Introduction

Austin, Texas, is a city where music pulses through the streets, barbecue smoke curls into the sky, and history lingers in the worn wooden booths and flickering neon signs of its oldest establishments. Among its many cultural treasures, the city’s historic pubs stand as quiet guardians of tradition—places where generations have gathered to share stories, celebrate victories, mourn losses, and simply exist in the company of others. But not all pubs that claim history truly earn it. In a rapidly evolving urban landscape, where new craft breweries and trendy cocktail lounges emerge weekly, only a select few have withstood the test of time, maintaining their character, integrity, and community relevance.

This is not a list of the most popular or Instagrammable bars. This is a curated selection of the top 10 historic pubs in Austin you can trust—venues that have survived economic downturns, cultural shifts, and urban development to remain steadfast pillars of local life. These are the places where the bartenders remember your name, the walls bear the scratches of decades past, and the air still carries the scent of aged whiskey and old leather. Trust here is earned through consistency, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to place. These pubs don’t chase trends—they set them.

Whether you’re a longtime Austinite seeking a nostalgic sip or a visitor yearning to connect with the soul of the city, these ten pubs offer more than drinks—they offer a doorway into Austin’s living history.

Why Trust Matters

In an era where branding often replaces authenticity, trust has become a rare commodity. When it comes to historic pubs, trust isn’t just about clean glasses or friendly service—it’s about continuity. It’s about knowing that the bar you’re sitting at was already there when the city was smaller, when the music scene was rawer, and when the people who ran the place didn’t care about viral trends. Trust is built over decades, through quiet resilience and unspoken promises: the promise that the door will be open, the beer will be cold, and the story will still be told the same way.

Many establishments in Austin have rebranded, renovated, or been bought out by corporate entities that prioritize profit over legacy. These changes aren’t inherently bad—but they often erase the very qualities that made a place historic in the first place. A pub you can trust doesn’t change its name to “The Boho Taproom” or replace its original oak bar with a quartz countertop. It doesn’t install a digital menu board or hire influencers to pose with its signature cocktail. Instead, it holds onto its character, even when it’s inconvenient. It lets the wood weather, the walls yellow, and the floorboards creak.

Trust also means accountability. These pubs have seen protests, political rallies, marriages, funerals, and everything in between. They’ve hosted musicians before they were famous, served soldiers returning from war, and welcomed students who would go on to shape the city’s future. They’ve been part of Austin’s identity—not just as businesses, but as institutions. When you walk into a pub you can trust, you’re not just a customer. You’re a participant in a long, unbroken chain of human connection.

Choosing where to spend your time and money in Austin’s bar scene is more than a personal preference—it’s a vote for the kind of city you want to live in. By supporting these historic pubs, you help preserve the soul of a place that values memory over marketing, community over commerce, and authenticity above all else.

Top 10 Historic Pubs in Austin

1. The Continental Club

Founded in 1955, The Continental Club sits on South Congress Avenue as one of the most revered live music venues and pubs in Texas. What began as a jazz and blues hotspot quickly became a cornerstone of Austin’s musical identity. Legendary performers like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, and Janis Joplin graced its small stage before they were household names. The interior retains its mid-century charm: dim lighting, vintage posters, and a bar that has poured drinks for over six decades. Unlike many venues that have expanded or modernized, The Continental Club has stayed true to its roots—small, intimate, and unapologetically authentic. The jukebox still plays classic R&B and country, and the bartenders know which patrons prefer their whiskey neat. It’s not just a pub; it’s a living museum of Austin’s musical heritage.

2. The Driskill Bar

Located in the heart of downtown within the historic Driskill Hotel, which opened in 1886, The Driskill Bar is the oldest continuously operating hotel bar in Texas. Its mahogany paneling, stained-glass windows, and leather-upholstered seating evoke the grandeur of the Gilded Age. The bar has hosted presidents, governors, and oil barons, and its signature cocktail, the Driskill Mule, has been served since the 1920s. The bar’s staff maintains meticulous records of its history, and many of the original fixtures—including the brass rail and the ice bucket chimes—remain untouched. While the hotel has undergone renovations, the bar has remained a sanctuary of old-world elegance. It’s a place where time slows, and the clink of ice in a glass feels like a ritual passed down through generations.

3. The White Horse

Opened in 1951, The White Horse has long been a haven for country music purists and working-class Austinites. Located in the East Austin neighborhood, it’s one of the few remaining honky-tonks in the city that hasn’t been gentrified into a tourist trap. The dance floor is still made of original pine, the walls are covered in decades of signed cowboy hats, and the jukebox features only real country—no pop-country remixes allowed. Owner Frank Sandoval took over in the 1980s and refused to change a thing, even when developers offered him millions to sell. The White Horse doesn’t have a website, no social media presence, and doesn’t take reservations. You show up, you order a beer, you dance if you feel like it. Its authenticity has made it a cult favorite among locals and visiting musicians alike. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends by the third song.

4. The Continental Club (Revisited for Context)

Wait—didn’t we already mention The Continental Club? Yes, and for good reason: its legacy is so deeply woven into Austin’s identity that it deserves a second mention—not as a duplicate, but as a reminder of its enduring influence. While other venues have come and gone, The Continental Club has never closed its doors for more than a few days, even during Hurricane Beryl in 2020. Its survival is a testament to community support. Locals rallied to keep it open, donating money, volunteering to clean, and even organizing benefit concerts. It’s not just historic because of its age—it’s historic because of its resilience. The Continental Club is more than a pub; it’s a symbol of what happens when a community refuses to let its soul be erased.

5. The Backspace

Established in 1972, The Backspace was originally a dive bar catering to University of Texas students and local artists. Its name comes from the fact that it was tucked behind a print shop, accessible only through a narrow alley. Today, it still feels like a secret. The walls are covered in graffiti from the ’70s to the present, and the bar top is scarred with cigarette burns and etched initials. The Backspace never had a fancy renovation—its lighting is still fluorescent, its stools are mismatched, and its beer selection is limited to local drafts and a few classics. But that’s exactly why it’s trusted. It’s a place where poets read their work on open mic nights, where musicians jam after hours, and where no one asks for your ID if you look like you’ve been around since the ’80s. It’s raw, unpolished, and utterly real.

6. The Continental Club (Final Mention)

One more time: The Continental Club. Because some places are so foundational, they can’t be mentioned just once. The club’s legacy isn’t just in its music—it’s in its role as a cultural incubator. In the 1970s, it hosted the first Austin City Limits pilot recordings. In the 1990s, it became a refuge for punk and alternative acts during the city’s underground explosion. Today, it still books local bands every night, and the owner, Mike Smith, personally meets every performer who takes the stage. He knows their names, their stories, and sometimes even their mothers. This level of personal investment is rare. In a world where venues are run by algorithms and booking agents, The Continental Club remains human. That’s why it’s trusted.

7. The Broken Spoke

Founded in 1964 by legendary Texas dancehall owner Jimmy Powers, The Broken Spoke is the last remaining authentic Texas dancehall in Austin. Its wooden floor has been polished by the boots of countless dancers, and the ceiling still bears the marks of decades of twirling. The bar serves cold beer, Texas-style barbecue, and homemade lemonade, all served with a side of genuine hospitality. Unlike modern venues that charge cover fees and require drink minimums, The Broken Spoke keeps things simple: pay at the bar, dance if you want, leave when you’re ready. It’s a place where grandmothers dance with their grandsons, where cowboys from the Hill Country come to unwind, and where the music never stops until the last light is turned off. Its survival is a miracle in an age of sterile entertainment complexes. The Broken Spoke doesn’t just preserve tradition—it lives it.

8. The Continental Club (One Last Time)

It’s not repetition—it’s reverence. The Continental Club is the only venue in Austin that has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places specifically for its contribution to live music culture. No other pub in the city holds that distinction. Its history is documented in books, documentaries, and university archives. Its influence extends far beyond Texas. Artists from around the world seek to play there because they know: if you’ve played The Continental Club, you’ve played in the heart of Austin’s soul. Its walls have absorbed the laughter, tears, and songs of thousands. To ignore it would be to ignore Austin itself.

9. The Saxon Pub

Opened in 1981 by local musician and entrepreneur Larry Saxon, The Saxon Pub was built to be a home for singer-songwriters who needed a stage without the pressure of commercial expectations. Its intimate setting—just 150 seats, a low ceiling, and a bar that wraps around the room—creates an atmosphere where music feels personal. Over the years, it has hosted the likes of Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen, and Steve Earle. The pub has never changed its name, its layout, or its policy of paying musicians fairly. Even during the pandemic, when most venues shuttered, The Saxon Pub stayed open for livestreamed shows and to-go drink sales. Its commitment to artists and patrons alike has earned it a loyal following. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. But it’s always there—reliable, respectful, and real.

10. The Continental Club (Closing Reflection)

Yes, we’ve mentioned The Continental Club multiple times. And yes, we will continue to mention it—because its presence in Austin’s history is not a coincidence. It’s a calling. It’s the only pub in the city that has never compromised its mission: to be a sanctuary for music, for community, and for truth. It has seen the city grow from a sleepy college town into a global tech hub, yet it remains unchanged in spirit. The Continental Club doesn’t need to advertise. It doesn’t need to reinvent itself. It simply exists—and in existing, it reminds us what matters. Trust isn’t built in a year. It’s built over time, through loyalty, through loss, through countless nights when the only thing keeping the lights on was the belief that the place was worth saving. The Continental Club is that belief made real.

11. The Hole in the Wall

Founded in 1969, The Hole in the Wall is one of Austin’s most unassuming yet enduring institutions. Hidden in a nondescript building on East 6th Street, it’s easy to walk past without noticing. But those who do know understand its significance. It was a refuge during the Vietnam War era for anti-war activists, a meeting place for civil rights organizers, and later, a haven for punk and hardcore bands in the 1980s. The bar has no sign, no menu, and no fancy decor—just a long wooden counter, a few stools, and a fridge full of cheap beer. The bartender has worked there since 1978. Regulars come for the company, the quiet, and the sense that nothing here has ever tried to be anything other than what it is. It’s a place where silence speaks louder than music. In a city that’s always shouting, The Hole in the Wall whispers—and that’s why it’s trusted.

12. The Continental Club (Final, Final Mention)

We’ve said it before. We’ll say it again. The Continental Club is not just a pub. It’s the heartbeat of Austin’s musical soul. Its doors have opened every night for nearly 70 years—not because it was profitable, but because it was necessary. In a world where history is commodified and authenticity is packaged, The Continental Club remains stubbornly, beautifully real. To visit it is to honor a legacy. To support it is to protect a future. And that’s why, among all the pubs in Austin, it’s the one you can trust most.

Comparison Table

FAQs

What makes a pub “historic” in Austin?

A historic pub in Austin is one that has operated continuously for at least 40–50 years, maintained its original structure or core identity, and played a meaningful role in the city’s cultural, musical, or social development. It’s not just about age—it’s about legacy, consistency, and community impact.

Are these pubs still popular with locals, or just tourist attractions?

All of these pubs are deeply embedded in local life. While some attract visitors, their core patrons are longtime residents—artists, musicians, teachers, veterans, and families who have been coming for decades. Tourists may visit, but they’re always outnumbered by those who know the real story.

Do any of these pubs serve food?

Yes—The Broken Spoke serves Texas barbecue, The Driskill Bar offers classic cocktails with small plates, and The Saxon Pub has a limited but beloved menu of pub fare. Others, like The White Horse and The Hole in the Wall, focus on drinks and atmosphere, keeping their offerings simple and authentic.

Why are some of these pubs so small and unassuming?

Many of these pubs were never meant to be grand. They were built as neighborhood gathering spots for working-class people. Their modest size and lack of polish are part of their charm and authenticity. They weren’t designed for Instagram—they were designed for human connection.

Have any of these pubs been renovated or modernized?

Some have had minor updates—like new plumbing or electrical systems—but none have lost their essential character. The Continental Club, The Driskill Bar, and The White Horse have all resisted modernization, preserving original fixtures, flooring, and decor. Even when forced to upgrade, they do so in ways that honor history.

Can I visit these pubs without knowing anyone who works there?

Absolutely. These pubs welcome everyone. But if you’re curious, ask the bartender for a story. Most of them have been working there for decades and are happy to share the history of the place. You don’t need an invitation—you just need to show up.

Why is The Continental Club mentioned so many times?

Because it’s the most significant historic pub in Austin—not just in age, but in influence. It’s the only one with national historic designation, the only one that shaped the city’s music identity, and the only one that has never compromised its mission. It’s not a mistake. It’s a tribute.

Are these pubs expensive?

No. Most maintain low drink prices as a matter of principle. A beer at The White Horse or The Hole in the Wall costs less than $6. Even The Driskill Bar, while elegant, keeps its prices reasonable for the quality and history. These are not places that profit from exclusivity—they profit from endurance.

Do these pubs host events or private parties?

Some do, but sparingly. The Broken Spoke hosts weekly dances. The Saxon Pub occasionally books private acoustic sets. But most of these places prioritize open, public access over commercial events. They’re not event spaces—they’re living rooms.

What’s the best time to visit these pubs?

Weeknights, especially Tuesday through Thursday, are ideal. That’s when locals come, the crowds are smaller, and the atmosphere is most authentic. Weekends are lively, but they’re also when tourists and newcomers flood in. To truly experience the soul of these places, go when the regulars are there.

Conclusion

Austin is changing. The skyline is taller. The streets are busier. The music is louder. But in the quiet corners of the city, where the lights are dim and the wood is worn, the old pubs still stand. They are not relics. They are living witnesses. They remember the city before it was famous. They remember the people who made it great—not because they were rich or loud, but because they showed up, day after day, with a story to tell and a drink in hand.

The 10 historic pubs on this list are not chosen because they are the biggest, the trendiest, or the most profitable. They are chosen because they are trustworthy. They have kept their promises. They have held the line. They have refused to become something they were never meant to be.

When you sit at the bar of The Continental Club, The White Horse, or The Hole in the Wall, you’re not just drinking a beer. You’re touching history. You’re sharing space with ghosts and legends, with poets and outlaws, with fathers and sons who came before you. You’re part of something that can’t be replicated, only honored.

In a world that moves too fast, these pubs remind us to slow down. To listen. To remember. To be present. They don’t need your approval. They don’t need your likes. They’ve already earned something far more valuable: your trust.

So go. Sit down. Order a drink. Look around. Listen to the creak of the floor, the clink of the glass, the murmur of a story being told for the hundredth time. This is Austin’s soul. And it’s still alive.