Places Austinites Like to Shake It!

January in Austin is a time when locals would rather be indoors, usually wrapped up with our dogs while we strum our guitars. But sometimes the urge strikes to head out into the chill and get to socializing, and some of us even like to move our bodies to music in a rhythmic fashion. Here are some of the best places to shake your winter tail feathers.

The White Horse is the quintessential East Austin honky-tonk, with a scene focused almost exclusively on live traditional country, honky-tonk, and Western swing. The dance floor is the heart of the venue, offering an authentic Texas experience where patrons are encouraged to two-step, waltz, and line dance. They even host donation-based Texas Two-Step lessons early on select nights, making it perfect for beginners before the crowd fills in.

The Continental Club is a historic landmark known as the granddaddy of live music venues, rooted in American roots music, rockabilly, blues, country, and swing. It's an intimate, dimly lit space focused on the talent on stage; while there's no formal dance floor, patrons naturally cut a rug between the tables, near the bar, and up close to the stage. Barton Springs Saloon is a beloved, low-key dive bar with a relaxed atmosphere where a jukebox spins classic country, Americana, and rock, and people slow dance, casually two-step, or sway with friends when the mood strikes.

Kingdom is Austin's premier electronic music destination, dominated by EDM with a focus on house, trance, and dubstep and a rotation of top-tier local and international DJs. The immersive dance experience is driven by a state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system and elaborate light shows, attracting a crowd that dances until the early morning hours.

Mohawk, in the Red River Cultural District, is known for a diverse and constantly evolving lineup, hosting indie rock, punk, metal, hip-hop, and electronic acts across two indoor and outdoor stages. The dance experience is genre-dependent but always passionate, from moshing at heavy rock shows to head-bopping at indie sets, and the venue is celebrated for its community-focused, welcoming vibe and commitment to local and touring artists.