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[title]With direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne into Dallas-Fort Worth now available, now's the time to be putting Texas on your radar for a getaway that you won't forget in a hurry.
There are many reasons to visit Texas – lip-smacking barbecue and Tex-Mex food; Native American history; ranches and rodeos; football and city culture – but arguably the most exciting is the music scene. And while you might think Texas is only about country music, there's a lot more to it than that.
Naturally, Texas is famous for boot-scootin’ – but you can also rock on, bliss out, shoegaze or be uplifted by whatever music floats your boat thanks to the state’s spectacular nightlife. With help from our friends from Travel Texas, we’ve learned that the night time scene in the Lone Star State is vibrant and diverse – from bustling cities such as Austin and Dallas to historic pit-stops like Gruene. Fort Worth, nicknamed CowTown, is famously Where the West Begins. At Billy Bob’s Texas, the Fort Worth institution that’s the world’s largest honky-tonk, there’s no disco ball spinning above the dance floor. Instead, a slowly rotating sparkly saddle complete with dangling stirrups does its best to out-dazzle the dancers below who are two-stepping around the floor in jeans and cowboy boots. This place has been hosting legends of country ever since the week it opened in 1981, when both Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson graced its stage.
In Dallas, you can point yourself towards the House of Blues (there’s another in Houston). Despite the live-music chain’s name, these venues stage gigs ranging across genres including gospel, hip hop, soul, indie, metal and funk.
Down the highway from Dallas-Fort Worth is the quirky state capital Austin (Willie Nelson, credited with kick-starting Austin’s musical reputation, lives on a nearby ranch). You can’t say you’ve truly done the Live Music Capital of the World until you’ve explored Downtown. From the Warehouse District to 2nd Street District to Congress Avenue, there’s never a dull moment in this thriving nightlife hotspot, known for its world-class restaurants, secret bars, and of course, its famous music scene. Outside of the big-name musicians and globally renowned events Downtown Austin attracts (think SXSW and Austin City Limits), every night of the week you’re likely to be enticed by sounds of live music drifting through the streets. You’ll find your jam soon enough – pop, rock, country, classical or EDM – Austin has it all.
You can’t say you’ve truly done the Live Music Capital of the World until you’ve explored Downtown
Between Austin and San Antonio lies the Gruene (pronounced ‘green’) Historic District, population 20. It’s become a drawcard thanks to an alluring mix of preservation and progress. At the centre of the action is Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, where folks have come to spin around the dancefloor since 1878. The quaint tin-roofed hall hosts live music daily.
San Antonio is known for the picturesque beauty of its outdoor settings, with the miles-long River Walk – a riverside pedestrian promenade lined with colonial architecture and artisan markets – at the centre of it all. However, this darling Texas town is just as exciting once the sun sets. Home to multiple historic entertainment venues, including both the Aztec and Majestic Theatres, as well high-energy live music spots such as Howl at the Moon, there’s a serious amount of culture-rich, after-dark fun to be had here. You can also check out drawcard locations such as warehouse-turned-venue Rock Box or Sam’s Burger Joint, which books Americana, rock, jazz and other bands.
A three-hour drive east of San Antonio is Houston – one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. It’s also ranked among its best foodie cities. Once you’ve tasted those stunning Korean barbecue tacos (just one example of the bold fusion dishes here), hit the Dirt Bar. This gothic, black-walled rock’n’roll watering hole with strong dive-bar vibes attracts big-name artists after they’ve performed at nearby venues. Past post-show patrons include Gaga, Metallica, Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon. Rock on, Texas.