Introduction
Released February 11, 2019, “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” served as the lead single from George Strait’s 30th studio album, Honky Tonk Time Machine. Co-written by George himself, his son Bubba Strait, and longtime collaborator Dean Dillon, the song emerged from a late-night writing session — sparked by Bubba’s catchy, tongue-twisting opening line: “Whiskey is the gasoline that lights the fire that burns the bridge.”
Musically and thematically, the track is a celebration of the honky-tonk lifestyle: neon lights, crowded barrooms, dancing until the early hours, and the bittersweet aftermath the next morning. Strait’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of weekend revelry — dancing on the bar, double shots poured by bartenders, and the illusion of invincibility under neon glow — contrasted with the sobering “draggin’” onset of Monday.
The song was first performed live in December 2018 during a show in Las Vegas, marking a return to stage energy for Strait. Its music video premiered in May 2019, using live-performance footage from his tour — the artist’s first official video in a decade.
Chartwise, “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” reached number 17 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart — becoming Strait’s first Top 20 hit since 2013 — and climbed to number 20 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
In the arc of George Strait’s storied career, the song stands as a homage to classic honky-tonk roots, penned across generations (father and son), and packaged with the warmth, nostalgia, and unpretentious charm that define so much of his music. It captures a moment — and a mood — where country tradition meets the timeless pull of a Saturday night under barroom lights.