Lubbock's Depot District grew up around the old rail yards on the east side of downtown, and it's where Red Raiders go for live Texas country, local beer and High Plains wine. This walk starts at a brewery on the north side of downtown, heads south on Texas Avenue to a winery in an old Coca-Cola plant, and ends at the Buddy Holly Avenue block where The Blue Light has launched a generation of red-dirt careers. It covers roughly a mile of downtown streets. Texas Tech's campus is about a mile and a half west, so plan a ride to and from the district. 21+ only — please drink responsibly and plan a sober ride or rideshare home.
East of downtown Lubbock, the Depot District grew up around the old rail yards, and today it's where Red Raiders and locals head for Texas country music, local beer and High Plains wine. This crawl of about a mile samples the district's mix of tasting rooms and live-music stages.
The Blue Light is the district's musical anchor. Open since 1999 in one of downtown's oldest buildings, it has been a launching pad for red-dirt artists: Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott, Randy Rogers and Flatland Cavalry have all credited it with shaping their careers, and its Monday songwriter nights allow originals only. Right across Buddy Holly Avenue, Triple J Chophouse & Brew Co. makes its own beer in the historic building that once housed Hub City Brewery.
Wine has deep roots here too. McPherson Cellars honors Dr. Clinton 'Doc' McPherson, remembered as one of the founding fathers of modern Texas wine; his son Kim created the label in 2000 and in 2008 opened a downtown winery and tasting room in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant. Two Docs Brewing Co., started by two cousins and former Red Raiders, a physician and a veterinarian, pours house-brewed beer on a dog-friendly patio.
Texas Tech is about a mile and a half west, so plan a ride to and from the district. This crawl is 21+ only; please drink responsibly and plan a sober ride or rideshare home.
It is a self-guided walking tour: 5 stops, about 1.1 miles, ~2.5 hours. Go at your own pace; the app keeps your place.
Where does it start?
In Lubbock, Texas. The exact starting point, the full stop list and turn-by-turn directions are in the TexasRoam app.
How do I take this tour?
Download TexasRoam for iPhone or iPad from the App Store. The tour is included with TexasRoam+. It is not available on the web map.
When is the best time to go?
Start in the early evening while the tasting rooms are open, then catch music at The Blue Light, where shows run late and Monday is songwriter night; check its calendar first.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes. This is a 21+ pub crawl. Please drink responsibly and plan a sober ride or rideshare home.
Take the “Depot District Pub Crawl (Texas Tech)”
Texas Roam guides you turn by turn through Lubbock with maps, audio narration and check-ins as you go — plus all 5 stops on this tour and every guided tour, hiking trail and historical marker across Texas. Get it on the App Store.
Guided tours & hiking trails are available only in the TexasRoam app for iPhone & iPad — not on the web map. Free to download; unlock with TexasRoam+.
