Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Basement Bar
( 817-458-1803; 105 W Exchange St; 3pm-2am)
This dark, intimate bar tucked underneath the
Stockyards hosts eclectic local music.
LIVE MUSIC
Scat Jazz Lounge
MAP
JAZZ
GOOGLE MAP
( 817-870-9100;
www.scatjazzlounge.com
;
111 W 4th; 5pm-2am Tue-Fri, from 6pm Sat, 7pm-1am Sun)
Tucked into a downtown alley, this subterranean jazz spot is low-key, with just a touch of
smoky glamor.
Texas Motor Speedway
( 817-215-8500;
www.texasmotorspeedway.com
;
cnr Hwy 114 & I-35; tours adult/child $8/6; 9am-5pm Mon-
Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun)
Have yourself a full-on Nascar experience. The annual stock-car race
is in November, but there are races through the year. You can go for a ride with a racer
(from $125). The speedway is 20 miles north of downtown, on I-35 W.
SPECTATOR SPORTS
BILLY BOB'S TEXAS
The 100,000-sq-ft building that is now the world's largest honky-tonk, called
Billy Bob's Texas
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 817-624-7117;
www.billybobstexas.com
; 2520 Rodeo Plaza; cover $2-5 Sun-Thu, varies Fri
& Sat; 11am-2am Mon-Sat, noon-2am Sun), was once a barn that housed prize cattle during the Fort Worth
Stock Show. After the stock show moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, the barn became a department
store so big that the stock keepers wore roller skates.
Now Billy Bob's can hold more than 6000 people and has 40 bars to serve the thirsty masses. The most bottled
beer sold in one night was 16,000 bottles, during a 1985 Hank Williams Jr concert. Top country-and-western
stars, house bands and country DJs play on two stages. On Friday and Saturday nights a live bull-riding competi-
tion takes place at an indoor arena. Pool tables and games help make this a family place; under 18s are welcome
with a parent.
Shopping
As you drive down Camp Bowie Blvd toward the Cultural District, don't be put off by the
endless strip malls - behind their nondescript facades you'll find good local boutiques.
Head to the Stockyards for Western gear and the most over-the-top Texas kitsch.
Peters Bros Hats
ACCESSORIES
