Best Dive Bars in Austin, Texas

When it comes to Austin's best dive bars, I have to defer to my husband, who once had a regular route on which he'd like to take friends dubbed "Jerry's Sleazy Bar Tour." Given the closing of Charlie's Attic, the burly biker-owned, peanut-shell-floored dive bar formerly perched above a hamburger joint on Airport Boulevard, these bars top his list of Austin dive bars.

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon
This unassuming white cinder block shotgun-style building on Burnet Road just south of Koenig Lane is a geriatric hangout by day, but it transforms into a hopping live music venue at nightfall. Before our son was born and we lived within walking distance of Ginny's, we'd spend many hours in this tiny, smoky, non-sleazy dive bar. (Ginny's smoking patrons did such a thorough job of marking their territory through the years that, even after Austin's ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, you leave the place smelling like smoke. But that's part of the charm of the Little Longhorn.)

Owner Ginny is everyone's grandmother and knows how to make her customers feel welcome. Every Sunday afternoon, Ginny puts out a spread of crock pot hot dogs (aka Ginny Dogs) with fixin's, welcoming guests to an afternoon of live music and games of Chicken Sh** Bingo. This unique game of chance is played on a large plywood game board marked with numbered squares and resting on top of the pool table. A chicken (and cage) is placed on the game board and fed liberally during each round, before which players bet on which square the chicken will then bless with droppings. The winner gets the collected cash.

While Chicken Sh** Bingo Sundays epitomize the character of the "LL," live music prevails on most nights in this one of Austin's few remaining honky tonks. Both longstanding musicians loyal to Ginny's and those just starting out eagerly play the back corner stage at Ginny's. Texas troubadours Roger Wallace, Jim Stringer & the AM Band and, of course, the legendary "too country for country" Dale Watson regularly play Ginny's just for tips and applause.

Drive by the Little Longhorn most any night and you'll see a variety of Austinites overflowing into the small blacktop lot, listening to traditional country or rockabilly tunes. For those who care to dance, there's enough space for one or two couples who want to cut a piece of concrete, and sometimes there's some older gents available to take the ladies for a Texas two-step or a waltz.

Ginny's sells set-ups (bring your own bottle) and beer. Schlitz is always on hand, and the Lone Star is always cold. If you're a beer snob, order a Shiner or a Heineken. If you get hungry, grab a bag of chips. And if you're feeling daring, try one of the pickled eggs or sausages floating around in the gallon jar on the bar.

Ginny's Little Longhorn welcomes everyone, from regulars to rockabilly fans to frat daddies. Just get there early as seating-as it should be-is limited.

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon
5434 Burnet Road
(512) 458-1813
ginnyslittlelonghorn.com
www.myspace.com/littlelonghornsaloon

Carousel Lounge
This place is a trip-to the circus. The "sister bar" to Ginny's Little Longhorn, the Carousel Lounge has character. One of them passed away in 2007, but her spirit lives on in this dive bar. Up until her death at age 80, Stella Boes could be found at the Carousel, taking orders, dancing with patrons and flitting about in short, gauzy skirts making the customers feel at home. Austin loved her so much it voted her "Best Hostess with the Mostess" in the 2001 Austin Chronicle poll.

The Carousel is decked out with circus-themed murals, including a pink elephant, lion tamers and trick ponies with headdresses. A miniature carousel dresses up the bar, where you can belly up and order beer, wine or setups. An old wooden telephone booth still houses a payphone, where you can order pizza to be delivered to the Carousel Lounge, if you like.

Live music is almost as big of a draw as the ambiance at the Carousel Lounge. The bar's website features a full calendar of upcoming acts. But don't worry if you hit the Carousel on a night when there's no live music (although those are rare), because the jukebox is full of classic country, including one of my dad's sing-along favorites, "Delta Dawn" by Tanya Tucker and plenty of Marty Robbins.

Carousel Lounge
1110 E. 52^nd St.
(512) 452-6790
carousellounge.net

Lala's Little Nugget
"It's always Christmas at Lala's." Year-round, Lala's is decorated for Christmas with lights and tinsel, reindeers and elves. What I remember most about my trip to Lala's was again the variety of patrons in the bar, from 20-somethings to 70-somethings, each having just as good of a time as the next. Lala's Little Nugget, like most of the best dive bars, gets mixed reviews. But if you like throwing back inexpensive mixed drinks while shooting a few games of pool and listening to a jukebox that will take you back better than any time machine, this is a place for you. All it takes to have fun at Lala's is a carefree attitude and eternal Christmas spirit.

Lala's Little Nugget
2207 Justin Lane
(512) 453-2521

The Horseshoe Lounge
Down in the 78704 (that's South Austin), you'll find this quintessential dive bar-the Horseshoe Lounge. The Horseshoe offers a jukebox stocked with classics, pool table and shuffleboard. Even with its festive neon signs, the Horseshoe may be a little foreboding from the outside, but it has been described as a community inside. It's a beer and setups joint with a limited selection but it's full of regulars, and the staff is reportedly friendly and quirky. You're sure to meet some interesting people if you stop by the Horseshoe Lounge.

The Horseshoe Lounge
2034 S. Lamar Blvd.
(512) 442-9111

Poodle Dog Lounge and Trophy's Bar & Grill
Tied for the fifth spot on this list of best dive bars in Austin are the Poodle Dog Lounge, which is around the corner from Lala's, and Trophy's Bar & Grill in South Austin. The Poodle Dog is a windowless, smoky biker bar that is a bit intimidating from the road. It sells beer, wine and setups, mostly to regulars. Trophy's is a popular spot for younger people looking to hear a possibly up and coming band. You'll probably get a much better reception from the regulars at Trophy's, but the Poodle Dog is one of those dive bars you should experience at least once.

Trophy's, on the other hand, is used to new faces and crowds, despite its small size. This dive bar is notoriously loud, but if you go for the live music, you probably expect that. Check out the bar's MySpace profile for a list of upcoming live music shows, which run the gamut from punk to rock, indie to metal. There's something going on every night of the week at Trophy's, even open mic comedy. Trophy's doesn't sell liquor or anything on tap, but it does offer a variety of cold beer. Take one out to the outdoor patio and enjoy a little slice of Austin.

Poodle Dog Lounge
6507 Burnet Rd.
(512) 465-9468

Trophy's Bar & Grill
2008 S. Congress Ave.
(512) 447-0969
myspace.com/trophystx

Jerry's Honorable Mentions

G&S Lounge
2420 S. 1^st St.
(512) 707-8702

Donn's Depot
1600 W. 5^th St.
(512) 478-0336
http://donnar.home.texas.net/

Buddy's Place
8619 Burnet Rd.
(512) 459-4677

Article edited by Jerry Francisco, Dive Bar Connoisseur