Places Austinites Like to Shake It!
Provided a quarter inch of snow doesn’t stop our town dead in its tracks, January in Austin is a time when us locals would rather be indoors. Usually, this means we’ve got our five dogs wrapped around us while we strum our guitars, but sometimes the urge strikes us to go out into the bitter chill in our outdated jackets we wear about 4 times a year and get to socializing. Some of us even like to move our bodies to music in a rhythmic fashion! Here’s some of the best places to shake your winter tail feathers.
500 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702
The White Horse is the quintessential East Austin honky-tonk, with a music scene almost exclusively focused on live traditional country, honky-tonk, and Western swing bands. The dance floor is the heart of the venue, offering a truly authentic Texas dance experience where patrons are encouraged to two-step, waltz, and line dance. They even host donation-based Texas Two-Step lessons early on select nights, making it a perfect spot for beginners to learn the ropes before the crowd fills in and the energy escalates. The atmosphere is loud, lively, and unpretentious—a true taste of classic Texas culture.
1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
The Continental Club is a historic landmark known as the “granddaddy of live music venues,” boasting a scene rooted in American roots music, rockabilly, blues, country, and swing. It’s an intimate, dimly lit space where the focus is strictly on the talent on stage. The dance experience is energetic but casual; while the club doesn’t feature a formal dance floor, patrons will find themselves naturally cutting a rug wherever they can between the tables, near the bar, and right up close to the stage, moving to the beat of legendary and up-and-coming artists alike.
424 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Barton Springs Saloon is a beloved, low-key dive bar hangout, and while it’s not a formal dance hall, it cultivates a wonderfully relaxed social atmosphere. The music is typically curated via a jukebox, often featuring classic country, Americana, and rock creating a background vibe for good times rather than a full-on concert experience. The dance experience here is spontaneous and easygoing; you’ll find people slow dancing, casually two-stepping, or just swaying with friends when the mood strikes, embodying the “Keep Austin Weird” mantra in a comfortable, neighborhood setting.
505 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
Kingdom is Austin’s premier electronic music destination, offering a sophisticated and high-energy nightlife experience. The music scene is dominated by EDM specifically focusing on house, trance, and dubstep featuring a rotation of top-tier local and international DJs. The dance experience is immersive, driven by a state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system and elaborate light shows that create a pulsating, sensory environment. The space is built for non-stop movement, attracting a diverse crowd of dedicated club-goers who dance until the early morning hours.
912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
Mohawk is a celebrated venue in the Red River Cultural District known for its diverse and constantly evolving music lineup, hosting everything from indie rock, punk, and metal to hip-hop and electronic acts across its two indoor and outdoor stages. The dance experience is highly genre-dependent but always passionate; concert-goers will often be found moshing in the pit for a heavy rock show, head-bopping and swaying for an indie band, or dancing wildly to a DJ set. Mohawk is celebrated for its commitment to both local and touring artists and maintaining a community-focused, welcoming vibe.
Still not sure where to go or how to get there? Well, Twisted Texas to the rescue! Book our Live Music Experience, and let us handle the details!