Honky-Tonk Travel Guide · Updated May 2026
Where to Two-Step Around the World
An insider guide to two-stepping and honky-tonk dancing in 24 cities - the US plus London, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Montreal. Real venues, best nights, and notes from Austin dancers who have been there. Updated continuously.
The most active two-step city in America is Austin, Texas, with live country music and lessons every night of the week. For traveling dancers, the next best US cities are Nashville (American Legion Post 82, East Side Bowl), New York City (Lucinda's Honky Tonk, Honky Tonkin' in Queens, Skinny Dennis), Los Angeles (Cowboy's Palace, Sassafras Saloon, Grand Ole Echo), New Orleans (The Tigermen Den, St. Roch Tavern, Rock n Bowl), Denver (Broken Bow Western, Grizzly Rose), and Fort Worth (Billy Bob's, Pearl's, Lil Red's). Every venue listed below is sourced from working dancers who have been there - if it is not solid, it is not on the list.
What we dance to on the road
A quick note on what counts, because we list more than just straight country two-step here. Austin dancers will dance to just about anything with a good beat. We two-step, sure, but we also dance Cajun and zydeco, and we do what we call blues-step to a slow blues number. A jazz band on Frenchmen Street, a zydeco band at a Louisiana bowling alley, a blues trio in a Bywater dive: a good lead and follow can make a dance out of all of it.
So this guide includes the honky-tonks and country nights you would expect, plus the Cajun dance halls, zydeco rooms, blues bars, and jazz clubs where the music is worth dancing to even if nobody calls it two-step. If a place made the list, it is because the dancing is good when you get there with the right partner and the right attitude.
Jump to a city
Tennessee
Nashville two-step
Nashville is the country music capital but it is not the two-step capital - the scene leans live music over partner dancing, so the rule of thumb here is bring your own partner. There is still plenty of good dancing to be found if you know where to look, and the live music is unmatched. Read the full Nashville guide →
American Legion Post 82
The local dancers' spot. Tuesday lessons at 7pm with Nashville honky-tonk dancing after - this is where the actual Nashville dance community shows up.
East Side Bowl
The closest thing to Austin-style two-step in Nashville. Bowling alley meets honky-tonk, with a real dance floor and a crowd that knows what it is doing.
Nashville Palace
Country swing, line dancing, and two-step. Generally speaking, Nashville does not have a lot of partner dancers, so bring your own.
Chief's (on Broadway)
Zachariah Malakai has a residency and plays great classics and originals with that perfect old country sound. Deserves more dancers than it gets.
The 5 Spot
Not honky-tonk, but Motown Mondays are legendary if you want to dance to something different on a slow country-music night.
Robert's Western World, Layla's, Skinny Dennis, Santa's Pub
The classic honky-tonk circuit. Robert's is the most iconic. Santa's Pub is a double-wide trailer that takes only cash. Emily Nenni plays Santa's. None of these are primary dance venues but all of them are essential Nashville stops, and on the right night there is room to two-step.
Rudy's Jazz Room
Jazz, not honky-tonk - included for travelers who want a great Nashville live music night that is not Broadway.
New York
New York City two-step
NYC has a passionate progressive country dance scene concentrated in Brooklyn, with a few Manhattan satellites. Follow @honkytonkqueens and the Northeast Country Coalition on Instagram before you travel - they post events weekly and the regulars welcome out-of-towners. Read the full NYC guide →
Skinny Dennis
The most famous country venue in Brooklyn. Often books great country bands and is packed wall to wall - hard to dance when busy but worth a visit for the music alone. Progressive dance style.
Honky Tonkin Queens
Possibly the only place in NYC with Austin-style two-step. Great party, great country bands (Sentimental Family Band has played), and a mainly two-step scene.
Sunny's Red Hook
Bluegrass and resident Western swing bands playing retro country. Not many partners but worth the trek - a real Brooklyn institution.
Desert 5 Spot
Long-running LGBT Western and line-dance party in a dance studio with smooth floors. Lots of competitive dancers - lindy hop, country swing, line dance. Progressive. No live bands.
Stud Country (Pop-up)
Mostly line-dance focused but hosts two-step focused events at the Freehand Hotel in Gramercy. Check their Instagram for next dates.
Molly and June's
Newer Western pop-up dance party. Mostly line dancing.
The Little Red Hen + Conor Bryne
Both run weekly two-stepping nights. Smaller and lower-key than the bigger Williamsburg spots.
Jalopy Theatre + Jalopy Tavern
Tiny, vibey, the real deal. The Jalopy Theatre is a folk and roots music room opened by Geoff and Lynette Wiley in 2006, with church-pew seating that moves for square dancing, vintage instruments lining the walls, and a school of music attached. Next door, Jalopy Tavern runs live country and folk most nights (Tuesdays especially are a country pick) with enough room for swing dancing on the right night. Cajun, bluegrass, honky-tonk, gypsy jazz, son jarocho - the booking is anything that gets passed down generationally.
Floor space is small but the community is fierce. If Cajun or honky-tonk is happening, locals will dance. This is also the unofficial home base for the Swamp in the City Cajun & Creole Music Festival in May - several Cajun bands play Jalopy during that weekend's pub crawl.
California
Los Angeles two-step
LA has a strong country-rock and line-dance crossover scene with a small but passionate two-step contingent. Follow @thehonkytonkhunnies on Instagram - they post where they are dancing each week and most of the other LA two-steppers follow them. Read the full LA guide →
Cowboy's Palace Saloon
The closest thing to Austin-style. Line dancing, cha-cha, two-step, and swing. The vibe is closest to the ATX scene of anywhere in LA.
Sassafras Saloon
Stage is 10 feet up in the air. Dominique and the Diamonds, Stacy Antonel, and Grey Delisle play here. One of the most striking rooms in the LA country scene.
Grand Ole Echo
Country-rock and Laurel Canyon sound. Outdoor patio shows on Sundays - one of the most beloved LA country traditions.
Bigfoot Lodge
Live music in a "Sasquatch National Forest" themed bar. The kind of place LA does well.
Club Tee Gee
A classic, unpretentious dive bar with live music. Follow @clubteegee on Instagram for lineups.
Desert 5 (LA location)
Vibey spot but all line dancing - good if line dancing is your thing.
Rusty's Rhythm Club
Swing dancing rather than two-step - check swingdance.la/#calendar for events.
Louisiana
New Orleans two-step
NOLA has Cajun two-step, zydeco, and a thriving honky-tonk crossover scene. Different rhythms, different feel - if you only know Austin honky-tonk two-step you are in for a treat. Bands to look for: Gal Holiday, and the Bad Sandys. Follow the New Orleans Honky Tonkers and Swing Dancer of NOLA accounts for current events.
The Tigermen Den - Cajun Brunch & Dance
The longest-running Cajun dance party in New Orleans - 13 years and counting. Hosted by Miss Effie Michot in the Bywater. Live Cajun band, dance lesson at noon, full Cajun menu served all day. The local Cajun dance community shows up here. Advance table reservations available ($50 for 4). One of the most beloved standing events in the NOLA dance calendar.
St. Roch Tavern
Monday is two-step night. Tuesday is karaoke (get a haircut while you sing - actually). The Bywater neighborhood spot for local dancers.
BJ's
Blues. Bywater neighborhood. Different rhythm than Austin two-step but easy to adapt.
Rock n Bowl
More zydeco than Cajun, but worth it. The bowling alley dance hall is a NOLA institution.
Chickie Wah Wah
Great venue for Louisiana music broadly. Not a primary dance venue but the bands are top-tier.
The Spotted Cat + Bamboula's
The Frenchmen Street live music corridor. Both run good early-week shows.
DBA
Great happy hour shows and later sets. Reliable Frenchmen Street stop.
Banks Street Bar + Saturn Bar
Two more local favorites worth checking the lineup at.
Colorado
Denver two-step
Denver has a real two-step scene that spans traditional honky-tonk, Maverick-style mega-venues, and a serious Latin dance crossover (swing, salsa, bachata). Plus the closest thing to a Sagebrush in the country.
Broken Bow Western Bar and Dance Hall
The closest thing in the country to "a less divey White Horse or Sagebrush." Partner-dancing focused with live country music. This is the Austin transplant's home base in Denver.
The Grizzly Rose
Maverick-style mega-venue. Massive dance floor, lessons, line dancing, two-step. The Denver landmark.
Stampede
Maverick-style. Big floor, country DJ + occasional live.
Mercer Cafe → The Pearl
Swing with live band on Sundays. Different from two-step but the crossover dancers love it.
Charlie's Night Club
Country dancing, country music.
Wild Horse
Durango weekend spot. DJ + line and partner dancing Fridays, live band Saturdays.
Oregon
Portland two-step
Portland's scene is small but real, anchored by Wednesdays at the Landmark Saloon. Follow Al at @honkytonkbasement and showdownpdx.com for the current week.
Landmark Saloon
The Portland two-step night. Tiny dance floor but it is THE dance floor in town.
The Show Down
Country bar with live music and dancing - check the calendar.
Strum, Ponderosa, Laurelthirst, Holmans
Smaller Portland country bars with occasional dance nights. Holmans runs some Thursdays. Check Al's accounts for current rotation.
Pickathon
The festival has a strong roots/country/bluegrass lineup each summer with dance-friendly shows. Worth the trip if you are in the Pacific Northwest in August.
Arizona
Phoenix and Arizona two-step
Arizona country dancing is its own animal - more new country, more line dance, more Maverick-style mega-venues. Different from Austin honky-tonk style but plenty of good dancing if you adjust your expectations.
Buffalo Chip Saloon
Country dancing and lessons. Different style from ATX two-step - bring a partner. Live band and DJ. The signature Arizona country venue.
Silver Pony
Small dance floor with a live band. Not many people are there to dance, but the bands are good - fun with a partner.
Scootin' Boots at Harold's Corral
Dance socials and lessons. The East Valley spot for serious dancers.
Denim and Diamonds
More Maverick/club scene. Paid parking + valet. Dance lessons - check the site before going, schedule can shift.
Queen Creek
New country dance night. See @whyknotbar-style local accounts for current details.
Washington
Seattle two-step
Seattle has one bedrock honky-tonk that has been running over 90 years - and that is mostly the answer for two-stepping in the city.
The Little Red Hen
A 90+ year old solid honky-tonk in the heart of Green Lake. Hosts country two-step, line dancing, lessons, karaoke, bluegrass jams, and special events. The Pacific Northwest standard.
Massachusetts
Boston and Western Massachusetts two-step
New England has a small but committed scene with two clear hubs: Greater Boston and Western Mass. Both are queer-friendly and welcoming to traveling dancers.
Greater Boston
The Burren Backroom Series
Honky Tonk Tuesdays with The Talking Hearts. Fifth Sundays with The Beantown Buckaroos. The Boston-area home base for two-steppers.
Satellite at Remnant Brewing
Occasional honky-tonk and two-step nights. Check the calendar.
Western Massachusetts
Greenfield Two-Step Night
Mostly monthly. Cajun band first set, live band honky-tonk karaoke second set. Queer friendly. Different locations each month - follow the Instagram.
Marigold Theater
Occasional honky-tonk and two-step nights.
The Rendezvous
Occasional honky-tonk and two-step nights.
DC + Virginia
Washington DC and Virginia two-step
The DC area has a small dedicated scene focused on a few key nights. The Friday social is the entry point for getting to know the community.
Madam's Organ
Tuesday is two-stepping night. The DC weeknight default.
Hill Country BBQ
Lessons and dancing. DJ rotates between two-step, country swing, El Paso, line dance, and waltz - which is a little strange but works once you settle in.
JV's Bar
Social dancing - but make sure to meet dancers at the Friday Hill Country social first, otherwise the Sunday crowd skews 70+.
Texas
Dallas two-step
Dallas runs progressive dance style (different from Austin honky-tonk) - bigger floors, more travel around the room, more couple-focused. Follow @fortworthwranglers and @ronsonfox on Instagram - Ron runs the progressive dancers group.
Cowboys (on Red River Street)
Progressive race-track style dance floor. A lot of fun once you settle into the flow.
Mavericks
New venue in North Dallas. Big floor, country dancing.
The Rustic
Live music venue with a dance floor - check the lineup before going.
Freeman
Blues in Deep Ellum. Not honky-tonk but a great Dallas night out.
Texas
Fort Worth two-step
Fort Worth is the more traditional half of the Metroplex - more dance halls, more partner dancing, and an annual Western swing festival worth planning a trip around.
Billy Bob's Texas
"The world's largest honky-tonk." A massive Stockyards institution and a Texas pilgrimage stop.
Pearl's Dancehall and Saloon
The Fort Worth Wranglers are always here. Nice group, real dancing, real instruction available if you talk to the regulars.
Lil Red's Longhorn Saloon
Smaller, more intimate Stockyards bar. Live country, good floor.
White Elephant Saloon
Historic saloon with live music. Classic Fort Worth atmosphere.
Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival
Four-day Western swing festival. If you can plan a trip around this, do.
Texas
Houston two-step
Houston has a busy West Coast Swing and two-step crossover scene. Most of the city's country bars run DJ rather than live, so the few live-music spots stand out.
Neon Boots
Mix of WCS and two-step. The dependable Houston dance bar.
Mo's Place
The only full-time honky-tonk left in the H-Town area - everyone else is DJ.
Whisky River West + North
West Friday is less casual, more "show off." Go to North on Saturday early to miss the drunks and catch the actual dancers.
The Continental Club / Big Top's
Fun but not many dancers. More Austin-style if you are missing home.
Marcone's
Class-focused dance studio with social dance nights. Good if you want to take a real lesson while traveling.
Rowdy's
Progressive style, occasionally live music.
Texas
San Antonio two-step
San Antonio's scene is small but quality, anchored by a few good rooms on the St. Mary's strip and the surrounding area.
Lonesome Rose
Cozy. Floor slightly smaller than White Horse Austin. On the St. Mary's strip near other good bars. Our pick for San Antonio.
Thirsty Horse + Cowboys
Progressive dance style. Bigger floors, more travel.
Sam's Burger Joint
Live music venue. Check the lineup.
Garner State Park
Dance hall in the park with a jukebox, on the Frio River. A summer-night Texas tradition. Worth the drive.
Texas
Marfa two-step
West Texas dance hall culture is its own world. Always bring a partner - the scene is small. Plan around festivals if you can.
Viva Big Bend Festival
Music festival in venues throughout the Big Bend area. Bring a dance partner.
Flying Island Festival
The fall counterpart to Viva Big Bend.
Valentine's Day in Valentine, TX
Owned by an Austin legend. Open about once a month, but Valentine's Day is the must-attend.
Planet Marfa, Lost Horse Saloon, The Pony
Occasional live music - check first. Lost Horse sometimes has a couple of dancers.
Texas
Llano two-step (and other Hill Country gems)
Day-trip dance halls from Austin worth knowing. For the full Hill Country tour see our Luckenbach, Gruene Hall, and Coupland guides.
Sundown in Llano
Honky-tonk that opened in January to "scratch your dance itch." Cute spot, really nice owners. Some BBQ and restaurants on the town square. Cabins at Ink's Lake nearby - make it a weekend.
Wild Country (Killeen) + small dance hall (Burnet)
Two more Central Texas spots worth knowing about for road trips.
Rhode Island
Providence two-step
Small scene, one solid recurring night.
The Parlour
Western Stars residency on fourth Fridays. The Rhode Island answer.
Utah
Salt Lake City two-step
SLC has a country-Western dance scene that runs around line dancing and partner dancing - bring a partner if you can.
The Westerner
The longtime SLC country dance bar.
Wyoming
Jackson and Laramie two-step
Wyoming dance bars are sparse but the right one feels like time travel.
Silver Dollar Bar
Inside the Wort Hotel. The Jackson dancing icon.
Ruffed Up Duck
Locals compare it to Austin's Hole in the Wall - dive, live music, occasional dancing.
Louisiana
Lafayette two-step
Cajun country - different style, different rhythm, all worth experiencing.
Black Pot Festival
Annual Cajun and zydeco music festival. The Cajun two-step pilgrimage.
United Kingdom
London two-step
London has a small but real honky-tonk scene. Duke's is the locals' favorite. Reach out to Rebekka in the London honky-tonk crowd if you are traveling and want intros.
Duke's of Highgate
The real honky-tonk in London. Great live music - Dylan Earl, Todd Day Wait, and similar acts pass through. Good barbecue. Some dancers.
Jamboree
Cajun Two-Step Apres Midi with live Cajun/zydeco music. Once a month - plan around it.
Lil Nashville
Live country, more "college bar" crowd but room for dancing. Mostly line dance with some two-step.
Brandon's Barn Dance
Line dancing with some two-step.
Buck and Bull Saloon
Another London Western-themed stop worth checking.
Australia
Melbourne two-step
Melbourne has the most active honky-tonk scene outside the US. ABC News has called it a "burgeoning two-step scene" and there is a real weekly calendar of country nights with live bands, free lessons, and a young Australian crowd that has fully embraced bootscooting and partner dancing. Inner-city Melbourne is the hot zone.
The Gem Bar
Melbourne's own little honky-tonk. Honky Tonk Tuesdays at The Gem Bar run free two-step dancing with a rotating lineup of country DJs. Periodic special events including two-step dance competitions. Cowboy Kitchen upstairs for food. The dependable midweek dance night in Melbourne.
The Rooks Return
Long-running weekly Honky Tonk Thursdays in Fitzroy. James Ellis and the Jealous Guys hold a residency every second Thursday. Free entry, boots and hats encouraged.
Moon Dog Wild West
The full cowboy and country playground. Live music at the honky-tonk bar every Friday and Saturday with just about every local country act passing through at some point.
Lulie (LuliePalooza)
Sunday two-step dances with J. Taylor Bell and the Ding Dongs. Country Thursdays return in 2026 with Heartache Tonight multi-act shows spanning old and new country. Brono the mechanical bull appears at every LuliePalooza street festival.
Bodriggy Brewpub - Bootscootin' Sundays
Casual afternoon line dance and bootscooting with free lessons. Pairs naturally with a Lulie evening if you are out in Abbotsford on a Sunday.
Disco Rodeo bootscooting classes
Kitty and Lu run Disco Rodeo, the bootscooting school behind much of Melbourne's line dance scene. Weekly classes at Memo Music Hall on Wednesdays and Quadraphonics Club on Thursdays, with classes coming to Corner Hotel in Richmond on Tuesdays. They also pair with local bands for Honky Tonk nights at Corner Hotel.
Japan
Tokyo two-step
Tokyo has a small but enthusiastic country dance contingent. Two anchor venues to know.
Little Texas
Line dancing and country music. The Tokyo country bar.
Rocky Top
More bluegrass than honky-tonk, but a fantastic Tokyo live music stop.
Canada
Montreal two-step
Montreal's country dance scene is smaller than Melbourne's or NYC's, but there is a real long-running anchor venue plus growing one-off honky-tonk events. Bring a partner if you can, and check local listings for current dates.
The Wheel Club
The longest-running open mic night in Montreal. Hillbilly Night every Monday brings live country, Western swing, and old-time country music to a true dive bar that locals have championed for decades. Unpretentious. Cash-friendly. The real thing.
La Petite Marche - Honky Tonk Country Dance nights
Periodic Honky Tonk Country Dance events at La Petite Marche bring live country music and dancing to the Plateau. Not a weekly residency but a recurring event worth tracking through Eventbrite or local listings.
Festivals
Country and Americana festivals where dancing happens
The festivals across the US that have dance floors, dance lessons, or dance-friendly programming - sorted by size and verified for actual dancing. Big destination festivals first, then the smaller Americana, bluegrass, and roots festivals worth the trip.
The big destination festivals
Two Step Inn Festival
Billed as the largest outdoor honky-tonk festival in the US. 2026 headliners: Brooks and Dunn (Saturday) and Chris Stapleton (Sunday), plus 30+ artists across multiple stages. Multiple dance floors are set up throughout the festival grounds, and Beth Coffey of Dancin' Austin leads two-step and line dancing lessons at the Red Poppy Ranch dance area. 45 minutes from Austin. The Texas country festival to plan a trip around.
Stagecoach Country Music Festival
One of the biggest country music festivals in the world, on the same grounds as Coachella. 2026 headliners: Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, plus Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, Brooks and Dunn, and many more. Diplo's HonkyTonk sub-festival inside Stagecoach runs daily line dancing and DJ sets - this is where the festival dancers concentrate.
Tortuga Music Festival
The major beachside country festival on the Florida Atlantic coast. 2026 lineup includes Post Malone, Riley Green, and Kenny Chesney. Multiple stages, oceanfront, country-and-pop crossover programming.
Barefoot Country Music Fest
One of the Northeast's largest outdoor country music festivals, held oceanfront on the Wildwood beaches. 2026 lineup is led by Post Malone, Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, and Miranda Lambert with 40+ artists across multiple stages.
Carolina Country Music Fest
One of the East Coast's largest four-day country festivals held oceanfront on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. 2026 lineup includes Blake Shelton, Post Malone, Luke Bryan, and Riley Green, plus 40+ artists across multiple stages.
Country Thunder Arizona
The largest Arizona country festival. 2026 lineup includes Gavin Adcock, Lainey Wilson, Zach Top, and Brooks and Dunn. Drivable from LA and Phoenix.
Texas regional festivals
Old Settler's Music Festival
One of Central Texas' signature music events, returning to its original home at Camp Ben McCulloch in 2026 after years at other Hill Country venues. Americana, roots, bluegrass, late-night campfire jams, family-friendly programming. Smaller than the big country festivals, but a Texas Hill Country institution with serious dance-friendly programming. Camping on site.
Lone Star Smokeout
Country music and barbecue festival from the team behind Windy City Smokeout. 2026 headliners include Riley Green, Koe Wetzel, and Shaboozey with world-class BBQ pitmasters on site.
Cattle Country Music Festival
Smaller Texas country festival with serious lineups. 2026 includes Koe Wetzel and Treaty Oak Revival. South of Austin, drivable for an Austin-based dancer weekend.
Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival
Four-day Western swing festival celebrating the genre's Texas origins. For dancers, this is the destination - Western swing is partner-dance music by design and the Fort Worth area's swing scene shows up. Worth planning the fall around.
Viva Big Bend Festival
West Texas music festival held across multiple venues in the Big Bend area. Smaller, more remote, and built around the West Texas dance hall culture. Bring a dance partner.
Flying Island Festival
The fall counterpart to Viva Big Bend. Marfa-based, music-and-art crossover programming, intimate scale.
Americana, bluegrass, and roots festivals
MerleFest
The premier Americana and bluegrass festival on the East Coast. 2026 lineup includes Alison Krauss and Union Station, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Molly Tuttle, and Joy Oladokun. Camping. Dance space at multiple stages.
Biscuits and Banjos Festival
Rhiannon Giddens' festival celebrating Black string-band music. 2026 lineup includes Mavis Staples, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rissi Palmer, and Toshi Reagon. Small but culturally significant.
Durango Bluegrass Meltdown
Colorado bluegrass festival with strong dance-friendly programming. 2026 includes Shelby Means, Lonesome Ace Stringband, and Tray Wellington Band.
Kerrville Folk Festival
The 18-day folk and Americana festival in the Texas Hill Country - a folk institution with workshops, camping, and continuous music. Not country in the honky-tonk sense, but the songwriter tradition that feeds country music. Dance space throughout.
Black Pot Festival
Annual Cajun and zydeco music festival. The Cajun two-step pilgrimage if you want to learn that style.
Festival of Texas Fiddling
One of the most uniquely dance-focused festivals on this list. Three full days of dancing across honky-tonk, Western swing, Cajun, Creole, gulf-style, Czech and Polish polka, conjunto, and son huasteco. Plus two-step, waltz, schottische, and huapango dance lessons throughout, fiddle contests, and bajo sexto contests in a beautiful historic Hill Country dance hall.
Pickathon
The Pacific Northwest's premier indie roots and Americana festival. Strong country-folk-bluegrass programming each summer with dance-friendly shows. Worth the trip if you are in the Pacific Northwest in August.
Red Ants Pants Festival
Montana Americana and country festival, smaller scale with a loyal annual following. Worth knowing about for Mountain West travelers.
Note on Austin and the Texas Hill Country: This guide intentionally focuses on destinations outside of Austin. For Austin's nightly schedule see Where to Two-Step Austin. For the Hill Country day-trip dance halls (Luckenbach, Gruene, Coupland, Anhalt, Twin Sisters, Devil's Backbone, and more) see our individual venue pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I two-step outside of Austin?
The most active US two-step cities outside Austin are Nashville (American Legion Post 82, East Side Bowl), New York City (Lucinda's Honky Tonk, Honky Tonkin' in Queens at Gottscheer Hall, Skinny Dennis, Sunny's Red Hook), Los Angeles (Cowboy's Palace, Sassafras Saloon), New Orleans (The Tigermen Den Cajun Brunch, St. Roch Tavern, Rock n Bowl), Denver (Broken Bow Western, Grizzly Rose), Portland Oregon (Landmark Saloon), Phoenix (Buffalo Chip Saloon), and Seattle (The Little Red Hen). Internationally, Melbourne, Australia has the most active scene outside the US (The Gem Bar, The Rooks Return, Moon Dog Wild West, Lulie). London (Duke's of Highgate, Jamboree), Tokyo (Little Texas, Rocky Top), and Montreal (The Wheel Club) round out the international list.
What is the best city in America for two-step dancing?
Austin, Texas is the most active two-step city in America with live country music and lessons available every night of the week at over a dozen venues. For traveling two-steppers, the next best cities are Nashville for sheer number of country venues, New York City for a passionate progressive scene, Los Angeles for the line-dance and country-rock crossover, and New Orleans for Cajun two-step and zydeco. Denver and Fort Worth round out the top tier for traditional honky-tonk dancing.
Where can I two-step in Nashville?
In Nashville, the best places to two-step are American Legion Post 82 on Tuesdays at 7pm (lessons - the local dancers' spot), East Side Bowl for Austin-style two-step, Nashville Palace for country swing and line dancing, and Chief's on Broadway on Sunday and Monday nights when Zachariah Malakai plays. Bring a partner - Nashville's scene is more about live music than partner dancing.
Where can I two-step in New York City?
In New York City, the active two-step venues are Skinny Dennis in Williamsburg, Sunny's Red Hook (weekly), Honky Tonkin Queens (the closest thing to Austin-style two-step), Desert 5 Spot in Williamsburg (monthly LGBT line dance party), and The Little Red Hen and Conor Bryne for weekly two-stepping. Follow @honkytonkqueens and @northeastcountrycoalition on Instagram for current events.
Where can I two-step in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, the closest spots to Austin-style two-stepping are Cowboy's Palace (line dance, cha-cha, two-step, swing), Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood on Saturdays with Dominique and the Diamonds or Stacy Antonel, Grand Ole Echo in Echo Park on Sundays for the country-rock Laurel Canyon sound, Bigfoot Lodge on Tuesdays, and Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village. Follow @thehonkytonkhunnies on Instagram - they post where they are dancing each week.
Where can I two-step in New Orleans?
In New Orleans, two-step at The Tigermen Den in the Bywater for the longest-running Cajun brunch and dance (monthly, hosted by Miss Effie Michot, dance lesson at noon, 13 years running), St. Roch Tavern on Mondays in the Bywater, BJ's on Mondays for blues two-step, and Rock n Bowl for zydeco and Cajun. The Spotted Cat and Bamboula's on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are great for live music. Bands to look for: Gal Holiday and the Bad Sandys. Chickie Wah Wah is a fantastic venue for Louisiana music broadly.
Where can I learn to two-step while traveling?
American Legion Post 82 in Nashville teaches Tuesday nights at 7pm. Cowboy's Palace in Los Angeles offers lessons before social dance. Buffalo Chip Saloon in Phoenix has country dancing and lessons Thursdays. The Burren Backroom in Boston hosts Honky Tonk Tuesdays. In Austin, Double or Nothing Two-Step teaches free and low-cost group lessons several nights a week (see wheretotwostepaustin.com for the schedule). For year-round learning anywhere, honkytonkdanceschool.com offers online Austin honky-tonk two-step courses.
Are there two-step venues outside the United States?
Yes. In Melbourne, Australia, there is a thriving honky-tonk scene: Honky Tonk Tuesdays at The Gem Bar (free two-step dancing), Honky Tonk Thursdays at The Rooks Return in Fitzroy, weekend live country at Moon Dog Wild West, and Sunday two-step dances at Lulie. In London, Duke's of Highgate is the real honky-tonk in the city with live country acts like Dylan Earl and Todd Day Wait. Jamboree in King's Cross hosts a Cajun two-step afternoon on the second Saturday of each month. Lil Nashville in Chiswick has live country Thursday through Sunday. In Tokyo, Little Texas in the Meguro district has line dancing and Rocky Top leans more bluegrass. In Montreal, The Wheel Club in NDG holds Hillbilly Night every Monday - the longest-running open mic in the city.
What is honky-tonk two-step versus Texas two-step?
Honky-tonk two-step (also called Austin honky-tonk or swing-influenced two-step) uses a slow-slow-quick-quick rhythm, a closer frame, and compact in-place turns - it is the style danced in small Austin bars like Sagebrush and Sam's Town Point. Texas two-step (also called country two-step or progressive two-step) uses a quick-quick-slow-slow rhythm, more travel around the floor, and works better in larger venues like Nashville Palace or Billy Bob's in Fort Worth. Both are widely danced and most experienced dancers know both. Learn more about Austin honky-tonk two-step →
Do I need a partner to two-step in other cities?
It varies by city. In Austin, no partner is needed at any lesson or social dance - everyone rotates. In Nashville, Dallas, Fort Worth, and most progressive-dance cities, bringing a partner is strongly recommended because the scene is smaller and more couple-based. In New York City, LA, and Boston, the progressive country dance scenes are partner-friendly and welcoming to solo dancers. Look up local Instagram accounts before traveling - they post weekly events and the regulars often welcome visitors.
How often is this national guide updated?
This page is updated continuously based on traveling dancer reports and direct feedback from local scenes. If you have a venue to add, a correction, or a city we missed, email hello@doubleornothingtwostep.com. For Austin's nightly schedule (updated every single day since 2021) see the main Where to Two-Step Austin page.
Coming to Austin?
Austin has live two-step dancing every single night of the week - and we run group lessons at Sagebrush, Donn's Depot, and more, all with no partner needed and all welcoming to visitors. Spend a week dancing here and you will not look at any other city the same way.
Not in Austin? Learn online.
The same honky-tonk two-step we teach at Sagebrush is available as on-demand video courses at honkytonkdanceschool.com - so wherever you are dancing this weekend, you can show up ready.