The video above is a solid guide to where to find Texas two step dancing in Austin, covering six different venues and thirteen bands across the city. David Bridwell spent a full month capturing this footage — his fourth extended stay in Austin — and by now he's built a pretty thorough map of where the dancers go, which nights matter, and which bands keep people on the floor. If you're trying to break into the Austin two step scene, this is a great starting point.
What are the best venues for Texas two step dancing in Austin?
Austin has a style of two step and country swing dancing that's genuinely its own thing — you won't find dancers at this level anywhere else. Here are the six venues featured in the video, along with the nights and bands that draw the dancing crowd:
- White Horse — An East Austin honky tonk surrounded by apartment complexes but holding its ground with great music and tacos out back. Tuesday night is the big night for dancers, with Blake Whitmire Band and The Mellows on a regular rotation. Armadillo Road plays Sundays, and Jenny and the Corn Ponies show up here too.
- Sagebrush — Located south of South Congress, this is one of the coolest spots to hang out and dance. Erin McDonald and the Neon Eagles are a favorite among the dancers, along with Mayu and Brassard and Gus Clark and the Least of His Problems.
- Don's Depot — A truly unique spot housed in an old train depot with its own dedicated group of regulars. Wednesday night is the night to go, with Frank Cavett and the Honky Tonk Doctors holding it down.
- Little Longhorn Saloon — A small, long-running bar known for chicken bingo. Alan Haynes plays a bluesier style that doesn't always get love from the two step crowd, but it's got a rhythm that works well with this style of dancing and is worth seeking out.
- Giddy Ups — Self-described as the oldest bar on Manchaca Road, this place has a real neighborhood feel. They keep a birthday list for regulars, and the band will actually sing to them. On Mondays you can catch Bob Apple, who's popular with the older crowd.
- Sam's Town Point — A go-to spot for dancing on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The Guthrie Girls play here, along with Sentimental Family Band, and Ramsay Midwood takes the stage every Saturday at 11 PM.
Which nights are best for two step dancing in Austin?
Knowing the right night matters just as much as knowing the right venue. Tuesday at the White Horse is the biggest night in the scene — that's when the serious dancers show up. Wednesday works well at Don's Depot. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the nights at Sam's Town Point. Sundays at the White Horse bring Armadillo Road, and Mondays at Giddy Ups have Bob Apple. You can basically find somewhere to dance almost every night of the week if you know where to look.
More than just dancing
What makes Austin's two step scene special isn't just the dancing — it's the relationship between the dancers and the bands. People follow specific musicians around town, showing up wherever Erin McDonald and the Neon Eagles or Armadillo Road are playing on a given week. The bands know the dancers, the dancers know each other, and the whole thing has a community feel that's hard to replicate. If you're looking to get into it, pick a night from the list above and just show up.