STAFF IS VERY PROFESSIONAL & ATTENTIVE TO YOUR EVERY NEED !!!!!!!!! JULIETTE, SAVED THE NIGHT BY INSTINCTIVELY GUARDING A CUSTOMERS PURSE & RETURNING IT TO HER AT THE END OF THE NIGHT !!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND MAY THE GOOD LORD KEEP BLESSING YOU AND YOURS !!!!!!!

Off the beaten path! This inconspicuous club is rustic but charming, . They offered a buffet a signature cocktail to die for. The entertainment was amazing and the outdoor space is a cool place to talk to friends and meet new people.

Sweet little chill spot with friendly staff. Lots of tables and room out back. Saturday night they play some really awesome music. You can place orders using a website, which means no standing in line at the bar. Highly recommended.

On my 2 visits to the Sahara Lounge Ive only been there to do film shoots. Film makers like the funky ecclectic Austin vibe.

Absolute wonderful bar to visit. The music is fun and can take you for a flashback or flash forward. The atmosphere is very fun and staff are nice. You can find food trucks here and lots of outback space that may not seem visible from road view. The DJs are pretty cool. Will visit again soon

A chill, unpretentious and consistently fantastic spot for eclectic musical tastes. Around the backyard fire pit, you can bet you will meet some of the coolest people in(or visiting) town!

Sahara Lounge is a great escape from the downtown craziness. Great music. Great, mixed crowd always ready to dance. Awesome backyard patio area that is dog friendly and usually has a fire going at night. There is now a very tasty pizza trailer in the back as well.

First time visiting for a night out of music and I really enjoyed myself. This place is filled with culture art pieces, books and photos that give you something to learn at every glance. This particular night there was a free African food buffet and live band who were amazing.

The Sahara lounge is not for the faint of heart. Be ready for a high energy, experience. Was probably too tired on the night we went so I was a bit overwhelmed.My friends definitely overhyped this place to me. The bar is stuffy with low ceilings, but there is ample room to walk around inside and out.Definitely appreciated the fire pit and the diverse aesthetics of the crowd.Would give four stars but cover was steep on Saturday night.

This place has some really good vibes and the music is always great. The chipotle pineapple punch cocktail is amazing!

Topaz and the whole crew there are outstanding its nothing but positive energy from the time you enter the land of bliss that is the Sahara Lounge until the time you realize what seemed like one hour, has actually been four hours of drinking and dancing and chatting with the awesome and diverse crowd of people and reluctantly its time to go, good thing is you can go back the next night. Great place if you havent been you gotta give the Sahara Lounge a try, definitely Austin, extremely entertaining.

Ive attend Sahara a couple of times. Ladies night being one of them. A kool laid back atmosphere!! Good African food & the music is great.

Wow a great place. Small club atmosphere, a melting pot of party goers and there were people of all ages enjoying live music. They even have a pizza food truck in the back (Celestial Pizza) :O

Pretty chill and laid back place. They do treat everyone like family. Love the 70s theme days there. Real down to earth.

If youre debating coming here, come here. Great size crowd on a Friday night. Full dance floor but space elsewhere just to hang out. Good drinks, awesome ecletic music. People actually dancing. Huge outdoor patio area, and two pool tables. Its hard to get a photo of the size of the place. Simply an amazing time.

This venue has a nostalgic but in a chic-way feel! Reminds me of a neighborhood hold-in-a-wall hangout place where you can get a beer, play pool, and listen to live music! Love it!

Ladies night and African nights are my favorite events here for sureMusic makes you lose controlDelicious cocktails with original ingredientsSupply of water in paper cups and buffet (on African nights) included in cover, which is greatLove the outdoor patio and friendly company next to the fireplaceWorth to check out if you are visiting Austin

Great dancing spot. Afro and funk beats are welcomed entertainment in a city full of standard rock jams. Only downside is theres always a cover but its to be expected w/ the great musical artists they host and the bar operating costs. Colder months bring hot toddys.

DANGER: Legit fun

Great spot for music

Really casual atmosphere, a couple pool tables,some good musicians (went there on Friday night, good band), drinks are at reasonable prices. The only thing, too hot in the summer time, no aircon.

There is always a cover charge of $10 Allegedly for the bands. But they always pass the tip jar around the dance floor, really? I noticed that. There is this bad culture of charging cover charge and people summit to it. I hate it.

Groovy environment and a great drink selection. A dance floor right by the stage to enjoy the live music on and a nice little space out back with lots of seating if you need a breath of fresh air. Theres a food truck with gourmet pizza if you need something to balance out the drinks, and a fire pit to chill around.

Beautiful outdoor space with fire pit great music dancing and energy.

I loved it but I didnt find what I was seeking. The exotic feel of music from my culture

Awesome place. Great venue. Hole in the wall dive bar. Love the African food.

The music and atmosphere. Id go more often if it werent for the cover charge. $5 is fine. Anything after that Ill think about it.

Dope little dive bar with live music,love the crowd,a big vibe

This is an amazing place - one of the last few laid back places in Austin. The putdoor venue is wonderful - the indoor venue is little louder than my ears can handle. The have good local beers too. The cover charges are low. You can get great pizza too

Nice, comfortable space with good acoustics for music

Great place, great music & best of all the audience were mostly mature, classy, diverse & selective. I will definitely visit again the next time am in Austin!

Fun cozy bar with outstanding live music and a chill old school vibe

The best African night ever !

I looove this place, and the owners are very pro-community. Probably the most unique pub in Austin . Live music free food, good drinks. Bartenders are super cool and older locals hangout here. The guy that works the parking lot is such a sweet gentleman. Good dance nights and great chill nights too.

Always a blast going out to dance here. The vibe is like family.

Sahara lounge is one of the best night life spots in all of Austin. Ive been going there for years now. Its very different from downtown Austin and 6th Street. Its a real chill spot. Lounge is a perfect description of it. Its a medium sized bar with a average sized dance floor and a big space in the back where people can lounge and drink and relax. It also has two pool tables and a table to play chess on. This place has a culture of acceptance and tranquility unlike most lounges and bars in Austin. Sometimes I dance the night away to amazing African inspired jazz. Sometimes I chill in the back lounge part and talk it up with people. Overall its my favorite bar/lounge in Austin. And the only African style lounge/bar I know of I Austin.

What an awesome music venue that truly keeps Austin weird!

Chill bartender, tasty drinks, great music, good acoustics, clean bathrooms.

The environment here is very positive and exciting as a performer! Its always fun coming here!

Decent little spot. They have a nice outside area out back with a food trailer. Didnt try the food but was a nice option to have. The drink prices were decent. The problem was the place was dead. Like literally nobody there, but they were still charging a $5 cover to get in. Seems counter productive to me.

First time there and not only was it a great last stop of the night for a nightcap but they had amazing food at the buffet, which was included in the entry fee. There was a pizza food truck in the back too.People were friendly, the drinks were strong, theres parking, indoor and outdoor seating, and artsy stuff.This isnt a high class place. Its quality and comfortable.

Do y’all know if there’s enough young people here for a 25 ye old to hang out? Or just older crowd

Its a great hole in the wall. Plenty of parking. Everyone was friendly.

Jumped to the loud samba band, had superb pizza from the truck out back. Plenty of parking. Austin music scene like I remember from 30 years ago. I will be back.

By far one of the coolest spots to take in live musicin Austin. Really easy to let your hair down even if you dont have any! Free parking, great food in the trailer out back. They even have some vegetarian or vegan options for your tummy. Take a load off at the fire pit, or play a relaxing game of chess. Phenomenal place and owner from the staff to all of the people just listening to music.

I like how chill this place is. I love that they have a smoking patio thats spacious. However, their inside isnt very big and barely anywhere to sit. The music isnt exactly my style but I do like how good the customer service was. And great drinks!

LOVE this place! Great dive bar in a small house like venue. Super cute and cool decor all around! The whole staff is super friendly and accommodating. They have an African buffet all night and great African/reggae bands to watch! Love their patio too!

Amazing live African music on Saturday nights

Cute little spot. The bar can become cramped as its right next to the door. Theres no AC, which is a little brutal in the summer. The back patio is really nice, quiet, and chill. Everyone I met there was very welcoming and warm.

Classic AustinWell worth a visit!Free car park, nice outdoor area with fire pit for the colder nights.Its a little way off the beaten path of downtown Austin but worth the effort.

I have read all of the reviews here and thought this would be a cool place for some live music. I went to this place and at first it seemed like a good place to have some drinks. What surprised me is that they has some food there, not like a true buffet but it was decent. I noticed that there was a child in this place and I asked myself the question of what is a child doing here and then I see that she was with her mom and was visiting her dad which was a musician in the band and I thought nothing else of it until I notice the band started to play and the mom and the child were dancing on the floor. What made matter worse is the the mom gave the child the tip jar that was in front of the band and had her going around collecting tips!!!! I was like WTH. Could this mother and possible husband of the band member not find a babysitter? Just when you thought that was weird, a patron brought their dog to this place and that was my queue to leave. Honestly, this place was decent until I noticed all of that. What place allows that? None that I know of and I know there are city codes that were broken. Thank goodness I did not work for CPS otherwise that child would not be there.

Chill atmosphere, good food truck, and parking.

Loved the vibe on Saturday night. They definitely need more air circulation inside though :/

The Sahara is great, you always meet new people and everyone has been friendly every time I have come. The food is good and the music is great. Come get some culture, Saturdays we have a few Meetup groups and everyone is welcome.

Great atmosphere, I love that place!

Great club, amazing artist Sy from South Africa plus a mariachi band after that. 10 dollar cover, but there was free food so that offset the cost. Fun place.

Great food and drinks in an exciting, exotic atmosphere.

If u aint uppity this place is for u. Great and fun vibes.

Super fun! Great music, great crowd

Cool place, iconic!

If you like world music and ecstatic dancing in casual funky atmosphere with friendly people, go to the Sahara Lounge. Many people dance solo. There is usually a cover but drinks are reasonable. Outside lounge is available if you need a break as well as food trailers.

Great place. Came to meet friends for a quick drink. We ended up staying the whole night!

Looove Sahara Lounge. Lots of great music in a fantastic atmosphere on the east side. Lots of decorations inside and out back are tables and a pizza trailer. Usually the venue has some great African (or inspired) music, as well as jazz, funk, r&b, boss nova- whatever. Staff is great. I also always enjoy a bar that has Red Stripe - Sahara Lounge also has a nice area to dance, but tables and bars around. Also two pool tables. Great place!

The music is always great inside but during the summer it sucks cuz its so hot. Im going to start going now that its a lot cooler though. But like I said the music is always great

This Location has a LONG outstanding history in East Austin as a culturally important club. My understanding is the current owners bought the location in order to keep the tradition going... and they have done a very excellent job of just that.They host an eclectic grouping of generally quite excellent bands in a relatively intimate space... But dont worry, if you feel at all crowded in, it is always easy to catch a breath of fresh air in their excellent back patio/yard.Drink prices are quite fair, and their mixed drinks are quite good as well.The real Austin music scene has always existed largely outside the Entertainment District with certain notable exceptions.If you REALLY want to catch some of the music that made Austin notable... The Sahara Lounge is an excellent choice of a venue to do so.

The music and food was fantastic.

The first time I went in this place was about 12 years ago. There is a ton of history at this location. Exhaust an interesting crowd these days.

I went to see some live music here and the vibe was great! They had a delicious chipotle mango (I think) house cocktail which was popular throughout the night and the rest of their drinks were well priced and well mixed. You should go!

Good music good vibes good time.

The venue was fun, loving, peaceful, family oriented, different races of people mingling and getting along loving each other and the whole vibe and atmosphere of the weekend; with all types of music from every aspect of life presented. It was definitely a must see event for the future.

This is one of the few old-time venues left thats owned locally, as in a minority-oened business on the east side. But thats not the only reason to go there...alsobecause of the history,the friendly service, and the consistently good musical lineups. You feel like you are in a real place, priceless.

It was dope, I go there occasionally and its great

A vibe you won’t find in most other places in Austin. Chilled, not hipster but genuinely cultured, and very welcoming. A judgment free dance floor, a full free (and spicy) dinner, and music you don’t find everywhere else.

Classic Austin place. They specialize in world beat music and interesting crowds. As eclectic as they come.

Great place to lose yourself in a house party/dance club vibe. Always a very diverse crowd that is all about having a great time and getting your sweat on to great music.

Hidden jewel in Austin known only to locals. They serve food which is a self service. They always have an vegetarian option for those who do not like to eat meat. They always have live music and surprise on weekends. There is also a perfect spacious backyard place to enjoy with with bonfire pit of its cold the fire will always be up. Excellent dive place, please enjoy your stay here.

A diverse group. the throw back late 90s music made the poorly mixed drinks tolerable. 97.9 the box type music for my Houston folks.

Interesting place. Back yard with plenty of tables unless its a busy night. Atmosphere was enjoyable. The building itself is old and feels like it will fall apart any minute. Music is good and lots of people feeling the groove. I would go back.

What a nifty, eclectic tittle place the lue music is quat and definitely sameplace to go that is a little of the beaten path popular with the locals and on the night I attended, they offered a complimentary african Buffet very tasty but also for this gal, very spicy!! the outside patio type area was very petalohad a food and which, I assume, is open when the buffet is not served Bregest down fall, no AC inside a Texas summer can kill a person! But they did rave many fans wheel helped

Good spot for a variety of music genres. They often have some food and snacks. Some of it is vegan too. One of the few holdouts in the gentrification map

What a place! Its magical, the music is awesome and the people are great! People with who u can talk about anything, with hight level of intellect and culture!

Tons of parking, not too crowded as theres extra room in the back. One employee was randomly blowing a whistle loudly (louder than the music right next to the speaker) so that was pretty annoying.

Its hot during those summer nights and it can get a little sweaty on the dance floor. But, its a good crowd and the drinks are cheap.

Cant speak for a regular night but the drink specials for the SXSW Canada House were pretty good, and I loved the way the venue was split inside and outside with several bars keeping lines to an absolute minimum.

Funk night is the best. Fire pit out back. Draft beer on tap. Locals and newbies. Always a good place to meet someone new. Loads of fun!

Cozy feel, something for everyone, low covers

Great space. Good energy..

Ok place for dancing but small floor. Has an outdoor seating area with pizza.

They hosted an event and I requested a refund because I couldnt make it. They declined my refund because Due to the time of your cancellation and the lack of scanning at the door a refund is unavailable.Its not my fault that dont have a system set up to check tickets. Furthermore, their event page does not say anything about refund details and then they say this. I will never go here ever, nor will I recommend it. Ive contacted them and still no response.

The place is really a hole on the wall, comfortable place. It has some decent bands. The stage it small and it doesnt have a huge floor for dancing but, its still a good place to go.

I have been going to the lounge for almost a decade. The deepest legacy of any other club in Austin. Dancing with the Stars of the night life and best musicians in town. Historic and thriving as the rest of the city changes daily.

Austins coziest World Music venue. Ibrahim makes a pot of stew on special nights and the dance floor is like a wooden trampoline.

This place never disappoints. Has great food on some nights. The dancing is always on. The back patio area is too much fun.

I dont want to find a bar more dive than the Sahara or the walls will collapse. When this place gets rockin the building shakes. The plywood dancefloor will help add moves into your dancing because it is pumping too. Great bar with a varied group willing to get off the beaten path to keep Austin weird. Damned good music.

We recently moved to the east side of Austin and I have been wanting to check this place out since we moved. It is very close to our new place and so we decided to stop by and check it out one Saturday on the way home. It was everything I imagined and more. I know that sounds cliche but really this place surpasses my expections. I loved everything about the place. Cheep beer, live music, great atmosphere, and more. The band that was playing was very eclectic and I couldnt help but grab my boyfriend and bring him to the dance area in front of the stage and dance to each 10 minute song. I couldnt stop dancing. The music way hypnotizing and just what I needed. What a great place to really unwind and enjoy life for the night or just a couple hours. I definitely plan to go back again and again. I feel lucky and blessed to call this small oasis on the eastside my new neighborhood bar. Check it out no matter what side of town you are coming from. It is definitely worth it. This is a great place to check out if you like the small, eclectic, dive bar scene. It is unique and very Austin at the same time.

Great music, friendly staff and fun ambience. Always a good time!

Nice spot to meet with friends. Love the food truck in the back.

The layout is completely void of any logic. When you enter you are immediately in line at the bar. When this place gets busy you have a crowd control issue right at the door. This has to be fire hazard too because should something happen, you will have a high volume of people trying to escape the nearest exit. I would like to see them move the entrance and or the bar location. They would benefit from having more than one bar. An outdoor bar would help defuse the traffic in the front.

As a new orleans native I can say this place is the real deal.

Intimate setting for small acts. Perfect dive-y/cozy ambiance. Drinks were the right price. Visited from out of town, felt like a regular almost immediately. Loved it, looking forward to a return visit.