Honky-tonks started in the wild west and across the American south in the 1800s, cheap, rough-and-tumble saloons and dance halls, serving oil workers, loggers, labourers and cowboys. They were places for drinkers and gamblers, all set to the sounds of banjos and hollering singers. This changed, through the 1930s and 40s, as country music found its shape, with the help of lap steel guitars, pianos and fiddles. Times changed, but the bars persisted.
Today a honky-tonk is better thought of as simply a good-time bar, usually fairly priced, with country music blaring from either the stage or speakers. Though they’re a distinctively American phenomenon, in recent years London has quietly been getting in on the fun.
Ron’s Honky Tonk
88 Druid Street, SE1, ronshonkytonk.com
Ron’s is a roaming show, popping up in London throughout the year, usually of no fixed address. The next edition, on October 3, kicks off at Fabal Beerhall. Tickets are £10, which buys a country show from four acts, namely Isobel Thatcher, Joe West, Pete Hubbard and Ren Jackson.
The Dukes of Highgate
16 Highgate High Street, N6, @thedukesofhighgate
The Dukes of Highgate — once the Duke’s Head, but that doesn’t bring to mind orange Dodge Chargers and denim hot pants — proudly proclaims itself as London’s first honky tonk. There’s country music most nights (including “country-oke”), country jams, Texas two-step dance classes and plenty of ice cold beer. Try it on a Tuesday — two-for-one margaritas served all night.
Lil’ Nashville
11 Barley Mow Passage, W4, lilnashville.co.uk
“Lil’ Nashville bills itself as a country bar and kitchen, but is better considered a kind of theme park ride.” This was my take in a four star restaurant review for this paper earlier this year. Lil’ Nashville, which unfathomably is in Chiswick, is a riot of beer, barbecue food and line dancing, with regular classes and live bands on the weekends. It’s a hoot, and welcomes all.
