About
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. In 1936, as a Texas Centennial Project, the building was enclosed by the City of Fort Worth at a cost of $183,500 and the tower over the main entrance was added. The “new” structure contained 1,257 animal stalls, and a 1,200 seat auction ring that is now the Billy Bob’s Bull Riding arena. Livestock events were held here until the stock show moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Complex, in 1943. During World War II, the building was used as an airplane factory for the Globe Aircraft Corporation. In the 1950′s the building became a department store so large that the stock boys wore roller skates to make their jobs easier.
Billy Bob’s Texas opened April 1, 1981 with national attention featuring Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers as the first performers. Other artists who appeared during opening week included Waylon Jennings, Janie Fricke, and Willie Nelson. With 100,000 square feet of interior space and 20 acres of parking for entertainment and events, Billy Bob’s features 30 individual bar stations, live music with country music’s biggest stars, Live Pro Bull Riding, and a Texas size dance floor.
Billy Bob’s Live Pro Bull Riding is sanctioned by Championship Bull Riding (CBR) and contestants compete every Friday and Saturday night. We’re talking real bulls- not mechanical! Billy Bob’s also offers our guests a chance to be a rodeo star by providing an authentic stuffed bull photo opportunity as if they were part of the live action.
Billy Bob’s Texas has been featured on several TV and Movie screens and has served as the location for several music videos for country’s biggest stars. A number of episodes of the original television series “Dallas” were shot on location. Other shows include “Walker Texas Ranger,” CBS’s “Happy New Year America,” “CBS This Morning,” VH1 “Rock of Love”, and “Nashville Star.” Billy Bob’s has also been highlighted in several travel shows and news features.
While Billy Bob’s is known for hosting the biggest stars in country music, it also hosts Rock ‘n’ Roll & Pop Music stars. Ringo Starr, .38 Special, Men At Work, The Go-Go’s, Steppenwolf, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Pat Benatar, Heart, and ZZ Top have all performed at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. Even Ray Charles and Bob Hope have performed onstage at Billy Bob’s Texas.
Billy Bob’s welcomes visitors from all over the world and from all walks of life on a daily basis. Come experience our Honky Tonk attitude, friendly Fort Worth hospitality, and truly unique atmosphere.
