The video above walks through eight different venues across Austin, giving you a real look at where to go in Austin for live music and country two-step dancing. David Bridwell filmed each spot to show what the floors actually look like on a given night — the bands playing, the dancers moving, and the general feel of each place. If you're trying to figure out where to start, this is a solid overview that covers everything from classic honky tonks to a piano bar in an old rail car.
What are the best venues for live music and dancing in Austin?
Based on what's covered in the video, here are eight spots worth checking out, spread across different parts of the city:
- White Horse — One of the most popular spots in the East 6th Street area with live music seven nights a week. It gets wild on weekends with drunk crowds, but weekday nights bring out talented bands and serious dancers. The video features Georgia Parker and Johnny Mallen and the Rugged Gents playing here.
- Coral Snake — East Austin's newer music venue and cocktail bar. They run country two-step on Thursdays, and the video shows their Friday night swing dancing with A Rent Party playing jazz.
- Little Longhorn Saloon — An intimate classic honky tonk along Burnet Road in North Austin, known for their chicken shit bingo. The band featured here is Finger Pistol.
- Donn's Depot — A piano bar built inside an old rail car on the site of a former train depot. Wednesday night is the night to go for dancing, especially when Frank Cavit and The Honky Tonk Doctors are playing on their decent-sized dance floor.
- ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company) — A South Austin spot with a big stage, great food, and their own beer. Sundays are popular for dancing, but Wednesdays can be really cool too. Warren Hood plays here sometimes on Wednesday nights.
- Continental Club — A South Congress landmark recognized as historic by the city and one of Austin's most well-known clubs. It leans more tourist-heavy, so you're less likely to see the regular local dancers. The video captures a night with Theo Lawrence performing.
- Sagebrush — Another South Congress honky tonk with live music seven nights a week and a big dance floor. A lot of the bands that dancers specifically come out to see play here. The video features Melissa Carper on stage.
- Mercer Dance Hall — Located out in Dripping Springs, this one requires a short drive from Austin proper. Local dancers sometimes organize group trips out here, and the video shows one of those nights with The Merals playing.
Which Austin neighborhoods have the most live music?
East Austin, particularly the East 6th Street area, is home to both the White Horse and the Coral Snake. South Congress has the Continental Club and Sagebrush within walking distance of each other. South Austin has ABGB, and North Austin along Burnet Road has the Little Longhorn Saloon. Donn's Depot sits in its own category near downtown. The point is that live music isn't concentrated in one strip — it's spread across the city, and each neighborhood has its own feel. This video only scratches the surface, and there are many more videos on the channel covering additional bands, venues, and what the Austin dancing scene looks like week to week.