The breadth of Texas music and dance spans far beyond its cowboy roots. We’re one of the most populous and diverse states in the country! No matter where in Texas your boots scoot you, chances are there’s a bustling dance floor nearby. Here are some of our favorite spots to get down across the state.

Austin

The White Horse

Well, we did say Texas is best known for honky-tonks — and this is one of the greats. Right off East Sixth, one of the most happening bar districts in Austin, you’ll find dancers of all stripes at The White Horse. Every night there’s at least one band to hear, and many nights there’s an entire lineup. Come a little early and you can get some two-step lessons. If you come a little later, you might just get lessons from a regular if you ask. The famous Tamale House East, Cisco’s, and Suerte are all nearby for when you work up an appetite after cutting a rug.

Esquina Tango 

The warm and welcoming “Tango Corner” in East Austin is the perfect spot to try out the famous Argentine national dance, with weekly lessons available and a devoted Latin-dance community. There are also classes teaching salsa, bachata, Brazilian rhythms, and more! While you’re in this eclectic part of town, check out some of the best brisket and ribs in Texas at joints like the famous Franklin Barbecue or la Barbecue. And no trip to Austin would be complete without enjoying Lady Bird Lake — stroll the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail for views of the river and surrounding greenery.  

Luckenbach Dance Hall

A short drive away from Austin in Luckenbach (near Fredericksburg), you’ll find one of the most well-known dance halls in Texas. In operation since 1887 with roots in the town’s German-Texas heritage, Luckenbach Dance Hall is host to numerous dances and live music concerts every weekend. While you’re in the Texas Hill Country, explore the famed wineries and vineyards that dot the roads between Fredericksburg and Johnson City. With most open for tours and tastings, you’re sure to find a favorite bottle to take home and share with friends and family — the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip!

San Antonio

Cowboys Dancehall

If you’re staying on the outskirts of town, this country and Latin dancing destination is popular for line-dancing and draws in bustling crowds to make you feel like you’re always at the center of the party. You can learn how to two-step or triple-step while you’re there or show off your skills if you’re already in the know. But Cowboys is more than just a honky-tonk; you can watch professional bull riding or try the mechanical bull. Nearby, visit the Texas Transportation Museum, showcasing antique vehicles and model trains for over 50 years.

Gruene Hall

Less than an hour drive outside of San Antonio in New Braunfels, you’ll find Gruene. Make a day of it and do some tubing in nearby New Braunfels or try your luck fly fishing on the Guadalupe. For those who want to keep their feet ashore, there’s great antiquing at Gruene Antique Company and fun souvenirs at Gruene General Store. When the sun starts going down, make your way over to the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas. At this historic spot you can enjoy a night dancing away to live country or blues under the hall’s high tin roof or twinkling lights strung above the vast outdoor garden.

Houston

Bauhaus Houston

Houston is a hub for sports entertainment. Catch a game at one of the many stadiums around town — Astros baseball at Minute Maid Park, Rockets basketball at the Toyota Center, and Texans football at NRG Stadium to name a few. Or you can catch a game on TV at one of Houston’s many sports bars and breweries! Then, if you want to get your own blood pumping, hit the dance floor at Bauhaus Houston — a top-notch sound system makes this techno mecca of H-Town a primo electronic dance music experience. Plus, after dancing the night away, you can enjoy an amazing view of the city’s downtown from the more relaxed rooftop patio area.

Cherry

At this vibrant dance party, there’s a giant glittering disco unicorn suspended from the ceiling. Need we say more? This super stylish and Instagrammable dance spot specializes in 80s, 90s, and 2000s music. Get glammed up and ready to dance! Make sure to fuel up beforehand at some of the amazing restaurant options to be found around Houston. Vietnamese, Tex-Mex, BBQ, and culinary fusions of every kind — it’s all here and near in the most diverse city in the U.S.

Dallas / Fort Worth

Sons of Hermann Hall

Weekly Wednesday swing dance lessons are just one reason to visit “the oldest freestanding wood structure in Dallas.” This historic Deep Ellum spot also features Thursday night campfire acoustic jams, and it can be rented for your own private dance events — so bring along a party. The area’s variety of cocktail bars and brewpubs are a great place for a large party to gather as well. Deep Ellum is also known for its visual art — spend the day taking in the colorful murals and perusing the unique art galleries that line the streets of Dallas’s fun, hip entertainment district.

Studio 80

In Fort Worth, you can travel back in time! In addition to the long-standing art collections at the both the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and Kimbell Art Museum, which cover multiple centuries of history, the nearby Studio 80 is a massive 80s dance club in downtown Fort Worth that’s “like stepping into a time machine.” Light-up dancefloor. Huge jumbotron with fun videos. Lava lamps and lasers galore. But if total 80s immersion isn’t your thing, there’s a second, smaller offshoot space featuring a runway style dancefloor and more modern musical hits.

Rodeo Exchange

Get your boot scootin’ boogie on at this honky-tonk made of cowboy dreams, located right in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Traditional country dancing lesson are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you’ll have your shuffle step perfected by the time the weekend rolls around. And a weekend in Fort Worth wouldn’t be complete without exploring all the Stockyards have to offer — experience the West with authentic architecture, cowboy fashion, and the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive. Learn more about the Western greats, too, at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and Bull Riding Hall of Fame.