon, Lone Star Lounge and their open mic nights, Sidecar with a jazz band and craft cocktails, and The Poor House, described as one of the most exciting venues for a downtown music walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest dance hall in New Braunfels and how old is it?
Gruene Hall in the village of Gruene dates back to 1878 and calls itself Texas's oldest continually running dance hall. It hosts major Texas artists regularly — performances captured in these videos include Gary P. Nunn, Radney Foster, and a Sunday Songwriter Shindig with artists like William Beckmann, Austin Meade, and Jason Eady at the nearby Redbird Listening Room.
Where can I find live music in downtown New Braunfels on a weeknight?
Several downtown venues have weeknight music. Phoenix Saloon hosts open mic nights on Wednesdays where you can regularly find Jim Wesselick performing, and they sometimes have lunch performers during the day. Redbird Listening Room runs a Thursday songwriter open mic night. Double Dave's Pizza Works on Gabriel Place has a Thursday live music gig with Monty Good. Lone Star Lounge also features an open mic and occasional booked artists.
What is Wurstfest in New Braunfels and when does it happen?
Wurstfest is an annual 10-day festival celebrating New Braunfels' German heritage, held at Landa Park near the Comal River. It's been running since the 1960s and features multiple stages with live music, carnival rides, food, and beer. Stages include the Gross Zelt, Wurst Hall, and Klein Zelt, with performances ranging from polka and Bavarian-style entertainment to Texas country artists.
Is there a speakeasy in Gruene or New Braunfels?
There are two speakeasy-style bars in the area. Goodwin's Speakeasy is hidden in the village of Gruene — you go down steps through a door marked as if you shouldn't enter. They serve old fashioneds made with egg and host a Tuesday songwriter night that has been hosted by Bill Whitbeck, the bass player for Robert Earl Keen. Downtown, Sidecar at Prince Solms Inn is an underground cocktail bar with craft drinks and occasional jazz performances.
What live music venues are near the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels?
Along the Guadalupe River you can find Mountain Breeze Campground, which has a stage and hosts events like In a Jam Down by the River featuring artists such as Dustin Brown and Landon Hoffman. Lone Star Float House runs a Sunday Serenade live music series during the summer tubing season, where John Evans has been featured. Both are seasonal spots tied to the river tourism crowd.
Is Phoenix Saloon in New Braunfels really haunted?
Phoenix Saloon is widely regarded as haunted. The building dates to 1871 and is noted as the place where chili powder was invented. The haunting reputation stems from a suicide by the man who constructed the building and a few other accidents that occurred there over the years. Multiple videos on this page reference the paranormal reputation, and on Halloween night the venue leans into it with extra decorations.
What are the best places to eat and hear live music in downtown New Braunfels?
Krause's Cafe Beer Garden serves German-influenced food and beer and hosts bands during events like Oktoberfest. Phoenix Saloon is known for their chili and has daytime performers. Bootleggers Pizza has outdoor music in the summer — Luke Leverett has played there. Muck and Fuss is popular for burgers and has hosted Jess and Dave. Tavern on Castell offers upscale cocktails and light bites with live music inside. Water to Wine in the downtown square area is noted for good food alongside music.