Hit The Highway This Spring To Visit These Charming Hill Country Honky Tonks

Spring always renews my excitement for Texas. The music I listen to gets twangier as the sun spends a little more time illuminating our earth each day. Sometimes B and I like to take a day trip out to the Hill Country to peep the bluebonnets and stroll along a historic square. Spring just accentuates travel by highway.

Check out this travel listicle I pitched to some local pubs about honky tonks in the Hill Country.

Wimberley

Devil’s Backbone

Lauded as the state’s first post-prohibition tavern, and conveniently located in Comal county just opposite the boundary with Hays county, which was dry until the middle-aughts. This dive has enough history to boast its share of ghost stories-- but with a jukebox that sexy, it doesn’t matter, baby. (Seriously, that jukebox has a higher body-count than u).

Shady Llama

Shady Llama, so named for the team of llamas serving up libations in the northern brush country of Wimblerley, has an incredible view of the Blanco river valley facing southwest—offering vivid Hill Country sunsets. You’ll want to teleport, as parking becomes overwhelmed quickly! 

Luckenbach / “Out Towards Fredericksburg”

Luckenbach Dance Hall

Everybody’s somebody in Luckenbach, and considering that they’re using ticketing services alternative to Ticketmaster and StubHub, it seems like they really mean it!

Albert Dance Hall

Albert Dance Hall in Albert, TX are both named for Postmaster Albert Luckenbach, who had moved from Luckenbach after a plague of locusts ate all the mail to another as-yet unincorporated community. Having registered the new post office in his name, Albert, bestowed upon himself the legacy of one of the shortest, yet most impactful wikipedia entries of having two Texas ‘cities’ named after him. Also, this place was sold (and bought) on ebay!

Gruene

Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall lauds itself as ‘the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas’. Not only that, but the dance hall has managed what Hondo Crouch tried to do with Luckenbach as the town of Gruene has maintained economic relevance.

Spicewood

POODIE’S

Started by former Willie Nelson manager/roadie, and nestled near the country music legend’s Luck Ranch, Poodie’s always has solid tunes, and solid people playing them. (Can we talk about Spicewood for a second?? HIGH-key weirder than ATX… Great folks, but they live out there for reasons…)

Boerne

John T. Floore’s

Is a legendary dance hall/sacred space that everyone you love has graced with their presence. JTF’s may not hold any superlative except ‘most-blessed by your favorite musicians’. And if you'd like to indulge in what their web domain suggests, I believe they rent the cot in the back. You can't just crash there, you gotta make a reservation.

Bandera

Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar

Get yer boots scuffed at Arkey’s, you won’t regret it!