Long before Pandora and Spotify, music lovers found entertainment at dance halls. In Texas, the tradition continues in sites that have become cultural landmarks. 'You're someplace special, and the music is respected and honored. It's a whole encompassing experience,' says Joe Nick Patoski, a journalist who hosts the weekly Texas Music Hour of Power. He shares some favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
[Click the name of any venue to find it on Google Maps and plot your trip!]
Gruene Hall
Gruene, Texas
Bands go out of their way to play Gruene, which calls itself the oldest dance hall in Texas. Located in a former ghost town, the white clapboard saloon helped launch stars such as Lyle Lovett and George Strait. On summer nights, the un-air-conditioned space with a wooden dance floor packs in crowds. 'It's a good sweat,' Patoski says. 'If anyone plays the Texas circuit, they play Gruene.' 830-606-1281; gruenehall.com
Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon
Houston
This classic country music venue, where Willie Nelson once played with the house band, now calls itself Texas' largest LGBT country and western club. 'This is where modern culture meets old tradition,' Patoski says. 'It shows how pervasive country dance music is in Texas. It doesn't matter who's doing the boot-scooting. It's the same old thing.' 713-677-0828; neonbootsclub.com
Billy Bob's Texas
Fort Worth
While the world's largest honky-tonk might not be an intimate venue, it offers such extras as bull riding for guests willing to sign a waiver. 'It's an urban-cowboy setting. They have big headlining acts, and what it lacks in history and texture, it makes up in bigness,' Patoski says. 817-624-7117; billybobstexas.com
Music City Texas Theater
Linden, Texas
This former theater is the go-to place for music in East Texas, Patoski says. While it's a sit-down performance venue, which makes it more like an opry than a dance hall, it has a deep history. It's run by Richard Bowden, who played with Don Henley and Glenn Frey, who went on to form the Eagles. 903-756-9934; musiccitytexas.org
Broken Spoke
Austin
This Texas institution celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Now it's a holdout, surrounded by a new mixed-use apartment complex. 'They're used to be dozens of honky-tonks like the Broken Spoke,' Patoski says. 'You can't come to Austin without going to the Spoke if you want to have a music experience.' 512-442-6189; brokenspokeaustintx.com
Stagecoach Ballroom
Fort Worth
This family-run hall maintains an old-school atmosphere with vintage lights and a 3,500-square-foot floor for twirling couples. It even offers free dance lessons before many shows. 'If you're in Fort Worth and you want to hear country music, this is where to go,' Patoski says. 817-831-2261; stagecoachballroom.com
Luckenbach Texas
This legendary dance hall found its fame in the Waylon Jennings song that took its name from the Hill Country ghost town. Patoski says the song doesn't do it justice. 'Luckenbach is like stepping back in time 100 years. It's a great place to pitch washers and horseshoes and have a beer, even if you don't go into the dance hall.' 830-997-3224; luckenbachtexas.com
Crider's Rodeo & Dancehall
Hunt, Texas
This seasonal Hill Country getaway along the upper Guadalupe River is one the state's premier outdoor dance venues, Patoski says. 'Before air-conditioning in Texas, you always went to the hills to cool off. Why dance in a stuffy old dance hall? Just do it outdoors.' It's open weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with a rodeo and live band every Saturday night. 830-238-4441; on Facebook
Schroeder Hall
Schroeder, Texas
This spot in cattle-ranching country on the coastal prairie proudly calls itself the 'second-oldest dance hall in Texas,' leaving others to argue about which was first, Patoski says. Expect to find local and regional bands and enthusiastic dancers. 'Once upon a time, every small town in Texas had a place like this. There's nothing around it. It's real rural music,' Patoski says. 361-573-7002; schroederdancehall.com
John T. Floore's Country Store
Helotes, Texas
This San Antonio-area hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is famous for its tamales, although its performance roster included Elvis, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan and more. During the summer, the outdoor patio is packed with dancers. 'It's just a cool old joint,' Patoski says. 210-695-8827; liveatfloores.com
