For country toe tappin’, heel stompin’ action, there is only one place to go in Ames — Hunky Dory’s Nightclub, the sole Ames bar that features country music and line dancing.

“We are something different, the only country bar with a live DJ,” assistant manager Darci Brendeland said.

According to manager Dave Gaumer, the bar’s name comes from the old saying that everything is fine: “Everything is hunky dory, it’s where the fun begins.” This is exactly the image the nightclub tries to invoke.

Voted the Best of Mid-Iowa Best Nightclub (over the age of 25) in 1997 by the Ames Daily Tribune, Hunky Dory’s features a huge dance floor that is crowded Thursday through Saturday with a mix of college students and Ames residents.

“There are definite regulars, and the college students are good here. We don’t have any problems,” Brendeland said. “We get mostly groups, a mix of men and women all ages. It’s not really a singles bar.”

The main attraction at Hunky Dory’s is the dance floor and the two giant palm trees that light up and spin above it.

With three levels of tables and chairs surrounding the dance floor, patrons can watch dancers or admire the antlers, horns, antler chandeliers and Western memorabilia that cover the walls.

“We’ve got that country look,” Brendeland said.

In keeping up with the country theme, Hunky Dory’s offers free line dancing lessons Thursday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. and free couples circle dancing on Saturday nights from 7 to 9 p.m.

“It’s free instruction, and they learn the old and new stuff. We like to get involved with the audience and get them to participate,” Gaumer said.

Besides slow dancing, 2-steps and line dances, Hunky Dory’s recognizes not everyone may want to listen to country music all night.

At midnight there is the Bartender’s Break, when dance and hip-hop are played for those who want faster-paced music. The DJ also takes requests during the night.

“People can come out if they’re looking for something new. It’s a different atmosphere,” Brendeland said.

Hunky Dory’s also has three pool tables and two dart games. A large screen covers a wall opposite the dance floor that often shows basketball and football games or images of the people dancing.

Hunky Dory’s also features live music about once a month on Friday and Saturday nights. The next live band will be Shelly and the Sidewinders on March 27 and 28.

The nightclub also hosts pre-concert parties and ticket giveaways in conjunction with the Hawk 97.3 FM when popular country acts come to Ames.

Since its doors opened in October 1991, Hunky Dory’s has welcomed many country stars, including Marty Stewart, Willie Nelson, Lonestar, Suzy Bogguss, Rick Trevino, John Berry, Ken Mellons and the Gibson Miller Band. Autographed pictures and tickets are hanging in the entry way of the nightclub for patrons to gaze at.

With two bars at each end of the nightclub, Hunky Dory’s features over 50 different types of liquor and domestic beers.

Bottomless beer for $5 and shots for $2, with souvenir Hunky Dory’s glasses, are offered Thursday nights. On Friday nights there are two-for-one specials on wells and draws.

Happy Hour on Saturday nights is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with $3.50 pitchers and $1.50 wells.

The only food served at Hunky Dory’s is free popcorn from a machine beside the bar.

On most nights there is a $2 cover charge to get in the door, but that moves to $3 on the nights when the nightclub features live music.

Hunky Dory’s Nightclub is located at 300 S. 17th St.