Austin's cultural soul still lives in the unpolished, low-lit rooms and backyard stages where the city learned to two-step, swap solos, and pass the hat. If you're craving the Austin that locals protect, build your night around these three hideaways. December is prime time—mild evenings, clear skies, and thinner crowds than spring. Today is 54°F and sunny with light wind, which is perfect jacket weather for outdoor sets, especially if you’re pairing shows with other seasonal nights out like the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at the Wildflower Center.
December is one of the easiest months for locals to venue-hop: lighter traffic than SXSW/ACL season, more parking available, and reliably “light jacket” weather for backyard stages.
Kenny Dorham's Backyard (East Austin)
EAST CESAR CHAVEZ
Interactive map with permits, restaurants, bars & development data
Kenny Dorham's Backyard
$What it is: The historic East End's outdoor music yard, run by DiverseArts, with a community-first vibe and a stage under the stars. It's part music venue, part cultural commons, part neighborhood hangout, and you can always double-check details on the official Kenny Dorham’s Backyard page.
Where: 1106 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, in the East End cultural district, not far from other East Side culture hubs like HOPE Outdoor Gallery’s reimagined street art space.
When: Doors usually open around 6:00 PM; music often starts at 7:00 PM. Venue hours typically run 11:00 AM–11:00 PM, but always verify on the Visit Austin listing or DiverseArts calendar before you go.
Cover: Generally $5–$10.
Why locals go: It feels like old Austin—welcoming, eclectic, fiercely local. You'll find a mix of jazz, blues, Latin, and genre-bending sets with plenty of room to breathe, all part of the broader live music ecosystem the Texas Music Office works to spotlight statewide.
Food and drink: Multiple food options share the address, including Thai Kruefha, Doughminican, Nissi Vegmex Vegan Mexican Cuisine, and Tito Adobo. The space is BYOB-friendly; pack a cooler if you like and support the food vendors.
Insider tip: Arrive by 6:15 PM to snag a picnic table; bring a light blanket or a camp chair for lawn seating (check the event page to confirm allowance). Parking is limited—rideshare or a quick scooter hop from downtown is easiest. December evenings can cool quickly; dress in layers.
For peak vibes, treat KDB like a picnic: arrive by 6:15 PM with a blanket, small cooler, and layers so you can stay through the late sets without hunting for seating.
Parking around 11th St can be tight and residential. Plan on rideshare or biking; if you drive, expect to walk a block or two and avoid parking in business or church lots after hours.
- Open-air backyard under the stars
- Community-first programming
- BYOB-friendly with onsite food vendors
- Affordable covers
- Very limited parking
- Weather-dependent experience
- Lawn seating not guaranteed on busy nights
KDB is one of the purest “old Austin” nights left in the city—a community yard where you can hear serious players for a low cover, eat hyper-local food, and still see the stars while the band plays.
Sam's Town Point (Far South Austin)
Sam's Town Point
$What it is: A low-slung, cinderblock honky-tonk at the end of a quiet street where Austin lifers and songwriters keep the flame. Expect two-step shuffles, songwriter rounds, and bands who play because they love it.
Where: End of Allred Dr in far South Austin (near Menchaca Rd).
When: Music most nights; exact lineups and times are posted on their social channels.
Cover: Often $5–$15, commonly paid at the door.
Why locals go: Sam's is a time capsule—no frills, no pretense, just songs and a dance floor. Locals know you're there to listen, not to shout over the band.
Bar and bites: Classic bar program; occasional pop-up food. Don't count on dinner—eat before you go or bring a snack, maybe pairing it with a late lunch at a spot from our Austin hot pot guide or another South Austin favorite.
Insider tip: Bring cash for the door and for tipping the band. If you drive, park respectfully and don't block residential driveways; rideshare is highly recommended. Music can run late—keep post-show chatter quiet outside out of respect for neighbors.
Plan this as your “late” night: eat a big early dinner nearby, bring cash for the door and the band, and lean into the listening-room vibe instead of treating it like a loud bar.
Sam’s sits at the end of a residential street. Don’t block driveways, keep voices down outside after midnight, and expect cash at the door even if the bar inside runs cards.
- Classic two-step dance floor
- Deep local songwriter scene
- Intimate listening vibes
- Low cover charges
- Cash needed for door and tips
- Limited or no food most nights
- Late nights can be tough for early risers
If you want to understand why old-timers get misty about “the way Austin used to be,” Sam’s Town Point is your classroom—unpolished, heartfelt, and best appreciated with your phone in your pocket.
The Little Longhorn Saloon (Burnet Rd)
The Little Longhorn Saloon
$What it is: A tiny, legendary honky-tonk with a big heart and a tiny dance floor. It's most famous for its rowdy, family-friendly Sunday tradition, Chicken Shit Bingo—only-in-Austin energy, and you can see the full rundown on The Little Longhorn’s official site.
Where: 5434 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756.
When: Live music throughout the week; Sundays feature Chicken Shit Bingo in the afternoon into early evening. Check the calendar for exact times.
Cover: Varies by show; bring cash for bingo squares and band tips.
Why locals go: The Longhorn is pure North Austin grit—tight dance floor, cold longnecks, and a regular rotation of dance-ready country and roots acts.
Insider tip: For Sundays, get there early; lines form and rounds can sell out. Street parking fills quickly—aim for the lot behind the saloon and nearby side streets. Boots help, but smooth-soled shoes are fine for two-stepping on a tight floor, especially if you’re warming up your moves before a bigger night like ACL Live’s stacked weekend shows.
On Chicken Shit Bingo Sundays, treat the posted start time as “already busy.” Arrive at least 30–45 minutes early if you want a shot at good spots and bingo squares.
Parking is limited to a small lot and nearby side streets. Give yourself extra time to circle, and watch for no-parking signs on Burnet and in adjacent neighborhoods.
- Iconic Chicken Shit Bingo Sundays
- Tiny but lively dance floor
- Classic cold-beer honky-tonk atmosphere
- Very tight space when busy
- Parking can be a headache
- Bingo Sundays can be loud and chaotic
The Little Longhorn is a North Austin rite of passage—chaotic, charming, and undeniably local. Go for Sunday bingo at least once, then come back on a non-bingo night to really enjoy the bands.
Insider intelligence: How locals do it
- Check lineups at the source. See DiverseArts’ Kenny Dorham's Backyard calendar, Sam's Town Point Instagram, and The Little Longhorn's site for day-of updates and set times.
- Bring cash. Door charges and tip jars are often cash-first even if the bar takes cards.
- Respect the room. These are listening venues; save conversations for between songs or the patio.
- Tip the band. $10–$20 per person is a strong show of support, especially on lower-cover nights.
- BYOB and blankets at KDB. It's BYOB-friendly; a small cooler and a picnic blanket are common. Verify chair policy on the event page.
- Layer up in December. Evenings can dip into the 40s. For outdoor sets, a packable jacket and a warm hat make the night last longer, particularly if you’re mixing shows with other outdoor plans like our Sunset Circuit park-to-patio pairings.
- Rideshare wins. Parking can be tight near all three venues; skip the hunt and the post-show drive, and use our Austin December mobility + money hacks if you’re optimizing transit and parking during the holidays.
- Eat intentionally. Grab a pre-show bite at the East 11th food stalls for KDB, or plan a quick South Austin meal before Sam's so you aren't stuck hungry at showtime.
Think of these rooms as you would a small theater: arrive on time, keep conversations low during songs, and budget for tipping bands as part of the “ticket price.” That’s how locals keep these spaces alive.
Perfect December nights to steal
- East Side backyard session: Early dinner from the onsite vendors at 1106 E 11th, then sunset sets at Kenny Dorham's. If you're exploring all day, pair this with our Austin Food & Drink insider picks for nearby sips and coffee.
- South Austin shuffle: BBQ late lunch, then two-step at Sam's Town Point. Plot your meat mission with our Austin Barbecue guide and go easy at the counter so you can dance after.
- Sunday North Austin ritual: Chicken Shit Bingo at The Little Longhorn Saloon, then a walk and a wind-down with our Saturday outdoor wellness framework adapted for Sunday recovery.
- Culture-forward crawl: Start with East End art and music at KDB, then bookmark our Shokunin Austin guide to plan a chef-y late-night bite nearby. For broader inspiration on what else is happening around town, cross-check with the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau event listings.
What to know before you go
- Sound carries. At outdoor shows, stand closer to the stage if you want less chatter and more music.
- Seating isn't guaranteed. KDB has lawn-style seating; Sam's and Longhorn are intimate—expect to stand and move.
- Family friendly windows. KDB evenings and Longhorn Sundays skew family-friendly; Sam's vibe is adults, especially later. Families planning a bigger seasonal weekend can also layer in stops like our Austin family holiday kickoff playbook.
- Photography etiquette. Ask performers before flash photos; keep your phone low and your ears open.
- Weather watch. December is mild but dynamic: low 40s to mid-60s. A light, packable layer will save your night, especially if you’re coming from earlier outdoor stops like the dog-friendly South Congress holiday stroll.
Why these rooms matter
Polish is overrated. These rooms are the backbone of Austin's music ecology—affordable covers, community-driven lineups, and stages that nurture the next great songwriter. They sit alongside other homegrown institutions and open-air spaces that keep the city’s creative streak alive, from neighborhood cultural yards to evolving graffiti parks highlighted in our HOPE Outdoor Gallery guide. If you want to "keep Austin weird," tip the band, buy from the vendors, and come back often.
Primary sources and calendars
- Kenny Dorham's Backyard (DiverseArts): https://diversearts.org/KDB
- Sam's Town Point lineup and updates: https://www.instagram.com/samstownpoint/
- The Little Longhorn Saloon calendar: https://thelittlelonghornsaloon.com/
Related reads for deeper planning
Saveable teaser for next month
We're building a downloadable two-step playlist, a print-friendly East End cultural map, and a "no-reservations" late-night eats list near each venue. Subscribe to get the January drop first, and in the meantime keep an eye on bigger city shifts—like Austin’s $4B airport expansion—that can shape how (and when) you plan your next music trip into town.
