posted 14 March 2000 01:13 PM         

My girlfriend and I love to go dancing and I love to hear any steel players I can.... and soak up as much steel as I can. Can you guys point me in the right direction to some great little honky tonks around texas we could visit on the weekends? They are getting harder and harder to find. We have some good ones here in Austin, but I am looking to expand beyond the Austin area. I'll take any info... even the smallest little club.....

posted 14 March 2000 06:45 PM         

Pat Smith

[This message was edited by Pat Smith on 14 March 2000 at 06:47 PM.]

posted 14 March 2000 06:54 PM         

Now that is a new question! As others have said, the better “Honky Tonks” have (sadly enough) disappeared in most areas. In San Antonio, the only few I can think of would be Leon Springs Dance Hall, Floores Store and Country Gold. Now, there are a ton of little beer joints with a country band, sometimes having a great steel player, depending on what band is there.

Beyond SA, but in the area try London Hall in London, TX, in Uvalde the Purple Sage and soon to open, The Lone Star Saloon. You won’t always hear a great steel player at any of those places (Especially if I am playing there!), but they tend to book the “better” bands, or the bigger acts, that in many cases have a steel player that knows his stuff.

posted 14 March 2000 08:52 PM         

Texas Highways Magazine, where I work during the day, did a story on Texas dance halls and those mentioned in this thread are among the ones they mention. Log onto www.texashighways.com There may be a place to request back issues and articles I'm not sure.

There's a pretty neat dance hall in Bandera called the Saloon, I think. Features lots of recording acts and some local talent.

There's a club we drove by in Dallas over the weekend during the Jamboree. Its on Northwest Highway near the Irving city limit called the Top Rail, its been there for years.

I would also submit the Coupland Inn in Coupland about 25 miles east of here (Austin). It's got barbecue next door and a pretty big dance floor. Lots of pictures on the wall of guys like Willie, Gary Stewart, Johnny Bush, all of whom have played there.

Then there's the River Palace in Johnson City. If you're in Salado, check out Bo's Barn. It's right on I-35.

Herb Steiner could pick up where I left off, he's played em all.

posted 14 March 2000 10:05 PM         

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posted 14 March 2000 10:45 PM         

In San Antonio, the Farmer's Daughter may or may not be open; but when they are, either Rick Price or Denny Mathis will be playing steel and they will knock you out, I garontee!!

In Bandera, there are two clubs: the Cabaret, and Arkie Blue's Silver Dollar. The Cab has good, Gruene Hall-type acts and an excellent gourmet restaurant. The Silver Dollar is a quintessential Texas honky tonk... no, it is the quintessential Texas honky tonk. Easily the equal of the Broken Spoke in atmosphere.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite

posted 15 March 2000 08:09 AM         

I agree with a lot of the choices as being great places to hear good hillbilly music (with steel guitar) ie. Leon Springs Dance Hall, Bandera Cabaret, Club 21, The River Palace, etc. But, these places are really sizable dance halls and not exactly honky-tonks. I agree with Herb about the Coupland Inn. It has the potential for being a real legendary DANCE HALL but the usual bands and the folks running it hold it back.

I like the idea of calling the White Elephant a honky-tonk (even though it's in the heart of the tourist district and it also serves as an occasional set for the T.V. show "Walker Texas Ranger"). But, my votes go to Austin clubs tho. They are:

The Broken Spoke (not a pretty place. it might get blown away in a stiff wind; usually good honky-tonk dance music and it has a wooden dance floor).

The Chapparal Lounge (not a pretty place. watch out for seedy characters inside and your car outside; usually good honky-tonk music and a sizable wooden dance floor).

Henry's, Liberty Hill, TX (not a pretty place and it's tiny; not much of a dance floor; but some of the best folks you'll ever meet; some of the truest forms of honky-tonk music you'll hear. both live and on the jukebox; and some the cheapest cold beer you'll get outside of your own icebox).

Last and certainly not least, Ginny's Little Longhorn, (the same as Henry's but smaller and with better lighting )

Sorry, Bill I guess I didn't tell you anything you don't already know about, but why go a long distance if the best is right here?

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

posted 15 March 2000 09:33 AM         

Seriously though, when if Fort Worth it should be compulsory to attend Big Balls of Cow Town.
Hey John Russel, was that the article written by a woman named Elaine? She came round to my place to get the info on those places, I hope I gave her the right information. I, pretty sure Bill already knows most of them.

posted 15 March 2000 06:08 PM         

As a side note, the Golden Stallion was one of the first of the great dance halls in San Antonio to close. I’m not sure, but it runs in my mind that it has been closed now for at least 12, maybe 15 years. Additionally, I have played that hall in Victoria and you are right, it is a great hall. By the way…I can’t remember the name of it either!

Wayne, the Texas Star Inn was a very cool place to play. It's now Grady's Bar-B-Q. No music, but they do have some of the best Bar-B-Q in town.

posted 16 March 2000 05:58 PM         

Oh yea teesee…forget the beers! Try carrying a hundred lb. Steel Guitar up and down those stairs at Arkie Blue’s club! That will get your attention.

B. Bailey Brown

[This message was edited by B Bailey Brown on 16 March 2000 at 06:03 PM.]

posted 17 March 2000 06:04 PM         

If you want a real "Honky Tonk" go to Bandara and stop by Arkey Blues "Silver Dollar Saloon". Front door is on Main street and goes stright downstairs to the bar..

Has bands on Wed.,Fri.& Sat. nites. Sawdust on the floor,cold beer, and sometimes some real good ol two steppen dance misic..

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Chuck..Deep in the heart of East Texas..

[This message was edited by Chuck Smith on 17 March 2000 at 06:07 PM.]

posted 17 March 2000 07:34 PM         

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