16. Ghostbar
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 720-9919
Address: 2440 Victory Park Lane
Description: From the same group that produced the popular Rain nightclub at the Palms Las Vegas comes this glowing-blue bar perched high atop the W in Victory Plaza. The crowd tends to be 20-something women and men in their 30s and 40s, and it’s a popular scene for bacherlorette parties. You can book a table ahead and pay for bottle service, and it will cost you. Don’t be surprised to find a guest DJ from New York or L.A. There’s no cover on Tuesday through Thursday and women (without dates) come in free on Friday and Saturday. A dress code is in effect, meaning no flip-flops, shorts, athletic wear, tennis shoes, or ball caps.
17. Lotus Bar
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 468-0300
Address: 2900 McKinney Ave.
Description: A Zen tone is achieved with waterfalls, neutral color palette, low lighting, and oversized sofas at this lounge and dance club. Backspin Fridays mean the DJs play ‘80s and ‘90s music, and there’s the customary bottle and VIP table service here. Britney Spears dropped by when she was making a Dallas stop on her tour.
18. Zubar
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 887-0071
Address: 2012 Greenville Ave.
Description: Rather New York in tone and looks, this posh place is done in red, copper, and dark wood, and the clientele is well dressed. Local art hangs on the walls, overstuffed couches and large booths accommodate groups of friends, and visiting DJs spin good dance tunes.
19. Balcony Club
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 826-8104
Address: 1825 Abrams Parkway
Description: Sitting above the famous old Lakewood Theater, here’s a venue known for live jazz. Musicians love to hang out here, where outdoor patio seating and indoor booths make for an intimate experience. Specialty martinis are good for sipping.
20. Barley House
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 824-0306
Address: 5612 Yale Blvd.
Description: Local bands play this SMU-area favorite, where food includes a long list of fried goodies. On Wednesday, beer and drinks are discounted.
21. Lakewood Bar & Grill
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 826-3888
Address: 6430 Gaston Ave.
Description: A neighborhood favorite for decades, this laid-back joint features live cover bands, pool tables, sports on TV, good burgers, and a cool cocktail.
22. Poor David’S Pub
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 565-1295
Address: 1313 South Lamar St.
Description: A dive bar with a huge following, this hangout calls itself “listener friendly,” urging you to pay attention to the music playing onstage. Over the years, acts like Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen and the Dixie Chicks have played here. Seating on the patio, too.
23. Angelika Film Center
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 841-4713
Address: 5321 East Mockingbird Lane
Description: An anchor in Mockingbird Station, this ultra-contemporary theater has a cafe/bar off the lobby and even offers cry-baby matinee features, allowing you to bring your infant to early showings.
24. Inwood Theater
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 764-9106
Address: 5458 West Lovers Lane
Description: A vintage movie palace, this one has been reconfigured to offer three screens and is beautifully restored. You can gets drinks from a bar and sit in comfy LoveSac chairs and couches, or you can go have a cocktail in the Inwood Lounge, off the lobby, before or after your showing.
25. Magnolia
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 764-9106
Address: 3699 McKinney Ave.
Description: A destination within the West Village, this five-screen theater specializes in foreign films not showing elsewhere. There’s comfortable seating and an adjacent bar. Parking is plentiful in the garage immediately north of the theater.
26. Fruia’S Tre Amici
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (972) 250-4400
Address: 18020 Dallas Parkway
Description: Pianist W. T. Greer plays in the bar, Tuesday through Saturday evening. Favorites include show tunes. Sip a scotch before a steak dinner or a cognac afterward, mellowing out with the music.
27. Library
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 521-5151
Address: 3015 Oak Lawn Ave.
Description: Dallas’s favorite place to sip a Manhattan and listen to live music from a baby grand has been in this sumptuous, cozy bar off the historic hotel’s lobby. A wonderful place to go with a date, the setting of stocked bookshelves and candlelight tends to draw a crowd 40 and older. Drink specials are common.
28. Mansion On Turtle Creek
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 559-2100, (888) 767-3966
Address: 3411 Gillespie St.
Description: The bar at this landmark offers live music from a grand piano Wednesday through Saturday. You can nab a seat at the bar or take one of the many two-tops. There’s seating by a fireplace, too, and lots of candlelight. Decor speaks of very old money. Ask for one of the specialty cocktails.
29. Idle Rich Pub
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 965-9926
Address: 2614 McKinney Ave.
Description: An Uptown hangout on the McKinney Avenue trolley line, this casual bar has indoor seating and a patio for people-watching. A big tent comes out for the two-day St. Pat’s party and British billiards is the game of choice, year-round. An Amstel Light commercial was filmed here recently, but there’s much more than brew—find 60 single malts on the menu.
30. Trinity Hall
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 887-3600
Address: 5321 East Mockingbird Lane
Description: A lovely Irish bar patterned after a Dublin original, this Mockingbird Station jewel serves authentic pub food and offers more than 145 brands of beer. On Tasting Tuesday, pay $25 for a two-hour tasting of selected beers, wines, and whiskeys. Live music is frequently offered.