Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart

“Whether It's Two Stepping or Line Dancing, Americans Love Honky Tonk”

Host: Tiffany Hansen (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Will Groff, New York-based freelance journalist (author of “How American Nightlife Went Honky Tonk” in the Wall Street Journal)
Date: March 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores the sudden surge of “honky tonk” culture in American nightlife, with a special focus on New York City. Host Tiffany Hansen and guest Will Groff dive into the evolution of honky tonk bars, their migration from small-town Americana to urban hotspots, and the broadening appeal of country music and dance—from Gen Z to seasoned dancers. Listeners contribute personal stories and recommendations, painting a vibrant picture of a genre reinventing itself for a new generation.

Key Discussion Topics & Insights

1. Defining “Honky Tonk”

• Origin: Historically, a honky tonk was “a bar, historically, you know, kind of a dive, a place of low repute, a place where working people could go to kind of blow off some steam, often sort of on the outskirts of town.”
  — Will Groff [02:35]
• Evolving Image: From rough, working-class origins to “spotlessly clean” three-story venues in places like Nashville.
• Dual Meaning: Refers both to a type of bar and a style of country music prominent in the 1940s and 50s, characterized by a “twang” to cut through barroom noise.

“Honky tonk is kind of in the eye of the beholder … you decide what a honky tonk is and isn’t.”
— Will Groff [03:40]

2. Honky Tonk Culture in Urban America

• New Popularity: The rise isn’t limited to New York—Chicago, Portland, and other cities see their own honky tonk scene.
• Cultural Transfer: Discussion on what’s “lost” or kept when honky tonk moves from rural/small-town roots to urban centers.
• Key Concern: Some traditionalists fear the “honky tonk may be getting a little too far from its raisin’, as they say in Nashville.”
  — Will Groff [05:57]

3. Community, Identity & Diversity

• Community Building: Major draw is the “third space” aspect where people—especially post-pandemic—can meet around dancing and music without pressure to drink.
• Inclusivity: Massive growth in queer line dancing, blending LGBTQ+ and country culture—creating authentic, inclusive spaces.

“Queer line dance has, like, exploded in this way that I think really speaks to young people and specifically Gen Z. They want, like, authentic experiences being around other people.”
— Will Groff [07:04]

4. The Scene: Local Stories & Listener Recommendations

Listeners call/text with their favorite spots, personal experiences, and club tips:

• Skinny Dennis in Williamsburg (“great country dive bar”)
• DJ Moonshine’s monthly honky tonk at Gottscheer Hall in Ridgewood (queer-friendly, non-corporate vibe)
• Big Apple Ranch (an OG spot for social dancing beyond just bar life)

  “That one is definitely kind of an OG in the New York scene. It pre exists this current wave of the queer line dance which is popping up everywhere.”
  — Will Groff [08:47]

• Lucinda’s in the East Village (country & juke joint with live songwriter open mics)
• Colony Bar in Woodstock (“Honky Tonk Sunday” with dancers and live music)

5. Intergenerational Appeal

• All Ages Welcome: Stories from Gen Z to 60+ listeners and families with children.
• The honky tonk scene welcomes anyone, and events like Honky Tonkin’ in Queens set aside space for “veteran dancers” while appealing to newcomers.
• Streaming has brought country music to a broader, younger audience.

“It’s sort of all over the map. ... Country music’s listenership for a long time skewed much older ... But now with streaming, it’s kind of anyone’s game.”
— Will Groff [17:55]

6. Dance Accessibility

• No Experience Needed: Can show up as a novice; there’s a “pick your own adventure” approach every night from karaoke to simply watching the dancers.
• Classes Available: Many venues (e.g., Big Apple Ranch, Scuff Queer Country Dancing) offer classes—often alcohol-free—for those eager to learn.

7. Influence of Social Media & Celebrity

• TikTok Effect: Line dancing’s viral growth connected directly to TikTok: “You like one video of a person wearing cowboy boots and all of a sudden your entire for you page is just like country, country everything.”
  — Will Groff [20:36]
• Mainstreaming via Celebrity: Beyoncé, Lil Nas X, and Chapel Roan bring new faces and energy into the country genre.

  "I think Lil Nas X has an influence that cannot be overstated..."
  — Will Groff [21:25]

8. Durability & Where It’s Headed

• Is it a fad? Will Groff sees “remarkable staying power” in country’s current boom, citing multi-year chart dominance and ever-diversifying venues.
• Post-Pandemic Urgency: The desire for community and physical gathering after lockdowns increases appeal.

“Country music right now really is, I think, the pop music of our day. And it’s the music that you put on for kind of a million different scenarios.”
— Will Groff [24:26]

9. Top Spot Shout-Out

“One that didn’t make it into the story that I would be remiss if I didn’t mention is Flaming Saddles in Hell’s Kitchen. It is like a gay man’s answer to Coyote Ugly ... I have to caution you, do not rock the jukebox … we’re keeping it country.”
— Will Groff [25:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Honky Tonk Definition:
  “Honky tonk is kind of in the eye of the beholder … you decide what a honky tonk is and isn’t.”
  — Will Groff [03:40]

• On Generational Shifts:
  “Queer line dance has, like, exploded in this way that I think really speaks to young people and specifically Gen Z.”
  — Will Groff [07:04]

• On Social Media’s Impact:
  “You like one video of a person wearing cowboy boots and all of a sudden your entire for you page is just like country, country everything.”
  — Will Groff [20:36]

• On Staying Power:
  “It’s anyone’s guess as to where it goes from here.”
  — Will Groff [24:15]

• Favorite Venue Advice:
  “Do not rock the jukebox ... we’re keeping it country.”
  — Will Groff, on Flaming Saddles [25:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:36] -- Introduction to honky tonk’s national resurgence
• [02:35] -- Will Groff defines “honky tonk”
• [04:21] -- Exploring the meaning of honky tonk “culture” in NYC
• [05:57] -- Traditions vs. modern city adaptation
• [07:04] -- Honky tonk as a “third space”; rise of queer line dance
• [08:47] -- Spotlight on Big Apple Ranch & sober honky tonkin’ trends
• [10:37] -- Urban honky tonk hotspots, e.g., Ridgewood & Bushwick
• [12:07] -- Lucinda’s, East Village, and open mic culture
• [14:07] -- Difference between “honky tonks” and “juke joints”
• [17:55] -- Honky tonk’s multigenerational and inclusive appeal
• [19:34] -- Dance accessibility and “just show up” culture
• [20:36] -- Role of TikTok and viral dance challenges
• [21:25] -- Beyoncé, Lil Nas X, pop culture rides into honky tonk
• [23:42] -- Will the craze last?
• [25:08] -- Flaming Saddles: NYC’s Coyote Ugly for the LGBTQ+ community

Final Thoughts

The honky tonk revival is less about nostalgia and more about reinvention—blending old and new, embracing city energy, LGBTQ+ communities, TikTok trends, and post-pandemic social hunger. It’s a rare cultural wave genuinely “for everyone,” whether you’re there to dance or just soak up the scene. As Will Groff sums up, the honky tonk moment isn’t showing any signs of slowing down—so pick your boots, choose your adventure, and don’t touch the jukebox unless you’re keeping it country.