Must-see entertainment in Texas

  • Broken Spoke

    Austin

    George Strait once hung from the wagon-wheel chandeliers at the wooden-floored Broken Spoke, a true Texas honky-tonk. Not sure of your dance moves? Join a…

  • Alley Theatre

    Alley Theatre

    Houston

    Houston's top theater is fresh off a massive 2015 makeover. It offers a packed lineup of shows, large and small, many cast with its revered in-house…

  • Austin, Texas USA - April 10, 2016: The colorful entrance of the popular Continental Club, famous for hosting reknowned musical performers, located on South Congress Avenue near downtown.; Shutterstock ID 425651809; Your name (First / Last): Alexander Howard; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial/Alexander Howard/POI image-US West, Canada; Full Product or Project name including edition: Alexander Howard/POI image-US West, Canada/Continental Club - Austin

    Continental Club

    Austin

    No passive toe-tapping here; the dance floor at this 1950s-era lounge is always swinging with some of the city's best local acts. On most Monday nights…

  • Rudyard's Pub

    Houston

    Rudyard’s puts on live events most nights, typically including edgy and indie bands at weekends, comedy on Mondays and karaoke on Tuesdays. A fine…

  • Match

    Houston

    Opened in 2017, this impressive performance venue is used by over 500 Houston cultural groups and organizations that aren't part of the big money Theater…

  • Sons of Hermann Hall

    Dallas

    For over 100 years, this classic Texas dance hall has been a Deep Ellum fixture, and a chameleon, too: equal parts pick-up bar, live-music venue, honky…

  • Kessler Theater

    Dallas

    Let the aqua neon outside catch your eye and draw you in to Oak Cliff’s art deco landmark. The one-time neighborhood movie house has been transformed into…

  • McGonigel's Mucky Duck

    Houston

    Acoustic, Irish, folk and country performers play nightly in pubby surrounds. Concert prices vary but Mondays (open-mike) and Wednesdays (Irish folk) are…

  • Stagecoach Ballroom

    Fort Worth

    By day it looks like it could be a plumbing-supply warehouse but by night, this nondescript building shakes to hundreds of dancers moving in rhythm on the…

  • Goat

    Dallas

    Open at the crack of dawn for those impromptu morning pub crawls, the Goat's a divey neighborhood bar with live blues three nights a week plus live music…

  • Granada Theater

    Dallas

    Long the anchor of Lower Greenwood, this former movie theater is widely regarded as the best live-music venue in town. Check the website for upcoming gigs…

  • Low angle view of a commercial signboard at a movie theatre, Alamo Drafthouse, Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA

    Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

    Austin

    Easily the most fun you can have at the movies: sing along with Grease, quote along with Princess Bride, or just enjoy food and drink delivered right to…

  • Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

    San Antonio

    On the River Walk, and sparkling after a seven-year renovation project, San Antonio's performance hall hosts performances by Ballet San Antonio (www…

  • San Antonio Spurs

    San Antonio

    The big news in town is the San Antonio Spurs, currently one of the top NBA teams in the country. The city is understandably proud, so you'll forgive them…

  • Billy Bob's Texas

    Fort Worth

    Previously a cattle barn, an airplane factory and a department store, the world’s largest honky-tonk now caters to over 6000 customers with 40 bars. Top…

  • Houston Ballet

    Houston

    Houston's resident ballet company enjoys solid funding from local corporations. It has a strong house ensemble.

  • Alamo Drafthouse

    San Antonio

    It's a bit of a drive from downtown, but you can catch both dinner and a movie at this theater that surprisingly has nothing to do with the Alamo at all. …

  • Stockyards Championship Rodeo

    Fort Worth

    Built in 1908 as the first-ever indoor rodeo arena, the Cowtown Coliseum hosts live rodeo at 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights year-round. Horses and…

  • Abraham Chavez Theatre

    El Paso

    The sombrero-shaped Abraham Chavez Theatre hosts most of El Paso’s major performing organizations – including El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Showtime! El…

  • Magik Children's Theatre

    San Antonio

    This merry troupe stages adaptations of favorite children’s books, hilarious original musicals and modern retellings of Texas legends and classic fairy…

  • Balcony Club

    Dallas

    This mysterious upstairs hideaway may feel like a secret, but it's a pilgrimage spot for local jazz fans. With emerald walls, a tiny stage and a cozy…

  • Stubb's Bar-B-Q

    Austin

    Stubb's puts on live music almost every night, with a great mix of premier local and touring acts from across the musical spectrum. Many warm-weather…

  • John T Floore Country Store

    San Antonio

    Northwest of San Antonio in Helotes, this dance hall celebrated its 75th birthday in 2017. The space hosts plenty of country-and-western concerts: Willie…

  • Last Concert Cafe

    Houston

    For a real local original, find your way to the warehouse district northeast of downtown. After you knock on the red door (there's no sign), you can hang…

  • AvantGarden

    Houston

    The center for alt-anything in Houston, this old house has a great garden patio and hosts an eclectic mix of performances, from strange theater to poetry…

  • Long Center for the Performing Arts

    Austin

    This state-of-the-art theater opened in late 2008 as part of a waterfront redevelopment along Lady Bird Lake. The multistage venue hosts drama, dance,…

  • Texas Motor Speedway

    Fort Worth

    Have yourself a full-on Nascar experience. November’s Texas 500 is the biggest annual event, but other races take place throughout the year. You can even…

  • Cézanne

    Houston

    Quite simply, Houston's best place to hear jazz – just be sure to come during the six hours it’s open each week. Set above the Black Labrador, this classy…

  • Kitchen Dog Theater

    Dallas

    You'll get professional theater with attitude from Kitchen Dog. This razor-sharp company specializes in performing plays with a message. Some shows are…

  • Saxon Pub

    Austin

    The super-chill Saxon Pub, presided over by 'Rusty,' a huge knight who sits out the front, has music every night, mostly Texas performers in the blues…

  • Poor David's Pub

    Dallas

    Texas music legends Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kelly Willis, Guy Forsyth and Steve Earl have all graced the stage at this venerable old club near the now mostly…

  • White Elephant Saloon

    Fort Worth

    Stockyards cowboys have been bellying up to this bar since 1887 (now owned by the ubiquitous Tim Love). Local singers and songwriters are showcased…

  • White Oak Music Hall

    Houston

    An excellent addition to Houston's music scene, there are two indoor music venues as well as a vast open-air lawn with room for 3000. There are top local…

  • Trees Dallas

    Dallas

    This famous Deep Ellum club has top musical acts and bands several nights a week. Regulars love it for its compact, sweaty size; band members often hang…

  • Esther's Follies

    Austin

    Drawing from current events and pop culture, this long-running satire show has a vaudevillian slant, thanks to musical numbers and, yep, even a magician…

  • Antone's

    Austin

    A key player in Austin's musical history, Antone's has attracted the best of the blues and other popular local acts since 1975. All ages, all the time.

  • Adair's Saloon

    Dallas

    The regulars call it 'Aayy-dares.' Down-to-earth patrons and infectious country and redneck rock bands go down well with cheap beer and shuffleboard.

  • Dallas Symphony Orchestra

    Dallas

    The local symphony enjoys generous corporate funding. It performs at the Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center.