Sabrina Carpenter, Luke Combs, Doechii and more are all headed to Central Texas this weekend for Austin City Limits. While ACLgoers will get to see some of their favorite artists on stage, a lucky few may be able to meet them outside the festival living it up in the state’s capital city.
Last year, ACL headliner Dua Lipa got the full Texas experience during her two weeks in Austin, trying barbecue, two-stepping at a honky tonk and even performing in a custom Longhorn football jersey. Anyone visiting a new place will often immerse themselves in the city’s culture, food, history and atmosphere. After all, celebrities are just like us when we visit a new city: playing tourists.
This means anything is possible for this year’s ACL performers willing to explore Austin beyond the festival. Who knows, maybe Sabrina Carpenter will be the next Dua Lipa and surprise us all with some Short N’ Sweet stops around town.
Here are a 5 places we think an ACL performer may visit this year based on past celebrity sightings:
Buc-ee’s is a one-stop-shop for gas, travel goodies, gifts, snacks and more. (Taylor Kamnetz/MySA)
Buc-ee’s
During Sabrina Carpenter’s last visit to Texas, while on tour last year, she did what most of us Texans do on any road trip: stop at Buc-ee’s. The “Please, Please, Please” singer and her team recorded a video reading some of the funniest quotes on Buc-ee’s store merch, before she made her way to Austin for her next show. In addition, the growing Texas-based gas station chain has become a popular place for celebrities to grab a snack and get a taste of the Lone Star State.
Dua Lipa (left) and Mike Peacock (right), general manager at the Broken Spoke honky tonk bar in Austin, Texas. (Courtesy of Broken Spoke)
Broken Spoke
After her headlining shows at ACL last year, Dua Lipa danced the night away at the Broken Spoke, an iconic, 60-year honky tonk in Austin. With Doechii being a Southern gal, maybe she’ll take a page out of Lipa’s book and learn how to step there during her visit. The Grammy Award-winning rapper, who performed in San Antonio earlier this year, might be able to explore more of Austin, since she’ll be here for more than just one day.
The new ribeye tacos at Matt’s El Rancho. (David Brendan Hall/Courtesy of David Brendan Hall)
Matt’s El Rancho
Celebrities love this Tex-Mex staple that’s been serving Austin since 1932. Matt’s El Rancho has hosted big names including Will Ferrell, Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Serena Williams and more. So, really any ACL performer craving a delicious taste of the city could stop by for a quick bite before or after their sets.
Hilary Duff stopped by La Barbecue in Austin on August 8, posing with pitmaster Ali Clem. (La Barbecue)
la Barbecue
Tampa’s own Doechii during the March Madness Music Festival. (Chris Stokes for MySA)
Seth Rogen, Dua Lipa, Keith Lee and Hilary Duff have all swung by this Michelin-star barbecue joint in East Austin. Rogen and Lee visited la Barbecue during South by Southwest earlier this year, while Lipa ate there last year during ACL, where she also created a spicy, sour Diet Coke drink that went viral. Lee, whose known for being a popular food critic online, called the restaurant “some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had in my life.” We predict that maybe T-Pain or Olivia Dean could stop by this year to try la Barbecue’s mouthwatering brisket, ribs and sausage for themselves.
This article originally published at 4 celebrity-worthy places you could spot ACL performers in 2025.
