Billy Bob’s Texas is making renovations to its 100,000-square-foot space. Known as the “World’s Largest Honky-Tonk,” the nightclub located in Fort Worth is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas.
The iconic venue first opened in 1981, but according to general manager Marty Travis, its original structure was first built in 1910. Since then, it has seen a few major renovations.
Not many people know Billy Bob’s building used to be an open-air barn that held prize cattle for the Fort Worth Stock Show. Later, in 1936, the City of Fort Worth enclosed the building and built the tower over the main entrance at a cost of $183,500.
“The ‘new’ structure contained livestock stalls and an auction ring that is now the Billy Bob’s Bull Riding arena,” according to the venue’s website.
The stock show held livestock events there until it moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in 1943. The structure served during World War II as an airplane factory, and in the 1950′s, the building “became a department store so large that the stock boys wore roller skates to make their jobs easier.”
The latest renovation began in the main showroom of the club on Tuesday. On the same day, the country music nightclub announced its renovation plans as demolition got off to an unofficial start with Randy Rogers smashing a guitar on one of the poles.
Part of the club’s renovation plan is to improve its sound and increase the ceiling height near the stage. The two load-bearing poles obstructing views on the floor will also be removed.
Travis said that the renovation was the club’s response to feedback from online surveys sent to ticket holders, according to NBC 5.
“The overwhelming comments coming back to us are, ‘There’s a pole in our way. I couldn’t see because of the pole,'” the general manager said.
Travis further explained that pulling the project off took a lot of structural engineering, many blueprints, and plans with the city.
After the renovation, the nightclub will open to a new process of selecting seats. Guests will now be able to see a 360-degree view of the venue before they purchase tickets online.
“We’re being very clear that if there’s a seat and there’s a pole, either don’t buy it or know what you’re buying before you buy it,” said Travis.
The renovation is expected to be completed in late July. Meanwhile, the venue will not be closed as concerts will be held in other parts of the establishment.
All shows will be performed on the Honky Tonk stage as construction continues in the main showroom. After the renovation is completed, Randy Rogers will then blaze the trail on the main stage with his guitar when it reopens on July 22 and 23.
Rogers, who has performed at Billy Bob’s Texas more than 30 times, said he is happy to see the renovation as he has heard about it for a long time.
“I think it’s going to make this place sound and look much better than it ever has,” he said.
The North Texas musician shared it is a “dream come true” to perform at Billy Bob’s.
“I get my family, I get my friends, the people I grew up around, and the people who love me the most to come see me at Billy Bob’s more than at any other venue in the United States.”