Austin Nightlife — Live Music Venues, Honky Tonks, Bar Districts & Dancing
14 videos · Your guide to Austin's best nightlife, from honky tonk dance floors to late-night music venues across the city.
Austin's nightlife runs deep, spread across a patchwork of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. From the historic bars lining 6th Street to the honky tonks south of the river and the indie venues packed along the Red River Cultural District, there's an enormous amount of ground to cover. The videos on this page walk through dozens of venues, bars, and entertainment districts across Austin — covering everything from two-step dancing at Sagebrush and the White Horse to jazz in the basement at Elephant Room and Parker Jazz Club, blues legends at Antone's, and SXSW day parties at coffee shops and hotel courtyards.
The guides on this page are organized around specific themes: honky tonk dancing, SXSW free events, neighborhood bar-hopping along East 6th Street and West 6th Street, the Red River Cultural District's Hot Summer Nights event, and a broader look at the Austin concert scene. You'll find coverage of well-known spots like Continental Club, Stubb's BBQ, Broken Spoke, and Mohawk, as well as lesser-known local favorites like Buddy's Place, Kick Butt Coffee, Coral Snake, and Sam's Town Point. Artists featured range from Texas icons like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Gibbons, and Alvin Crow to local favorites like Libby and the Loveless, Theo Lawrence, Georgia Parker, and Weldon Henson.
Whether you're looking for a place to two-step on a Tuesday night, a free SXSW showcase to wander into, or a neighborhood with a walkable strip of bars and live music stages, the videos above offer a practical, on-the-ground look at what Austin nightlife actually looks like — night by night, venue by venue.
Videos
What These Videos Cover
SXSW 2026: Live music around Austin | Best artists, venues, free events
In SXSW 2026: Live music around Austin, the focus is on free shows happening across Austin during South by Southwest, covering 11 venues and 13 artists. Stops include Sagebrush where Shaky Graves drew a line out the door, the Lonestar Roadhouse event at East End Ballroom featuring Rattlesnake Milk, South by San Jose at Hotel San Jose on South Congress with Joe Alice, the Yeti flagship location on Congress Avenue with Joshua Ray Walker, and Colton House Hotel with Scott Belaloo. The video also covers Cosmic Pickle during their four-day Cosmic Fest with Dylan LeBlanc and Dainty Dillow's Outlaw Pride label launch party featuring Lydia Loveless.
Texas Two-Step Dancing in Austin, Texas (Best Honky Tonks and more)
Texas Two-Step Dancing in Austin features 10 different places for two-step dancing across Austin. It begins at Joe's Coffee in the South Congress area, where Sunday afternoons bring live music and dancing with Lucas Hudgens and Joe's house band, then walks up South Congress to Guero's Oak Garden stage with Johnny McGowan and the Rugged Gents. Other stops include ABGB on a Sunday afternoon with Libby and the Loveless, Sagebrush on a popular Tuesday night with Hayden Butler, the Highball on Lamar Boulevard on a Thursday with Cactus Lee, Broken Spoke — open since 1964 — with Alvin Crow playing Western swing, and Backwood Bar further south of the city.
Concerts in Austin: 12 Live Music Venues in Austin, Texas
Concerts in Austin covers 12 live music venues across the city. It opens at Antone's, the iconic downtown blues club, on a night when Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top was performing, then moves to Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on Second Street for a Robert Earl Keen holiday show. Other featured stops include Elephant Room on Congress with the Jitterbug Vipers playing 1930s-style jazz, Waterloo Records during a free in-store performance by Kelly Willis, the White Horse on East 6th Street with Kelley McRae, In Cahoots on East 6th, Palmer Event Center during the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, and Buddy's Place in North Austin with Jeff Gallagher.
The Domain, Austin: North Austin Nightlife, Live Music & Rock Rose Entertainment District
The Domain, Austin explores the Rock Rose Entertainment District inside the Domain complex in northwest Austin, off the Mopac Expressway. The video describes the area as an outdoor shopping village with retail, restaurants, bars, and residential buildings — sometimes called Austin's second downtown. For live music and nightlife, it highlights specific spots within Rock Rose including Culinary Dropout, Dogwood, Kung Fu Saloon, and Jack and Ginger's, noting that the area draws a lot of tech workers and transplants and has more of an upscale, date-night feel compared to central Austin.
Austin Live Music Uncovered: 15 venues and artists
Austin Live Music Uncovered visits 15 venues featuring local Austin artists. It starts at Antone's during a celebration of life for music writer Michael Corcoran, with performances by the Wild Seeds and Jack Henry. Other stops include Antone's Records on Guadalupe Street near the UT campus with Stalefish, Friendly Rio Market where young bands play inside the convenience store, Kick Butt Coffee hosting the Fem Rock Showcase, Red Bud Ice House near Manor Road for Monday picker circles hosted by Sharita Perez and Beth Chrisman, Sunny Backyard on East 7th with Black Da Vinci and Meta, Parker Jazz Club in the Warehouse District with Chris Kimura, and Lambert's upstairs for live music with barbecue.
Places to visit in Austin: Exploring the Red River Cultural District for Live Music
Places to visit in Austin walks the entire Red River Cultural District during the Hot Summer Nights event, when all the venues along the strip offered free live music. The video covers 10 venues starting at the top of Red River Street at Mohawk with And So I Watch You from Afar on the outdoor stage, then Cheer Up Charlies with Middle Sat Tre, Stubb's BBQ with Creekbed Carter Hogan, Valhalla with Houses We Die In, the 13th Floor with the Daymares, Elysium (Austin's goth club) with Monster Mash Up, Empire Control Room and Garage with Daniel Fears, Swan Dive with Robert Parker Jr., and Flamingo Cantina — open since 1991 — with Llamativa. It ends at Vaquero Taquero near 6th Street.
Where to go in Austin for live music and honky tonk dancing
Where to go in Austin for live music and honky tonk dancing features eight venues for country two-step dancing. It starts at the White Horse on East 6th with Georgia Parker and Johnny McGowan and the Rugged Gents, then moves to Coral Snake in East Austin for swing dancing on Friday nights with A Rent Party. Other stops include Little Longhorn Saloon on Burnet Road with Finger Pistol, Donn's Depot — a piano bar in an old rail car — on Wednesday nights with Frank Cavitt and the Honky Tonk Doctors, ABGB with Warren Hood on Wednesdays, Continental Club on South Congress with Theo Lawrence, Sagebrush with Melissa Carper, and Mercer Dance Hall out in Dripping Springs with the Morals.
Austin SXSW Festival: Live Music & Day Parties Across the City
Austin SXSW Festival covers eight locations hosting day-long events during South by Southwest. It opens at Sagebrush (referred to as C-Boy's in context with the Soho Stomp event) on South Congress with Texas icon Ray Wylie Hubbard, then visits Fredo coffee shop for Just Russ and the Rusty Buckets, Guero's for the Bubble Studios showcase with Midnight Rubies, Hotel San Jose for their free South by San Jose event with Sugar Daisy, ABGB with Anna Smirk from Australia, Captain Quackenbush's hosting the Hodge Podge showcase with Hey Cowboy, Radio Coffee South for the Kerrville Folk Festival showcase with Sunny Fairley, Radio Coffee East with My Seon, and Giddy Ups further south with Sharita Perez. It wraps at Far Out Lounge during their free fest with College of Hip Hop Knowledge and Olivia Cachet.
Honky Tonk Dancing in Austin, Texas (Country Music Bars)
Honky Tonk Dancing in Austin features at least 15 artists across eight venues. It opens with the story of Theo Lawrence, who came from France and quickly became a favorite at Sam's Town Point, Sagebrush, C-Boy's Heart & Soul, and the White Horse. It covers Joe's Coffee on South Congress during sinners brunch with Jenny Miori and Georgia Parker backed by Joe's house band, ABGB with Devon Gilfillian (referred to as Devon Jake), Sagebrush with Libby and the Loveless, Weldon Henson, and Bob Appel, C-Boy's Heart & Soul on a Sunday night for Mike and the Burnalls and a mention of Jimmy Vaughan, and the Highball as another popular dance spot.
The live music scene in Austin, Texas (14 bars and venues)
The live music scene in Austin covers 14 bars and venues. It starts at Coral Snake on Cesar Chavez with Faith Kelly and Kwin Moon, then visits High Hat Public House for Sunday jazz brunch with Grant Ley, Central Machine Works brewery on East Cesar Chavez with Buenos Diaz, Banger's Sausage House on Rainey Street with Donovan Keith, Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches in North Austin for the Golden Hour Jazz Jam, Cactus Cafe at the UT Student Union building during songwriters open mic hosted by Jake Farr with Marina Rocks, Scholz Garten (dating back to 1866) with Croy and the Boys, and the Continental Gallery upstairs above Continental Club.
East Austin Nightlife: Bar Hopping & Live Music on East 6th
East Austin Nightlife walks along the East 6th Street area — the stretch east of I-35 and north of the river — on a Friday night. The video describes the neighborhood as hipster, trendy, and gentrified, with blocks of bars, food trucks, cocktail spots, vintage shops, murals, and galleries. Specific spots mentioned include Cisco's Restaurant (a longtime TexMex spot in the neighborhood), Lowdown Lounge, Grizzle, Liberty Bar, In Cahoots with its Austin Garden and Studio Rooftop Bar, Latchkey, Whistler's, and Il Bruto. The video focuses on the bar-hopping atmosphere and what walking the strip looks like on a weekend night.
Things to do in Austin: Trendy Bars, Live music and Nightlife along West 6th street
Things to do in Austin explores the West 6th Street area of downtown Austin, covering about four to five blocks of trendy, densely packed bars. The video describes it as more upscale than neighboring Dirty 6th Street, with more college students and nightclubs with DJs. Bars spotted along the strip include Unbarlievable, Buford's Little Woodrow's Parlor, Yardley Bar, Dogwood, Cat's Pajamas, Green Light Social, and Kung Fu Saloon. For live music, the video highlights Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Ice House with a stage and jam sessions, Rustic Tap with Callaway Rich and Dice, Devil May Care for jazz in an underground lounge, and Ranch 616 just off the main strip.
Best bars in Austin for dancing to live country music
Best bars in Austin for dancing to live country music is a music-focused compilation capturing the sounds of Austin's country music dance bars. The transcript is mostly song lyrics and audience sounds, giving a feel for the live atmosphere at honky tonks and dance venues around Austin where people are out two-stepping to live bands on any given night.
A walking tour of Austin's 6th Street (live music)
A walking tour of Austin's 6th Street covers a walk along Dirty 6th on a Wednesday night — July 5th, the day after the 4th of July — from Congress Avenue to Red River Street. The video describes 6th Street as a historic entertainment district comparable to Beale Street in Memphis or Broadway in Nashville, with bars and music going back to the 1800s. It notes the street's reputation among locals as being on the decline and heavily focused on drinking, and points out Joe Rogan's Comedy Mothership as a newer addition on the strip. The video gives an honest, ground-level look at the atmosphere, crowds, and character of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best honky tonks for two-step dancing in Austin?
The most popular honky tonks and bars for two-step dancing in Austin include the White Horse on East 6th Street, Sagebrush south of South Congress, Broken Spoke on Lamar Boulevard (open since 1964), Little Longhorn Saloon on Burnet Road, Donn's Depot (a piano bar in an old rail car), and the Highball next to Alamo Drafthouse on Lamar. ABGB and Joe's Coffee are also popular spots for dancing on Sundays, and Continental Club on South Congress draws both locals and tourists.
What venues are along Red River Street in Austin's Red River Cultural District?
The Red River Cultural District includes Mohawk (multi-level with indoor and outdoor stages), Cheer Up Charlies (a gay nightclub with outdoor music and drag shows), Stubb's BBQ, Valhalla, the 13th Floor (a rock and roll bar with psychedelic music roots), Elysium (Austin's goth club), Empire Control Room and Garage (three stages), Swan Dive, and Flamingo Cantina (open since 1991, near 6th Street). During the Hot Summer Nights event, all of these venues have free live music.
Where can I find free live music during SXSW in Austin?
Many free shows happen across Austin during SXSW even without a badge. Venues and events with free music include Sagebrush (with artists like Shaky Graves), South by San Jose at Hotel San Jose on South Congress, the Soho Stomp event at C-Boy's Heart & Soul with Ray Wylie Hubbard, Guero's Oak Garden stage, ABGB, Radio Coffee South and Radio Coffee East, Captain Quackenbush's, Giddy Ups in far South Austin, Far Out Lounge, and the Lonestar Roadhouse event at East End Ballroom. Official SXSW artists frequently play these free shows in addition to their badged performances.
What is the difference between Dirty 6th, East 6th, and West 6th Street in Austin?
Dirty 6th Street is the stretch of 6th Street in downtown Austin between Congress Avenue and Red River Street — it's the most famous bar strip, known for heavy drinking and a rowdy atmosphere, and locals generally consider it past its prime. East 6th Street is east of I-35 and is more hipster and upscale, with cocktail bars like Whistler's, food trucks, and live music spots like the White Horse and In Cahoots. West 6th Street is trendier and more college-oriented, with nightclubs, DJs, and bars like Unbarlievable, Green Light Social, and Dogwood, plus some live music at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Ice House and Rustic Tap.
What is the Rock Rose Entertainment District at the Domain in Austin?
The Rock Rose Entertainment District is a collection of bars, restaurants, and nightlife spots within the Domain complex in northwest Austin, off the Mopac Expressway. The Domain dates back to 2007 and is sometimes called Austin's second downtown. Live music options in Rock Rose include Culinary Dropout, Dogwood, Kung Fu Saloon, and Jack and Ginger's. The area has more of an upscale, date-night atmosphere and attracts a lot of tech workers and transplants living in the surrounding apartment buildings.
What are the best bars for live jazz in Austin?
For jazz in Austin, Elephant Room on Congress Avenue is an intimate basement bar with live jazz every night, including the Jitterbug Vipers every other Wednesday. Parker Jazz Club in the Warehouse District is another intimate basement jazz club run by award-winning jazz vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Kimura. High Hat Public House near East 6th has a Sunday Jazz Brunch. Devil May Care on West 6th Street has jazz nights in their underground lounge. Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches in North Austin hosts the Golden Hour Jazz Jam.
What nights are best for two-step dancing at Sagebrush and the White Horse in Austin?
Sagebrush has live music every night of the week, and Tuesday nights have been especially popular for dancers when Hayden Butler has been playing. The White Horse also has live music seven nights a week. Weekdays tend to be better for actual dancing, as weekends draw larger, rowdier crowds. After Sagebrush lets out, dancers often head to the White Horse to keep the night going, especially on weekends. Sunday nights also draw a good dancing crowd at both venues.