Locations in Dallas: DrinkHere

2624 Commerce St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-939-9900

American, Bars and Clubs, Music Venues, Recommended, Best Of, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

Adair’s Saloon is Deep Ellum’s outpost for what truly makes country music country. With frequent guest musicians representing the best of outlaw country from North Texas and around the nation, Adair’s boasts a honky tonk vibe in a dive bar atmosphere. The kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m. nightly offering some of the best bar burgers, sandwiches and wings for a surprisingly reasonable price. Be sure to grab a pen and leave your mark on the wall. Some may call it graffiti, but the good folks at Adair’s call it art.

22 events 30 articles

Alamo Club

1919 Greenville Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

469-399-7600

Bars and Clubs, American, Recommended, Best Of, DrinkHere

The Alamo Club feels like it’s always been a part of Lower Greenville despite having opened in 2019. Owner Austin Rogers can often be found running food, taking orders and sometimes bussing tables at the classy Dallas club. The Alamo Club is billed as a cozy spot fit for any occasion, a quiet date night, an outing with the family or drinks with friends. To make sure patrons don’t go hungry, Rogers enlisted the help of English chef Michale West. The menu is filled with mouth-watering apps for the table and entrees like the club cheese burger and the pot roast pappardelle.

2 articles

Alexandre's

4026 Cedar Springs Rd. Uptown/Oak Lawn

214-559-0720

Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

If you’re in the mood for drinks but don’t want to get wasted on vodka-crans, Alexandre’s is your spot. The long bar, comfortable seating and small stage give Alexandre’s the intimate feel of a speakeasy or jazz lounge. Plus, the knowledgeable team can whip up delicious craft cocktails such as mint julep, clover clubs and sidecars. On weekends, Alexandre’s showcases local talent with live music performances from local singers and bands.

8 articles

Angry Dog

2726 Commerce St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-741-4406

American, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

Is Angry Dog a restaurant or a bar? It's a great place to have some drinks while watching a game, get a good meal and hang out. So, a bar, right? Are good salads on the menu a disqualifier? What about a packed house when the Stars are in the playoffs? See? Tough call. So, we threw a dart at our Angry Dog Venn diagram and it landed on bars. The burgers, chili cheese dogs or club sandwiches are great for lunch or before a game over at the American Airlines Center or a show in Deep Ellum. Or just let Angry Dog be your only destination and you'll be well entertained, fed and, hopefully, buzzed.

32 articles

Apothecary

1922 Greenville Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

972-850-9192

Fine Dining, Eclectic, DrinkHere

You will miss Apothecary the first time you attempt to visit. That’s part of its charm. This self-ascribed “avant-garde cocktail lounge” is a dark respite from the elements. Here the world is shuttered out, the noise turned down to a delightful whisper. On one visit, a guest at the next table was watching videos on his phone, loudly. Luckily, he left before we were able to ask to move. It’s just not a phone-out, sound-up place. At all. There are plenty of those around the city, but not here. Every server knows the cocktail menu inside and out and could narrate a documentary on each drink. The menu is broken into three levels, starting with classics to more free-solo rock climbing type adventures like an R-Oaxaca-Fort (a blue cheese mezcal number) and Death in the Afternoon (absinthe and bubbles). The food menu includes a charcuterie board, caviar service, a vegan Bolognese and a short-rib plate served with potato pave and white chocolate. Make reservations to be sure to get a seat.

4 articles

Armoury D.E.

2714 Elm St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

972-803-5151

Hungarian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, Essentials, DrinkHere

When Armoury D.E. opened its doors in 2015, its mission was to offer some of the best cocktails, food and live music Deep Ellum had seen in years. The Armoury has stuck to what it knows best, offering a casual dining experience with a diverse selection of Hungarian comfort foods and other good stuff that doesn’t quite fit anywhere else. Be sure to ask about the burger of the week while you’re there. Also, venture out back to catch one of the free live shows, curated with a music taste as refined as the bar’s choice in booze.

1 event 36 articles

Atlas

408 N. Bishop Ave. Oak Cliff/South Dallas

214-983-8510

Continental, Bar Food, Best Of, DrinkHere

Atlas opened in 2021 in the Bishop Arts District with a global cocktail menu. The vibe here is come-one-come-all. Pretty aperol spritzes stand tall alongside bottles of Lone Stars on the bar. It’s a fun mix of locals, tourists and first dates. Notice a bookshelf at the back of the bar and ask yourself if anyone here is doing much reading. Not likely. The bookshelf serves as a fake door that leads to a back bar, which rotates global themes (remember, Atlas) and seats about two dozen but packs in many more. It’s open in the evenings, Friday through Sunday. Try the pho, it’s co-owner Dan Bui’s family recipe, and it's bliss. And the toasty Cuban with house-roasted pork is magnificent.

4 articles

The Balcony Club

1825 Abrams Parkway East Dallas & Lakewood

214-826-8104

Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

Few places are left where you can truly feel like you’re in a bygone era, but the Balcony Club feeds that fantasy convincingly. The landmark jazz club on the second floor next to the old Lakewood Theater is a go-to spot for aspiring old-timers, no matter their age. The intimate space and dimly lit ambiance scream “date night,” as there’s only room for a cheek-to-cheek dancing, making The Balcony a great choice to take that person you’re trying to get to know much, much better.

12 articles

Bar Colette

3699 McKinney Ave. Uptown/Oak Lawn

214-377-4809

American, DrinkHere

Bar Colette wasn’t the only shiny new cocktail bar to pop up across Dallas this year, but the mixology at this bar puts it into a category of its own. Ruben Rolon, the beverage director who previously developed a Michelin-recognized establishment, is redefining Dallas' cocktail scene. The drinks are meticulously made, often taking multiple days to perfect, with a focus on reinterpreted classics. Add in their exotic spirits and global wines paired with exquisite bites like a caviar waffe, and you have one of the most memorable cocktail experiences in the city. Reservations are a must.

2 articles

Barbara's Pavillion

325 Centre St. Oak Cliff/South Dallas

214-941-2145

Gay Bars and Clubs, Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

Barbara’s Pavilion, or as the Oak Cliff townies like to call it “Barb’s,” is probably your favorite bartender’s favorite bar. This beloved watering hole has been slinging drinks to patrons for more than 50 years. So, to be honest, this is probably your mom’s favorite bar too. This low-key dive bar with a retro drip is notable for its epic karaoke nights on Thursdays and Sundays and its steamy burlesque shows every third Wednesday of the month. When locals aren’t belting out their favorite go-to karaoke tunes, you can rock out to anything from '70s golden disco to New Age millennial hits to contemporary hip-hop. Don’t be surprised if you see a celebrity camped out at the bar next to you. It just means they have good taste.

5 articles

Barcadia

1917 N. Henderson Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-600-7027

American, Breakfast, Grill, Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

True to its name, Barcadia is half bar, half arcade, and offers video games from Centipede and Dig Dug to Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat, plus skee-ball ramps and popular bar food. And with 24 draft beers to choose from and ample mixed-drink selections, Barcadia is not far from a Chuck E. Cheese with an adult twist. Not feeling gamey? Have a seat on the bar's spacious front patio, which is great for accommodating large groups of people-just make sure to watch out for falling wooden blocks from the giant Jenga game.

9 articles

Bernie's

1917 Henderson Ave. Park Cities

214-702-9339

American, DrinkHere

Bernie's is tucked away inside Preston Tower down a dim corridor with no signage announcing it's even there (none that we saw, anyway), but a visit here plays out like a trip back in time. Bernie's gives speakeasy vibes. The decor is vintage art deco, the atmosphere is classy and the playlist offers the likes of Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, Patti Austin and Quincy Jones. Bernie’s unapologetically skews to a slightly older crowd, which we're here for — a place where the phone doesn't eat first. The bartenders are pros, and the drinks are stiff. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you order, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend the beautifully smoky and oh-so-smooth old fashioned.

1 article

Black Swan Saloon

1623 N. Hall St. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-749-4848

American, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

This year, Black Swan Saloon rose like a phoenix out of East Dallas ashes after the bar's initial decade-long run in Deep Ellum and closure in 2020. After four years of grief, happy tears were shed at the news that Black Swan was back. The signature house cocktails, Black Swan Classics, boilermakers and other spirits are back where they belong in the moody and swanky interior full of kitschy art. Our most recent happy hour was confirmation enough: legends never die.

22 articles

Bodega Wine Bar

6434 E Mockingbird Lane, #109 East Dallas & Lakewood

214-704-4538

Wine Bar, Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

Though it’s been around for years, this Lakewood wine bar still feels like a well-kept secret. Bodega’s cozy, cave-like atmosphere and cushy armchairs and couches are perfect for settling in and spending a couple of good hours getting to know its savvy selection of global wines. If you need help deciding, the owners choose every bottle and know their inventory perfectly. The wines are available for retail purchase, too.

4 articles

Bowen House

2614 Boll St Uptown/Oak Lawn

214-484-1385

Bars and Clubs, Restaurants, Best Of, Menu, DrinkHere

In the historical Dallas home of Ahab Bowen, you can brush with a bit of local history while you slam back a few cold beers. It’s located conveniently in uptown Dallas, in, well, an old house. The drink menu tends toward the upscale, with a classy wine list and an assortment of beers in draft, bottles and cans. All your favorite hard liquors are available, too, so don’t fret if you need something a touch stiffer when you stop by Bowen House. There’s also an assortment of signature cocktails. If you’re feeling equal parts literary and spicy, for instance, you could try out the “For Whom the Bell Pepper Tolls,” a mix including tequila, Cynar Amaro, lime and bell pepper.

8 articles

The Branca Room

24 W. Seventh St. Oak Cliff/South Dallas

469-906-6098

Bars and Clubs, DrinkHere

Lying out of sight, The Branca Room is a speakeasy of sorts behind Chimichurri Bistro in the heart of the Bishop Arts District. To find it, slip down the alley just west of Eno's and look for the red light hanging above the unmarked door. It's self-described as a ceremonious atmosphere honoring the Argentine culture and its rich Italian influence. Inside is lit by crystal chandeliers, showing off Argentinian art and posters. Order anything with Amaro or vermouth. An Amaro Transfusion has house-made vermouth, port, jasmine liqueur and rye, served in an IV bag.

1 article

Brick & Bones

2713 Elm St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

469-914-6776

Fried Chicken, Critics' Pick, Slideshow, DrinkHere

This bar in Deep Ellum has effortless charm and an easy attitude. Brick & Bones has six house cocktails all priced to move at $10 to $12, plus a bevy of beer ($2 pony High Lifes), wine and liquors. The small kitchen in the back pushes out 24-hour-brined Mexican-inspired chicken fried to order that will light your soul on fire and maybe other things. It's sexy-hot, but keep that down low because influencers may pick up on it and ruin the joint. Drinks roll out quickly, and service is on point. This is a pocket of Deep Ellum's old soul.

5 articles

Casablanca

200 N. Bishop Ave., No. 113 West Dallas

972-863-9600

Pan-Asian, Middle Eastern, Best Of, DrinkHere

The Silk Road-themed Casablanca sits like an oasis in the heart of the Bishop Arts District, just a few steps off the main artery. Here the mood is a desert oasis with sandy hues and a Moroccan aura. Like any cool desert hangout, it's centered on a calming pool of water (which is not for swimming). The menu of small bites stretches from the Middle East to Asia, from smoked edamame to pork and plum dumplings. Casablanca also expanded, adding an adjacent outdoor post called The Palm Bar with grab-and-go cocktails and a sandy lounge area. But if you and your friends like to get loud, get a room: Casanova is a sing easy in the back, with several swank private karaoke lounges for up to 15 guests. Reservations are a must.

5 articles

Charlie's Star Lounge

4319 Main St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-997-4940

Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

“Be Kind, Unwind” is the tagline for this bar right outside of Deep Ellum in the location of the old Starlight Lounge. Allen Falker, owner of Nines in Deep Ellum, and general manager Corey Howe had to replace almost everything in the building: plumbing, electrical, roof, floor, HVAC, bathrooms (for ADA compliance), the parking lot. What is left is a straightforward bar with DJ, music video and karaoke nights. Be sure to try the Cherry Lime-Yay! a frozen cherry limeade with vodka, and if you’re feeling extra fancy, an OIld Fashioned made with Garrison Brothers Single Barrel.

17 articles

Christies Sports Bar & Grill

2817 Greenville Ave. Uptown/Oak Lawn

469-250-7323

American, Bar Food, Burgers, Bars and Clubs, Menu, DrinkHere

When the soup of the day is “mimosas” and sangrias come in towers, you know you’ve found home. Not to mention the spicy and tropical F*** It Bucket. And while we all loved (sometimes too much) their original Uptown location, their new spot has a large outdoor space; every seat on their patio, rooftop and inside has views of TVs. It's literally wall-to-wall sports here. It's a great option for catching local sports teams, especially when the weather is nice and you can sit on the patio.

10 articles

City Tavern

1514 Elm St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

972-629-9300

Bar Food, Bars and Clubs, Music Venues, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow, DrinkHere

Soaking Dallasites with booze since 2003, City Tavern is a cool downtown spot where you can grab a drink and get a bite to eat. They offer regular lunch specials, and the drink menu is as varied as it is tasty. On Tuesdays, you can get a taco special, and on Wednesdays, you can tilt Italian with a fettuccine Alfredo and garlic bread combo dish. Weekdays from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. you can also hang out for happy hour, when they offer all sorts of specials on grub, beer and wine.

30 articles

Cold Beer Company

3600 Main St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-701-3226

Bars and Clubs, American, Best Of, DrinkHere

Cold Beer Co. is a low-key beer garden on the east end of Deep Ellum — east enough that East Dallas locals get split custody. The bartenders are attentive and knowledgeable, and the place has a fantastic selection of local beer: 24 taps with 36 more options in cans, some that rotate seasonally. And, perhaps its most adorable feature, CBC has a grilled pimento cheese sandwich on the menu. The large outdoor areas are all worked over with either heaters or misters and fans, depending on the time of year. Check out the Wednesday drink special: The Pony Up, a small Miller High Life with a shot of Jameson.

1 event 8 articles

Columbian Country Club

3314 Ross Ave. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-484-1555

American, DrinkHere

Remember when grandma let you take a drag off her ciggie? What happened to those grandmas? Well, you might find one at Columbian Country Club, which oddly gives off grandma vibes, and for some reason we love it. Paying homage to the original Columbian Country Club in Dallas that opened in 1881, the proprietors have succinctly captured a bygone era, elegant and charming, but with carpet. You even get an Andes chocolate mint with your tab, if you don't get kicked out for smoking first. Chicken fingers and the warm crab dip off the bites menu hit hard. Drinks are pricey but Grams would want you to splurge.

2 articles

Community Beer Company

3110 Commonwealth Dr. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-751-7921

Brewery, Best Of, DrinkHere

Community Beer Company is one of the original craft breweries in Dallas. Its Mosaic IPA is a pillar in the local beer community, and its brewery just northeast of downtown is an ode to how far the local craft beer scene has come in 10 years. With more than 70,000 square feet of elbow room, this two-story production brewery and biergarten is host to families, friends, birthday parties and plenty of pooches on the weekends. They offer almost two-dozen beers on tap, all their own.

15 events 44 articles

The Dallasite

4822 Bryan St. East Dallas & Lakewood

214-826-3670

Bars and Clubs, Best Of, Menu, DrinkHere

The place has an old-school, cash-only cigarette machine by the restrooms. We were destined to love Dallasite the moment we laid eyes on that beauty. Dallasite is the diviest of dives — the ultimate leave-your-pretentiousness-at-the-door watering hole. There's a spacious patio out front, solid bar grub, pool tables, shuffleboard and darts. The bartenders are cool as hell and as well-versed in the bartending game as anyone around. And the amaretto sour is one of the best we've had anywhere.

8 articles

Deep Ellum Art Co.

3200 Commerce St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-697-8086

Music Venues, Bars and Clubs, Best Of, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

Deep Ellum Art Co. is in one of the most trafficked neighborhoods in Dallas, so it makes sense that you’d find a spot that offers live music, lots of art and a good mix of drinks and grub from food trucks. The inside space is a whopping 5,000 square feet and boasts of being home to the biggest backyard in the neighborhood, complete with an art gallery. It even has foosball and Connect Four, along with 27 beers, a slate of draft cocktails and a selection of wines on tap.

10 events 36 articles

Dot's Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard

2645 Commerce St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-230-3687

Tap Rooms, American, Bar Food, Bars and Clubs, Menu, DrinkHere

Located in the heart of Deep Ellum, Dot’s Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard is the ultimate brunch spot. From its decadent duck fat cheese fries and avocado toast bruschetta, diners are always in for a treat. Patrons can sprawl out on the enormous, 10,000-square-foot dog-friendly patio, and on chilly nights, Dot’s outdoor heaters help to warm up cold bones. Be sure to pamper yourself with one of its hand-crafted cocktails, like the Dot’s old fashioned or the truly inspiring Strawberry Smokeshow. Plus, beer aficionados can have fun selecting craft brews off an unparalleled 99-tap drink menu. This full-service bar and restaurant makes foodies everywhere rejoice.

5 articles

Double D's

1404 Riverfront Blvd. Downtown/Deep Ellum

469-243-6866

Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

Get your mind out of the gutter: It's Double D's because it's in the Design District. This is another bar from the same group behind The Whippersnapper and High Fives. The vibe here is the best party you ever hosted in your grandma's basement, with polished brass knickknacks, old couches, a shag rug and the rest. The cocktails here are serious. Try Edna's Lunch Box, a tribute to the famed Oklahoma bar, made with a Miller High Life, amaretto and orange juice served in an ice-cold mug. It oddly tastes like Dr Pepper. Early in the evening, the vibe is a bit more cocktail-lounge. Later, a line starts to form at the door and things get groovy. Local DJs set up in the booth and the whole place starts dancing. Don't be shy about ordering a classic cocktail; the bar menu is one of the best in the city.

3 articles

Double Wide

3510 Commerce St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

469-872-0191

Bars and Clubs, Music Venues, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

When Deep Ellum starts to feel just a bit too crowded, you don’t have to look too far for an escape. Double Wide, all the way down on Commerce Street, offers a selection of cheap, powerful and/or interesting drinks that all fit in with its trailer park aesthetic. What makes this location so much different than its Greenville Avenue counterpart Single Wide is its outdoor patio with seating made from repurposed toilets and road signs. Double Wide’s music venue (which makes its width double) is located across the patio and hosts bands from an array of genres.

137 articles

Electric Shuffle

2615 Elm St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

469-382-9888

American, Brunch, DrinkHere

Deep Ellum is full of options for a good time, some of which can get wild. But at Electric Shuffle, things get wild around the shuffleboard tables. So, get a headcount of fun people in your life and make reservations. It won't take any time at all to learn to play shuffleboard, especially after the house margaritas kick in. The pucks are loaded with magic and the score is tallied automatically, which is nice with the DJ and drinks all going on. There are entire rooms for rent, with music and a big party vibe. The food is good, and the service has always been great. And unlike other places with games, these are never broken or janky.

6 articles

Forum Bar

300 N. Coit Rd. Richardson & Vicinity

972-238-5777

Bars and Clubs, Menu, DrinkHere

The Forum, the oldest bar in Richardson, is the kind of bar you think of when you’re looking for a friendly, neighborhood place to grab a drink. It’s got everything that should be standard in every bar in America: pool tables, darts, a jukebox, a happy hour with free appetizers and the occasional live show. The Forum goes a few extra yards with unique specials like Poolside Meatball Mondays with free meatballs and pool, Tallboy Taco Tuesdays, Egg Rock ’n’ Roll Thursdays with egg rolls and bingo and Sweet Heat Sing-a-Long Saturdays with craft margaritas and karaoke. Does your bar have a beer AND taco Tuesday? Probably not.

Four Corners Brewing Co.

1311 S. Ervay St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

Brewery, Bar Food, Best Of, DrinkHere

Four Corners Brewing Co. has come a long way since the 5-gallon home brew system it started with an over a decade ago. Its large brewery in The Cedars neighborhood hosts their manufacturing facility and a well-adorned taproom (we love the upside-down lamp installation overhead). It offers one-of-a-kind beers brewed on a smaller experimental seven-beer barrel system behind the taproom. One of the best times to visit is Thursday evenings for lotería, which is sort of like bingo but with fresh craft beer and 20-year-olds (although your nana is more than welcome). Nosh on fried fajita balls and nachos while learning new Spanish words. Their Heart o’ Texas red ale is an Observer staff favorite. Try out the Geeks Who Drink Trivia on Sundays and monthly bike rides for more good fun.

15 articles

Ginger's

2115 Jackson St. Downtown/Deep Ellum

214-420-8533

American, DrinkHere

Ginger's is a subterranean cocktail lounge in the historic East Quarter. It opened as the speakeasy attached to the Sushi | Bar, but over time it has gained traction as its own entity. It’s possibly one of the only glamorous bars in Dallas that encourages you to “come as you are” rather than enforcing a strict dress code. The bartenders are knowledgeable and attentive, and once you factor in some solid drinks and a good music playlist, well, the rest is history.

2 articles

Locations in Dallas: DrinkHere

Newsletter Sign Up

Enter your name, zip code, and email