noun

honky-tonk

HONG-kee-tonk

Honky-tonk (noun) means a cheap, noisy bar or dance hall, especially in the southern and western United States, where country music is played live. Example: “They played every honky-tonk between Austin and Nashville.”

noun

A cheap, noisy bar or dance hall, especially in the southern and western United States, where country music is played live.

"They played every honky-tonk between Austin and Nashville."

"The place is a proper honky-tonk — sticky floors, neon beer signs and a band from nine."

A style of country music associated with such bars, typically featuring fiddle, steel guitar and songs about drink and heartbreak.

"Her album is pure honky-tonk, right down to the weeping steel guitar."

adjective

Of a piano, deliberately tinny and slightly out of tune, in the manner of an old bar piano; also used of music played in that style.

"He hammered out a honky-tonk version of the tune on the upright."

How to use honky-tonk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rowdy country-music bar, or the twangy music played there.

When to use it

Informal but standard American English, especially in music writing. Rarely used in British contexts except about American culture.

Memory tip

The word honky used alone is a racial slur for a white person and is unrelated in tone; honky-tonk is not offensive.

Easily confused with

juke joint dive bar hoedown →

Common pairings

honky-tonk bar honky-tonk piano honky-tonk music play the honky-tonks

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They played every _____ between Austin and Nashville.

Synonyms

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dive bar roadhouse juke joint saloon

Related words

bar pub inn tavern roadhouse saloon barroom

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a honky-tonk and a juke joint?

Both are small, rough drinking and dancing venues in the American South. Honky-tonks are associated with white working-class culture and country music; juke joints grew out of Black communities and were the home of blues and early R&B. The layout and spirit of the two are very similar.

Why is a piano called honky-tonk?

Bar pianos were cheap, heavily used and rarely tuned, giving a bright, jangling, slightly detuned sound. The name of the venue transferred to the sound, and it is now deliberately imitated — some pianos have a honky-tonk setting.

How do you spell it — honkytonk or honky-tonk?

Honky-tonk with a hyphen is the usual dictionary form, and honkytonk as one word is common in song titles and business names. Both are read the same way.

What is the meaning of honky-tonk?

"honky-tonk" (noun) means a cheap, noisy bar or dance hall, especially in the southern and western United States, where country music is played live.

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