Ron L.
Yelp
Billy Bob's Honky Tonk is Texas' version of Disneyland. I don't know how many people come to DFW just to visit Billy Bob's. But it's got nearly everything you'd expect in such a place, a lot of it, is very popular among both tourists and locals, and is quite expensive.
The major difference between Billy Bob's and Disneyland is this: The Mouse Kingdom is pretty small, only 65 acres, so the compact layout makes it quick to get from one end of the park to the other. In contrast, Billy Bob's markets itself as "the world's largest honky tonk", and it looks the part. When you first walk in, you feel like you can get lost in here. Indeed, when it's time to leave, it can be difficult to find the exit.
You can drink. You can dance on two dance floors. You can watch a concert. You can drink. You can view the cement hand prints on the wall, just like in Hollywood. You can eat. You can drink. You can play pool. You can get your photo taken on a mechanical bull. You can ride a mechanical bull. You can drink. You can even watch a real bull riding competition. Did I mention that you can drink?
You can also have a nice, quiet dinner with the love of your life, but that needs to be before 6pm when there are no crowds. There are also a few rooms that are more private if you have a company event to hold.
I had a Cowboy Cubano sandwich and Coke, the sandwiches come with drinks, and it came out to nearly $20, roughly 40% more than at other places, and that was on top of the $3 cover charge for coming in a little early (remember what I wrote about expensive?). The food was very good, and the fries did the unusual accomplishment of having tasty spice without needing ketchup (I'm hard to please with fries).
As a dancer, I went to the lessons on Wednesday night. I expected line dancing, and that's what I got. I did not expect ONLY line dancing. Although I maintain my hate for country music, I would have gone out there with a girl who's fine enjoying a song with a stranger on the dance floor. The cowgirls were there, including those wearing rhinestone-covered boots and leather pants and big hair. But for nearly an hour after the lessons, there were only four times I saw a couple out there doing their own thing. And line dancing is about knowing the choreography for that specific song, not thinking up your own choreography and giving your partner a great time.
Billy Bob's on Wednesday does not look to be as busy as Billy Bob's on Friday or Saturday. I saw lots of people there having a good time with each other, some large groups and some couples. And, naturally, lots of drinks.
Bottom line: The Fort Worth Stockyards is the heart of Fort Worth, and if you're there at the right time of night and want to see why everything's big in Texas, Billy Bob's Honky Tonk is only a few carless blocks away from the center of activity on Exchange Street. And it's no Mickey Mouse operation.