Although the cavernous meat market Country 2000 went down swingin', there are other hot spots for boot-scootin' in the area, such as Stampede, 5818 LBJ Fwy. at Preston Road (tel. 214/702-8081), known as the country scene's biggest meat market. However, the best spots are outside of Dallas. Worth the drive if you're a fan is the must-see Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. A Big D branch of Houston's famous Gilleys should have opened by the time you read this, at 1601 S. Lamar (tel. 214/888-GILLEYS); Gilleys, lest we forget, shot to fame with John Travolta on a bucking bronco in Urban Cowboy.

For a more intimate, down-and-dirty take on the honky-tonk scene, check out Adair's Saloon, 2624 Commerce St. in Deep Ellum (tel. 214/939-9900), which the regulars call "Aayy-dares." It gets its share of clean-scrubbed SMU students, but mostly you'll find down-to-earth patrons and infectious country and redneck rock bands that go down well with the cheap beer, shuffleboard, and tables and walls blanketed in graffiti. The perfectly greasy burgers with a whole jalapeño on top are surprisingly tasty; some say they're the best in Dallas. The only rule here is in plain English on the sign behind the bar: NO DANCIN' ON TABLES WITH SPURS.