When one dreams of nightlife hotspots, the towns of Roy and Yelm don't often come to mind, right? Wrong, baby. While still not exactly known as the Las Vegas of the Pacific Northwest (Atlantic City, maybe), these tiny blips on the map have a few watering holes worth noting.

The first is the Old General Store Steakhouse and Saloon in Roy. Down-home authenticity pours from the walls of this country music lover's paradise. The beer is cold. The waitresses are friendly. The jalapeño poppers come as appetizers to thick, thick steaks. And even though the Old General Store rests in Roy, resident population around 300, weekend nights at the bar rival any Tacoma hotspot. People come for the live country acts, the intricate line dancing and a valid excuse to wear a cowboy hat. Even the novices out on the dance floor, and there aren't many, wear big smiles, not to mention high-waisted 501s and big smiles.

Yelm's most noteworthy bar, the White Horse Tavern, takes its own approach to enticing visitors. More dive-y than line dance, White Horse's self-proclaimed ‘lowest prices in town' can attract some colorful customers. But that just adds to the overall, Yelm-style charm. Barstool bingo and a weekly steak night help bring this pony home. To Yelm.  - Brett Cihon

[Old General Store Steakhouse & Saloon, Live music Fridays & Saturdays, Open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., 104 McNaught Road S., Roy, 253.843.9171; White Horse Tavern, 107 E. Yelm Ave., Yelm, 360.458.4555]

Other bars around Yelm: Jody's Outlaw Bar and Grill, 404 First St. SE #G, Yelm, 360.458.9199; Walt's Place, 35711 Hwy 507 S., McKenna, 360.458.3221

LINK: South Sound Happy Hour Mobile App