Category: Press

We are more than happy to announce that the Sahara Lounge has been awarded the illustrious “Best Place to Dance Like There’s No One Watching” award by Austin voters in the 2026 Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin. Feel free to tell all your friends so they can also join in you in dancing the night…

“The family-owned business is especially known for its “Africa Night” events on Saturdays, where bands play various sounds of the African diaspora that guests can’t help but dance and vibe to as they sip tropical cocktails. This event also includes a free buffet of fresh food bursting with the flavors of West African spices with…

We are super excited and grateful that Sahara was featured in USA Today as one of the “Bars of the Year”! Our local paper, The Austin American Statesman published a more in-depth article which you can read at this link.. Check it out… and if you have friends you have been trying to get to…

We are so happy for Africa Night to be featured in Austin Chronicle’s Residential Address. Gary Lindsey writes about the experiences of Africa Night featuring our beloved Ibrahim Aminou and Zoumountchi. “With a revolving door of talent and guests from around the world, he (Ibrahim Aminou) has the means to do it. The 10-piece Zoumountchi…

Thanks to Natalie Phan with Visit Austin for including the Sahara Lounge among a variety of other great venues for World Music in Austin, TX. We’re proud to be part of the international music community and a home for culture.

Thank you, Austin. We love being your favorite dive bar. Come see us anytime you want! “Sahara Lounge makes room for everyone. It’s full of diversity and good vibes.” – Leticia Rodriguez

Sahara Lounge is proud to annouce our Africa Night residency as a winner of Best Ongoin Music Residency for the 2019 Austin Music Industry Awards. We also gives thanks to all the wonderful patrons who’ve come to celebrate with us and the awesome musicians who have given all their love and talent.

It’s almost like Best of Austin created a category just for the Sahara Lounge. We’re happy to be the Nightlife Wild Card spot for you, Austin. Now, come get wild with us! “Sahara Lounge is a special place and one of the last of its kind in the city of Austin.” – Katherine Vaughn

Thank you to the Austin American Statesman and Deborah Sengupta Stith for featuring Africa Night as its Residency of the Month for November 2019!

Thank you to Brandon Watson and Culture Map for naming the Sahara Lounge as one seven magical spots to grab a drink in Austin. Come in anytime for a Sahara Slant and some soulful grooves. Although we have never peeked at their records, we suspect that the mother and son who run this east side…