About two years ago, Rock ‘N Rodeo was known for its late-night brawls.
In 2003, The Register-Guard reported that a man cited for urinating outside the bar earned himself jail time after punching the officer issuing the citation in the mouth. Half an hour later, 10 more police officers returned to the bar to break up a violent altercation that involved about 40 people.
Shortly after that raucous night, the Rock ‘N Rodeo doors closed. The building then housed another bar and a strip club, both of which had short-lived stays in the location. In November, Rock ‘N Rodeo returned, and its new operators are determined to create a fresh image for the bar.
“Our greatest challenge was to let people know that this is not the old Rock ‘N Rodeo,” operations manager Dennis Adkins said. “We wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere. We want people to feel safe here.”
A sign posted in the foyer states, “Zero Tolerance: Rock ‘N Rodeo will not allow violent speech or behavior of any kind.”
According to Adkins, Rock ‘N Rodeo has changed in almost every way possible. In addition to the all-new management that has extensive experience in the entertainment industry, owner Ron McKy also put more than $250,000 into renovations for the building at 44 E. Seventh Ave.
“We want our customers to come in and be able to forget their problems,” Adkins said. “We’ve got $80,000 worth of sound system and 1,007 square feet of dance floor that we liked to have filled.”
Rock ‘N Rodeo is a perfect place to come and dance cares away. In addition to its pristine new dance floor, the bar offers free dance lessons Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No experience is required and the bar is open to provide liquid confidence.
“We try to have a good variety of dance styles,” Adkins said. “We have instructors who specialize in everything from the waltz and the two-step to swing.”
Adkins said the venue’s disc jockey, DJ Tony T, has a diverse musical background. According to Adkins, the club usually gets a good mix of people of different ages for the dance lessons and at the bar in general. Adkins said the variety of people and music make the bar one-of-a-kind in Eugene.
“We draw from a lot of different parts of the makeup of the city,” he said. “And what makes us unique is that we are a contemporary country nightclub that mixes with rock and Top 40 dance music after 11.”
Server Sonja Kissinger, who has worked at the bar since it reopened, agreed.
“My favorite thing about working here is the atmosphere, just because it attracts all sorts of people,” she said. “You don’t have to be a certain kind of person to fit in. We have nights for every type.”
Karaoke Mondays start at 9 p.m. Tuesdays there is swing dancing from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and Hick Hop from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., when the bar closes. Wet ‘N Wild Wednesdays feature $2 and $3 drink specials. On Ladies Night, Thursdays, the $3 cover is waived for females, and $2 drink specials are offered for both sexes.
Adkins and Kissinger both recommended Ladies Night as one of the best and most popular theme nights.
“Sometimes we’ve got six ladies to one guy,” Adkins said.
In addition to its theme nights, Rock ‘N Rodeo also features special events. Texas Hold ‘Em contests have been popular, and the club boasts a card room behind the main bar that features two large, felt-covered poker tables. The bar also has pool tables to satisfy gaming needs.
In cowboy style, drink recommendations by the staff usually include whiskey. Kissinger said Texas Tea, which she described as a Lynchburg lemonade with Jack Daniels, is popular. The Cowboy Up (Jim Beam,
7-Up and Gold Rush) and the Cowgirl Down (Jim Beam, Coca Cola and Gold Rush) are recent favorites. Drinks typically range from $2 specials to $7.50 for cocktails such as the Texas Tea, which comes in a 23-ounce mug.
Rock ‘N Rodeo is home to its own Tex Mex restaurant called Charros, which is attached to the bar. Appetizers range from $5 to $8 and entrees cost $8 to $16.
According to Adkins, the restaurant offers casual dining with a superior product. He recommended the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, which costs $5.95 per person and is offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. He added that the Late-Nite Menu, available from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., features more than just the typical appetizer foods of most bars.
Adkins and Kissinger said the Rodeo Hog Wings are worth trying. “If you like chicken wings, you’ll love these tasty pork gems tossed in our spicy BBQ sauce,” the menu reads.
This revamped venue has something to offer just about everybody. So, break out your 10-gallon hat and let the electric-guitar-ridin’ cowboy on the bar’s sign greet you with his neon red “Howdy Pardner,” because Rock ‘N Rodeo is sure to satisfy the cowboy rocker in us all.