Destinations

Fort Worth Music Venues That’ll Get Attendees on Their Feet

The city is one of the most music-friendly destinations in Texas.

Willie Nelson performs at Billy Bob’s Texas.

It makes sense that Fort Worth was the first city in Texas to earn its title as a music-friendly community by the state’s Music Office. The Cultural Capital of the Southwest is home to a ton of music venues that make for unique and immersive meeting experiences. For off-site events that’ll get attendees out of their chairs – and out of their comfort zones – here are some of the best music venues in Fort Worth.

Billy Bob’s Texas

As the largest honky tonk in the Lone Star State, Billy Bob’s Texas offers four unique private meeting rooms, including the Texas Club, Guitar Bar, Showroom, and 81 Club. Modeled after a contemporary hunting lodge, the Texas Club accommodates up to 130 attendees. The Guitar Bar, which houses memorabilia from top country artists, can hold up to 120 delegates. For more space, the Showroom is great for large dinners, trade shows, seminars, and private concerts, and can seat up to 1,900 guests. Finally, the 10,000-square-foot 81 Club can accommodate up to 800 people and features a 1,000-square-foot dance floor. For team activities, attendees can participate in armadillo races, team pig penning, a murder mystery theater experience, or scavenger hunts.

Shipping and Receiving

Housed in what once a shipping dock of a century-old warehouse, Shipping and Receiving is a three-story venue offering 14,000 square feet of event space. Built in 1910, the historic venue is located in the heart of South Main Village in Fort Worth’s Near Southside, just a fifteen-minute walk to the convention center. Featuring a 16-by-24-foot stage and a beer garden that accommodates nearly 500 people, Shipping and Receiving is a unique space for exhibitions, private concerts, corporate events, and receptions. Food trucks allow attendees to sample the best of the local cuisine, while trying out some of the area’s craft beers.

Lola’s Trailer Park

Lola’s Trailer Park

This no-frills saloon has been home to history-making performances that have helped put Fort Worth on the map as a major music destination. Voted the best live music venue in the city since 2008 by Fort Worth Weekly, Lola’s regularly welcomes top touring bands, in addition to hosting a ton of local talent. The space is a big part of how the meetings destination earned its reputation as a music-friendly community. The unconventional venue hosts up to 300 people, and is a great spot for more intimate performances or receptions for attendees that want an authentic Fort Worth experience.

Magnolia Motor Lounge

Magnolia Motor Lounge

The garage-like Magnolia Motor Lounge is a neighborhood watering hole that will help attendees feel like real locals. Every night there’s a new musician — most likely country — performing on the stage, and the head chef is cooking up a new specialty, like the burger of the month or the signature Mag Rib Sandwich. When the the garage doors are open, the venue can accommodate up to 300 delegates.  

White Elephant Saloon

White Elephant Saloon

As one of Fort Worth’s most legendary drinking spots, the White Elephant Saloon has an origin story almost as old as the city itself. According to Wild West lore, the venue was home to the last gunfight in Fort Worth, between Sheriff Longhair Jim Courtright and White Elephant owner Luke Short. Once located in the hair-raising Hells Half Acre, the saloon moved to the Historic Stockyards in the 1970’s. Private dining rooms at the White Elephant include the VIP room, accommodating up to 20 guests.

When hosting an event at any of Fort Worth’s top music venues, meeting planners give attendees a glimpse into the heart and history of the destination. “There’s strong interest in the Fort Worth story,” Mitch Whitten, Visit Fort Worth’s executive vice president of marketing and strategy, tells Convene. “Music is an important part of the city’s vibe. We are excited for the opportunity to support Fort Worth talent while promoting our city as a world-class destination.”

Sarah Beauchamp

Sarah Beauchamp was formerly assistant editor of Convene.