Elva Padilla

This little gem is pure Austin, Texas! It's the honky tonk that this native Texan hopes never loses its genuine vibe. The staff are the southern hospitality we all grew up with. The live music is the warmth in our blood. The aged wood (and carpet) flooring take you back to simpler times. It's an experience you don't want to miss!

Chuck Guilhas

**Donn’s Depot: A Timeless Honky Tonk Gem in Austin** Nestled on 5th Street in Austin, Donn’s Depot is a living relic of the city’s vibrant musical past, exuding an authentic honky tonk atmosphere that transports you straight to the 1980s. From the moment you step inside, the low lighting and neon signs glowing across the walls scream “Texas” in the most nostalgic way. This isn’t a polished, modern bar—it’s a dive with soul, where the spirit of old Austin thrives. The ambiance is unmatched, with weathered wooden floors and a cozy, slightly cluttered charm that feels like a friend’s living room—if that friend loved live music and cold beer. Speaking of beer, Donn’s serves it ice-cold, the kind of frosty that hits just right on a warm Texas night. The unmistakable aroma of freshly popped popcorn wafts through the air, a simple touch that evokes memories of my first honky tonk experience here and adds to the bar’s warm, welcoming vibe. Live music is the heartbeat of Donn’s Depot, with local country and blues acts taking the stage most nights. The dance floor, often packed with two-steppers of all ages, is a testament to the bar’s enduring appeal. The staff is friendly, the drinks are affordable, and the crowd is a mix of regulars and curious newcomers, all drawn to the unpretentious charm. Donn’s isn’t trying to be anything it’s not—with Christmas lights up all year round, it’s a time capsule, a place where Austin’s musical heritage lives on. For anyone craving a genuine honky tonk experience, Donn’s Depot is a must-visit. Just grab a cold one, snag some popcorn, and let the neon-lit nights sweep you away.

+3

Alise L

This place is an Austin legend! Old timers went there to dance. Now, it's primarily a younger crowd. The piano man was great! Special holiday cocktails were amazing! Ambience excellence for that old Austin feeling!

Elina Rindle

So beautifully decorated for Christmas and live music is fantastic! The drinks were strong, good and relatively cheap even though there is a $5 cover to get at least around Christmas time. Such a fun time tho and would go again!

Johnny !

Just around the block from El Arroyo and Mean Eyed Cat... What a great classic Austin spot, and they've been around a while, for good reason. Went to 'Donn's Depot' expecting a musical chill dive. Donn's did not disappoint, as always. I'm told they have a tiny stripper pole in the women's restroom, ha! Atmosphere is an dimly lit, older style venue with tables and nooks with more tables, dance floor abound. They have a baby grand piano with a custom table built around it so you can sit around the piano and eat/drink/watch. There's also a keyboard on the long end of the table. Music: Saw some incredibly good music there. A lot of heavy hitters in local music playing there, was really a magical evening of great jams, dance floor boogie, and get down! Drinks: The drinks are quite affordable. Maybe $6-8 draughts. If you get the bottled Lonestar, I believe they are $4. For service industry workers, (I think) all the beers, maybe drinks, are $2 off, each, granted this was a Monday, so that could be limited to Mondays, YMMV.

+2

James J

Last July, my wife and I, as newlyweds, travelled across eight Southern states in 10 days. Our stop at Donn’s Depot was, by far, one of the highlights of our trip. We stumbled upon this wonderful establishment on the recommendation of another bar that was closing up for the night. In Michelle, Michael, and the rest of the team, we found a true home away from home. The live music was sublime, unpretentious, and heart-warming, as were the people who came and went. They’re that little bit of magic at Donn’s that means, two months on, as we sit eating breakfast back under our own roof, we still talk about the trip and wholeheartedly agree that we’d go back to Austin just to drop in here and say hi. What a place. Thank you 🙏 PS: if you visit, please go in with a warm heart, say hi and offer to buy the lovely folks behind the bar a drink on us.

Candace Lambert

Great local hangout bar! Nice to have a place for a drink and be able to hold a conversation. Live music starts at 9pm and goes until 1am every night, closed on Sundays.

Amy J. Weedon

Another place I'm ashamed to admit that I've never been to, considering I'm an OG. I've driven past it my entire life.. literally, but have never stopped to check it out. My bad. It's a super cool bar that has live music every weekend. And the sweet bartender will make you whatever sweet and fruity cocktail you request. With whip cream on top. And a cherry or two. It's a great place to people watch, too. It's definitely one of my new favorites.

treborz dob

Classic old school honky tonk piano bar. Went there with a buddy while they were having 2-Step lessons. Staff was super friendly. Crowd was diverse. Live band was great. A must stop on your next pub crawl or for learning how to trip over your own feet!

+3

Otto Nieves

After a friend recommended coming to Donn's Depot I decided to give it try. This was the best suggestion anyone has given me in a long time. I have stumbled into a hidden juel in Austin, TX. The best bar that Austin stands for. Great music funky atmosphere with a crowd that goes from Aistin weird to young hipsters. Prices are much better than in Dirty 6th St. Service was great, the two bartenders were busy but kept up with the crowd a drink were served in a timely manner. Holiday drinks selection was amazing.

+17

Cooliepops

Dropped in to see the owner play on a Friday night. Old Don can still sing but damn is he out of tune on the piano! Not a big deal but it was noticeable. Place gets packed and getting a drink is ridiculous. Bartenders aren't exactly hopping. They need security to clear the pathways. People are just jammed in and standing in the way so you can't move around. But we had a great time and people were friendly!

Csongor Gyuricza

Lovely place. It’s pretty mellow on Wednesdays after the two-step lessons and it’s great for partner dancing, especially after they installed the new floors. Fridays are more lively, not ideal for partner dancing but good for socializing and just dancing around. The front door ladies are very nice and friendly and so are the bartenders. Overall very nice place to be. I just have one constructive criticism: the men’s bathroom is in very poor condition. It needs a serious deep cleaning and then just regular maintenance. We will appreciate that!

Timothy Williams

Donn’s Depot is a long time Austin classic, but there’s so much more beyond the name. This place has a bar, dancing, and seating throughout. It looks much bigger on the inside and it does from the outside. This place caters to all with patrons both young and old. This place reminds me a little of another Austin classic, the Broken Spoke. The lighting is a little dim and red and you can tell this place has been around a long time just by looking at the ceiling, walls and decor. They play live music which is always a huge plus! There’s a big bar with a variety of draft beers, wine, spirits and cocktails. The layout is a a bit funky with seating in different rooms, some with a limited view of the dance floor. The staff is mostly friendly, which was a surprise as I expected them to be over the top friendly. Regardless, they’re probably understaffed and there’s a lot of picking up to do at the tables and with customers. I really need to visit around the holiday season, when they light the place up with Christmas lights. Overall a cool place and I’ll be back!

+4