The Honest Take
What it's actually like
There is no venue in Austin - and arguably in all of Texas - that carries more weight than the Broken Spoke. Opened on November 10, 1964 by the late James White, it has hosted Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Dolly Parton, and generations of Austin dancers who've worn down those floorboards over six decades. It holds a Texas Historical Marker. It earned that.
Walking in feels like time travel. The neon sign out front, the low ceiling, the memorabilia room they call the "Tourist Trap" (their words, lovingly) - it's all exactly what a Texas dance hall should feel like. The wooden dance floor has a gentle give to it that no newer venue can replicate. You feel it in your boots.
The crowd is a mix - and it depends entirely on what night you come. Tuesday and Wednesday are the real nights: regulars who've been coming for years, genuine dancers, room to actually move. Thursday through Saturday the Spoke fills up with tourists, bachelorette parties, and bucket-listers, which is its own kind of fun but a different experience. The Spoke is on every Austin itinerary and the weekend crowds reflect that.
The restaurant side is a whole experience on its own - the chicken fried steak is legendary, the drinks are cheap and strong, and the free 6-8pm music in that room is worth the stop even before the dancehall opens. You don't have to pay to sit in the restaurant and listen. That's a pretty great deal in Austin.
The Back Story
Built by hand
Broken Spoke opened on November 10, 1964, and James White built it himself. Construction started the day he got his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, on a lumberyard lot on South Lamar that was, at the time, a mile outside the Austin city limits. He and his wife Annetta opened with five cases of beer to sell and paid their first band, D.G. Burrow and the Western Melodies, thirty-two dollars.
The name comes from the 1950 film Broken Arrow and White's fondness for wagon wheels. Six decades later the building still stands where he put it, now surrounded by the growth he watched come in around him. James White ran the Broken Spoke until he died in January 2021 at 81. His family runs it today.
In April 2023, on what would have been James White's birthday, the City of Austin designated Broken Spoke a historic landmark. The Texas Historical Commission followed with a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark the same month, and Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott dedicated the marker in person. It is one of the few Austin honky-tonks with an official designation protecting it, which matters in a city that has lost more dance halls than it's kept.
The Dance Floor
Two-stepping at Broken Spoke
The main dancehall floor is a proper Texas-sized wooden dance floor. It travels counterclockwise like any honky-tonk worth its salt, and on a good weeknight you'll have room to actually move. The bands that play the Spoke play real country music - not pop country, not bro country - and the music calls you to move in a way that's rare.
The style at the Spoke is what we at Double or Nothing call honky-tonk two-step - the Austin regional style that developed on small floors like this one. It's connection-based, rhythmic, and danced close. You don't need a lot of footwork vocabulary. You need to listen to the music and move with your partner.
Dress code is nonexistent in any enforced sense, but the vibe rewards you for leaning in. Boots are not required but they're spiritually correct here. Jeans and a western shirt will make you feel at home. The Spoke is one of those rare places where dressing the part isn't cosplay - it's respect.
When to Go
Best nights for dancing
| Tuesday | Best for dancers. Quieter crowd, regulars rule the floor, dancehall opens at 8pm. Our top pick for genuine two-stepping. |
| Wednesday | Solid mid-week night. Good bands, manageable crowd size, still room to dance properly. |
| Thursday | Energy picks up. Mix of regulars and people starting their weekend early. Still danceable. |
| Friday | Packed and loud, and hard to move if you want to cover ground. Better for the atmosphere than the dancing. |
| Saturday | The big show. Busiest night, biggest acts, most tourists. Go for the experience - just know the floor will be crowded. |
This Week
Current schedule
The full Broken Spoke schedule is included in our daily-updated Austin two-step guide. Check there for tonight's band and set times.
Broken Spoke bands are listed in the main schedule, updated every day since 2021.
See Today's Schedule →Practical Info
Everything you need to know
FAQ
Common questions
What is the cover charge at Broken Spoke Austin?
The restaurant is free with live music 6-8pm every night they're open. The dancehall doors open at 7:15pm Tuesday through Saturday, and typically charges $10-$15 cash depending on who's playing. Bigger draw acts can cost more. The ATM is at the front entrance but bring cash - the line gets long.
Where do I park at Broken Spoke?
There is a reserved parking lot in the building directly next door to the Spoke. Street parking along S Lamar is also an option. On Fridays and Saturdays arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the dancehall opens if you want nearby parking.
Is Broken Spoke 21 and over?
No - Broken Spoke is 18 and up, which makes it one of the best Austin honky-tonks to bring someone who isn't yet 21. You'll need ID to drink, but 18, 19, and 20 year olds are welcome on the dance floor.
What kind of dancing happens at Broken Spoke?
Primarily honky-tonk two-step - the Austin regional style. Some waltz on slower songs. The floor travels counterclockwise and the more experienced dancers stay toward the outside lane. It's a real working dance floor, not a show floor.
Do I need a dance partner to go to Broken Spoke?
No. Solo dancers are welcome and common. The regulars will often ask people to dance. If you want to learn first, Double or Nothing Two-Step teaches at venues throughout the week with rotation so you dance with everyone.
Is the Broken Spoke food good?
The chicken fried steak is genuinely famous and genuinely worth ordering. Drinks are cheap and strong. The restaurant side is a great way to start the night before the dancehall opens - sit, eat, listen to the free early music, and ease into the evening.
When did Broken Spoke open?
Broken Spoke opened November 10, 1964. Owner James White built the building himself on South Lamar, then a mile outside Austin's city limits, the day after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army.
Is Broken Spoke a historic landmark?
Yes. The City of Austin designated Broken Spoke a historic landmark in April 2023, and the Texas Historical Commission named it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark the same month, with a marker dedicated by Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott.