Curious.... where do people go for "nightlife" in small town America? (1 Viewer)

[nirad3]

I have a trip planned to west Texas next month; a two-nighter. I fly into and stay the first night in Midland, so there's no issue in finding a spot to have a couple of beers while I'm there. I like trying to find a local, non-chain type of restaurant and usually have a few beers at a local watering hole while I'm there, too.

But night #2? I'll be in tiny Colorado City, population right around 3,900. They fortunately have a chain hotel (albeit Best Western, but it looks fairly new/nice), but in searching for something to do while I'm there (mainly food/drink), I am coming up empty. There's like 3 restaurants and certainly no bars.

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me in Texas, either. I stayed in a somewhat larger town (say like 13k) on the east side of the state once where the "nightlife" was the local Applebee's.

So I guess my question is.... for those of you that have traveled to small town America quite a bit (or better yet, live there now), what do people do to "cut loose" on a Friday or Saturday night? I know ... I know ... the world doesn't need to revolve around booze, but I do like to sample local food AND drink while I'm on my travels.

Thoughts?

 

[offdee]

Most restaurants have bars at them. Just sit at the bar to eat, drink and make friends with the bartenders and others around you.

 

[Gally]

I had many trips to Midlane/Odessa and it wasn't the most exciting area in the world. More like the armpit of the world. There were a couple decent local restaurants but not so much in the night life excitement. I believe it was there that I went to a steakhouse (maybe called the Red Barn) where instead of bread on the table they dropped off a block of fresh cheddar cheese with the bread. It was really good but a bit odd. Steaks were good. I would recommend the place if it is still there.

I haven't been to the other small town you referenced but I would expect there to be some local watering hole that would be worth visiting for a drink or two.

ETA: If the Rockhounds are in town I highly recommend going to one of their games. It's a cool minor league stadium and the games were fun to watch.

 

[MTskibum]

I have lived in a few small towns as an adult there should be a bar around, although a google search does not show any.

Stop at a gas station or grocery store and ask the employees where to go.

 

[nirad3]

Most restaurants have bars at them. Just sit at the bar to eat, drink and make friends with the bartenders and others around you.

The "best" restaurant I found in this particular little town is a pizza joint and according to their menu, there's no beers or anything available.

And definitely no "bar" to sit down at here at this particular joint.

It'll be an adventure

I have lived in a few small towns as an adult there should be a bar around, although a google search does not show any.

Stop at a gas station or grocery store and ask the employees where to go.

That's a good idea. Probably asking at the hotel would help too.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

People who voluntarily choose to live in small towns have self-selected out of having an active nightlife. Small towns don't have much nightlife, and they attract people (or, more accurately, fail to repel people) who don't care much about nightlife, so there's no demand for anything to change. It's a stable equilibrium.

 

[Mister CIA]

I have a trip planned to west Texas next month; a two-nighter. I fly into and stay the first night in Midland, so there's no issue in finding a spot to have a couple of beers while I'm there. I like trying to find a local, non-chain type of restaurant and usually have a few beers at a local watering hole while I'm there, too.

But night #2? I'll be in tiny Colorado City, population right around 3,900. They fortunately have a chain hotel (albeit Best Western, but it looks fairly new/nice), but in searching for something to do while I'm there (mainly food/drink), I am coming up empty. There's like 3 restaurants and certainly no bars.

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me in Texas, either. I stayed in a somewhat larger town (say like 13k) on the east side of the state once where the "nightlife" was the local Applebee's.

So I guess my question is.... for those of you that have traveled to small town America quite a bit (or better yet, live there now), what do people do to "cut loose" on a Friday or Saturday night? I know ... I know ... the world doesn't need to revolve around booze, but I do like to sample local food AND drink while I'm on my travels.

Thoughts?

Ha, I went to high school on Coahoma, TX (you'll pass right by it on your way C-City). My best suggestion is to hookup with a 20-year old; it worked for me! Even back then I observed that the best thing about that place was I-20; now I'm much older and living in Mississippi, and ... and well, some things never change. Seriously, the life out there is "Birth, School, Work, Death," and maybe raise some kids and go to church.

I looked it up, the annual Rattlesnake Roundup in nearby Sweetwater was the seond weekend of March. That might have been a unique experience for you.

 

[zamboni]

Stop at a gas station or grocery store and ask the employees where to go.

These guys will know

 

[shuke]

I was going to give advice based on my time living in small town Indiana, but that was a city with ~15k people. I just looked up the place you're going, and that's really small.

 

[nirad3]

People who voluntarily choose to live in small towns have self-selected out of having an active nightlife. Small towns don't have much nightlife, and they attract people (or, more accurately, fail to repel people) who don't care much about nightlife, so there's no demand for anything to change. It's a stable equilibrium.

That was the sense I got. I guess I couldn't imagine not just having even a little place with a few stools and beers on tap to meet a friend after work or whatever.

 

[-OZ-]

People who voluntarily choose to live in small towns have self-selected out of having an active nightlife. Small towns don't have much nightlife, and they attract people (or, more accurately, fail to repel people) who don't care much about nightlife, so there's no demand for anything to change. It's a stable equilibrium.

That, or they have a group of friends they’ll hang out with at night. Often around a and a keg.

 

[shuke]

There's a place called Sportsman Club about 10 miles out of town, looks like a bar in a barn. Doesn't open until 5 PM, so it's got to be the place to be.

 

[shuke]

The Horny Toad Pub is a half hour drive north and looks like a decent dive bar with live music. Please report back.

 

[Mummy4]

Stop at a gas station or grocery store and ask the employees where to go.

These guys will know

xxxxxxx man ...

 

[Vegas Trip]

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

Maybe dancing isn't legal there...

 

[Mister CIA]

Stop at a gas station or grocery store and ask the employees where to go.

These guys will know

Much closer to the truth is this guy.

 

[nirad3]

There's a place called Sportsman Club about 10 miles out of town, looks like a bar in a barn. Doesn't open until 5 PM, so it's got to be the place to be.

This might be worthwhile.

 

[offdee]

Buy your own beer and liquor and staple flyers to light posts about a party in your hotel room. WA LA.

 

[hagmania]

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

Maybe dancing isn't legal there...

Alcohol sales just got approved last year in my hometown county.

If you were doing business there in smalltown Kentucky, your "nightlife" would be going across the river to slightly less-so smalltown Indiana and hoping the Mexican restaurant was pouring good margaritas that night.

 

[belljr]

I have a trip planned to west Texas next month; a two-nighter. I fly into and stay the first night in Midland, so there's no issue in finding a spot to have a couple of beers while I'm there. I like trying to find a local, non-chain type of restaurant and usually have a few beers at a local watering hole while I'm there, too.

But night #2? I'll be in tiny Colorado City, population right around 3,900. They fortunately have a chain hotel (albeit Best Western, but it looks fairly new/nice), but in searching for something to do while I'm there (mainly food/drink), I am coming up empty. There's like 3 restaurants and certainly no bars.

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me in Texas, either. I stayed in a somewhat larger town (say like 13k) on the east side of the state once where the "nightlife" was the local Applebee's.

So I guess my question is.... for those of you that have traveled to small town America quite a bit (or better yet, live there now), what do people do to "cut loose" on a Friday or Saturday night? I know ... I know ... the world doesn't need to revolve around booze, but I do like to sample local food AND drink while I'm on my travels.

Thoughts?

There's a reason shows like Jackass exist..... people get bored.....

-signed guy that grew up with 5500 people in his town

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Having been in rural small town south many summers...

The bad people. Beer followed by more drinking then driving. Premarital sex. At least bad in the eyes of the Bible beaters there.

The good people. Pretending to read their bible. Cooking food in Crisco. Preparing Hunting deer at 4 am.

The poor people … meth

 

[-OZ-]

I have a trip planned to west Texas next month; a two-nighter. I fly into and stay the first night in Midland, so there's no issue in finding a spot to have a couple of beers while I'm there. I like trying to find a local, non-chain type of restaurant and usually have a few beers at a local watering hole while I'm there, too.

But night #2? I'll be in tiny Colorado City, population right around 3,900. They fortunately have a chain hotel (albeit Best Western, but it looks fairly new/nice), but in searching for something to do while I'm there (mainly food/drink), I am coming up empty. There's like 3 restaurants and certainly no bars.

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me in Texas, either. I stayed in a somewhat larger town (say like 13k) on the east side of the state once where the "nightlife" was the local Applebee's.

So I guess my question is.... for those of you that have traveled to small town America quite a bit (or better yet, live there now), what do people do to "cut loose" on a Friday or Saturday night? I know ... I know ... the world doesn't need to revolve around booze, but I do like to sample local food AND drink while I'm on my travels.

Thoughts?

There's a reason shows like Jackass exist..... people get bored.....

-singed guy that grew up with 5500 people in his town

go on…

 

[belljr]

I have a trip planned to west Texas next month; a two-nighter. I fly into and stay the first night in Midland, so there's no issue in finding a spot to have a couple of beers while I'm there. I like trying to find a local, non-chain type of restaurant and usually have a few beers at a local watering hole while I'm there, too.

But night #2? I'll be in tiny Colorado City, population right around 3,900. They fortunately have a chain hotel (albeit Best Western, but it looks fairly new/nice), but in searching for something to do while I'm there (mainly food/drink), I am coming up empty. There's like 3 restaurants and certainly no bars.

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me in Texas, either. I stayed in a somewhat larger town (say like 13k) on the east side of the state once where the "nightlife" was the local Applebee's.

So I guess my question is.... for those of you that have traveled to small town America quite a bit (or better yet, live there now), what do people do to "cut loose" on a Friday or Saturday night? I know ... I know ... the world doesn't need to revolve around booze, but I do like to sample local food AND drink while I'm on my travels.

Thoughts?

There's a reason shows like Jackass exist..... people get bored.....

-singed guy that grew up with 5500 people in his town

go on…

 

[FairWarning]

Town of 3900? That’s pretty big, mine Is 2500.

 

[Bogart]

Looks like B&B Liquor off I-20 might be your best bet. Find some friends in the parking lot.

Spent two years in school just south of there in San Angelo. We use to drive to Big Spring to watch football on Friday nights and drive into Abilene on Sundays to take our dates to Olive Garden because there were only Mexican restaurants in town. all alcohol was consumed by the river. It's gotten better, but not by much.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

The double deuce

 

[Mister CIA]

If we're bragging about town size, here's the aforementioned Coahoma, TX: Population 932. I think it was 959 back in the day. Actually, I lived in the suburbs, a place aptly named Sand Springs.

 

[UncleZen]

Buy a bottle of liquor and go cow tipping. There has to be cows around.

 

[nirad3]

Looks like B&B Liquor off I-20 might be your best bet. Find some friends in the parking lot.

Spent two years in school just south of there in San Angelo. We use to drive to Big Spring to watch football on Friday nights and drive into Abilene on Sundays to take our dates to Olive Garden because there were only Mexican restaurants in town. all alcohol was consumed by the river. It's gotten better, but not by much.

I almost went to Angelo State too, to play hoops. Assuming that's where you went.

 

[zamboni]

Buy a bottle of liquor and go cow tipping.

I think cows get paid plenty as it is.

 

[tri-man 47]

I thought most small towns at least had a little dive bar or place locals went to line dance or whatever.

Maybe dancing isn't legal there...

To paraphrase from Christian colleges: It's the kind of town that's so conservative that sex is banned because they're afraid dancing might break out.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Buy a bottle of liquor and go cow tipping.

I think cows get paid plenty as it is.

If you are just picking up milk I agree. But if the cow delivers they deserve to get tipped.

 

[urbanhack]

I was going to give advice based on my time living in small town Indiana, but that was a city with ~15k people. I just looked up the place you're going, and that's really small.

 

[UncleZen]

Buy a bottle of liquor and go cow tipping.

I think cows get paid plenty as it is.

If you are just picking up milk I agree. But if the cow delivers they deserve to get tipped.

well played!

 

[Bogart]

Looks like B&B Liquor off I-20 might be your best bet. Find some friends in the parking lot.

Spent two years in school just south of there in San Angelo. We use to drive to Big Spring to watch football on Friday nights and drive into Abilene on Sundays to take our dates to Olive Garden because there were only Mexican restaurants in town. all alcohol was consumed by the river. It's gotten better, but not by much.

I almost went to Angelo State too, to play hoops. Assuming that's where you went.

Yep. That's the place. One of my suitemates played on the hoops team. Remember they had a dunk contest at Midnight Practice/Rally, whatever you start the season with, and not one guy on the team could dunk. We were not competitive to say the least.

 

[nirad3]

Looks like B&B Liquor off I-20 might be your best bet. Find some friends in the parking lot.

Spent two years in school just south of there in San Angelo. We use to drive to Big Spring to watch football on Friday nights and drive into Abilene on Sundays to take our dates to Olive Garden because there were only Mexican restaurants in town. all alcohol was consumed by the river. It's gotten better, but not by much.

I almost went to Angelo State too, to play hoops. Assuming that's where you went.

Yep. That's the place. One of my suitemates played on the hoops team. Remember they had a dunk contest at Midnight Practice/Rally, whatever you start the season with, and not one guy on the team could dunk. We were not competitive to say the least.

Probably why they wanted me to come. This was in '92.

 

[Bogart]

Looks like B&B Liquor off I-20 might be your best bet. Find some friends in the parking lot.

Spent two years in school just south of there in San Angelo. We use to drive to Big Spring to watch football on Friday nights and drive into Abilene on Sundays to take our dates to Olive Garden because there were only Mexican restaurants in town. all alcohol was consumed by the river. It's gotten better, but not by much.

I almost went to Angelo State too, to play hoops. Assuming that's where you went.

Yep. That's the place. One of my suitemates played on the hoops team. Remember they had a dunk contest at Midnight Practice/Rally, whatever you start the season with, and not one guy on the team could dunk. We were not competitive to say the least.

Probably why they wanted me to come. This was in '92.

Yep. 93-94 was the year. Small world.

 

[Dezbelief]

Thoughts?

Enjoy the quiet, enjoy the stars without much light pollution, rest up and enjoy the nightlight when you get back home.

 

[the moops]

Thoughts?

Enjoy the quiet, enjoy the stars without much light pollution, rest up and enjoy the nightlight when you get back home.

Look at this killjoy. Geez

 

[nirad3]

Thoughts?

Enjoy the quiet, enjoy the stars without much light pollution, rest up and enjoy the nightlight when you get back home.

I think I've settled on taking the 10-15 minute drive out to the Sportsmans Club for a steak and a beer.

 

[SWC]

There's a place called Sportsman Club about 10 miles out of town, looks like a bar in a barn. Doesn't open until 5 PM, so it's got to be the place to be.

you just described my life growing up in a city that was less than 250 people brohans it was small and most of what you did involved a barn or a cornfield but we got by just fine just cause it aint on a map doesnt mean it isnt happening take that to the bank

 

[massraider]

There's a place called Sportsman Club about 10 miles out of town, looks like a bar in a barn. Doesn't open until 5 PM, so it's got to be the place to be.

I've been there! Amazing food.

I recommend the Kale salad and Tofurky Wrap. They are both secret menu items, don't believe the staff when they say they cannot make them. They're just horsing around. Be insistent.

 

[PIK95]

I had a great answer teed up for this, but I'll get banned since 2022. :sigh:

 

[Doug B]

I had a great answer teed up for this, but I'll get banned in 2022. :sigh:

... got some great news for you, GB

 

[gianmarco]

There's a place called Sportsman Club about 10 miles out of town, looks like a bar in a barn. Doesn't open until 5 PM, so it's got to be the place to be.

I've been there! Amazing food.

I recommend the Kale salad and Tofurky Wrap. They are both secret menu items, don't believe the staff when they say they cannot make them. They're just horsing around. Be insistent.

Make sure you get the kale salad with coconut oil.

It helps it slide off the plate into the garbage a lot easier.

 

[PIK95]

I had a great answer teed up for this, but I'll get banned in 2022. :sigh:

... got some great news for you, GB

Was supposed to say SINCE 2022, lol. But yeah.

 

[The General]

I have lived in a few small towns as an adult there should be a bar around, although a google search does not show any.

Stop at a gas station or grocery store and ask the employees where to go.

When you hear “The spider has caught a fly” run fast.

 

[shuke]

Thoughts?

Enjoy the quiet, enjoy the stars without much light pollution, rest up and enjoy the nightlight when you get back home.

I think I've settled on taking the 10-15 minute drive out to the Sportsmans Club for a steak and a beer.

Open 5-8? Head north to the Horny Toad.

 

[nirad3]

There's a place called Sportsman Club about 10 miles out of town, looks like a bar in a barn. Doesn't open until 5 PM, so it's got to be the place to be.

Headed there in a little bit. They have beer, thankfully. And the steaks look good. They supposedly close at 8, so I won't be able to watch much of the Laker game.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Party at Dinse's