Happy Anniversary Billy Bob's!

The story of Billy Bob’s Texas has been told over and over, but that’s because it’s a story worth telling. It goes like this: The building now known as Billy Bob’s Texas was built in 1910, and was once an open-air barn used to house prize cattle for the Fort Worth Stock Show. As a Texas Centennial project in 1936, the building was enclosed by the City of Fort Worth and the tower over the main entrance was erected. The exciting new structure also featured livestock stalls and an auction ring, now called the Panhandle Bull Riding Arena. When Billy Bob’s Texas opened on April 1, 1981, it quickly gained national attention with its 100,000 square foot entertainment center, 30+ bar stations, on-site Pro Bull Riding, iconic concert billings, and, of course, Texas-sized dance floor. It became known as “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk,” where more than 6,000 fun-loving folks of all ages could enjoy entertainment every day and night. from Johnny Cash to ZZ Top to Post Malone and everyone in between—and being home to an ever-growing, diverse collection of memorabilia from the many artists who have graced the stage, Billy Bob’s has a lot to brag about. The venue even has its own “Wall of Fame,” where visitors can see handprints and autographs of Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Ringo Starr, and more. Of course, most people like to place their own hands in the cement imprints to see how they measure up! “All we need to do is get ‘em in the door,” says Marty Travis, General Manager. “Then, we let the magic of the machine take it from there.” For more than 45 years, Billy Bob’s has done everything to be worthy of its legendary reputation. After decades of hosting the biggest stars in music— One of the best things about Billy Bob’s Texas is the long-serving, passionate staff. “With adversity comes opportunity,” Amanda Banda, Marketing Director, muses. “I have dedicated 19 years of my life to this honky tonk. After the pandemic, I adopted a passion for finding creative solutions to the variety of challenges this industry faces. The best part of my career at Billy Bob’s Texas has been seeing the twinkle of excitement in our guests’ eyes.” Many improvements have been made over the years to maximize guest experience, but never at the expense of the venue’s authenticity. Being true to its roots will always be paramount at Billy Bob’s, and the venue has exhibited those elevated standards since ‘81. 4  FORT WORTH KEY   April 2026com; weekend seating is first-come, first served. Daily admission is just $4 to enter and enjoy the amenities inside, and the whole family is invited. Whether visiting from another country, state, or city, Billy Bob’s Texas should be the top priority for any Fort Worth outing. It’s been named “Country Music Club of the Year” 16 times by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association and is a bucket list item for concertgoers and artists alike. Literally, Billy Bob’s was named “Top Bucket List Venue” by Billboard magazine in February 2025. In 2022 Billy Bob’s underwent a renovation that cleared obstructed views of the main stage and rolled out a digital feature enabling concertgoers to see “seat view” before purchasing tickets. The honky tonk also offers line dancing lessons five days a week, 12+ pool tables, and, most unsung of all, Honky Tonk Kitchen, serving up true Texan cuisine created by Executive Chef Alex Walters, another dedicated member of the Billy Bob’s Texas team. He attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and has worked his way up in the Billy Bob’s kitchen perfecting dishes like his Brisket Elote ($14), Great White Buffalo Burger with fries ($16), and BBQ Taco Salad ($14) among many others. Reservations can be made Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. at culinarysupport@billybobstexas. While the story is unfinished, one thing is for sure. Billy Bob’s Texas will always deliver opportunities for visitors to make lifetime memories at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. For more information, visit billybobstexas.com or call 817-624-7117. Tell ‘em Fort Worth Key Magazine sent ya! Cheers to 45 legendary years of Billy Bob’s Texas, and to the next 45, too!