Cheer Up Charlie's
Woman-owned, queer-friendly bar and music venue in Austin's Red River Cultural District.
900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
Red River Cultural District · Downtown
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 4:30pm-2am
21+ · Cover varies by show
What it is
Cheer Up Charlie's is one of Austin's most beloved live music spaces - independently owned, queer-friendly, and a fixture of the Red River scene since 2011. The venue has an indoor stage and an open-air outdoor stage, vegan kitchen, kombucha on tap, and a calendar that runs from indie rock and DJ nights to drag shows and singer-songwriter sets.
It's not a traditional honky-tonk, but it occasionally hosts country acts and Double or Nothing Two-Step lessons - which makes it one of the most welcoming entry points to two-step culture for first-timers, queer dancers, and anyone who wants to try a country dance lesson without the dive-bar baseline.
Two-step at Cheer Up Charlie's
Double or Nothing teaches occasional Beginner Two-Step Lessons here, paired with country bands on the bill. When DON is teaching at Cheer Up Charlie's, the lesson runs at 7pm and the show kicks off at 8pm - so you can take the lesson, grab a drink, and dance to the band you just learned how to dance to.
The dance floor is smaller than a honky-tonk, the crowd is more mixed (queer, allies, locals from the Red River neighborhood, drag kids, country fans), and everyone's there to have a good time. No pressure, no scene, just a fun way to start two-stepping.
What to bring
- Cash for cover (varies by show, typically $10-15)
- ID (21+)
- Comfortable shoes - leather soles or boots are great, but anything you can move in works
- An open mind - this isn't your standard country bar, and that's the point
Getting there
Cheer Up Charlie's is at 900 Red River St in downtown Austin's Red River Cultural District. Parking is street parking only and gets tight on show nights - rideshare is recommended. The venue is a short walk from Mohawk, Stubb's, and the rest of the Red River venues.
Want to know when DON is teaching here?
Check the daily schedule for upcoming Cheer Up Charlie's lessons, or RSVP for Double or Nothing's regular weekly lessons at Sagebrush (Tuesdays and Sundays) and Donn's Depot (Wednesdays, free).