Tusks-N-Horns Bar & Grill adds weekly live music shows
One of Texarkana’s new eateries, the Tusks-N-Horns Bar & Grill, has entered the local live music scene by adding weekly all-ages music shows to its offerings.
Owner Bennie Franklin and his wife Erin run the restaurant and bar, which is located at The Wyndham Garden on North State Line Avenue. As a restaurant, Tusks-N-Horns has operated for about three months with a liquor license for the past month.
“Since then we’ve had bands every Friday night. We’re trying to do a Friday night unplugged with just something acoustic on Friday nights,” Bennie said, “and do a band on Saturday nights. That’s kind of the goal.”
This past weekend, for example, they had a heavy metal night Saturday with four bands, including Merrows and Sylo. And for Friday night, cover band Firewater performed. Look for Tusks-NHorns to have indie rock this Saturday night with Factory, The Sweet Nothings and Old on the bill.
Bennie says he doesn’t want to be known as the country club or a Flames rock club. Diversity is what Bennie is aiming to provide.
“The idea is to hit different genres,” he said. He may set up a rotating schedule for different music styles each month, and he may establish 18-and-over hours at some point. He’d like to have a happy medium, but as parents they know it’s good to provide an all-ages place where families can attend.
Look for Tusks-N-Horns to also start a martini night during the week. “We want to be known as a classy place to come, to eat good food and have a good drink, be in good company,” Erin said.
And look for piano music and jazz to be part of the live music lineup, too, at this venue, which used to be Pepper’s, Sam’s and Dumas Walker’s in previous incarnations, Bennie explained. Next door is where the Branch Office used to be.
While Tusks-N-Horns is attached to the Wyndham, it’s not part of the hotel. It’s a non-smoking bar and grill, but vaping is allowed.
Bennie, who partners with Todd Lumpkin at Sound Towne, has worked on the back of house in the restaurant business, he says. “That’s my day job,” he said of Sound Towne.
As a restaurant owner now, he’s excited to be part of an eatery that cooks fish, in particular, as that was a family tradition while growing up. Among their specials is an all-you-can-eat fish deal.
“We combine that with entertainment,” Bennie said. When live music isn’t going on, TVs and a projector offer more of a sports bar vibe.
Open hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., while on Friday and Saturdays the night hours go until midnight. Happy hour specials are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday karaoke is on the way.
The ever-changing local live music scene has welcomed a few new live music venues in recent years, such as Stages Texarkana, Scottie’s Grill and the Twin City Sports Bar, adding to the diversity of music to be found here. Now, add one more to the mix with Tusks-NHorns.
(Check out the Tusks-N-Horns Bar & Grill at The Wyndham page on Facebook. It’s located at 5301 N. State Line Ave. in Texarkana, Texas.)