'If anyone plays the Texas circuit, they play Gruene.' 83 On summer nights, the un-air-conditioned space with a wooden dance floor packs in crowds. Located in a former ghost town, the white clapboard saloon helped launch stars such as Lyle Lovett and George Strait. He shares some favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.īands go out of their way to play Gruene, which calls itself the oldest dance hall in Texas.
It's a whole encompassing experience,' says Joe Nick Patoski, a journalist who hosts the weekly Texas Music Hour of Power. 'You're someplace special, and the music is respected and honored. In Texas, the tradition continues in sites that have become cultural landmarks. Long before Pandora and Spotify, music lovers found entertainment at dance halls. View Gallery: The best dance halls in Texas