In the early 80’s, the movie Urban Cowboy made a honky tonk in Texas world famous. Gilley’s was first opened in 1971 in Pasadena, TX by country star, Mickey Gilley and his co-owner, Sherwood Cryer. Gilley’s was a tin building with multiple bars, a recording studio, a mechanical bull, and a small rodeo arena. Gilley’s was already the place to go in Pasadena, but after Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta and Debra Winger; Gilley’s was a household name.
Known for its great live music and free flowing Lone Star beer, Gilley’s was a country music icon. Several years later, Gilley’s closed due to a falling out between Gilley and Cryer. In 1989, Gilley’s had a fire that destroyed the inside of the bar, but left the exterior standing. In 2006, it was finally demolished by the Pasadena Independent School District, who owned it at the time. Although many “Gilley’s” have opened around the US, the largest in the Dallas area, none can close to the original. Until now.
There is a place in Texas that has been around since the 1930’s that is a well established bar and dance hall, an icon in its own right, Henry’s Hideout Dancehall and Saloon. Henry’s is located in Fretz, Texas, near the fairgrounds for the Texas Renaissance Festival is held each year.
Keith Gilley’, son to Mickey Gilley himself, and his partner, Billy Phillip, have built their plans around memories of growing up in the two famed honky tonks. They plan on keeping Henry’s the same, but the dance hall is going to be Gilley’s Roadhouse, a tribute to the original Gilley’s.
The idea is to have a safe, community oriented place to go. Fridays and Saturdays you can go kick it up with Keith and the Urban Legend Band, Sundays is Open Mic night. For Sunday, May 31 Open Mic: Sign in begins at 2pm, Music begins a 3pm – 7pm or later. To sign up for Open Mic night, email: [email protected] or you can contact www.myspace.com/houstonopenmic for more information.
- karaoke and kids karaoke
- Dinner and a dance
- comedy
- food specials
- and lots of live music, both local and national
- memorabilia from the original Gilley’s and Urban Cowboy
- The original mechanical bull “El Toro” is there too!!!
Keith says his inspiration came from his past. “I was raised around Gilley’s and my fondest memories are of Gilley’s . I wanted to put my memories into a club that would reflect the old Gilley’s. Henry’s seemed like a great place since Henry’s had many people who loved their memories at Henry’s. It seemed like the perfect combination. Two legends in one. [There are] many events planned for the future.”
So come on out, grab your grub, have a drink, twirl around the dance floor, and hear some great live music. Henry’s Hideout and Keith Gilley’s Roadhouse and Dancehall, two legendary honky tonks in one great place.
46010 FM 1774, Fretz, TX
281-356-4222
