Dallas’ Round-Up Saloon celebrating 28th anniversary

by Daniel A. Kusner of Dallas Voice

Did y’all know that before The Round-Up Saloon opened on July 11, 1980, the space was a gay disco called the “Magnolia T.P.” co-owner Gary Miller says.

What does the “T. P.” stand for?

“Thunderpussy,” Miller laughs.

Part of that name is still tied to the Round-Up (just not the “T.P.” part). The charter company that owns the Round-Up is called Magnolia Disco Corporation.

Steeped in boot-scootin’ Lone Star tradition, the Round-Up usually overwhelms out-of-towners. Not beneath the dance floor, visiting New Yorkers witness same-sex couples free spin, promenade, two-step and line dance, and they wish Manhattan had a twangy dance hall just like it. But the genuine gay country-western experience isn’t easily exported.

This weekend, the Round-Up winds up its 28th anniversary celebration with a Friday night Karaoke bash and a retro-disco beer bust on Sunday.

The 10,000 square foot space used to be the Old Warsaw Restaurant. Over the years, there have been some changes.

“The patio used to be a lot bigger,” Miller remembers.

Almost all of the club’s early history was lost in a fire: In 1989, the Round-Up and two adjacent tenants were victims of a six-alarm fire — ignited by an arsonist who tried to cover up a burglary after stealing computers from the Dallas Gay Alliance. A few items survived, including the brass chandeliers in the karaoke parlor.

Maintaining a “classic” definition of western culture is part of the Round-Up’s success.

“Western shirts are tucked in. And we don’t wear crumpled hats — no Madonna cowboy hats either,” co-owner Alan Pierce says.

Miller and Pierce have been partners for 22 years: In 2006, they were married in Montreal. Miller grew up near the mouth of Red River; and Pierce in New Mexico. And like many Round-Up patrons, Miller and Pierce both had rodeo culture in common.

Like the gay rodeo circuit, gay country-western clubs emerged out of necessity — not to rebel against tradition. Old-school C&W culture — and specifically Nashville — are still very much homophobic. K.D. Lang’s phenomenal success changed perceptions a little. But Miller says the secret to the Round-Up’s longevity isn’t really about hats, dance steps or cocktails. “It’s because everyone here is so friendly.”