10 Best Bars in South Austin and South Congress District, Austin

This legendary honky-tonk is one of the last true Texas dance halls. If live country music and dancing are your thing, then two-step down to this venerable venue, where Old Austin lives (and dances) on. Lessons are available for first-timers or anyone in need of a little refresh before the headlining band kicks things off. The classic haunt has hosted live music (from world-famous celebrities like Dolly Parton and beloved locals like Dale Watson) since 1964 and crowds still flock to the hallowed dance floor every week.

This is an authentic Austin original—and one of the city's signature live music hubs, drawing a hard-drinking, music-loving crowd every night of the week. The club hosts a variety of live acts but specializes in country-infused rock, like local favorite James McMurtry, and the laid-back dance floor is perfect for swinging. The "gallery" stage upstairs is another great space to catch an intimate show. Expect an even more robust lineup here during SXSW.

Grab your dance partner, or somebody else’s, and hit the floor at Sam’s for some classic Texas two-stepping. Some of the best country, bluegrass, and rock-and-roll acts in town play regular sets at this South Austin institution (established 1981), which attracts nightly crowds at their indoor and outdoor stages.

This immersive, over-the-top tiki bar is a melting pot of Asian, Hawaiian, and Polynesian influences that come together to create an adult Disneyland of juicy delights. The drinks and food don't disappoint, but the presentation and theatrics steal the show. Order fish-bowl–size drinks that serve four to six people, or a showboating cocktail that cues special lights and music when served—and don't forget to snap a selfie in your own themed booth. A more approachable tiki concept recently opened in their upstairs lounge every Monday and Tuesday night with its own casual cocktail and snack menu. You'll find it by entering through the back of the understated, speakeasy-style building and following the "Tiki" signs.

A community beer garden of sorts—locals call it The ABGB—this hopping operation is a full-scale brewery, popular pub restaurant, and live music venue. Throughout the year, they offer a rotating selection of craft beers in a wide variety of styles, including lagers, ales, IPAs, and pilsners. The outdoor backyard is shaded by oak and elm trees and is a perfect backdrop for evening rockabilly and country gigs featuring local artists. Enjoy crisp pizzas, an assortment of super-stuffed sandwiches, and salads while you sip a few suds.

Once a delightful home-style shop by day and wine bar by night, the former Aviary Lounge's multipurpose design concept now focuses exclusively on wining and dining. The contemporary decor is still a lovely backdrop here, but the main star is the adventurous international wine list and the kitchen serves up wonderful gourmet pairings.

This happy haven of drinks, food, and sports has kept up with the hives of active, social Austinites who want more than a beer to have a good time. The south Austin gathering place is home to full-size pickleball courts and lawn games, a kids' playground, a fenced-in dog park, a rotating selection of food trucks, and a full bar. Guests can order grub from the picnic tables on the outdoor Astroturf courtyard via QR codes. UT game day watch parties and other special events attract crowds.

Once a classic Red River haunt in the middle of downtown, this indie rock and punk venue is now on East Riverside, where a much larger main stage hosts internationally acclaimed names in the music industry, including the likes of Blues Traveler and Lauryn Hill. A long-time player in the Austin music scene, expect plenty of SXSW showcases.

You don't need to be a hotel guest to unwind at the San José's popular courtyard bar and lounge in what many consider to be the hippest hotel in town. Enjoy signature micheladas, reasonably priced bottles of wine, and cheese plates poolside or at a bamboo-bordered patio table. Special events, like the annual South by San Jose SXSW festival, showcase local bands in the adjacent parking lot, while weekly DJ sets, themed dance parties, and seasonal happy hour specials are hosted in the lounge space.

If you can get past the Saxon's lackluster exterior on an ugly stretch of South Lamar, then you'll find a phenomenal local music experience. Bands play every night, usually from the local rock, country, and blues scene. There's Shiner Bock on tap and a well-worn pool table that draws regulars from all over the city. The legendary venue always packs bands in back-to-back throughout SXSW.