Haley Jouett and Hailey Knight

In the farthest corner of the bar, a small reunion is happening around the pool tables. Haley and Hailey are best friends; originally from Kaufman, Texas, biomedical sciences graduate Haley Jouett insisted that Hailey Knight make the four-hour journey to her favorite place.

“This is my first time here,” Knight said. “She dragged me here like, ‘It’s so fun. You’ve got to get out here. You meet some of the best people here.’”

Unlike Knight, Jouett is no first-timer. She visits Harry’s at least once or twice a month, whether to meet up with friends for dancing or just relax and shoot pool after a busy day. She loves the environment more than anything.

“I think it reminds me of home,” Jouett said. “We both grew up in a very rural setting, and this is a good kind of country western place to go. It’s a fun place to go dancing and we just enjoy it.”

The bar holds special meaning for Jouett —  after all, it takes credit for her relationship.

“That’s how he and I started dating,” Jouett said. “I’d known him before, but I dragged him here like, ‘You don’t have a choice. You’re coming here,’ and we just hit it off here. We got to know each other a lot better here.”