Hi there! Please don't go to the Broken Spoke! It is a useless tourist trap.
If you want dance lessons or go two-stepping: don't go here. You'll pay $8 to hear someone chatter on for minutes and then give vague instructions which barely teach you an intro step. Go to the White Horse or the Rattle Inn instead for free detailed lessons from excellent adorable instructors.
If you want a honky tonk: don't go here. Honky tonks don't charge $3.50 for a Lone Star. Honky tonks don't make you pay for a bottled water & refuse to give you tap water. And honky tonks can have asshole bartenders, but when you work honky tonk Disney, maaaaybe be a little nicer to some sweet little family who wandered in instead of calling them "stupid." Go to Ginny's instead.
If you want to see live music: don't go here. All the good acts that play here also play at White Horse, Rattle Inn, Ginny's, Hole in the Wall, Continental Club, etc; and they won't cost nearly as much.
Thankfully, I can now say I USED to drive a cab in Austin. It was an on-&-off job; if ya add up all the "on's", that "life" totaled about 10 years or so. It's a job that has it's good & bad moments, to be sure. I mean you've never really LIVED 'till you've had a GUN stuck in your ribs and you're relieved of some of your money (but not MOST of it; I'm cleverer than I look), and left "on-foot".
That's definitely the BAD.
But then there was the GOOD as well. Some of those "good" moments? Picking up people from out-of-town, who knew nothing about Austin, never been "in these parts" before. But some of 'em DID know one thing, and would say:
"Take me to THE BROKEN SPOKE!"
I felt sorry for 'em if it was a Sunday or Monday, cuz I'd have to tell 'em those are the days of the week they're CLOSED. Just mentioning to YOU, to save you a wasted trip.
I'm not a regular, but I do make it there every once in awhile. I don't care how long you've lived in Austin (or not), but you're NOT a true Austinite unless you've been to the Spoke at least once. It's written down somewhere, maybe even on the walls of the Spoke. Yeah, that's probably where I saw it.
It's sad to see what's happening to the South Lamar "neighborhood".
And if ya call it "SoLa" within MY earshot, I'll sock ya in the EYE! POW! I'll send ya clear to "SoCo"!
No, I wouldn't, but I WOULD consider you to be "new", and I might tune out anything else you had to say 'bout Austin; sorry!
The Broken Spoke is being surrounded by CONCRETE, just like Maria's Tacos (right down the street). Maria & her customers fought back, and made Walgreens build her a new & better restaurant. And the "old" Backyard's a casualty too, but they moved to a BETTER venue, so all is not lost out there.
"Progress"? I suppose. "Better"? I think NOT; but hopefully The Broken Spoke will survive.
It deserves to prevail, that's for sure. The Spoke is one of only a handful of TRUE "Old School" Texas Dance Halls still around, and arguably, has the richest history. In fact, the only other Texas Dance Halls I know of in these parts are Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon, on Burnet Rd (tiny, but great hangout), and Gruene Hall, in New Braunfels. As Porky Pig would say (except sadly, in this case): "That's ALL, folks!"
Among others, Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel got their start at the Spoke. In an interview I once saw, Ray says he has to stand on the floor when playing at the Spoke instead of the stage riser (he's very TALL), in order to not bump his head on the ceiling (it's very LOW). Anyway, that's where the "Wheel" used to play, NINE Grammy's ago. I'm not sure if they still play there, but I know that they used to show up on the marquee every once in a great while, NOT forgetting where they came from. I don't know if Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys actually got their START there, but "back in the day", they played there a LOT.
Nuttin' highfalutin' about Broken Spoke: Unpaved, uneven Texas Calichi for a parking lot. Old tour bus to the side (I thought it was Alvin Crow & Pleasant Valley Boys' bus, but  posted photo sez I'm wrong). But a good dance floor, and lots of friendly folks. That's Texas, Pardner!
Good food too. I like their Chicken Fried Steak a lot. In the past, they've been voted "Best Chicken Fried Steak in Austin" by either the Chronicle (probably) or the Statesman (maybe). Not the past few years, though; that might be  because they've slipped, I dunno.
But I suspect it COULD be that The Broken Spoke doesn't show up on the radar of the "TRENDING-Neo-Austinite-Gen-X-Twenty-Thirty-ÂSomething's" doing much of the voting now, except as a "Novelty" sorta place. I've already said my piece 'bout THEM in previous reviews, so I won't waste your time again. All I'll say is that the newcomers, and the "Progress", example of which you can see surrounding & DWARFING the Broken Spoke, are examples of why Austin has not changed for the better, IMHO.
But that's just me. I was here before Austin was "trending"; I got here when it was still COOL.
Never been to NYC, but I DID get all broke up when they tore down Yankee Stadium; I prefer things that are ORIGINAL. Those things MEAN something!
"Hey, let's tear down The COLOSSEUM, and put in an OLIVE GARDEN!"
I mean, where DO ya stop?
If ya wanna at least get a peek at "Old Austin", get on Netflix and pull up an old "Willie" movie.
Or "D.O.A." (Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan).
OR "Dazed and Confused" (Matthew McBongo-hee).
There are other movies too, but those'll do for starters. Plenty of shots of Austin places that now exist only in old photos and movies, and in the hearts and minds of the wistful...
Sorry, had to go get a tissue.
And the BEST LIVE TEXAS MUSIC you've gonna hear anywhere! GEN-U-WINE! Check out the Calendar.
So, put on yer BOOTS, head fer The Broken Spoke, and DO SOME SCOOTIN'!
FIVE LONE STARS!
larrythediner
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It seems the reviews for Broken Spoke are the love it or hate it kind. Truth is, I used to not care for Yelp because I didn't care about others' opinions- I always want to form my own. It's the "tips" on here that really help.
Many on here think the dance lessons were a waste. I'm VERY sad I didn't do them because even though the 2 step is only 2 steps and sounds simple, I couldn't spend any time on the dance floor without feeling like an idiot (especially since former Desperate Housewife Teri Thatcher was practically dancing in circles around me).
Yes the drinks are expensive, yes it's annoying they charge for lessons but just go once and do it right and you'll have a great time. Last bit of advice is to go early (7:00/8:00) to get a good table and because the night dies down around midnight at this place.
The Spoke is a tourist attraction, with all that this implies. Â The food isn't expensive, but it also isn't great; the 'legendary' quality of the chicken fried steak is entirely directed at people for whom that notorious Texas dish is an exotic bit of fare. Â The quality of the service is also contingent on how busy the place is. Â That said, you go to the Broken Spoke, you're going for the music, and in that regard it is without parallel. Â You'll see some amazing touring and local acts, some tremendous dancing, and plenty of chances to get a sense of what real honky-tonk is like. Â You can also get hammered pretty efficiently on cheap whiskey and do some flat-out amazing people-watching, which alone is worth the price of admission. Â Check out the little 'museum', off to the side, too, to realize exactly how crucial the venue has been to the development of Texas music.
Review Source:Been going to the Spoke since the 90s. Â Lots of good times. Â Went there last night and ordered a few cocktails and asked for a cup of water to go with. Â Bartender apologized and said that he could only sell me bottled water and that he couldn't serve me a cup. Â When I said I had never had someone refuse to serve me a cup of water, Mrs. White (owner) piped up over his shoulder and told me to leave! Â ??? Â A few minutes later my brother in law ordered a few whiskey sours from her on the other side if the bar and she said she "hated" making them. Â I like old, I like authentic and I like nostalgic, but this place is filthy, overpriced, probably unsafe and the service is terrible.
There are plenty of great bars and live music venues in South Austin, you don't need to go here.
There's two parts to this review. Â The restaurant/food and the dancing/lesson. Â The food is pretty blah American style. Â We read on the website that they serve the BEST chicken fried steak, but we'd have to STRONGLY disagree. Â Their CFS is of the battered and dipped variety, very oily, greasy, and worst of all the breading falls off when you try to cut it. Â Their CFS gravy is relatively flavorless and has that old grease flavor. Â You get an Arby's salad-bar salad to start your meal and it's exactly what you'd expect, floppy, wilted and with a ton of dressing. Â You don't go for the food though, you go for the experience. Â The "museum" consists of a bunch of dark matted trinkets and newsclippings scattered about the restaurant. Â Ok enough about the food. Â The 2-stepping lesson and "cover" was over $20 per person. Â Also, they're primarily a cash-only place unless you want to pay their crazy surcharge. Â We paid for the dance lessons and although it was fun, we realized later that two-stepping is rather simple and you really don't need to pay someone to teach it. Â Our instructor was a firey Texan who could probably make watching a snail-race entertaining. Â Truly a great experience.
Review Source:For a live music, honky tonk Austin experience take in the Broken Spoke. Â But be prepared to pay to play and I hope you don't have to use the bathrooms.
There is a $12 per person cover charge plus $8 per if you participate in the Texas Two Step dance lesson. Â Both are worth it but be prepared to listen to Terry, the dance instructor and owner's daughter, talk a lot and strut her stuff before getting on with the lesson. Â Once she got it under way, she worked the room getting folks moving.
The only reason I haven't rated the Broken Spoke higher is a very big negative : the women's bathroom. Â It reeked with urine and hadn't been scrubbed down in a long time. Â The stalls didn't have doors but small curtains. Â
The over all experience fully delivered. Â The dance floor glittered with rhinestones, tasteful sheer dresses, Daisy May shorts and all with cowboy boots. Â The Broken Spoke is a fun, divey, honky tonk joint. Â If it weren't for the bathrooms I'd rate them higher. Â The solution is clear: Â DON'T ORDER DRINKS! Â Then you won't have to pee.
Just walk away. Quickly. This review is specifically directed toward the dance lessons. First of all, it's not cheap. They charge you a cover for the band, whether you stay for the music afterward or not, and an additional charge for the lesson. Also, what they never mention on the website is that this is DANCING FOR COUPLES. I went here with my grandma who loves to line dance and she ended up sitting down because there were way more women than men.
Second of all, the dance lessons started 20 minutes late. The instructor just yakked for the first 15 minutes... gives you about a 5 minute overview and then throws you to the dance floor.
We left before the lesson was even over and told the door lady it was not what we thought it was, but she gave this kind of 'too bad, so sad' attitude and brushed us off. Broken Spoke is a rip. Will not be back. DO NOT WASTE A DIME HERE!!
Go to The White Horse instead for Texas Two Step lessons!! It is FREE, low pressure and an awesome social activity. You don't even have to bring a partner! What a blast!
Conflict here on the rating! Â I once witnessed a waitress completely ignore a table of 4 in the front seating area, and not ignore any of the other customers. Â They just waited and waited, they were of mixed race and I could not imagine why other than color of their skin that she would do such a thing they were nicely dressed, not out of place. Â They got up and left! Â I'm sorry that I didn't say anything. Â
Changed my mind on the "conflict of rating" and even lowering my own opinion of the place. Â I don't know if the waitress is still there or if it is the nature of the management and staff- I hope not. Â I have been back and not noticed any other rude behavior from the staff. Â The dance floor is large. Â The roof looks like it is about to cave in. The bands are always really really good. Â The parking lot is not paved. Â
The bathroom was dirty (ladies) and I heard but can not confirm that the men's bathroom in the dance hall rear section is awful.
This place is what every tourist, especially Northern tourists think about Texas, politics aside: friendly, loud, drunk, and darn tootin' proud of being Texan. Â
Broken Spoke is crazy charming. Â Deliberate lack of upkeep makes the dingy bar and even dingier museum that much more charming and "authentic" feeling. Â
The music here is always fun, especially if you manage to catch Dale Watson (what a charmer!). Â And most nights they have 2-step lessons, so you can learn how to slide across the dance floor to said music. Â
The dancing here is really fun! Â Even if you have no rhythm and two left feet, you are totally welcome to trip yourself around the dance floor anyway. Â Tired of struggling to stay upright? Â Watching the other dancers here is just as much fun. Â It's great to see all the different steps and styles and fashions that couples here where. Â And it's darn impressive to see how the ladies here are able to follow the styles of their different dance partners so effortlessly! Â
The one downside is the price. Â This place is pretty expensive if you throw down for a dance lesson and a night of dancing ($30ish per person). Â And despite the old-timey look, they're definitely not charging old-timey prices for their beer. Â Cash is still king here. If you use a CC, close out with each purchase. Â I've had weirdness in the past with my tab. Â
Still, this place is a definite must for visitors that are wondering where all the cowboys went and why the hell everyone here has a beard and super-tight pants.
This is an old school classic Texas honky tonk that hasn't changed or been updated in decades. Â They have definitely updated their beer prices and cover charges so even though you will be in a dive environment don't expect to pay honky tonk prices. Â This place gets really crowded and the main focus here is all about the dancing. Â I prefer to just enjoy the music but that can be hard to do as people will throw their dance partner all up on you if you stand anywhere along the entire perimeter of the dance area. Â Sometimes they still get some big headliners slumming it up in here so you never know what to expect.
Review Source:100th REVIEW!! Broken Spoke, you are the lucky winner!
As the face of Austin, and South Austin in particular, goes though a radical facelift, Broken Spoke remains stubbornly, awesomely dive-y. The ceiling looks to be in constant danger of collapse, the seating area floor bounces when you walk across, the bathroom is truly horrifying, and a few of the bartenders look like they'd like to spit in your eye. But the dance floor, oh, the dance floor! Whirling, spinning, two-stepping magic takes place on that floor, and for that I'm eternally grateful. Every time I've gone to the Spoke, I've met someone new, danced my ass off, and come dangerously close to toppling into one or more band members.
If you come here on Thursdays, expect to be twirled around by a crusty cowboy with mad skills, and if you can't find an open table, just ask to share, you'll rarely be turned down. The service sucks but the drinks are strong, and seriously, ladies, if you have to pee you might be better off squatting outside. There aren't any stall doors, just shower curtains that don't hide anything and make it impossible to hover.
I'm deathly afraid that the new condo building surrounding this Austin institution will be its demise, reminiscent of the charming house in the movie Up being swallowed by high-rises, but for now, the Broken Spoke is still the best place in town to steep yourself in all classic Austin has to offer.
After having lived in Austin for a short bit and being quite disappointed by the lack of assless chaps/boots/mustaches during my day-to-day, I jumped at the chance to join one of my actual Texan friends for a night at the Broken Spoke.
Long story short -- WAY overpriced unless you practice your two-step at home. Also, some of the worst bar service I've ever experienced (the numbered tab system is good in theory, but only works when the bartenders actually tell you your number).
However, I did see some top-notch mustaches and lots of old men skeeving on UT students. Probably won't be back unless one of my Yankee friends comes to visit, but two stars just for the stories.
As soon as my trip to Austin was planned, this was the first place that was on the itinerary. I didn't care how far it was, I didn't know about any cover charges, but I did know I had to go to the "Best Honky Tonk in Texas."
I am obsessed with country music, cowboys and all that comes with it. We took a taxi down here from downtown Austin had no idea what to expect, but it was amazing.
The singer was great (forgot his name, but I know I have it written down somewhere), and all the guests were amazing two-step dancers. I was intimidated at first, but these people were all so friendly and willing to teach me.
If (hopefully when) I will ever be back in Austin, I will definitely be back here!
They say Ford is the heart beat of Texas, if that is true then places like the Broken Spoke are the life blood. Honky Tonk, cold beer, classic country, two steppers from 18-80 and cold beer! We recenlty went for my sisters 10th annual 21st birthday and had a great time. All staff is more than friendly and helpful. We sat at a table inbetween attempting to dance and received great service. We never had an empty beer or concern. The worst part about the broken Spoke is the double Johnny dallas's destroying a Natioanl landmark. See you soon Spoke
Review Source:We ventured to the Broken Spoke on Friday night for a close friend's birthday evening of drinks and dancing.
I assume this is a real honky-tonk. I have no real frame of reference- I probably outed myself wearing a pair of Chucks instead of boots... Walking in, I nearly spontaneously sprouted a handlebar mustache (and not the South Congress kind- a real one).
The front of house is a small dining area where I hear you can get some great food deals. About half way back, a bar separates the dining from the dancing. To the left of this transition are is a spot called "the tourist trap" and it's filled with photos, concert posters and various country memorabilia from events at the Broken Spoke. It was really cool.
I would like to take this time to suggest a name change of "The Broken Scalp" due to the low doorways that separate each area. At 6'4", I was in mortal danger every time I left or entered a room.
The drinks were fairly expensive, running $4 for a bottle of beer or $6.50 for mixed drinks. The cover to get to the dance floor was $12.
The band was excellent. It was Gary P. Nunn and it was rockin'. We did the short two-stepping lesson since I have a bad case of White Guy Dancing Syndrome. It was a ton of fun. We danced for a few hours- taking a break nearly every other song because it was so hot. I think near the rear of the dance hall is a door to hell that someone left cracked open. It was extremely warm inside.
All in all, this place was a ton of fun. I will absolutely go back even though I had never two-stepped before and the country music scene isn't my deal. This place is uniquely Austin and a blast. Check it out!
Broken Spoke is an historical landmark. Â It stayed when every other business around it got razed to the ground. Â
They really need to have $2.00 Lone Star bottles during these hard economic times. Â It's not like Mr. White hasn't already made enough money off patrons. Â He hasn't spent anything on remodeling, that's for sure. Â Doors on the ladies bathroom stalls would be a start. Â
It is cool to go there and it seems like you've stepped back in time. Â But you have to bring your dance partner with you if you aren't a long, dark-haired, skinny woman wearing tight blue jeans. Â Even the old fart men want to dance with the young-uns that look like they just graduated high school. Â Really?!!! Â There was one sweet older man who would ask me to dance but I think he passed away, and with him went the democracy of everyone who loves to dance gets to dance.
I enjoyed the live music here. I will be returning for the music and dancing. Â
The problem is with the service at the bar. Â The bartenders seem to have a great ability to ignore people and engage in personal conversation with the guy who is in line just ahead of me, and to act like they just don't care about giving anyone any prompt service. Â
In addition, the bathroom seems to be really neglected. Â Enlarging and improving the bathroom -- or starting over building an entire new one -- Â would be a GREAT idea.
The music is really great, maybe I'll try going when I've already had a few drinks -- yeah -- that's the thing to do. Â : - )
I really thought places like this only existed in movies. From the 70's. Maybe I left Texas for too long and am finally, after all these years, realizing that we've really earned our reputation for the best honky tonks.
Without any sense of irony, couples two-step and waltz across the dance floor to a live band playing classic country from the 50's and 60's. True, we were there on the night Ray Price's fiddle player was performing but it was like a magical trip back in time, minus the modern fashion and plentiful fake boobs. The beautiful part is that there is a pretty interesting collection of people of all ages. People watching alone is worth the visit.
There are 4 distinct sections in which to sit and enjoy the scenery and a big dance floor in the middle, that was packed until closing on a Saturday night.
Since I've just moved back to Texas from San Francisco recently, I truly appreciate how real everyone is here. This same type of venue in San Francisco would draw a small crowd dressed in costume, pretending they'd traveled back in time, and really sort of (unintentionally?) making a mockery of the whole thing. I'm not one to take a trip to a honky tonk too seriously but the Broken Spoke has made me appreciate life as a Texan.
Sidebars: The owner is a fantastic man and, since he has a music career of his own, he gets up to sing a few songs on stage, as well, and definitely holds his own.
Dance lessons Saturday nights 8-9. I'm going to try to make a dancer out of my husband yet.
I loved The Broken Spoke!! It's another spot from Friday Night Lights that I wanted to check out...so I did. Unfortunately, I got there kind of late in the evening and just hit the tail-end of a country show. One of the guitar players from the band came and hung out with me after the show, but the bar was closing up fast and it was just about time to leave. (That was the negative...the bar closes right after the shows apparently)
But besides that, the staff was super friendly and the place is big. There's a large dance floor with lots of people dancing to the country music. Straight out of my vision of what Texas would be like...
There's a cover at the door, but I don't remember it being too much. Five dollars probably?
It's an ancient honky tonk, if you wanna go to a honky tonk read no further, you have found it.
Not sure how this has a single $ sign. Bottles of beer are $4.50 and wells skimpy at $5, also a $12 cover charge, $8 extra if you want to hear a very southern lady yell through too loud sound system "fast, fast, slow..slow..."
Watching people of all ages and talents spin and scoot around the crowded floor as the band croons about fiddles, mama, and a man who shines shoes....it's a classic Texas experience I would recommend to all, if you fancy that sorta thing.
This place is legendary. Â In the "in-between" hallway and room between the dining room and the dance floor are dozens of pictures of the owner James White (who I got to meet!) with figures like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Â A classic honky-tonk, you can just eat or just dance or grab your plate of chicken fried chicken and bring it over to the dance floor.
At 8pm on Fridays there's a one-hour dance lesson for those who want to learn the dominant dance here: the classic two-step. Â I smiled to myself as I looked at the motley crue of roughly 60 "trainees." Â Roughly 30 men and 30 women, who had paid an additional $8 above their $12 cover charge smiled awkwardly at each other and at our instructor. Â But after the first few steps, and (for some of us - pointing at myself) saying "quick quick slow slow" to ourselves while looking down, we got it. Â The key really is sliding your feet on the floor (wear smooth bottom shows, or better, kicks. Â You're in Texas for crying out loud).
Unlike the modern club experience, full of only young, scantily-clad women, the Broken Spoke features people of all ages - even younger children - and everyone dresses like they are going to dance, not like they are going swimming. Â You go up and ask single women to dance here and no one says no - because it's about having a good time, not about being better than anyone.
Even if you have two left feet you will find the constantly twirling "people watching" fascinating. Â Come out to one of my favorite places in Austin.
Classic honky tonk, Austin, Texas style.
Hang out with your family on a Saturday night, drink a few beers, tell a few lies and enjoy the people watching. Maybe dance a few songs to Alvin Crow's fiddle picking. Â If you are not careful, you might wake up the next morning feeling like you broke YOUR spoke. Ow!
Remind yourself on Tuesday to bring new-to-Austin co-workers here and get some chicken-fried-steak with green gravy - and just watch their reactions. Â Those expressions will be another classic!
You can definitely tell this place has been around for so long because there are a ton of people who seem like 'regulars' that hang out there.
My {rowdy} friends and I went on a Thursday night, mostly to socialize in the end. There is a big anteroom where you can sit and hang out and a bar that has a small hallway beside it that connects to the dancefloor in the back (where you pay your cover if you decide to dance). The bar staff (or one lady in particular) seemed to hate her job and take it out on her customers by ignoring them, but that wasn't as much of a problem for me since I didn't drink that night.
One brave friend decided to go to the dancehall in the back with me and attempt to 'dance'... and let me tell you one thing, the 'regulars' make it look so easy; i'm sure we looked like toddlers! And toddlers who are about to be stampeded at that. The reg's take their dancing seriously! But even if we did suck, it was still fun to try and watch the other people who know what they are doing have a good time.
My understanding is that they have lessons at least one night of the week, I may have to convince the Fi to escort me to such an event!
House band. Cheap Lone Star. Small dance floor. And guys in bun-hugging jeans and worn in boots. Need I say more? Okay, I guess I will. Broken Spoke is worthy of a better description anyway.
If you're ever in Austin or passing through, you gotta make a late night stop at Broken Spoke. It's a true Texas honky tonk of yesteryear. Walking in here is like stepping into a time machine, back to the days of Friday night dances - when gentleman tipped their hats to ladies and actually asked a pretty girl for a dance ... instead of creeping up behind her to rub his junk all over the place.
Granted, there's the occasional drunken fool here. But what's a Texas bar without a drunkard. Or a baby.
Wow. I hate to say it but this place is in need of a make over and I'm not talking about the building. I'm talking about the bar staff.
Went there this week for a little music and beverages. Bar staff served up a side of attitude with every drink purchase. Place wasn't ever that packed, the bar staff just didn't care about anyone one else but themselves.
Seriously kids ... get over yourself and just serve me a beer without the hassle.
PS. There's a credit card premium for beverage purchases. $4 dollar beers cost $5 on a credit card. I wasn't told this until after my card was charged.
I cannot understand why a business would have incorrect info on its website. It would be better to not have a website at all.
Last night the Spoke had the wrong band and the wrong cover charge advertised; the Broken Spoke website (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brokenspokeaustintx.com%2Fcalendar.htm&s=9f9469e3dfd27ec021f8f016bc2e08645cb06c40ff307d95eee2230543a0246e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.brokenspokeau…</a>) AND their Chronicle ad(<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.austinchronicle.com%2Fprintads%2Fdrop%2FBROK_165485.jpg&s=e19a49235452b90475a2ae4fc329d306fa83d710ee847066093b2df5fdced70f" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.austinchronic…</a>) had Dale Watson listed.
I dunno... Seems they should have offered us a round of drinks or something instead of a "yeah, the website's wrong" and no apology.
Oh, and apparently "legendary" means all the walls are plastered with photos of 80s-era country stars who were never all that great to begin with.
The Broken Spoke is bad ass!
Not alot of Honky Tonks where I come from, so I was in hog heaven when my So. Cal. ass went there on Thursday with my pal, Jesse Dayton who happened to be playing that night. It's refreshing to see a really great band layin' down ol' country standards the way it should be done. None of that new, horrible pop country bullshit here, at least not on the night I was there. The Spoke is steeped in Texas dancehall tradition. It ain't fancy but it sure is fun! There are pictures and memorabilia from all the great country legends who have graced the stage throughout the years. From Willie Nelson to Bob Wills and so many others.
It's refreshing to see how many different types of people come here to have a good time. Traditional looking cowboys, tattooed rockabillys, neo-hippie lesbians all gathered in one place dancing and having a great time without the feeling of pretension or tribal rivalry. Again, not common in So. Cal.
The ice cold Shiner was moderately priced and the food.....eh, who knows. I was not there to eat. But next time I am in Austin I am coming back to this place for sure.
My sole purpose for visiting The Broken Spoke was to learn how to dance the Texas Two-Step. That goal was achieved and the enjoyment experienced in achieving said goal was off the charts.
There was this little firecracker of a woman (I think her name was Terry), teaching the small class and she was great. She wasted no time getting us to learn the steps and turns required in the Two Step. There are really only a few key steps, but it's when you start adding in turns and flair that can trip you up.
Just as I was starting to feel pretty comfortable with my newly acquired skills, I noticed that a crowd of cowboy hat and boot-clad men and women was starting to gather. I immediately got a pit in my stomach because I realized The Broken Spoke was turn into a full-fledged Two-Stepping venue. Â Was I going to be able to apply all that I'd learned? What if I tripped over my feet?
Gladly, I had no time to obsess over the above questions because about 15 minutes after classes ended, men of all ages, shapes and styles were starting to ask me to dance. It was a RIOT! Everyone has their own little style -- traditional, wild, salsa-ish and swing-ish. And I was so impressed that men were asking women to dance in the way they should be asked -- politely, leading them to the floor and being a good lead. So refreshing!
Surprisingly, I held my own pretty well given it was my first time and  was in love with Two-Stepping in no time flat. I had the time of my life and honestly cannot wait to go back. But next time, I'll actually wear cowboy boots to protect my feet!
First, Yelpers need to get in the habit of accepting a 3-star review as a reasonably positive reflection of the business. Â
In my opinion, no other business establishes this protocol as readily as The Broken Spoke. Â Its a good, solid drinkin establishment with cheap beer, a great jukebox, and a dancehall. Â Hell, they'd probably shun something as brazen as a 4th or 5th star.
The Spoke is charmingly bizarre. Â They've got daily food specials posted in about 45 different places around the dining room, and all of em sound pretty damn tasty. Â Though I wasn't here to eat, I will certainly be back to do just that eventually, as my brain was swimming in the thoughts of a Broken Spoke CFS and blackberry cobbler with ice cream. Â Damn, doesn't reading that make you as ravenous as it makes me typing it?
When the dancehall isn't alive and breathing, the front bar is somewhat inviting, if you don't mind the house phone ringing off the hook with inquiring cowboys and cowgirls wanting to know what time Dale Watson goes on. Â Still, a house phone on the bar is just the type of place this Old Austin museum WANTS to represent. Â I mean, who answers the house phone anymore without it going directly to a pre-recorded message about the dailies? Â
Anyway .. the Lone Stars are cold and the atmosphere is like a pulsating tribute to the legends of outlaw country. Â If you are from Nashville, you will probably shit yourself out of sheer intimidation.
This tonk shines up the honk so much the dancers in here take on more of a collective aura of honky glitterati and less so broken or spokish. I suppose this is what happens to a honky tonk when it's situtated among the educated Texans (oxymoron so noted).
It was enjoyable to watch so many good dancers on one tiny dance floor jittering and bugging and waltzing with the grace of those who took formal dance classes in college; however, there was also something a little sterile about all that "good" dancin'.
Maybe growing up Texas a mile-and-a-half from a BYOB honky tonk built in the backwoods of Hill County where the style of one's two-step had more to do with one's BAL and slightly less so their formal dance lessons has shrouded my view of what honkys should look like on a dance floor. Maybe.
Maybe I expected the familiar cheap and dirty joint while I should have walked in without expectation. At least here the beer's still fairly cheap, the restroom dirty. And I can get used to the Broken Spoke's pristine people. Hey, wait a minute, is that group in the corner playing Flip Cup? I love Flip Cup! Maybe it's not so bad here after all.
Well, I drove down from Big-Haired-Shiney-Shoed Dallas to Austin Saturday to see a friend I hadn't seen in over 4 years. Â She moved out of Texas and was back for just one weekend so I, along with 8 other people, joined her for dinner & dancing at the Broken Spoke.
Our group trickled in over a period of about an hour. Â We ordered a couple of orders of Chips & Salsa and there were two pitchers of beer passed around the table. Â I'm not a beer person, but it don't think it takes a lot of brains to figure out that it probably wasn't Fat Tire or Guinness at $4.50 a pitcher.
Once our group was complete, we waited for quite a bit before our waitress decided to come take our order. Â One of the guys at my table mentioned that we all looked like a bunch of meerkats sitting upstraight and watching our waitress totally not pay any attention to us.
There were plates of enchiladas, sirloin steaks and chicken fried steaks ordered at our table. Â Total bill was over $140 so I'm not quite sure why the waitress decided that we were too much trouble to even wait on... but by the time our food arrived another server had taken over.
The service at dinner is why I knocked off 1/2 a star off of a 5 star review. Â The Broken Spoke missed the other 1/2 of a star because of the reason they claimed to be the "Best Chicken Fried Steak in Austin." Â Now, I'm not from Austin, I've never lived in Austin... and I can't say that I've had any other Chicken Fried Steaks in Austin... BUT... if this is the best in the town... then I will just stick to mexican food for any other edible excursions in the future.
The chicken fried steak was edible, but it was by far the "best" of anything. Â There was more breading than there was meat... to the point where I had entire bites that were nothing but the fried part and no steak.
The women's restrooms were decorated with George Strait and Robert Redford posters... neatly attached to the wall with 2" wide clear packing tape.
I also didn't quite understand why we just couldn't pay for what we ordered instead of trying to come up with some magical tallied amount for the bill when what was ordered was listed on the bill... but they didn't want to separate the check.
But, once dinner was over... we went to the back part of the building where the dancing was just fixing to start. Â The DeRailers were playing Saturday night and there was dancing to be had. Â I would like to echo Norah K's post on The Broken Spoke about this is a clientele that just loves to dance. Â No ice cold meat market here ladies. Â The cutest little old man (he had to be 90 yrs old) was there Saturday night and I don't think he sat out one single dance...
We grabbed a table over to the left of the dance floor and watched the tall cowboys walk slightly bent over as to not hit their heads on the makeshift sealing of plywood, corrugated tin sheets & holes. Â The floor rattled when someone walked by... but the dance floor was nice and flowing.
But the best part about The Broken Spoke, in my opinion, was the fact that since the patrons here were by far in a senior citizen age bracket... the music was not so deafening loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. Â The music was plenty loud but you could still hear the conversations of the people you came with.
Even though I spent the weekend in Austin for ACL Fest, my Thursday night at the Broken Spoke was the highlight of my trip.
The atmosphere is amazing- really ratty yet fun. As someone already mentioned, the women's restroom's stalls don't even have doors- just threadbare Texas flag shower curtains which you'll have to hold in place to keep from losing all your privacy. The crowd is interestingly eclectic and extremely friendly and the folks on the dance floor look like they're having the time of their lives.
Also, do yourself a favor and schedule a visit on a night when Jesse Dayton performs. You can't beat his versions of "That's How I Got to Memphis", "One Woman Man", "I'm On Fire", or "Just What I Needed".
It's not on the marquee, and it's certainly not what they lead with, but it's definitely true: Â the Broken Spoke is Vegas repellant. Â
After spending the past several days in Sin City, we came back craving all the things that make Austin comparatively special to other parts of the country, from drinks that don't cost the same amount as your mortgage to some good, old-fashioned, C&W stomp, and at the Broken Spoke, that's just what we got on a night when Charlie Robison was twanging the place up. Â
Some interesting facts to note: Â several babies in this place after ten pm. Â I mean, we all like a honky-tonk, but is that your newborn on the bar? Â Perhaps, reconsider. Â Secondly, I'm a sucker for the Texana gimmick, like the fact here that they ring a cowbell when you hit the tip jar. Â They have two-stepping lessons (on Mondays, is it?), and the place has gotten a little pricey compared to what you might expect: Â I'm guessing that the $3.50 Lonestars help cover the ambience, but it does stand out in a town where two bucks for that bottle is the norm de rigeur. Â Still, we had a great time, and were it not for the fact that I found myself hopelessly worn out from losing my money and wading through unironic kitsch over the past few days, we'd have stayed longer. Â
For certain though, there are spins on that dance floor yet to come.
Wow! So fun. You can't make this stuff up.
I came here on a visit to Austin this past weekend. As a New Yorker, you think you pretty much have some incarnation of just about everything in our fine city. Well this is wrong think. You can't recreate the Broken Spoke experience no matter how much money or ironic country music lovin' hipsters you throw in the mix. For one, it is in Texas and you can't take the Texas pride out of a Texas establishment. There are guys in cowboy hats and boots clad in ties with the state of Texas on them. Instead of bathroom doors there are Texas flags(!!!)
The Spoke also has great country music singers and even if you would never listen to this type of thing, seeing it live in this setting is a life experience worth having. You see how genuine the people are in their love of dancing country here. Old guys, young guys and every guy in between come up to your table and ask you for a dance. And then when it's over they send you on your way. No hitting on you, no ulterior motive...so refreshing.
Five stars for Shiner Bock, Texas gentlemen and the Broken Spoke.
One night in college, some friends and I wandered in to the Spoke on a Monday night, saddled up to the bar, and began drinking Lone Star. Â The sound from the back room (where the stage is) was a bit too familiar so we peaked around the corner for a better look. Â Low and behold, Steve Earle himself was going solo on an acoustic guitar and a microphone. Â My affections for the Broken Spoke have been with me ever since.
Part historical artifact, part live music venue, the Broken Spoke is a one of those great places in Austin where you don't have to "like" the subject at hand (in this case, country music) to LOVE the time you spend there. Â Whether it's a house band playing standards on a Tuesday night or a long awaited feature performer on a Saturday, the Broken Spoke is an Austin icon that should not be missed.
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