Texas – The Lone Star State is a place like no other. It’s known for its vast deserts, rolling hills, tasty barbecue, and, of course, its musical heritage. 

Come watch local performers take to the stages of local venues as they follow in the footsteps of Texan legends. The state boasts nothing less than pure talent and spirit, from Buddy Holly and Janis Joplin to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson. 

If you’re planning a tour through this vast state, follow the sound of plucking guitar strings and soulful vocals to experience Texas in its truest form. We’ll point you in the direction of the best honky-tonk and blues venues in the state’s most popular cities and recommend where you can stay and eat while you’re there. 

Austin 

No matter where you go in Texas, or even in the country, the Austin music scene is unrivaled. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is the beating heart of classic honky-tonk music venues in Texas. 

Best music venues in Austin

Broken Spoke

If you’re looking to throw it down and enjoy a classic honky-tonk experience, head over to the legendary Broken Spoke. You’ll find this lively venue down S. Lamar Boulevard, where live music and the sound of stomping feet blast from Tuesday to Saturday every week. 

This iconic venue has hosted some of the most memorable music nights in Austin since 1964 and has featured some of America’s most iconic musicians. Country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson regularly graced the stage, and talented newbies hoping to follow in their footsteps now beg to perform at the Broken Spoke. It’s the perfect venue to sing and dance the two-step along to country hits. 

Antone’s Nightclub

Hop over to downtown Austin to enjoy a jiving night at the city’s iconic blues venue. Antone’s Nightclub has been the go-to music venue for an evening of blissful blues since 1975. In that time, it’s seen some of the world’s most legendary musicians showcase their talent to vast audiences of admirers. From B.B King and Muddy Waters to the great Ray Charles and James Brown, this is the place where legends were born. 

Antone’s can pack up to 650 people, and the dance floor is almost always filled with music lovers enjoying the sultry sounds of soulful blues. Open every day from lunch until late,  there’s always something happening at this music joint. Take a look at the upcoming shows on their website or simply turn up any night to discover some new sounds. 

Where to eat and stay Austin

Hotel: W Austin

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay while visiting Austin, you won’t be disappointed by W Austin. This modern Marriott hotel features lavish amenities that are expertly complemented by its chic design and interiors. 

Enjoy a delectable meal at TRACE, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you’re using the outdoor pool, you can order small bites to your lounge chair. There’s also a fitness center, steam room, and spa, which offers an extensive list of treatments. W Austin is in the heart of the city’s music scene, making it easy to slip back to your room after a night of dancing. 

Restaurant: Black’s Barbecue

If Texas is the barbecue state, then Austin is the barbecue capital of the world. Black’s Barbecue is renowned for serving smoked cuts and is dubbed the best BBQ in Austin. The menu boasts finger-licking ribs, beef brisket so tender it melts in your mouth and toppling burgers smothered with trimmings. The restaurant is also famed for its homemade sausages made from an 80-year-old family recipe. Top it all off with a serving of peach cobbler and house-made ice cream for a truly scrumptious meal. 

Quick bite: Tacodeli

If you’re just looking to grab a quick bite so you don’t have to slow down exploring Austin, we recommend Tacodeli. Stop by for curbside pickup for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and you’ll be served something fresh and delicious in minutes. As the name would suggest, they specialize in tacos – you just have the hard task of choosing which one. Go for a menu specialty or create your own with up to four ingredients.

Dallas 

To think of Dallas is to picture smoky bars playing soulful blues music. Discover some of the most loved and visited traditional Texas music venues to experience the city at its finest and find the best entertainment in Dallas. 

Best music venues in Dallas 

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 

The Pavilion is an iconic music venue that boasts three expansive stages. The most intimate theatre fits a not-so-modest 2,500 people, while the outdoor amphitheater can welcome as many as 8,000. No matter when you visit, there will no doubt be a decent set you can check out. The Pavilion is known for its country gigs, but performers also come from a range of other genres. From classic rock banks like the Deftones to the more uniquely creative like Die Antwoord, you’ll be able to find a music night that suits your melodic preferences. 

Sons of Hermann Hall

It may look like any old bar from the outside, but Sons of Hermann Hall is steeped in history going back more than 100 years placing it among the best places to visit and top things to do in Dallas. The venue started as a local bowling alley in 1917 and even hosted regular competitions. It then became the home of the Frohsinn Singing Society in 1937 before specializing in musical fusion in 1984. Sons of Hermann Hall was later declared a Dallas Historic Landmark in 2000 and has continued to be a beloved location among the locals. 

The hall hosts regular music nights, all dedicated to traditional country classic players. You can also join the regulars for one of the weekly swing dance classics or the Electric Campfire Jam on Friday nights, where local acoustic musicians gather in a circle for a cozy night of jamming around an electric campfire. 

Where to eat and stay in Dallas 

Hotel: The Adolphus Hotel

After a multi-million dollar refurbishment back in 2018, this decadent hotel made a roaring return to welcome with art deco rooms that exude Gatsby-like elegance. Part of the Autograph Collection, The Adolphus Hotel is sumptuously furnished and features an abundance of extravagant amenities. 

Before taking a few lengths in the rooftop pool, enjoy a pre-swim massage at the hotel’s Spa Adolphus so you can feel completely relaxed. We also recommend dining in The French Room for dinner, situated in the impressively large and ornately decorated dining room. Take your pick from an extensive list of fine French wines and fill up on authentic French cuisine like pan-seared chicken before you head out to explore the music venues. 

Restaurant: House of Blues 

Get stuck into a real feast of classic Southern fare at House of Blues Restaurant and Bar.

Starters range from small yet flavorsome plates of nachos loaded with salsa and cheese to sauteed shrimp drenched in a creamy beer reduction sauce. Mains feature southern classics like fried chicken and shrimp with grits, or juicy burgers with an assortment of toppings. You can order your food for curbside pickup, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t reserve a table. The venue has live music performed by local musicians every night, with a different vibe to see you through the week. You can even stop by early in the day for Gospel Brunch to listen to talented belters as you chew on waffles and pancakes. 

Quick bite: Casa de Montecristo

If you’re looking for a quick tasty bite with a twist, then Casa de Montecristo is the place to go. You’ll find this sultry cigar lounge in the Oak Lawn neighborhood by Turtle Creek. Come inside and grab a private table to order food, drinks, and the perfectly paired cigar. Your expert server will take your food and drink order into consideration to suggest the best smoke for you. The lounge boasts several flat screens, so you’ll likely be able to catch a game while you’re here.

Houston

Known for producing music legends like country singer Kenny Rogers and RnB queen Beyonce, Houston doesn’t shy away from its musical heritage. From large iconic venues to small venues in Houston, the music neighborhood in Midtown is a buzzing hub every night of the week, and you can step into just about any venue to discover a new fusion of sounds. Here are some of the best things to do in Houston for music lovers. 

Best music venues in Houston 

The Continental Club

A 1920s vintage drugstore turned lively music venue, The Continental Club is a much-beloved music joint on Main Street. The building was refurbished to rebuild the neighborhood, modeling the style and vibe of its sister venue in Austin. Upcoming bluegrass, roots rock, and rockabilly artists flock to the stage almost nightly, with a new sound to be discovered every time you visit. 

Warehouse Live

Heavy metal and classic Rock and Roll fans will have a chance to see some of the biggest and best acts of the broader genre at Warehouse Live. The stage has seen countless rock legends like Lemmy of Motorhead, Catfish and the Botllemen, and Enter Shikari impress large audiences of up to 1,300 in The Ballroom, where the main stage is. Look at the upcoming events calendar on their website to see which of your favorite bands are due to perform and buy tickets ahead of your visit to make sure you don’t miss out on a phenomenal set. 

Where to eat and stay in Houston

Hotel: The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston 

A stay at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston guarantees you a luxurious stay like no other. A five-star hotel and spa all rolled into one, it’s the perfect base to wind down after a tour of the local music events and venues in Houston. 

Treat yourself to a plush residential suite and enjoy sweeping views of Downtown. You’ll have your own kitchen and private deluxe bathroom, as well as a spacious walk-in wardrobe. The spa is a must-experience on your stay, so browse the extensive list of premier treatments. You’ll leave Houston glowing and refreshed, thanks to the expert beauticians and massage therapists. 

Restaurant: Georgia James Steakhouse 

As the last stop on your Texas adventure, it only seems right to recommend the most upscale steakhouse in the city. Reserve a table at Georgia James Steakhouse, treat yourself to indulgent plates of perfectly seasoned farm-to-fark cuts of meat and locally-grown ingredients. As expected, the menu is meat-oriented, with the most delectable cuts of beef and bacon up for grabs. Start with the wagyu short rib served with pickled cucumber to get you going before moving on to an impressive wet-aged hanger steak or long bone ribeye. 

Quick bite: Casa de Montecristo

If you didn’t get a chance to stop by the full-service cigar lounge in Dallas, don’t worry – Houston also boasts a Casa de Montecristo. The lounge and bar is off the US-249 just outside the north-eastern section of the city. Just like back in Dallas, the servers will take your food and drink order then recommend which premium cigars will pair best with your meal. With a fully-stocked store onsite, there’s an abundance of signature wraps and flavors to choose from.