Mechanical bull is headed to Dallas' Deep Ellum at new Rodeo country bar

There's a mechanical bull coming to Dallas' Deep Ellum, courtesy of a new bar called Rodeo Dallas, opening in late spring.

Rodeo is a spinoff of a concept founded in Arizona, and it's opening at 2724 Elm St., in the space previously occupied by Wits End. Construction is already well underway and according to co-owner Joseph "JD" Ybanez, it'll open in early summer.

The original is called Rodeo Ranch, and was founded in 2018 in Tempe as an "adult playground" with the aforementioned mechanical bull, bottle service, DJs, dancing, and light show.

The concept is from two veteran club impressarios with strong ties to Texas: Ybanez and partner Josh Reagan, who own Longshots in Dallas, plus two locations of Varsity Tavern, in Fort Worth and in Tempe.

Ybanez, 35, is a native of El Paso and graduate of A&M with a master's degree who's been in the bar and restaurant industry since 2007.

"I love the industry, I've been involved in it since I was 19," he says.

His first bar was Trophy Ranch, which he opened in the West 7th District seven years ago, now closed. It, too, had a mechanical bull.

"That's where I learned how popular it was," he says. "We liked the idea of bringing one to Deep Ellum. Obviously, the mechanical bull will be a focal point — but Rodeo will also just be a country-themed bar with great nightlife, food & drinks, state-of-the-art audio-visual, and plenty of entertainment."

Rodeo Ranch has been described as an upbeat bar with Texas-inspired elements such as cowhide benches, animal trophy heads, lighting over the bar made from a rustic trough and Edison light bulbs.

The Arizona location features arcade games such as Big Buck Hunter, boxing, and basketball games, numerous 70-inch TVs for sports viewing, electronic dance music DJs, VIP tables with bottle service, a high-end sound system and light show that includes a back-lit wall lined with liquor bottles, shot wheel, and dancing on the bar.

Part of the package includes women servers in lingerie, which has become increasingly common in high-energy bars.

"I think Bottled Blonde brought that to Dallas, but it's a trend you see across the country now," he says.

Ybanez also organized the Tacos & Tequilas festival that debuted in 2022 at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth , where it will return on May 20, 2023.

Wits End was an old-school hangout that closed in June 2022. At the time it closed, a spokesperson said that the lease had come to an end and the landlord, Westdale Properties, would not renew. Westdale did not comment, but neighborhood regulars cited a desire to clean up the area and focus more on soft uses such as restaurants and retail.