The golden rule: bring cash
Almost every Austin honky-tonk charges cover in cash only. This is not going to change. The cover pays the band directly - it is how live music works in this city. Bring $20s. An ATM at the door does not count as a plan.
Cover charges by venue
Sagebrush
$10 on lesson nights (Tuesdays and Sundays) · $10-20 for ticketed shows
On Double or Nothing Two-Step lesson nights, the $10 cover includes both the lesson and the live music after. For larger booked shows, cover can be $15-20. Check the weekly schedule for show-specific pricing. Always cash at the door.
Broken Spoke
Restaurant is free with live music 6-8pm · Dancehall $10-15 cash
The restaurant side is free during dinner hours and includes the house band playing in the background. The dancehall has a separate cover when it opens at 9pm (8pm Tuesdays). $10-15 depending on who is playing. Bring cash - the ATM is at the front door if you forget.
White Horse
$5 Wednesdays and Sundays · $10 Thursdays through Saturdays
White Horse has some of the most affordable covers in Austin for the quality of music. Cash only. The cover goes directly to the artists.
Donn's Depot
Free on Wednesdays
Wednesdays at Donn's Depot are free cover - no charge for the Double or Nothing Two-Step lesson at 7:30pm or for Frank Cavitt at 8:30pm. Bring cash for drinks but the night itself costs nothing to walk into.
Little Longhorn Saloon
No cover
The Little Longhorn charges no cover, ever. The neighborhood honky-tonk model at its purest - walk in, buy a drink, dance.
Sam's Town Point
$5-10 cash · varies by show
Far South Austin, serious dancing crowd, affordable cover. One of the best value nights in Austin when the lineup is right.
Continental Club
~$10 cash · varies by show
South Congress institution. Cover varies by performer but typically runs around $10. Check the weekly schedule for specifics.
Lesson cover vs show cover
On Double or Nothing Two-Step lesson nights at Sagebrush, the cover charge includes both the lesson and the live music after. You are not paying for a lesson and then paying again for the music - it is one charge that covers the whole night. That makes lesson nights one of the best value evenings in Austin for someone who wants to learn and then dance.
Free nights in Austin
Several venues have regular free or no-cover nights:
- Donn's Depot Wednesdays - free all night
- Little Longhorn Saloon - always free
- Jo's Coffee Sunday mornings - no cover, all ages
- ABGB Sundays - no cover
- Guero's weekend afternoons - no cover
For the full picture of what is free vs paid any given week, check the weekly schedule - cover information is listed for each venue and night.
See what's on tonight
Full schedule with cover information for every Austin venue, updated weekly.
See the Schedule →