Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth

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I must say it was a REALLY hot Texas summers day and the thought of a cold beer was mentioned and nothing more had to be said..The thought of cold beer was overwhelming and cold beers were to be drunk as soon as possible..
A visit to Billy Bobs is a must...just the place for some cold beers and if you are game , a ride on the mechanical bull ...also check out "The Hands cast in Plaster" somebody had the idea and many of the famous visitors here have had a cast of their hands done in plaster these can be found all through the out of bar area..The bar areas here are huge and many, the choices of beer also is large. I beleive that the patrons number in their thousands 6000 TO BE PRECISE on saturday nights...thats a lot of beer..This is definately the place to blow the froth off a cold beer..or two...AND DONT FORGET check your guns in AT THE DOOR..

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Yehaw! If you like country western, cowgirls or cowboys this is the world's largest honky-tonk with a 4,800-sq.-ft. rodeo area, 600 feet of bar rails, a 1,650-sq.-ft. stage for country/Western entertainment with top stars, shops, games, and restaurants. Then you'll like hanging out here. The dance floor is huge. They also have a museum of the many country western stars hands prints adorning the walls that has graced this establishment. Really neat to compare your hands against celebrities.

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Billy Bob's Texas calls itself the largest Western Honky-Tonk in the world (pic#2). Country Western concerts not only feature big names like Willy Nelson and Dolly Parton, but also newly emerging bands (pic#3).

Hand prints of the famous accent the halls, while real bull riding separates the men from the boys. Only pros and semi-pro's participate in this lively competition.

A nicely stocked gift shop, small arcade section and pool tables are all here to entice visitors into spending a long evening at Billy Bob's (pic #4). A snack area provides munchies for the hungry--but don't expect a full dinner.

Step up for a photo on a bucking bull--it's fake, of course, but makes for some interesting conversation back home! Night time entertainment might be line dancing beneath a shimmery rhinestone saddle donated by Dolly herself, which revolves above the dance floor (pic#5).

Hours are Mon.-Sat. 11 am-2am; Sun. 12 Noon-2 am. Admission is $2.50 to see the Bullriding on Fri. and Sat. nights from 9 pm-10pm. Standard admission is Sun.-Tues. $1 before 7pm, $3 after 7pm; Weds.-Thurs. $1 before 8pm, $4 after 8 pm; Fri.-Sat. $1 before 5 pm (usually closed from 5-6pm to prepare for concerts), $6.50 up to and after 6 pm.

NOTE: Our guide advised us to purchase reserved seat admission when viewing concerts--the sound is better.

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Billy Bobs has a unique tradition whereby every entertainer that performs on stage is asked to leave their handprint impressions in concrete. There are several walls displaying many well known artists handprints and signatures.

The Building now known as Billy Bob's Texas was built in 1910 and was once a large open-air barn for housing prize cattle during the Fort Worth Stock Show.

In 1936, as a Texas Centennial Project, the building was enclosed by the City of Fort Worth at a cost of $183,500 and the tower added. The "new" structure contained 1257 animal stalls, and a 1200 seat auction ring that is now Billy Bob's Bull Riding arena.

The floor of Billy Bob's slopes from the entry toward the showroom stage, making an ideal elevation for concert seating.

This slope was originally constructed to allow easy cleaning and runoff from the cattle pens. Livestock events were held here until the stock show moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Complex, in the present downtown area, around 1943.

During World War II, the building was used as an airplane factory for the Globe Aircraft Corporation.

In the 1950's the building became a department store so large that the stock boys wore roller skates to make their jobs quicker and easier.

With 127,000 square feet of space, which is nearly 3 acres inside and 20 acres of parking, for entertainment and events, Billy Bob's has 32 Max individual bar stations, country music's biggest stars, Live Pro Bull Riding and a Texas size dance floor for everyone to enjoy.

Billy Bob's Texas opened April 1, 1981 to national attention with Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers as the first performers. Other artists who appeared that first week were Waylon Jennings, Janie Fricke & Willie Nelson.

The building was built in 1910 and was originally a large open-air barn for the accommodation of prize cattle during the Fort Worth Stock Show. In 1936 the building was enclosed and the tower was added. This new form contained 1257 animal stalls, and a 1200 seat auction ring that is now Billy Bob's Bull Riding arena.

During World War II, the building was put to use as an airplain factory and in the 1950's the building became a department store which was so big that the stock boys rolled around on roller skates to enable them to quickly get around. Billy Bob's Texas opened April 1, 1981.

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I must say not being a 'honky tonky' / country & western type gal, Billy Bob's wasn't high on my list to visit but I have to admit to being quite amazed once inside.

While no live shows were being performed at the time, the various areas within the complex were busy with either eating, drinking, shopping, video games, pool players or just those like me checking out the place.

The admission prices at Billy Bob's vary during the week .

You must goto the worlds largest honkytonk. It's open to people of all ages to not only see concerts but to also to test their skills on a large variety of video/arcade games & pool tables. Also check out the 'Handprint wall of fame' which is signed by every celebrity that has been to BillyBob's