Line dancing has taken off at Maroochydore’s new country and western saloon, Coyote’s Roadhouse, with capacity crowds turning up to dance at its free classes twice a week since the venue opened in late September.Sunshine Coast line dancing group Neon Boots runs the sessions, and founder Elspeth Eeles said the response to the classes has been overwhelming. 

“There is no doubt that country music has taken hold on the Sunshine Coast. The recent Strummingbird festival drew another huge crowd while nationally, country streaming has more than doubled in three years, according to Spotify data published by the Country Music Association of Australia. We launched Neon Boots in April this year and we have grown to around 500 dancers who range in age from eight to 80.” Ms Eeles commented “We’ve been amazed by how popular the classes have been. Every week there are new faces on the floor, and so many of them are trying line dancing for the very first time and they are having a great time.Rather than dancing in a private hall or dedicated dance venue, we’re bringing these classes to a lively venue with great music, atmosphere, food, drinks and a wider social experience. It creates a completely different feel and gives people a reason to stay, connect and keep coming back. Watching people build connections and confidence is incredibly rewarding, and a large part of that is due to the opportunity Coyote’s Roadhouse gave us.”

Hallmark Hospitality director Cade Hopman said the classes were exactly what the venue was built for.

“Line dancing is now popping up at venues across the Coast, and Coyote’s was built to be its home. We wanted a dance floor that would actually be used, so seeing it full of people of all ages and abilities dancing and having fun  is exactly what we’d hoped for. People want a night out that’s social and fun, and there’s no better place for it than a proper country saloon,” Mr Hopman commented “Elspeth and the Neon Boots crew have brought a real community with them, they were with us on day one and we’re proud to continue that relationship and back a local business.”

• The free classes run every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm and every Saturday from 4pm to 6pm. Each one pairs beginner and improver lessons with open freestyle time on the dance floor, and beginners are welcome. Coyote’s Roadhouse is open seven days from 11am at 12-20 Ocean Street, Maroochydore, with two live music stages and a mechanical bucking bull.