During the ‘70s, a great migration made its way to Austin bringing with it stars from Nashville like outlaw country patriarch Willie Nelson who played at “the ‘Dillo” to a mixed audience of liberal college students and country fans otherwise referred to as “hippies and rednecks.” In addition to Nelson, a long list of musicians who happened to find themselves in the soon-to-be Live Music Capital such as Jerry Jeff Walker(who wrote the hit song “Mr. Located on South Lamar, the Spoke was where country legends like George Strait and his Ace in the Hole band cut their teeth, along with other greats that frequented Austin such as Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristopherson, and pioneering female country singer Kitty Wells.Įddie Wilson founded the revered Armadillo World Headquarters in 1970 and later bought the famous Threadgill’s, the venue which famously helped launch Janis Joplin’s career. In addition to the Skyline, one of Austin’s most monumental music venues in its history is the still-standing Broken Spoke, Austin’s oldest honkytonk founded by James and Annetta White. While these fateful instances happened nearly a decade apart, it marked the historical significance of the Skyline Club which had opened in the 1940s and remained a hotspot for bands of all genres until the late ‘80s. Both are regarded as some of the most influential country artists of the century, and both men, while married to the same aspiring singer Billie Jean Jones, each played their last shows before their deaths at the same venue, Austin’s own Skyline Club. One strange but true story is of country music superstar Hank Williams and rockabilly honky tonker Johnny Horton. Donn’s Depot doesn’t have two-stepping lessons, but the dance floor is open every night of the week.Because of Austin’s country music figureheads’ inarguable importance in the history of country music, the city has cemented its place in Americana history.
You can also catch their classes on various nights at Sam’s Town Point (see schedule here).Īustin’s most unique nightspots is housed in an old Missouri-Pacific train depot. According to their website, the duo teaches ‘ Austin honky-tonk two-step’ and like any regional dialect, they have a specific swagger and style. If you can’t join at the bar you can watch the action on the livestream at .ĭouble or Nothing Two-Step teaches lessons at Sagebrush every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Please remember your dance floor etiquette, including tipping the staff, keeping drinks off the dance floor, being an observant dancer, and showing your appreciation to the band by buying merchandise, tipping, applauding, hooting, hollering, and buying them a beverage of their choice. Beginner classes are on Tuesday and intermediate lessons are on Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m.
Start your after-work fun at the honkiest tonkiest beer joint on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when The Little Longhorn Saloon hosts free two-steppin’ dance lessons with Austin Honky Tonkers. Intermediate two-step classes happen on the first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Their free lessons are great for beginners, practice and just for fun! Learn the Texas two step every Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. Thanks to some of Austin’s best dancers, you can learn to boogie at the White Horse. Classes are available Thursday through Saturday from 8 to 9 p.m. Terri White teaches traditional two-step along with some Western Swing and the Cotton-Eyed Joe, which is the only line dance allowed on the dance floor. In fact, some may argue that other spots on this list are even better! Here are the best places for country dancing in Austin!Īs mentioned, the Broken Spoke was featured on the first episode of “Queer Eye” season 5. The Broken Spoke may have gotten some national attention from the new season of “Queer Eye,” but it’s not the only spot for country dancing in Austin.