The folks at Bandera describe the new Lower Greenville club as specializing in red-dirt country music, but don't step in expecting to find an earthen floor. Instead, Bandera – in the former Stout space – aims to draw fans of Texas and Oklahoma honkytonk music by bringing area bands to its stage and music lovers to its dance floor.
Don't feel bad if your two-step or line-dancing skills are rusty – anyone can comfortably do their thing. On a recent, rowdy Saturday, a diverse group populated the area in front of the band, doing everything from a spirited do-si-do to silly, nonsensical (and likely beer-fueled) undulations.
Bandera offers happy-hour specials on weeknights, and valet right out front. Plans are under way to add a food menu to the mix soon and use the space as a coffeehouse in the daytime.
As part of its opening festivities, Bandera will have a Shiner Records battle of the bands Thursday at 8 p.m., and an official grand-opening party Friday beginning at 5 p.m.The scene: You know you've gone country once you step into Bandera. With all the yellow- knotted pine accents throughout and the neon beer signs on the wall, it feels like you've landed in a down-home honkytonk. Once the music starts, the energy turns lively as people turn themselves loose on the dance floor. This makes for prime people-watching, be it from the bar or from the patio through floor-to-ceiling windows. Others can cue up at the pool tables or try their hand at Golden Tee video golf.
The vibe: Very laid-back. People come here to let it all hang out and dance their cares away to country tunes.
The music: Booty-moving, stompin'-good country music, either piped-in or live. Cody Jinks and the Tone Def Hippies rattled the rafters on a recent Saturday.
What people are wearing: On the cowboys, jeans or cargo shorts, all topped by T-shirts. Cowgirls lean toward cute shorts or casually flirty sundresses. Flip-flops or boots are the footwear of choice.
The smoke factor: No smoking inside, but you can lounge on the large, Greenville Avenue- facing patio and puff away.
The drink: Bandera doesn't seem like a specialty cocktail kind of place, but it's got quite a few, including the Bandera margarita, a pink concoction flavored with prickly pear. The Padre Punch and the East Texas Nightcap are named for different corners of the state. There are 12 beers on tap.
Parking: There's $8 valet service available most nights in front of the bar (get your ticket validated inside), or you can head to one of the numerous parking lots in the area, which tend to be free Sunday through Wednesday and average $10 Thursday through Saturday.
Seen and heard: A 30-something guy, clearly toasted, suddenly began clucking and waving his arms like a chicken. By the time he waddled to the dance floor to the beat of the band's music, he'd added some groovy leg gyrations to the mix.
The bottom line: A fine little establishment to get your country on.
Bandera.
Open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
1924 Greenville Ave.
No cover. 214-823-8496.
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