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Austin, Texas / Bars and nightlife

Little Longhorn Saloon

Step into the Little Longhorn Saloon, an iconic Austin honky-tonk and dive bar. Famous for cheap drinks, live music, and the legendary Sunday Chicken Shit Bingo, this tiny venue offers an authentic taste of Texas.

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Little Longhorn Saloon
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What is the Little Longhorn Saloon known for?

The Little Longhorn Saloon is an iconic Austin honky-tonk and dive bar known for cheap drinks, live music, and being the original home of Chicken Shit Bingo.

What is Chicken Shit Bingo and when does it happen?

Chicken Shit Bingo is a Sunday tradition where a chicken is placed in a pen with a numbered grid, and the winner is determined by where the chicken's poop lands. The event runs every Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with tickets costing $2.00 and $5.00 cash.

Does the saloon host live music?

Yes, the venue hosts live music six nights a week. It has been a fixture of Austin's honky-tonk scene for over 40 years, featuring genres like country, folk, rockabilly, and rock and roll.

Does the bar offer a happy hour?

Yes, happy hour is held Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. During this time, you can get $4 bottles and $3 12 oz draft beers.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Located at 5434 Burnet Road, the Little Longhorn Saloon is a legendary, long-running Austin dive bar that has been operating for decades, with some accounts tracing its history back about 80 years. Previously known as Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon, this classic orange-and-white venue features a tiny indoor capacity of just 68 people. Despite its modest size, it stands as an iconic Austin business and a cornerstone of the local community. For more than forty years, the saloon has served as a vital fixture of Austin's honky-tonk country music scene. The venue hosts live music six nights a week, showcasing a lively mix of country, folk, rockabilly, and rock and roll. It is also celebrated for its cheap drinks, featuring a happy hour from Tuesday through Friday between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where patrons can grab $4 bottles and $3 draft beers. The saloon’s most famous claim to fame is being the original home of Chicken Shit Bingo. This uniquely Austin ritual began when local musician Dale Watson suggested the idea to previous owners Don and Ginny to attract Sunday patrons. Though Ginny was highly skeptical, famously declaring, "It's never gonna last," the event has run for over 25 years and now draws thousands of fans from around the world. Every Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, visitors gather to buy tickets for $2 or $5 cash. A chicken is set loose in a pen with a numbered, grid-like floor, and the winner is determined by where the chicken's poop lands. The band announces the winning numbers, cash prizes are awarded, and winners pose for photos, keeping this beloved tradition alive.

Visitor tips

  • Visit on Sunday between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm to experience the famous Chicken Shit Bingo.
  • Bring cash if you want to play bingo, as tickets cost $2.00 or $5.00 cash.
  • Stop by Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm for happy hour deals on bottles and draft beers.
  • Arrive early if you want to secure a spot inside, as the venue has a small capacity of 68 people.

Nearby context

Located on Burnet Road near North Loop, the Little Longhorn Saloon sits in a vibrant Austin neighborhood. After enjoying some honky-tonk music or playing a round of bingo, you can head nearby to grab a bite at Little Deli & Pizzeria or satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Lammes Candies.

Sources

Evidence and links