What a great quirky place. I went to Sahara lounge in a whim one night and I'm glad I did. Was there on a Saturday night and they had live music going for a cover. The Afro-latin group that was playing put on a great show with fun energy. One of the nicer parts of Sahara was the free food. The cover price got me as much of a rice and chicken dish as I could handle. Tasty! They had a decent beer selection of around twenty or so beers (6ish on tap). The mixed drinks were strong and not too expensive. Give the punch a try if they have it. As for the space, there was lots of room to sit or dance depending on what you were looking for. The outside patio area had a fire pit, which was nice to have on the super cold night. Was definitely a big fan of Sahara lounge. Staff was nice. Atmosphere was chill. Food was free. What more could you ask for? I'll be back. read more

This dance spot is a hip stop in East Austin. Sahara Lounge gives the 78723 an identity and delivers culture and fun to an otherwise boring area. While the outside seems dingy, the interior is full of life. You're never too far from a dancing couple. They have theme nights throughout the week, so you can pick your poison. Don't be afraid to cut a rug, they appreciate all skill levels, from beginner to expert. The beers are fairly cheap here, so you won't break the bank. There's almost always a cover charge (which is cash unless you don't have any, then you can ask the inside to charge your card). The cover fluctuates, but last time they told me 100% goes to the band, which makes it worth it. read more

Ladie's nite is my favorite time to come here, me and my girls always have a blast! FANTASTIC DJ - Always great music to dance our arses off !! read more

I learned about the Sahara Lounge from the Meetup site and found they had a "Salsa Nite's" on Monday's. I figured why not give it a shot? And I'm glad I did! it was so much fun. For a $7/cover you can get Beginner Salsa lessons from 7-8:30, Intermediate lessons from 8:30-10, and then The instructor and DJ, Raul, spins Latin music (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, etc) for the rest of the night. Also included is a sort of Nacho station that has Crispy thin nacho chips, hot sauce and beans to munch on along with a water cooler. All in all it's a pretty sweet deal, considering there is a bar with happy hour from 7-9 (Beers starting at $2 can't be beat). As an instructor, Raul is excellent. He is patient and goes at your pace, teaching the fundamentals with a twist of expert steps to keep you interested. I've learned more from him in 2 sessions, than I've learned my entire life! His motto is "Practice!" and also "Give me 2 days per week for 3 months and you will be a very good Salsero/Salsera." As for the Sahara Lounge itself, it's a cute little spot. I must admit upon arriving to the location the first time, it was a bit suspicious because the surrounding area is a bit shady and it's not very well lit at night. There are also sketchy characters walking around aimlessly. But I felt that once I got into the lounge it would be fine...and it was! The place itself is pretty small, but still boasts a bar, 2 billiard tables, dancefloor, small stage and even a large backyard patio with a bunch of tables, chairs and benches to drink, smoke and hag out with a group. Although i don;t see myself coming here any other night but Monday's (and maybe Fridays), you just never know. read more

Sound was horrible, two people clearly drunk and it on drugs apparently just discovered they have genitals, yet totally unaware of anyone else around them in their own sad little childish world plopped diwn next to me and started grinding away. If they had at least done so in time to the music it wouldn't have been so horrible. As it was they ruined the evening even though they were finally kicked out it was at great effort on my part to get management to do the right thing. I want my money back and will not be returning read more

Honestly, this is my favorite bar in the world. It seems to attract a great group of people, and the music is always killer.

Cool vibe with unique people! Literally around the corner from our Airbnb. The live music was interesting? Wish we were staying for another day for the African night. When in Rome! read more

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a booty that would not quit. It was lethally allergic to the repetitive beats of techno, eternally fond of ballroom (the samba/jive Latin school variety), and most definitely down to funk on tribute parties to Stevie Wonder, Outkast, Prince and whoever else a group called BodyRock was interested in honoring. The booty longed fiercely for these balls hosted at the Sahara Lounge, where a glass slipper or a raspberry beret or a bare foot could get you in no matter. The party was always poised to go down, and the booty wanted to go down with it in a heap of sweat. In this land, visitors could find solid drinks, new friends, an outdoor patio with plenty of seating, a huge parking lot, a ton of street parking, a stage where a variety of music and entertainment was showcased, a fabulous sound system, and 2 or 3 AC window units that do absolutely nothing to curb the nasty gross body sweat that happens while the breaking-it-down occurs. It was seriously just perfect. Mercifully, this land still stands today. It is east-east side. It is glorious. It is where, as soon as I'm straightened up and flying right, I will bring (A Tribe Called Quest's) da booty for another BodyRock evening. They played Sheila E's The Glamorous Life - I mean come on. read more

This place is weird and small and you can touch the ceiling! Big no no. I'm sorry, this place sucks. read more

If I could give a negative 5 I would. Absolutely the trashiest bar in Austin. Bathrooms are disgusting. Had 2 drinks and they charged $60 Don't waste you're time with this trash hole. read more

Have you been walking around east 6th, wondering where all the hipsters went? Wonder no more, because I found them. They all migrated to the East side and, on a slammin' jammin' Friday night, THIS is the place to be. (If you're a hipster, that is.) I assume it's because gentrification is like the "cool" thing to do now and hipsters can talk about how gentrification is ruining the east side even though they're contributing to the ruination but still want to live in denial. No, not me, just all those other people. Or maybe it's because I went there on a night where they were throwing a feminist party. Are all hipsters feminist or are all feminists hipsters? The world may never know. All I know is that it was a $5 cover, which was weird because it's a dive bar, and the line for the bar was consistently like six people deep. Took a while to get my drank on, but I guess that's just how things work here. Side note: to the smelly hipster bitch who pushed 10 people out of the way to be first in line, you can go fuck yourself with a chainsaw. Your nasty ass unwashed body invaded my personal space and I didn't appreciate you shoving me to get in front of me. Neither did all the other people you shoved who yelled at you and called you a bitch. Also, why is this tagged with ethnic food?? They have food here?! How in the hell did I miss that? Oh, probably because I was being the annoyingly obnoxious drunk girl who was randomly whoopin' and hollerin' about hipsters and how they need to go away. Pretty sure I annoyed a lot of people. Pretty sure I'd do that all over in a heartbeat. It's a dive bar, so of course I love this place with all my little cold, dead heart. Even if it's filled with hipsters. read more

I've been here twice and both times we left pretty fast. The first time was to see an advertised group who didn't show up. The second was tonight for Disco, Funk and Soul by a DJ - it was terrible. The entertainment sucks. The place has no cross-ventillation or AC. It's an old drive bar on the deep east side. There are a lot of other and better places to choose from. read more

Went here for "Body Rock" last week, to shake my booty down to the ground, you know. Get It On like Marvin Gaye. Upon entering, I immediately knew what was in store for me: a mild to moderate head injury. The ceiling at the Sahara is so low, I thought I'd stepped into the Shire of the Far East Side. Yes, I am over 6'5", and I realize that short folk gotta get their groove on too, but should I have to duck hard under every sharp-edged beam to get to the dancefloor? (No.) Claustrophobic like a mug in here! Anyway, I was pickin up what the DJ was puttin down, so I decided to give it a go, and hope for only a minor knock to the noggin. The crowd was diverse, and the atmosphere decidedly New Orleans-ey. Funky and haphazard. I like that. I never went when it was TC's, but I always heard good things and have been wanting to check it out for years. The bar was easy to get to, even though there was a big crowd on the floor. The bartenders though, were hit-and-miss. I had 3 drinks during my stay, served by 3 different bartenders, at a bar that's about 3 feet long. The first made an "Old Fashioned" that tasted like straight Maraschino Cherry juice. The second somehow messed up a vodka tonic. The third bartender got my Maker's and Water just right. (What am I, Goldilocks?) Said drinks got me feelin the power. DJ Chorizo Funk and the righteous duo "Riders Against the Storm" repeatedly whipped the crowd into a Soul Train frenzy. Highlight of the night, for sure. It was also those drinks that lowered my guard and had me fuck around and look down while I tried to make my way past the pool tables.. BAM!! Caught a beam to the dome for the second time. Hit my head once, shame on me. Hit my head twice, put some padding on those edges or sand them down or something! Was booty-shakin acheived? Oh, you best believe. But I still bear the bumps and scrapes on my head, 3 days later. If I ever go back, I'll be wearing a Nerf Helmet and drinking beer. read more

I SURVIVED A SHOT OF DEVIL'S PISS! I won't do it again unless I'm really congested. It was like drinking peppery lighter fluid, but I did it! Last night, I danced my eyebrows off! I must have lost about 5 lbs in sweat alone. You ever go to a spot and feel love while you groove? It's was wild and wonderful. Can you imagine a DJ mixin' Stevie Wonder over crazy beats and other music from my era to groove to? Black folks. White folks. Asian folks. Old and young folks. And love and acceptance flowing everywhere...it was amazing! I'll go back...oh and a big shout out to Tiger Lilly and Chaka Mpeanaji (Riders Agains the Storm), DJ Chorzio Funk, and DJ Chicken George, collectively known as Body Rock ATX...You definitely ROCKED OUR BODIES!!! I'm ready for another Soul Night at the Sahara Lounge! read more

Sahara Lounge (formerly TCs Lounge) is still getting settled in, but they've already got the most important things down: drinks, music and vibe. Good local beers, Lone Star on tap, and my favorite cocktail: the Sahara Slant, an exquisite concoction of ginger beer, lemon, and rum steeped in an artesanal blend of West African roots and spices. Those fearing a radical makeover of TCs will be at ease--it has the same non-pretentious feel as before, with touches of each of the owners and their musical and cultural roots in Niger West Africa and the Deep South. The cool weather makes the backyard a lovely, mellow spot to enjoy the night area. There is plenty of parking but I live in the neighborhood half a mile away and just walk or bike. I'm looking forward to seeing the food menu expand as they build clientele. read more

Austin's landmark original jazz joint has been given alotta love by Eileen & Ibrahim and staff to bring it back to life in remarkably soulful ways, while keeping the best of the old TC's. If you are a fan of historic dives, wild layers of soulfunkjazz & tribal rhythms, and Keeping Austin Real - you just might fall in love with this place. If you like a dance floor that is alive under multicolored lights to stellar musicians and great DJ tracks, this is it. It kinda cracks me up that some folks call this place "far east" Austin and bemoan its distance. At only 6 miles from downtown, that's pretty darn central, for those that have lived in metropolitan cities. It's the invisible segregation line of Austin's racist past & present that make it seem so far for some when driving out east 12th at night through its bleak patches and shuttered businesses. But then you come round a curve and there it is, the sparkling lights that decorate Sahara Lounge, and the drumbeats telling you this is where you wanna be. On Africa Night, midnight on Saturdays, the free food is homemade african and delicious. The outdoor fire circle in the backyard is pretty amazing and seems to bring out the best in people. This kind of generosity & hospitality is what life is about. There is nonuniformed parking lot patrol, and the owners are happy to help you get an escort to your car if you're a solitary gal, etc. Great place for birthday parties too!!! (For Eileen's birthday, hot rum & a really good homemade gluten-free cake was served to everyone, wow!) read more

Nice place. Great music. Opposite of gentrification. Musicians from the other side of the globe. Delicious food. Vegan options. Friendly owner, hanging out at the door. Tell your friends but don't tell your friends. It's like the Austin version of 55 Bar. I want to go back and get to know everyone, but it's a long drive. There is love at this place. read more

Sahara Lounge has a great cross section of the city. Tucked deep in East Austin, the lounge is a place for people to jump, jive, or whatever else they consider to be dancing. There was a $6 cover on Friday and what looked like giant lima beans in the slow cooker with chips. It's a fun casual spot. Reccomended! read more

This place is so cool you guys. We went at midnight on a Saturday. There was a $6 cover with a free buffet. Food was great! The band was awesome. I'm not exactly sure what type of instrument the lead singer was playing, but it was great and got my attention. He had so much enthusiasm and really included the crowd of people. Energy levels were high and people were dancing their butts off. I'd recommend sticking to beer here, as their cocktails were small, watery, and just okay. There's a water jug, as it's incredibly hot and cramped feeling. I can't explain though, that even with that, it was so much fun. There's a cool back area where people hang out and smoke and chill. Most of my time was spent on the dance floor though. A little hipstery, but also at the same time, you can tell people just don't give a shit and you can do whatever you wanna do. We'll check out the "world music" at 10 next time and also "soul night" on Fridays. My friend did a shot of "devil's piss", which is vodka infused with 5 different peppers, and looked like he might cry. Unless you have a stick up your ass that you don't wanna shake out, try this place out! read more

If Sahara Lounge doesn't make you grateful to be alive, you might need to squeegee your third eye.

I usually like to wait to write a review about a place until I've gone a few times, or the first time left such an indellible mark, I can't help but tip folks off. The Sahara Lounge blew me away. Well, maybe I shouldn't get carried away. Who am I kidding, this place was awesome! We were out for a night on the town and had spent most of the evening downtown in reserved circumstances in places with a lot of folks younger than me. On a lark, as we were trying to wrap our night up early (10-11pm) someone mentioned the Sahara. It was on our way to the house we'd all parked at and sounded like a fine way to have one more drink and then bed. There was an African band playing, and they were rocking. The crowd was so diverse, I felt like I'd been transported back to Austin in the 90's. Old folks, young folks, rich, poor, hip, and locals. Everyone was dancing and having a great time. The outdoor area was large and had a fire pit. About 2:15am, we finally pried ourselves from this place (the band was not about to stop that night). We were not ready to leave but knew we'd pay the price staying longer. Drinks were inexpensive, the stage and dance floor were intimate, the folks working there were super sweet and lax, and I didn't even get to try to buffet they had going that night. I'm eager to go back. read more

Best dive bar in central Texas with a wide variety of local and regional music. Wonderful cave like atmosphere that draws a large group of coolness. Best part is Celestial Pizza is there too read more

Very warm and inviting people, and atmosphere. Plenty of seating inside and out back. The sound of the bands was clear and went over well with the lounge feel of the place. There's a couple of pool tables inside and a dart board outside. Wish I could have tried the BBQ trailer they have out front but had already stuffed myself that night before going. Chem em out for a relaxing, entertaining time. read more

Sahara is a dive that is ready for any mood. The buffet is very good African/Soul cooking. People are very friendly and love to dance. If you love live music hear is the lick. Lady Di read more

Well, I had both good and no so good experiences at this place. Yeah, so it's a little far out on the east side but that isn't too bad a thing, I suppose but keep that in mind when planning your drive home. I had wanted to see a duo that the Sahara's website had said would be playing that night from 7-9. So, I got there at a little after 7:00 and not a soul was there other than the barkeep. I asked about the the music act and she had no idea what I was talking about. Um, it's on your website. She calls all three owners and says that two don't know what I'm talking about and one doesn't know why the act hasn't shown up. Hmmm. Well, this is embarrassing because I had asked someone (a date, sort of) to meet me. Needless to say, the act was a no show so I had to dazzle my date with my tantalizing personality. ::smirk:: I just thought this to be very disorganized and unprofessional. I realize some bars cannot help it if an act doesn't show, but when no one seems to know what I'm talking about in regards to things they have posted on their website, well, that just kinda ticked me off. I mean, it was Friday night Happy Hour for Pete's sake. As far as the bar, it's a really cute and eclectic spot. Very comfy and down to earth. Not too hipster. Later there was another band that played who rocked some Latin vibes and the whole place was really into it so it turned out to be not such a bad evening. They also offer free beans and chips which are EXCELLENT. Drinks aren't bad. Be sure to dry their Devil's Piss. It's crazy good. I'll be going back for sure. read more

This is perhaps one of the more interesting evenings I have spent in Austin. The what I would call dive bar is in East Austin, or rather Far East Austin on Weberville Road. We came on the night they were celebrating Bob Marley's birthday so the opening band played tribute to him. An eclectic group, it consisted of about 10 people who managed to fit themselves on the tiny stage. The true stars of the night however was their showcase band who who brought the crowd to their feet with their contagious African beats. The crowd was a mix of folks so it made for fabulous people watching. There is a fire pit in the back which was a relief on what was a cold night. Watch the smoke though. My hair still smelled like a smoked ham 4 days later. read more

There is something downright hilarious about four different floors and a plywood door for the bathroom. It's, how do you say, eclectic? It matters not because even in this low-slung environ (anyone over 6' will be claustrophobic as hell!) the sound and groove was right on. I've seen Dale get his country on and Soulhat get their funk on and the crowd seems to change with each band's swing so-to-speak. The bar is cheap and seems to have a good pour. They insisted on not charging me for my coke from-the-gun since I was the designated driver which was cool. Oh! And parking - unlike most places downtown (this is a bit East of downtown) there is plenty of parking. So, yeah- Yay! I'm a fan! :) read more

This is a magical place. Great music, great people, great drinks, great food...Beautiful energy all around. The crowd is eclectic and down to earth. Saturdays are a must for anyone who loves great music and dancing. This is one of the few places left in Austin that you can come in solo and make lasting connections. Saturdays nights are like church to many of us here. Ladies Night on 3rd Friday is always a good time, especially if you like old school. All in all This place has a long history of creating spaces and promoting the voices of under represented populations, artists and creators. I'm especially excited that they are bringing body rock back to its roots. This bar just means so much to me. Never change, Sahara. read more

I live around the corner from this joint. It's a good little place to see and hear bands play. Generally pretty gritty, fun, rootsy music is on the bill for this joint. When Topaz is bartending, he can whip you up some pretty tasty old school cocktails, even if they are slightly spendy. I'm a little biased since they've had my band play here a couple of times, but this is one of my favorite joints in town. They seem to be carrying on the tradition of TC's quite nicely. read more

Alessandra B.'s review was horrible to read, as clearly she doesn't understand sentence structure and commas. She is totally unaware that her review only slightly touches on the establishment she is reviewing, but instead focuses on herself and her feelings about two unfortunate people who created a spectacle of themselves in front of her. It's really unfortunate that childish, sad people like her have to burden us with her warty little one-star opinions which are not only absurdly hostile but irrelevant to the task at hand, which is recognizing how lucky Austin is to have such a unique place to go on a Friday or Saturday night and listen to music that isn't the same old juke bar cover band dreck. Reconsider not only your triggers, lady, but your methods of venting your reactions to them. You hurt places of business with overwrought nonsense such as what you needlessly shared here. read more

Out in the middle of nowhere, residential neighborhood. They have a spacious outdoor patio great for warm nights. They have different bands/shows every night. Cheap drinks and they're served in plastic cups, kind of like college... Try the sahara sling... read more

I've been going to Sahara on Mondays to hear the Jonathan Doyle Quintet since the fall. Awesome swing band and there are dancers there every Monday night (from pros to people swing dancing for the first time). Very chill environment with great ambiance. Love the colorful lighting. read more

Love it! Fun, weird, authentic and sweet! Love the African nights and the diversity encouraged by this place. On the side if you're a photographer or just do it for fun, their lighting is amazing! read more

Sahara Lounge - African night - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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If you like good music and shaking your tail feather, then Sahara Lounge is the spot for you. It's deep in East Austin, off Springdale, which can be quite a distance for some people but trust me, it's worth it. I come here every month for Ladies night and they play a mix of 80s/ 90s classics and current Hip Hop. Their drinks are cheap, the place is just oozing with culture, and all the people I meet here are up for dancing and in such good spirits . I would highly - 10/10 - recommend this place to everyone. read more

Someone else already said it, this place is legit. The opening band last Saturday was great, Flamenco jazz fusion, the house band- AMAZING. Punk rock hand made African instruments and drums, AND a young but sharp horn section! We danced for two hours. Kosmic Kool Aid didn't disappoint. read more

Sahara Lounge - Cocktail menu. I had several Kosmic Kool Aids. - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

I enjoyed my time here. It's a dive bar for sure, but it's really quite interesting. I didn't care for the clientele to be honest. Some were very nice, some were not. What was most obnoxious was that if I hadn't been with a group of friends I wouldn't have spoken to anyone that evening. It's definitely got a small-town feel to it, as in, if you came here for a few years, you'd be welcome. I went here for a SXSW show, so maybe things were different. read more

This place is uniquely Austin!! Unlike any other music venue around. I love it as it is a local spot. It's a good mix of people from many different backgrounds and cultures. There music selections for shows are very versatile and changes every day. read more

I went out to the Sahara Lounge for the first time a few weeks ago to hear Bamako Airlines and Zoumountchi. The place is kind of far out, but once you're inside you could be anywhere in East Austin (in a good way). The bartender and the proprietor who took our cover charges were friendly and relaxed; in fact, the whole place feels cozy and friendly, a very low-pressure bar with an eclectic mix of people. Mixed drinks are between $5 and $8 with some house specialties. You can get a Shiner for $3 and a more interesting beer for $4 or $5. There seemed to be some hold-up with the credit card machine that created a very long line at the bar for a while. We were lucky to have brought cash, and I would recommend having some in case. Staff didn't seem surprised by the malfunction. There's a chess board, a pool table, and a large backyard full of picnic and patio tables. The night we went, there was also a decent buffet of free food in Crock-Pots. The dance floor is the right size, bathrooms were clean, and I liked the lighting both indoor and out. Unfortunately, we were forced to migrate outdoors into the heat and mosquitoes when the second band--apparently they're the house band--began to play. The music sounded fine, but the singer's mic was turned up so loudly above everything else that my friend and I literally could not stand to be inside the building. If it's like that most nights, it has to be fixed! read more

This place has all the makings of a perfect lounge. Massive outdoor patio and fire pit, live music, dance floor, sweet lighting, billiards/games, cheap drinks, African buffet. The bartenders are SO nice. One of them hooked me up with a complimentary to go cup of kombucha at the end of the night. All around stellar spot. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in Austin! read more

Very cool dive bar to hear local artists. The staff are very friendly and will help you with any questions you have. However be aware of cover charges on come nights when there are certain acts read more