No matter where you go in the United States of America, you'll find country fans - and a Honky Tonk that feels like a second home. Whether it's a hole-in-the-wall dive bar or a multi-level cavernous club, it doesn't really matter as long as there's cold beer and good music. We took a virtual road trip and discovered some pretty colorful places. Check out our list! By Jamison Rotch, with Erin Mercer
Housed in an historic building from the 1920s , this Ohio Honky Tonk’s 5,000 square foot maple dance floor is a huge draw for the best two-steppers, line dancers and wallflowers in the Buckeye State. Since it opened in 2003, the Dusty Armadillo has welcomed a mix of old and new school artists including Josh Thompson, Luke Bryan, Phil Vassar, Eric Church, Alan Jackson and the Zac Brown Band.
Photos courtesy of Dusty Armadillo.
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Known as the “Carnegie Hall of Western Swing,” the legendary Bob Wills made his debut on Cain’s stage New Year’s Night in 1935. The ballroom and its “spring-loaded dance floor” (designed so patrons could dance all night without having to take a break would serve as home to Mr. Wills and his Texas Playboys until 1942. Today music fans flock to this venue in the middle of nowhere to see the best and brightest of a new generation of country and rock artists, including shows from Jamey Johnson, the Civil Wars and Jack White.
Photos courtesy of Cain's Ballroom.
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Ponderosa Lounge at the Jubitz Marketplace 10350 N. Vancouver Way
Portland, OR 97217
503-345-0317
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Another longtime veteran in the Honky Tonk game, this giant truck stop has hosted live music on its stage for over 40 years. Their ”Up & Country” has tapped a pipeline to Music City to import fresh live country music to the Portland area every weekend and features “big name” acts 4 to 6 times a year, including Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, to name a few. The venue seats several hundred and the two large dance floors bring out enough big ol’ belt buckles that would earn a tip of the hat from a Texan. And don’t let the fact that it’s a truck stop fool you; actors, musicians, and even the President of the United States (George H. W. Bush have paid the Pondersoa Lounge a visit.
Photo courtesy of Ponderosa Lounge.
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It appears Pennsylvanians prefer their Honky Tonks to have a little glitz and glam, and at Saddle Ridge they find plenty of both. Part of Pittsburgh’s Premiere Party Compound, this night club offers dance lessons every Friday and Saturday night as well as the occasional live band (local artist Brynn Marie is known to pack them in. And if you think the Steelers D hits hard, take a spin on the mechanical bull.
Photos courtesy of Saddle Ridge.
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It’s all about family at this Rhode Island Honky Tonk. Current owner Dan Albro’s grandfather first opened up a spot in 1929 for families looking to picnic or swim on the 50-acre pond out back. Dan’s mother started playing music with her family band in the ‘40s. Now Dan and his wife, Kelly, teach line dancing and have five sons who play in the house band. Three wooden dance floors provide space to 150 to 200 dancers – ranging in ages from 18 to 80 - four nights a week.
Photo courtesy of Mishnock Barn.
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The self-proclaimed 8th Wonder of the World, this legendary Honky Tonk has been entertaining music fans since the 1940s. The supergroup Alabama got its start playing for tips on the Bowery stage and performed as the house band until 1980 (back then, they were known as Wild Country. Memorabilia from the group’s career and early playing days adds to the dive décor. Live music is still being served up 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Photo courtesy of The Bowery.
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During the first week in August, the population of Sturgis swells from around 6,000 to over a half-million as motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world descend on for the town’s annual Motorcycle Rally. If you take a trip into the madness, be sure to stop in to One-Eyed Jack's Saloon. The largest bar in town has restaurant open year-round with drool-worthy steaks, and during the Rally an army of 50 bartenders is on hand to keep the wait for drinks at a minimum. Locals come from as far as 100 miles away to try a little two-stepping to live bands.
Photos courtesy of One-Eyed Jack's Saloon.
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Nowhere in the country is the competition for the top Honky Tonk more intense than in Music City. Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville is home to a half-dozen noteworthy spots, but the crown jewel is Tootsie’s “World Famous” Orchid Lounge. Open since the 1960s, the dive bar shares an alley with The Ryman Auditorium and was a favorite drinking spot for too many Grand Ole Opry performers to even try to name (but we’ll start with Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller and Kris Kristofferson. Live music starts as early as 10 a.m. and continues late into the night.
Photos courtesy of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.
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Considering its ratio of HonkyTonks per citizen, the great state of Texas is the closest thing to Heaven a country fan can find. If you’re looking for big, loud and proud -- there’s always Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth with its 40 bars and almost three acres of indoor space.
Photos courtesy of Billy Bob's Texas.
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For a more intimate experience make the trip to Gruene Hall, the oldest continually-running dance hall in Texas. With its official slogan, “Gently resisting change since 1872,” two-stepping on the old hardwood floors is like taking a trip back in time.
Photo courtesy of Gruene Hall.
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Open seven days a week, The Outlaw Saloon has been putting on one of the largest country parties in the state of Utah every weekend for the last 14 years. With 10,000 square feet of space and a huge fenced outside patio with a custom-built fire pit, you’ll find ample space for Honky Tonkin’-- indoors or in the open air. There’s live music every week Thursday through Saturday with nationally-known acts including Eric Church, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt and more several times a year.
Photo courtesy of The Outlaw Saloon.
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Honky Tonks don’t exactly grow on trees in Vermont, but country fans looking for their fix do have a few options. Over its 14 years in existence, Higher Ground has grown into the premiere place to catch live music. The hardest working club in the Northeast offers up 400 shows a year and has welcomed country acts Dierks Bentley, Pat Green and Josh Thompson on their well-worn stage.
Photos courtesy of Higher Ground.
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These country stars have some surprising must-haves out on the road...watch!
Top 20 Songs About Honky Tonks
Neon lights, juke boxes, a smokin' band and a bartender ready to get whatever you want. These are required elements of the Honky Tonk experience. Here's our list of the Top 20 Songs about Honky Tonks.
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