THE LINEUP: Line dancers show off their stuff at the Saddle Rack.

SADLY, it looks like the Saddle Rack, a South Bay C&W staple, is filing for bankruptcy. But on the bright side, the club does plan to stay open and give residents a place to kick up their heals in tightly choreographed unison and fall off a bucking, mechanical bull.

I decided to check the scene out and see if the Saddle Rack's financial woes were casting a palpable pall on the establishment. But when I was there on a Saturday night, the place was packed, there was a live country band and both dance floors were full. How everyone knows the steps to all the different dances to every different song is beyond me.

I'm not a big line dancer, so I took my beer over to the pool table room. I suggest you stay away from the last table as there is a severe tilt to that one, which I will blame my loss on. But overall, the Saddle Rack did not appear to be a club in trouble, and from the sounds of it, the club will be remaining open. It would be a shame if we lost the Saddle Rack; it's a great spot to people watch. The only thing I'm not a big fan of was all the short guys wearing cowboy hats. I nearly lost an eye.

The Saddle Rack
42011 Boscell Road, Fremont; 510.979.0477