The Ultimate Texas Piano Bar Trail

Texas has more dueling piano bars than almost any other state, and they're spread across some of the best cities for nightlife. Here's your guide to hitting them all.

Why Texas?

Texas has always had a strong live music culture, and dueling pianos fit right in. Add in the state's love of a good party, plenty of bachelorette destinations, and a whole lot of driving distance between cities, and you've got the perfect recipe for a piano bar road trip.

The Austin Stop: Pete's Dueling Piano Bar

Located on legendary 6th Street, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar in Austin is right in the heart of the action. The Live Music Capital of the World has no shortage of entertainment options, but Pete's stands out for its high-energy shows and rowdy crowds.

Pro tip: Austin's 6th Street gets packed on weekends. Arrive early or prepare to wait.

The Fort Worth Stop: Pete's Dueling Piano Bar

Yes, another Pete's - and that's not a coincidence. Pete's in Fort Worth is in the Sundance Square area, surrounded by great restaurants and bars. Fort Worth has a more laid-back vibe than Dallas, but the piano shows are just as wild.

The Dallas Area: Two Tones & Pete's Frisco

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has multiple options. Two Tones Dueling Piano Bar brings the party to North Dallas, while Pete's in Frisco serves the booming suburbs.

The San Antonio Stops

San Antonio is where modern dueling pianos arguably began - Howl at the Moon was founded here in 1990. Today you can visit:

• Howl at the Moon - On the famous River Walk
• Pat O'Brien's - New Orleans vibes in Texas

The Suggested Route

If you're doing a true piano bar road trip, here's a logical route:

1. San Antonio (2 venues) - Start at the birthplace
2. Austin (1 venue) - 80 miles north
3. Dallas/Frisco (2 venues) - 195 miles north
4. Fort Worth (1 venue) - 30 miles west

Total driving: About 300 miles. Spread it over a long weekend and you've got yourself an adventure.

Explore Texas Piano Bars

Ready to hit the road? Browse our directory to find all the Texas venues and start planning your adventure.