u/Timberbeast

Hi y’all,

Myself and two other middle-aged dudes from the deep south have an annual tradition of taking a road trip looking for what we call “Blue-collar bars.” We differentiate what we call Blue-collar bars from “dive bars” or “hole in the wall” bars, which we also love, of course, but that’s not what this trip is about. Last year we did the Mid-West; and made a big loop up from Mississippi to Milwaukee and Des Moines then back.

This year, in mid-July, we’re driving from south Mississippi to Denver and back. On our way back we plan to stay a night in the Tyler, TX area. So, does anyone have any suggestions or tips for “blue-collar bars” around town?

Anyone have any suggestions on roadside attractions coming in from Lubbock, or heading out of town heading east on I-20?

Thanks for the help, y’all!

Hi y’all,

Myself and two other middle-aged dudes from the deep south have an annual tradition of taking a road trip looking for what we call “Blue-collar bars.” We differentiate what we call Blue-collar bars from “dive bars” or “hole in the wall” bars, which we also love, of course, but that’s not what this trip is about. Last year we did the Mid-West; and made a big loop up from Mississippi to Milwaukee and Des Moines then back.

This year, in mid-July, we’re driving from south Mississippi to Denver and back. On our way back we we’d like to drive through Lubbock on our way from Amarillo to Dallas. Anyone have any suggestions on roadside attractions coming in or heading out of town?

Thanks for the help, y’all!

Hi y’all,

Myself and two other middle-aged dudes from the deep south have an annual tradition of taking a road trip looking for what we call “Blue-collar bars.” We differentiate what we call Blue-collar bars from “dive bars” or “hole in the wall” bars, which we also love, of course, but that’s not what this trip is about. Last year we did the Mid-West; and made a big loop up from Mississippi to Milwaukee and Des Moines then back.

This year, in mid-July, we’re driving from south Mississippi to Denver and back. Our second night’s stop will be in Wichita. So, does anyone have any suggestions or tips for “blue-collar bars” around town?

Anyone have any suggestions on roadside attractions coming in from the south via Tulsa, OK, or heading out of town north towards Salina then turning west to Denver?

Thanks for the help, y’all!

Hi y’all,

Myself and two other middle-aged dudes from the deep south have an annual tradition of taking a road trip looking for what we call “Blue-collar bars.” We differentiate what we call Blue-collar bars from “dive bars” or “hole in the wall” bars, which we also love, of course, but that’s not what this trip is about. Last year we did the Mid-West; and made a big loop up from Mississippi through Tennessee and Kentucky then Indiana & Illinois to Milwaukee and Des Moines and back though Missouri & Arkansas.

This year we’re driving from south Mississippi to Denver and back in mid-July. We will be taking three days/2 nights to get out there, a few days in Colorado in the middle, and then another 3 days/2 nights to get back. That works out to about 6-7 hours’ drive each day. Our intention is to go up the north route and stay in Texarkana then Wichita and come into Denver from the east over the plains. On the way home, we intend to go via the south route through the corner of New Mexico and stay in Amarillo then Tyler, TX.

I’m a forester, another guy is an ecologist/botanist, and the third guy is retired military. We’re really looking forward to some highway time in the flatland and the plains! And of course, the mountains once we get there. As for the road trip itself, does anyone have any roadside attractions that we ought to look for, or that are worth a short detour either going or coming?

Secondly, does anyone have any suggestions or tips for “blue-collar bars” in:

Texarkana, TX/AR

Wichita, KS

Denver, CO and the surrounding area

Amarillo, TX or a close city

Tyler, TX

Last bit of advice is the leg between Amarillo and Tyler: We could go the straight way through Wichita Falls and get there in about 7 hours. Alternatively, we could go south through Lubbock and Abilene and only add 1 hour. We’re leaning towards the slightly longer southern route so we can see more stuff that doesn’t look like home. Any advice on that would be great.

Thanks for the help, y’all!