3 Best Bars in The Hill Country, Texas

This saloon and dance hall, made famous by the hit song crooned by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, was originally built by German settlers as a town hall, eventually growing into a post office, general store, blacksmith shop, and dance hall. In 1970, it was sold to a local humorist (and self-proclaimed “mayor of Luckenbach”) who turned the entire space into a music venue. Within a decade, the site was attracting musicians from all over to play against its rustic walls plastered with historic signs and relics. These days, Luckenbach features three stages with a full calendar of live music performances, a beer garden, a saloon and dance hall, a kitchen serving barbecue and burgers, and a food truck. Photo opportunities abound, and there’s even a general store stocked with a wide variety of souvenirs. It’s an essential stop for any fan of country music, and Texas history.

With its weathered barnwood exterior, this music venue, owned by Chad and Natasha Hudson, gives the appearance of being a town fixture—which it is. Home to live music performances onstage six days per week, with a music studio and place where locals take lessons, it’s a great place to stop and stay awhile, nursing a beer.

Included on the expansive eight-acre property of the Gruene Homestead Inn is the newly popular Tavern in the Gruene, a live-music venue hosting a number of up-and-coming Texas artists.