Tell me about Billy Bob's (Houston, Dallas: bars, yard, tickets)

[nsumner]

I have 2 girlfriends visiting me for a very short 2 day stay and one of the places I want to take them to experience TX is Billy Bob's.

I haven't been there in over 10 years.

If you are a recent visitor or frequent one, can you tell me what time is a good time to get there? What time is the rodeo?

I was thinking of taking them on the Saturday to the Stockyards in the afternoon and then go to BB.

Anything that I can't find on the website?

Thanks,

Naima

[jtyrie]

Hi Naima, I'm not a frequent visitor to BB but have been there several time including a recent visit. I am always impressed by the courtesy of the employees. They make you feel that you are welcome. I'm a male but, the place feels very safe. Lots of security inside and outside. They don't get busy until 9:00 or so on weekends. The rodeo starts at 9:00 and 10:00. It is very short, only a few riders, but if you haven't been to a rodeo before, it is a good introduction. They often give away free tickets to it at the DJ booth. Drinks aren't expensive and there's lots to do inside. It's a great place to people watch because folks get dressed up in their finest western attire and go to dance and have a good time. If you happen to go on a night that a big name star is appearing, it will be very crowded. It's still fun, but don't expect to get a great view of the act. This is a great place to take visitors. Have fun!

[txtoal]

The weekend I got married, which was pretty recent, I took my soon to be husbands family there...they have heard all about BB and wanted to go since they are not from TX but we had to go on Thursday night. It wasn't very busy but they have free dancing lessons in between songs, which was pretty cool. jtyrie is correct, it can get really crowded there on the weekends. I would think getting there before 9-9:30 would be ok.

[h152cc2]

Originally Posted by jtyrie

Hi Naima, I'm not a frequent visitor to BB but have been there several time including a recent visit. I am always impressed by the courtesy of the employees. They make you feel that you are welcome. I'm a male but, the place feels very safe. Lots of security inside and outside. They don't get busy until 9:00 or so on weekends. The rodeo starts at 9:00 and 10:00. It is very short, only a few riders, but if you haven't been to a rodeo before, it is a good introduction. They often give away free tickets to it at the DJ booth. Drinks aren't expensive and there's lots to do inside. It's a great place to people watch because folks get dressed up in their finest western attire and go to dance and have a good time. If you happen to go on a night that a big name star is appearing, it will be very crowded. It's still fun, but don't expect to get a great view of the act. This is a great place to take visitors. Have fun!

WOW. That is COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE EXPERIENCE I HAD THERE. Every time I've been there they have been extremely rude:

I went there with my wife's family. When we entered, the security guard told my wife's sister (18 years old at the time) to show ID. She did, then we went in. Her father was outside and she had to get something from him (by the way-- we were the only people in the place because it was a Saturday afternoon). So she asked to go outside and come back in without having to pay cover again. The security guy was the rudest individual I think I've ever met. He said "No you can't F*** do that you B***" then started to get violently angry when we asked why. I was very polite, but he was very rude. He even threatened to "mess me up." And gave me this stare like he was going to start a fight with me. I've never been treated this poorly by any individuals in any bars in my life. Let alone on a Saturday afternoon.

Then we go in there, and my wife and I ask for a drink and the bartender is exceedingly rude as well. We talk to the manager, but he just tells us to go "screw ourselves." Real classy Billy Bobs. Never going to visit there again and will tell anyone I meet to never go there.

I wouldn't take visitors there.

[fwjeff]

Coworkers from Boston were in town last spring and wanted to experience Texas (read as not Dallas). Took them to Lonesome Dove for dinner (great Cactus Margaritas!!) and then to Billy Bob's. They really seemed to enjoy it!

Chef Tim Love's Lonesome Dove Western Bistro - Historic Fort Worth Stockyards

I recommend the Rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, spicy manchego rosti, crème fraiche

[nsumner]

Thank you all for your input. For dinner I was thinking of taking them to Cattlemen's. I've never had a bad experience there. Also the rabbit/rattlesnake combo might put them off even if you top it off with crème fraiche

We'll be going to the Gossip Bar downtown Dallas later, so the 9-30 timing sounds perfect.

[ChristieP]

Cattleman's is OK, but you can do a LOT better for the same money at either Lonesome Dove or H3 and both are just around the corner from BB. (If I'm paying $50 for a steak dinner it had better be good!!)

[nunusguy]

I've always wanted to visit BBs. Back in the day when in Houston I visited
the origional Gilleys in Pasedena (a Houston suburb), and wondered if it's somewhat like FtWorths BBs ?
BTW, is BBs very far from the Sundance Square area ?

[Cymbyz]

Yep: several miles north.

[hypocore]

Billy Bob's is quite a bit like Gilley's in my opinion. It's a place for tourists, a place for small scale concerts and a place to go just to say you went.