20 Best Bars in Austin, Texas

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.

Cap City packs quite a punch with its stand-up comedian lineup here at its new flagship location in the Domain. This well-attended theater has a reputation as the city's premier spot for stand-up comedy for more than 35 years and it still attracts world-class headliners (and sold-out crowds) on a regular basis. It also showcases heaps of local talent at weekly open-mic nights as well as the club's annual "Funniest Person in Austin" contest.

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.

Touted as Austin's neighborhood beer joint since 1951, Deep Eddy is dive bar royalty, complete with cheap ice-cold brews, pool tables, and a killer jukebox. It even secured a designation as a historic site by the city of Austin in 2024, so this legendary tavern will be operating for a long time to come. Swing by for a Lone Star beer after an afternoon swim at Deep Eddy pool or stay late (open until 2 am).

A hole-in-the-wall heaven, Donn's dance floor has attracted fans of Texas two-step, waltz, polka, honky-tonk, and swing since 1972. Tucked inside an old train car just west of downtown, the Christmas decor–laden interior of this aging Old Austin beauty is as charming as its weekly lineup of local musicians and popular beginner two-step lessons. Don't feel like dancing? Belly up to the bar for some cheap drinks and complimentary popcorn while you watch everyone else groove. Check their events calendar for an updated list of shows and special events.

The old-fashioned bar and lounge on the Driskill's mezzanine level is where history is made, from heavy-hitting modern political deals sealed with a handshake to storied LBJ lore like when he proposed to Lady Bird here. Rich fabrics, dark wood, and cowhide aplenty give this bar a warm and cozy appeal. Patrons can enjoy live music every weekend paired with stiff cocktails in a truly elegant Texas setting.

Jazz fanatics love to hold court at this basement locale, named one of the top 10 jazz venues in the country by famed trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. A respected (and locally loved) venue established in 1991, the Elephant is one of the reasons Austin still earns its keep as the "Live Music Capital of the World," with acclaimed local and traveling talent performing onstage every night of the week.

There's really only one place in downtown Austin known for its rip-roaring comedy shows. Esther's has kept Austin rolling with laughter for more than 25 years. Reservations for their popular, award-winning variety shows are required. 

Located on the same block as the Driskill, the "invitation only" part of this hidden speakeasy's description makes it seem like an impenetrable members-only club. In fact, patrons only need to download their app to book a (required) reservation for the night and enter their provided secret code at the alley gate. We won't spoil what greets you once you've crossed the threshold of this stylish secret lair, but the showstopping basement bar is one of the best (and most exclusive) destinations in town for a craft cocktail. Seasonal and weekly menus rotate around abstract themes that will spark the imagination of seasoned connoisseurs. Their sister bar, In Plain Sight, located just above on the ground floor, is another vibey spot for a nightcap.

Looking for an authentic Austin honky-tonk dive-bar experience? This chapel-shaped Burnet Road haunt is a legendary Old Austin favorite, though from the looks of the shabby exterior, you may not believe it at first. It's not glamorous, but the beer is cold (and cheap during happy hour), the service is friendly, and the vibe is always fun. Local music legend Dale Watson often takes the tiny stage here (there's live music every night), and the cast of regulars at this honored saloon is too good to miss. The claim to fame here is the riotous good-times had at the weekly Chicken Sh*t Bingo played every Sunday.

This natural wine bar and shop popped up amidst the dive bars and music venues of East Sixth to great fanfare, offering an incredible respite for respectable wine lovers. Friendly staff help navigate the selection of biodynamic and natural wines at the shop's front counter, and the shady back patio has communal seating and live music some nights. Stop in for a bottle to-go or enjoy their happy hour with an artisanal cheese board.

This multilevel, indoor-outdoor Red River establishment is consistently a frontrunner for "best live music venue" in local Austin polls. With a cool, indoor stage and a killer outdoor stage and sprawling rooftop deck and bar, these guys know how to throw a party. Expect serious jams and strong pours seven nights a week. This is a popular spot for large touring acts throughout the year and during SXSW, the venue hosts multiple days of official, unofficial, and free showcases with lines wrapping around the door for certain acts.

Named one of the best bars in America by GQ magazine, Nickel City holds court in one of the most bustling stretches of east Austin. With an arsenal of heavy pours, classic cocktails, and a "damn good" whiskey selection, bartenders serve loyal customers without gimmicks or frills. There are hearty on-site food options, and weekly specials are promoted regularly on the pedestrian-heavy East 11th Street. Look out for special pop-up installations and themed takeovers 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.

In continuous operation since 1866, the "little beer joint that could" is the oldest operating business not only in Austin, but the entire state. This campus- and downtown-adjacent beer garden is a favorite gathering place for UT football fans, live music lovers, liberal and conservative state workers, and anyone interested in traditional German food (from giant Bavarian pretzels to Jägerschnitzel) and, of course, lots of beer. Check their events calendar for news on special concerts, sporting event celebrations, and SXSW showcases.

Spot the red gate at the corner of a faux-fern–wrapped parking garage to access this jewel box of a bar. Climb the spiral staircase to the "hidden," highly acclaimed, second-story speakeasy, outfitted with plush blue banquettes, baroque wallpaper, and a wood-box back bar framed in blue and brown subway tiles. Classic cocktails made with large-format Clinebell ice are the specialty here, and bartenders like to get creative with their trove of vintage recipes. Cheese, charcuterie, and other light fare are served until midnight. Walk-ins are welcome all night, every night, but reservations are recommended for groups of four or more. Arrive early to avoid crowds on weekends.

For over 25 years, this near-campus joint established itself as the perfect coffee shop escape for studying sessions or catching up with friends. Recently, the full-service bar and café has consolidated and changed up its array of offerings with its adjacent Ballroom space and transformed more exclusively into a live music and event operation, with weekly lineups of local music, theme parties, movie screenings, and stand-up comedy. Their bar still serves hip crowds of locals who can also dine at the on-site food trucks.

One of the city's most highly touted venues, Stubb's features live music booked by the same folks who produce many of Austin's top shows, including the ACL Festival. This Red River hot spot attracts incredible local and touring artists. The massive outdoor venue, one of the biggest downtown, boasts an impressive monthly calendar of performances from internationally known acts. It's one of the hottest tickets in town for exclusive SXSW shows and ACL after-parties. Additionally, their popular Gospel Brunch, showcasing rotating live gospel acts, is hosted every Sunday.

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.

Cowboys, hipsters, and dancing queens alike all mix and mingle with surprising ease at this Eastside honky-tonk for the modern age. Live music from some of the best country, rockabilly, and swing bands in the area are hosted onstage every night, and newcomers can take donation-based two-step classes before the main dance floor fills up. The backyard food truck, Bomb Tacos, slings food every night until late.