El Paso’s The Tap Gets A Surprise Visit From Josh Lucas

El Paso's favorite watering hole recently got a Hollywood visit, which isn't all surprising because this place is legendary.

If you were at The Tap in downtown El Paso recently, you might have done a double take between bites of nachos. That wasn’t just another friendly face at the bar, it was Hollywood actor Josh Lucas! The Glory Road star, who famously brought UTEP coach Don Haskins to life on the big screen, made a pit stop at the Sun City’s most iconic dive, proving once again that when you come back home, you have to hit up The Tap.

The Tap isn’t just any watering hole- it’s one of El Paso’s most beloved landmarks. Known for its legendary nachos, late-night crowds, and no-frills charm, the bar has been part of downtown life for decades. For locals, it’s the kind of spot that feels like home, which makes Lucas’ visit even more fitting. After all, just like Glory Road celebrated UTEP’s history, The Tap continues to embody the heart and character of El Paso.

Glory Road stars Josh Lucas as Don Haskins and is based on the true story surrounding the events leading to the 1966 NCAA University Division Basketball Championship (the historic name for what is now known as the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament). As the head coach of Texas Western (aka UTEP), he would later become a Hall of Fame coach, Haskins decides to build a team based on talent rather than race. The Hall of Fame coach’s team was the first team to win the national championship with an all-African-American starting lineup, a first in NCAA history. It's a great story and a great movie that makes you proud.

The Bear himself, Don Haskins even makes a cameo in the movie as a gas station attendant.

For El Pasoans, seeing Josh Lucas at The Tap felt like a full-circle moment; a Hollywood star raising a glass in the very city he once helped put on the big screen. Whether you know him as Don Haskins from Glory Road or from his many other roles, his stop at the Sun City’s favorite dive is a reminder that no matter how far you go, El Paso always pulls you back with good food, cold drinks, and a whole lot of hometown pride.