Live music can be found year-round at venues all over the Texas Hill Country. Staff photo by Jared Fields

Live music can be found year-round at venues all over the Texas Hill Country. Staff photo by Jared Fields

When it comes to music in the Texas Hill Country, live is better. And right here in the Highland Lakes, you have a plethora of choices when it comes to taking in some live music — whether it’s a local venue, a concert or even a concert series. Here are a few places and events worth checking out. You can go to 101HighlandLakes.com/Events for upcoming shows.

  • Albert Icehouse and Dancehall, 5435 RR 1623 South in Albert-Stonewall—This rustic, out-of-the-way venue brings in pretty big names in country and Americana music. Go to alberttexas.com.
  • Boat Town Burger Bar, 151 Melodie Lane in Kingsland—Listen to live music lakeside while enjoying great food and drinks. Go to boattownburgerbar.com or call 325-762-7980.
  • Brass Hall, 909 Third St in Marble Falls—While Brass Hall typically sticks to country music and brass ensembles, pop and hip-hop shows are occasionally thrown into the mix. Go to brasshall.com or call 888-503-8842. 
  • Cadillac Dance Hall, 1375 FM 1855 in Marble Falls—”The Best Little Dance Hall in Texas” offers country music, dancing, food, and fun the last Saturday of the month. The house band, Eddie Shell and The Not Guilties, plays new and old country, blues, and rock. It’s BYOB (cans only). Check out the Cadillac Dance Hall Facebook page or call 830-385-4745.
  • Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park and Resort, 16942 RR 2341 in Burnet on the northeast shores of Lake Buchanan—Enjoy outdoor live music from 8-10 p.m. Saturdays. Free to overnight guests; non-guests can purchase a day-use pass. Go to canyonoftheeagles.com or call 512-334-2070.
  • Globe Theatre, 132 W. Vaughan St. in Bertram—First opened in 1935 as a single-screen theater, the Globe has a historic feel and is a great venue for live music and more. You can even check out some classic movies throughout the year. Go globetheatretx.com.
  • Joe’s Bar, 107 W. Main St. in Llano—Listen to live music with beer and food. The bar also hosts trivia games. Go to joesbarllano.com or call 325-247-5500. 
  • Llano Country Opry at the LanTex Theater, 113 Main St. in Llano—The Opry books numerous touring acts as well as some of the best singers and songwriters in country music. Go to hillbillyhits.com or call 325-597-1895.
  • Pardners, 15615 Texas 29 East in Buchanan Dam—Go two-steppin’ on Pardners’ wood floors — no spurs, please. The club offers happy hour and live bands on some nights. Go to facebook.com/pardnersnightclub or call 512-793-2432.
  • Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse, 22308 Texas 71 West in Spicewood—Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse has hosted music legends Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Asleep at the Wheel, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, and many more. Randall “Poodie” Locke, who once ran the roadhouse, was Nelson’s stage manager for 34 years until his death in 2009. Go to poodies.net or call 512-264-0318.
  • Putters and Gutters, 4100 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls—The family fun center has an outdoor stage for live performances by local and big-name acts. Check the Putters & Gutters Fun Center 2-Marble Falls Facebook page or call 830-217-6940 for a schedule.
  • The Ragtime Oriole, 202 Main St. in Marble Falls–Features piano ragtime music, traditional jazz, Dixieland, classical music, and sometimes bluegrass. You can also enjoy coffee and other drinks while listening to the live performances. Go to theragtimeoriole.com or call 830-220-5217.
  • Ramblin’ Rose, 809 Young St. in Llano—The Ramblin’ Rose is a Llano venue that hosts up-and-coming artists as well as more established acts. Go to facebook.com/ramblinrosellanotx or call 325-247-5473.
  • Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub, 19605 Texas 29 East in Buchanan Dam—Reverend Jim’s offers live music and dancing on the outdoor patio with views of the dam. The pub also serves cold beer and the best burgers outside of your mother’s, according to one review on its website. Go to reverendjimsdampub.com or call 512-793-3333.
  • Spicewood Arts concerts at Spicewood Vineyards Event Center, 1419 CR 409—Spicewood Arts hosts concerts year-round. Its mission is to promote performing and visual arts along with arts education for youths in the Highland Lakes. Go to spicewoodarts.org or call 512-264-2820.
  • Templeton’s Tavern, 570 CR 133 in Burnet on Spider Mountain—This outdoor venue highlights local talent during its regularly scheduled performances. It also hosts open mic events every Sunday. Open Thursday-Sunday (when temperatures are 40 degrees and above). Serves beer, wine, and food. Go to templetonstavern.com or call 512-939-6006.
  • The Uptown Theatre, 218 Main St. in Marble Falls—This iconic entertainment venue in the historic downtown features variety of live music each month. You can also watch the big game on the big screen. Go to uptowntx.com.
  • Wakepoint LBJ, 14757 RR 1431 West in Kingsland—Listen to musical acts while on the deck overlooking Lake LBJ or find a spot on the lawn. Go to wakepointlbj.com or call 325-484-4448.

Many other restaurants, bars, and other venues offer occasional live music. Check out the advertisers in this magazine or browse the calendar at 101HighlandLakes.com/Events for listings.