Here are small-town historic dance halls in Texas to visit ….and to dance!
When Saturday night rolls around, these small-town dance halls come alive. Our Lone Star State still has a few historic dance halls in Texas. These old dance halls still play traditional country music – sometimes, you may find live music from legendary bands we grew up on. You’ll want to check out these 12 Texas Hill Country dance halls, then on your next visit, pay one a visit.
The dance halls listed here are not all historic, but one thing is for sure – dance halls are all about the boot-skootin’ wooden floor! Oh, if those floors could talk! And, if you want good exercise, there is nothing better than taking dance lessons with your partner or stranger!
Years ago, I would boot scoot in Fort Worth and Arlington, mainly on Rodeo Exchange Ave in the Stockyards and Cowboys in Arlington. I had a good time dancing, but it wasn’t until I took dance lessons at Cowboys that I learned to dance – but that was years ago, and I’m sure country dancing has changed tremendously, but I remember it was great exercise.
Texas Hill Country Dance Halls Trivia
Fact: Singers like Patsy Cline, George Strait, Hank Williams, Jerry Jeff Walker, Elvis Presley, and George Jones were the top performers my parents listened to when I was young.
Fact: I found all the dance halls in Central Texas, the Texas Hill Country area.
Grab a cold beer and get ready to dance at one of these old Texas dance halls.
Where Is The Oldest Dance Hall In Texas?
Gruene Hall in New Braunfels is the oldest dance hall in Texas. And ….it’s also the oldest dance hall in America.
Where Is The Second Oldest Dance Hall In Texas?
Schroeder Hall, Goliad, has the second oldest dance hall in Texas.
Mercer Dancehall in Dripping Springs
12 Hill Country Dance Halls To Cut A Rug
1. Mercer Dancehall
Mercer Dancehall in Dripping Springs is busy on weekends with dance lessons and locals coming to dance. It’s a great place to learn a new dance or two. Look for live music on the weekends, and don’t forget they serve food here. You can also reserve a table for your group and rent a Mercer cabin.
2. Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon
Arkey Blue’s is a 103-year-old honky-tonk dancehall in Bandera, located downtown on Main Street. It would be hard for me to pass up going inside with it being right there in the downtown area.
3. Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
The Oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall, where everyone loves to take selfies! This old dance hall is still an icon where many people gather, visit, and watch live bands perform. New Braunfels sure is doing something right because the part of the town is always busy with people from everywhere wanting to taste good food and do a little boot-scootin’. Gruene Hall is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Travel Tip: While you’re in town, stop by the Old General Store steps away for nostalgic items to take back home.
4. Twin Sisters Dance Hall
Twin Sisters Dance Hall in Blanco, TX, dates back to the 19th century when German immigrants owned the town. The dance hall continues today with live entertainment, special events, and much dancing! Also, many workshops are held here, and so are family gatherings. It sells alcohol, sodas, and snacks.
5. Kendalia Halle
Near Boerne, TX, in Kendall County, Kendalia Halle is open for dancing, live shows, private events, and more.
Check to see if they still have a New Year’s Eve party. In the past, famous country singers were the headliners.
6. Anhalt Hall – Spring Branch
Anhalt Hall is a Texas dancehall owned and operated by the Germania Farmer Verein, an organization started by German settlers in Central Texas in 1875 to help protect their livestock. The hall was a stopping point for early settlers traveling between New Braunfels and Boerne. It’s still a hidden gem, but back in the day, the dance hall brought in over 2000 boot scooters for festivals, bringing in about 300 now for dances on the third Saturday of most months.
7. John T. Floore’s Country Store – Helotes
Floore’s Country Store is a honky-tonk, a cafe serving BBQ, and a bar with live music from country to rock on its outdoor stage.
Were you lucky enough to see Randy Rogers on Oct 29, 2022?
8. Luckenbach Dance Hall
This legendary dance hall, Luckenbach Dance Hall, is alive and entertaining the public.
Yes, there is a town of Luckenbach in Texas, but it’s really in Fredericksburg. There is the dance hall and a post office – that’s it! I’ve been here several times and have yet to take a decent photo to show!
9. Coupland Dancehall
The Coupland Dance Hall is not only a dance hall; it’s a restaurant and a B&B. You’ll probably find fun Texas bands and some legendary bands playing here. The restaurant and dance hall are open on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes on Sunday nights.
They even have a teen night in October.
10. Broken Spoke Dancehall
It is not a historic dance hall, but one Garth Brooks loved to perform at. Austin’s Broken Spoke dance hall opened in 1964 and has served food ever since. Take a dance lesson or two here on Wednesday-Saturday nights.
11. Albert Icehouse And Dancehall
You can boot and scoot all night with its old tin roof and ample dance floor. Albert Dancehall offers live music and events
You may want to hang out on the Icehouse patio and beer garden – that’s where I’d be!
Located in Stonewall south of Highway 290, near Johnson City, this old historic building is rocking and dancing with the young and old—open daily. Bring the entire family here during the day.
12. Schroeder Dance Hall
Being the 2nd oldest dance hall in Texas, next to Gruene Hall, it’s been busy with its lineup of live music. Schroeder Hall in Goliad, TX, is open to the public on Friday and Saturday, and the rest of the week is for private events.
Oh, if these old dance halls in Texas could talk!
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