Colorado’s honky-tonk scene lingers like the ghost of Hank Williams. Finding it takes some searching, but it’s worth investigating.
Any place with “roadhouse” in its name is a good start. Honky-tonk music abounds during that two-week January stretch when the National Western Stock Show is in Denver.
During the rest of the year, it’s still possible to find old-school honky-tonk bands playing heartbroken songs about loving, losing, drinking, trucking and walking the streets of Bakersfield.
Where? Your best bet: bars that possess a good-sized hardwood dance floor and decor that employs saddles and horse tack.
Among the patrons, look for men and women wearing Western hats, snap-front shirts, belts fastened by rodeo buckles — and, as Hank would say, a tear in their beer and a pair of worn-out shoes as they work on drowning their honky-tonk blues.
Mill Hill Saloon
1668 21st St., Colorado Springs; 719-632-6932
One of the last authentic honky-tonks on the Front Range, Mill Hill celebrated its quarter- century anniversary last month. Owner Jimmy Bloom won’t even let Lynyrd Skynyrd on the jukebox. The Wheel Billies play Sundays for a crowd of bikers and cowboys. No cover.
Stan’s Caravan
11221 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 303-467-3557
This roadhouse features classic country every weekend, like Texas Express, with a 16-by- 29-foot dance floor filled with dancers who take themselves seriously. Free dance lessons on Thursday and Friday nights. No cover.
Swing Station 3311 W. County Road 54G, Laporte; 970-224-3326
The house band, Happy Honkies, plays most Wednesday nights. Also listen for Heidi and the Rhythm Rollers, the Handymen and J.D. and the Sherwood Mountain Boys.
Bender’s Tavern
314 E. 13th Ave., Denver; 303-861-7070
Every Wednesday night, Lois Lane and the Super Band play old Texas favorites. Dick Meis plays lead guitar and steel guitar; no cover.
Club Corner 6551 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 303-424-5424
Ethyl & the Regulars play monthly for a crowd that likes to swing on the dance floor. No cover.
Skylark Lounge
140 S. Broadway, Denver; 303-722-7844
Westword honored the Skylark as Denver’s Best Faux Honky Tonk, and it’s definitely too clean to qualify as a dive. A roomy dance floor and traditional honky-tonk lineup — Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams are regulars here — as well as rockabilly and surfabilly. A horseshoe-shaped bar with gleaming old-time stools and a black-and-white floor set the scene for dancing. $5 cover.
Electric Cowboy
8811 Harlan St., Westminster; 303-412-1133
Not quite a honky-tonk, this neighborhood venue harbors suburbanites with boot-scootin’ live music on the weekends.
Oskar Blues Grill and Brew 303 Main St., Lyons; 303-823-6685
A blues and brewpub venue that hosts honky-tonk bands, including Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams and the Blue Mountain Ranch Hands. No cover on Thursdays and Sundays.
