Lala's Little Nugget on Justin Lane in north Austin is the year-round Christmas dive open since 1972, boughs of holly on the walls and Santa on the roof every single day.
Tip: 21+ with valid ID. Open weekdays 16:00 to 02:00, weekends from 12:00. Cash and card both work; jukebox is the soundtrack.
Address: 2207 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757
Deep Eddy Cabaret on Lake Austin Boulevard by Deep Eddy Pool is the neighborhood dive open since 1951, cheap beer, jukebox and a long shuffleboard down the side wall.
Tip: Open daily noon to 02:00. Cash and card both accepted; the shuffleboard table at the back is the long-standing local pull.
The Liberty on East 6th Street in East Austin is the dog-friendly dive with a picnic-table patio and the original East Side King food truck in the back, late beer and skewers nightly.
Tip: East Side King serves until close; patio holds the crowds on warm weekends. Cash and card both work, no cover most nights.
The Driskill Bar inside the 1886 Driskill Hotel on Brazos Street is the cattle-baron lobby bar with cowhide stools, longhorn over the mantel and live music through the late evening.
Tip: Live music most evenings, no cover. The 1886 Cafe across the lobby serves dessert later than most kitchens; valet through the hotel entrance.
The White Horse on Comal Street in East Austin is the honky-tonk where two-step lessons run nightly, a wood floor and live country bands until 02:00 every day.
Tip: Two-step lesson at 19:00 with no cover, live bands from 20:30. Cash and card both work; food trucks park out back through last call.
Sagebrush on South Congress in Austin is the south-side honky-tonk from White Horse owner Denis O'Donnell, with live country, dance lessons and pool tables seven nights a week.
Tip: Doors open 15:00 daily; dance lessons on Wednesday nights, live bands from 21:00. Food trucks park on the lot; no cover most nights.
Coconut Club on Colorado Street in downtown Austin is the tropical dance bar with five stages, a rooftop drag brunch on Saturdays and DJ sets running into the early hours.
Tip: Multi-level layout with a rooftop and four indoor floors. CocoCxnts drag brunch runs Saturdays 13:00 to 16:00 with no cover; weekend cover varies.