The video above takes you on a full road trip from the Texas Hill Country down to Port Aransas, Texas, a small beach town sitting on Mustang Island along the Gulf Coast. With a population just over 3,000 people spread across 14 square miles, Port Aransas is one of those places where folks drive golf carts instead of cars, fishing is practically a religion, and the pace of life slows way down. But what caught my attention is how much live music is packed into this little island town. The video walks through the main strip, hits up Restaurant Row, and ends at a songwriter showcase at The Gaff featuring Dallas Burrow and his Redbird Road Trip.
What Live Music Venues Are in Port Aransas, Texas?
For a town this small, Port Aransas has a surprising number of spots where you can catch live music on any given week. Here's what the video turned up while walking the main drag and surrounding area:
- Blue Water Cowboy Saloon — A go-to spot for live music right in the heart of Port Aransas, with a beach-town-meets-honky-tonk feel
- Shorty's Place — Billed as the oldest and friendliest bar on the island, a no-frills local hangout with live music
- Salty Dog Saloon — Calls itself the coolest honky tonk on the Texas Riviera, which is a bold claim but the kind of place worth checking out
- The Gaff — Where David Bridwell ended up for the Redbird Road Trip songwriter showcase, a solid venue for original music in a songwriter circle format
- VFW Post 8967 — Had live music advertised out front, one of those under-the-radar spots you'd walk right past if you weren't paying attention
- Beach Bums — Another casual spot with live music signage posted outside, fitting right into the laid-back island vibe
The songwriter showcase at The Gaff is the highlight of the video. Dallas Burrow, who runs the Redbird Listening Room in New Braunfels, brought a songwriter circle format inspired by the tradition of Kris Finley songwriter circles and the Schreiner Street Warehouse. The whole idea is original songs and letting performers feed off each other's creativity, and it drew a solid turnout.
Beyond the Music — What Else to Know About Port Aransas
Port Aransas sits just north of Padre Island, and you'll pass through Corpus Christi to get there unless you take the ferry. It's a major spring break destination, so the population swells considerably in warmer months. Beyond the bars and restaurants lining the main area and Restaurant Row, there's beach camping, birding, hiking, and even some pirate history with rumors of buried treasure. The Texas SandFest happens every April, drawing crowds for elaborate sand sculptures. The Tarpon Inn, which dates back far enough that Franklin Roosevelt once stayed there, is worth a look just walking by. And if you're near the pier, you can watch massive ships pass through the channel — a cool, unexpected sight from such a small town.