Located on Santa Fe Drive and West 5th Street, Trade has done more than just survive its first year in Denver-it has thrived. Oh yeah, the drinks are pretty cheap too. The bartenders are nice and often pour with a heavy hand. They laugh, the play darts, they’ll read you in the most flattering way. Think of all those dive bars in the movies where everyone is smiling and a little drunk. The atmosphere is light-hearted and the clientele is always eclectic.
R&R Bar is fun, friendly, and “not cliquey,” according to Illgen. “We do complimentary breakfast burritos before the parade, so that’s always a big thing, and people get a couple of cocktails in ‘em before the festivities start.” “We open the Sunday of Pride Week at 7:30 a.m.,” explained Rich Illgen, owner of the bar. While unassuming and small, R&R Bar proudly serves the LGBTQ community and is going to be participating in Pride again this year. Nestled snugly on Colfax, R&R Bar was a cozy and becoming hole-in-the-wall before dive bars and the grimy charm of Colfax were hip. With its mythical two-step lessons early in the evening, go-go boys, cheap sloshy beer, and an entire room for its frequent drag shows, this staple of the Denver gay scene has something for everyone.ĭenver’s oldest gay bar, R&R Bar is a Denver staple. Just a few blocks down on Colfax sits one of Denver’s most popular dance bars, Charlie’s. People flock to the bar to dance and get down or just to drink and relax, and many in the LGBTQ community have made it their regular hangout. The bar boasts nightly specials and drink deals, as well as two dance floors for the weekends and a large patio section. We have a very special float this year, so we are looking forward to the parade on June 18.” “We also give them away and have the biggest pink flamingo around on our float. “X Bar is well known for the pink flamingos during pride, and they are everywhere,” explained Cindy Alix, general manager at X Bar. Known for its inclusivity towards both the queer and straight communities, X Bar has been around for seven years and has been an important staple of Denver for just as long.
Ladies receive free entry on Wednesdays.X Bar is a staple for Denver LGBTQ folks. However, there's free admission on Tuesdays with a DFW Metroplex ID and on Thursdays with a college ID. Ilene's expert tip: Note that there is a charge of $2-$5 just to enter, not including admission to concerts and rodeos. Recommended for Country Western Bars because: A visit to the DFW Metroplex isn't complete without a stop at this Fort Worth icon. And, yes, they have dance lessons (Sunday, Monday Wednesday and Thursday) here too.
Plus, there's a house band that plays Wednesday through Saturday and live pro bull riding on offer every weekend. Oh, and talk about live music, this place is known for hosting some of the biggest names in rock and country music, from Willie Nelson to ZZ Top and Ringo Starr. It's so massive that it can accommodate 6,000 people at a time.
Billed as the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's covers almost 3-acres and boasts over 30 bar stations, a Texas-size dance floor, an indoor rodeo arena, a restaurant, a gift shop, arcade games and country music memorabilia galore. Sure, it's touristy and gimmicky, but if you really want to get your urban cowboy shtick on, this legendary country and western venue in the Fort Worth Stockyards is where to do it. Whether you want to kick up your heels on a dance floor or just hang back with a cold one and listen to good music, consider this your ultimate boot-scootin' bucket list. Of course, we'd be remiss not to include Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, it's a must-see attraction even if you’re not a country music fan. There's also Poor David's Pub, another legendary venue where Sara Hickman and The Dixie Chicks got their start. Not to mention, all the shows are free for the taking. Even Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert have performed there.
Speaking of live music, Adair's Saloon brings in the cream of the country music crop when it comes to up-and-coming indie bands and singer-songwriter acts. Those looking for dance floor action will want to head over to Cowboys Dancehall–where they'll find plenty of room to strut their stuff to live country music all weekend.
But that's not to say locals don't enjoy embracing their inner cowboy (or cowgirl), especially when it comes to two-steppin' at the city's best country music bars. And rather than being at home on the range, Dallas' real Cowboys are playing football on a field. Contrary to popular belief, Dallas isn't actually a town of 10-gallon hats, oil derricks and cattle ranches.