I’ll admit, country music isn’t usually my first choice, cowboy boots aren’t exactly my style, and the phrase “y’all” doesn’t roll off my tongue naturally, even coming from Houston! Funny, right? Houston is hardly the epitome of Southern charm these days, filled with modern buildings and chain stores. Nashville, though, felt like stepping back in time, in the best possible way.
Arriving in downtown Nashville, the Southern culture I’d heard about suddenly became vividly real. Historic brick buildings? Check. Lively saloons? Check. The unmistakable sound of country music spilling out onto the streets, and people in cowboy boots everywhere, line dancing and generally having a fantastic time? Check and check. Downtown Houston just doesn’t have this vibe. Diving into this deep pool of Southern culture was initially a bit overwhelming, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to jump in completely.
Then, a few weeks into my Nashville experience, my roommate and her friends suggested a night out line dancing at the Wild Horse Saloon, a famous spot downtown. The name itself was a little intimidating, but as the new person in town, eager to make friends, I decided to embrace the Southern spirit and give it a shot.
And wow, am I glad I did.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what made it so much fun, considering my initial hesitations. Maybe it was the infectious smiles and pure joy radiating from everyone on a Friday night. Or perhaps it was the dance floor, packed with strangers all caught up in the moment, not caring what anyone else thought. But a big part of it was the line dancing itself. With almost every song, an instructor would guide everyone through the steps, so by the time the live band hit the chorus, the entire crowd was moving together in perfect unison. That’s the magic of line dancing – no need to worry about looking silly or being a bad dancer because everyone is doing the same moves. Everyone looks a little bit like a fool, and that’s part of the fun!
What really made the night unforgettable was the DJ’s playlist, which included crowd-pleasers and some universal line dances, including the Cupid Shuffle and, my absolute favorite, the Wobble. Now, Line Dance The Wobble is something special. There’s just something about the rhythm and the simple, repetitive moves that gets everyone going. It’s easy to learn, incredibly catchy, and just pure fun to do with a group. As I was getting into the wobble, a woman in a white dress, clearly celebrating her bachelorette party with her sash and tiara, jumped in and started dancing right next to me. I was taken aback at first, but quickly joined in the fun, dancing the wobble line dance side-by-side with her.
Enthusiastic crowd enjoying line dancing at Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville, experiencing the fun of honkytonk dance culture.
Overall, it was an amazing night and a fantastic introduction to downtown Nashville. The point of my story, amidst all the cowboy boots and beers, is that you don’t have to be a country music fanatic or even a Southerner to appreciate what this city offers. And country music certainly isn’t the only thing Nashville has going for it. I still don’t listen to country music religiously, and “y’all” still feels a bit foreign on my tongue—and remember, I’m from Texas! But that didn’t stop me from discovering line dancing, and specifically line dance the wobble, as one of the most entertaining things to do in downtown Nashville. If you’re looking for a fun, no-pressure way to experience Nashville’s nightlife, give line dance the wobble a try. You might just surprise yourself and wobble your way into a great night.
