Cowboys Saloon

I'm a local professional musician and have been in this city for half a century.  I support and stand by my fellow musicians.  And when a bar, or club, or venue "stiffs" a local band, I take it personally.  I won't go into any details because it's too soon after the fact, but I went to hear one of my favorite groups at this place tonight.  They played one great set to a small but enthusiastic crowd, then took a break.  My friend and I waited for 40 minutes for the second set, only to watch the band come on stage and begin packing up.  One bandmember came over to tell me that the owner had just told them - the band - to pack up and go home and that they were not being paid.  

What a shame.  Such a nice place...great potential as a venue for some mid-line acts.  But I am going to make sure every single musician I know is aware of this incident.   My gut tells me that the owner was looking for a way out, knowing he wasn't going to cover expenses because of a poor turn-out (because  like most club-owners, he probably didn't advertise) and he found one.  I hope the band takes him to court.  And I hope any band with a future booking at this place will be very careful and awar of who they're dealing with.

A spot that makes you feel like you're in the twilight zone. I was in Ft. Lauderdale one second and then everyone around me was wearing denim booty shorts and cowboy hats, presumably after a long day of lumberjacking (?)

Very big space, girls drink free (always a plus), with all the necessary cliché saloon equipment: mechanical bull, girls with pigtails serving shots, square dance instructors, and some good old fashion depressing country love songs (would be a negative for most, but I thought it was a great change of pace from NYC)

Honestly, not my scene in the least bit, but ended up having a great night
Inside, the place is very spacious, and comes equipped with a mechanical bull, a dance floor to do all that wacky country stepping (along with a dance instructor), and your fair mix of college kids, country bumpkins, and just country lovers (which is not me)

The atmosphere was very lively, b/w the dancing, basketball game on tv's, mechanical bull riding, and drinking, and everyone having a good time
To a NYer it was about as country as I could handle

It was free drinks for ladies, so my GF's well drinks were all free, and my drinks were pretty cheap
The bar food was also pretty good, as an added bonus

Not sure I would come here if my FL friends don't make me come here, but no complaints here, especially if you like country music and free/cheap drinks