Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, Texas
Located in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is the world-famous honky-tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas.
This huge country/western nightclub opened in 1981 and was named after its founder Billy Bob Barnett, a former professional football player. The building dates back to 1910 when it was once an open-air cattle barn, part of the Fort Worth Stockyard. During World War II, the barn became an airplane factory and in the 1950s it was converted into a large department store.
The site covers an area of 100,000 square feet and has nearly 20 acres of parking. Inside are several bars and a Texas-size dance floor. The honky-tonk hosts live music showcases where many big names in the country music world have performed.
A large collection of country music memorabilia is on display in the museum. There is also a Celebrity Wall Of Fame where each entertainer leaves their handprints in concrete and autographed guitars of the stars can be found at the Guitar Bar.
The venue also contains an indoor rodeo arena in what was the auction ring for cattle. Every Friday and Saturday night there is a live rodeo with professional bull riders.
Billy Bob’s Texas is also in the Guinness Book of World Records as the location where the biggest round of drinks was purchased. This happened in 1983 when Merle Haggard offered to buy everyone in the bar a whiskey shot. This totaled 5,095 people and cost him $12,737.50.
Along with being a venue for conventions, parties, and weddings, the bar hosts weekly line dancing classes, has rows of pool tables, a video arcade, kitchens serving authentic Western cuisine, a general store, and a gift shop.
