Nightlife
Not too long ago, Friday and Saturday were the big party nights around Dallas and Fort Worth. Then Thursday became a popular going-out night. Of course, who doesn’t want to celebrate hump day on Wednesday? Then there’s half-price this and that on Tuesday night, and Monday night’s always good for football or other games. And Sunday, well, you just want to bid the weekend farewell. This is likely the kind of thinking that’s made every evening good for going out on the town.
From good little cocktail bars to chic dance spots to down-home country-music clubs to movie theaters and comedy clubs, there’s plenty to do when the sun goes down. Don’t be surprised if beer and wine are all that’s offered; some Texas bars don’t sell mixed drinks. Unless otherwise noted, dress is casual at area nightspots.
A few rules to keep in mind: if there’s live music, a cover charge is likely in place; and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) says bars must close—or at least stop serving alcohol—at 2 a.m. And if clean air is a plus in your book, prepare to smile—Dallas has a smoking ban in effect for all restaurants and bars, and Fort Worth can’t be far behind.
1. Adair’S Saloon
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 939-9900
Address: 2624 Commerce St.
Description: A beloved hole-in-the-wall, this rowdy joint is known as the place to take your date to see if he or she is a keeper or a priss who should be dumped. Oldies play on the jukebox, video and shuffleboard provide entertainment, and the occasional live band shows up to play. The beer’s cold and the burgers are excellent.
2. Angry Dog
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 741-4406
Address: 2726 Commerce St.
Description: An institution in Deep Ellum, this joint has a long wooden bar that begs your bellying up. Drink a cocktail or choose from among 100 bottled or 20-plus tap beers. Hot dogs are the signature snack.
3. The Ginger Man
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 754-8771
Address: 2718 Boll St.
Description: Beer is the name of the game at this pub in the Quadrangle/Uptown district, with 74 on tap and 110 in bottles, domestic and imported. A cute old cottage provides the cozy setting, with lots of seating areas, bar stools, and a beer garden out back. There’s a lounge upstairs, as well. A jukebox provides the tunes, but there are live cover bands on Saturday. Buy the beer special on Tuesday and keep the logo glass.
4. Humperdink’S
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 368-1203
Address: 6050 Greenville Ave.
Description: This is the original location of a place begun in the 1970s (others are found in Addison, North Dallas, Arlington, and Richardson) now known for the 100-ounce “tower” of beer. House brews include Raspberry Blonde and Honeypot Lager, and you can purchase take-home kegs for your own party. Though it’s not marketed as a sports bar, you can always find games on the big screens and multiple TVs scattered around the various rooms. Burgers and other American edibles are on the menu.
5. Knox Street Pub
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 528-5100
Address: 4447 McKinney Ave.
Description: A mainstay in the busy Knox/Henderson area, this place tends to attract younger patrons with its big beer selection. There’s a full bar, too, as well as a DJ spinning tunes until closing time on weekends. The valet parking is complimentary.
6. Lee Harvey’S
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 428-1555
Address: 1807 Gould St.
Description: Often rated “best bar” by local publications, this bar inside an old house has a loyal clientele who enjoy happy hour all day, Sunday through Tuesday. There’s a large yard with picnic tables outside, perfect for sipping drinks and noshing on award-winning onion rings. The bonus is the bar cat named Bacon who penned the bar’s recipe book; proceeds from the book sales benefit the Dallas SPCA. You can bring your dog on Sunday afternoon, and the bar provides water bowls.
7. The Quarter Bar
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 754-4940
Address: 3301 McKinney Ave.
Description: On the brick portion of McKinney in an early 20th-century building, connected to the bakery/cafe Breadwinner’s, this popular destination for younger singles is always packed on weekend nights. Drinks are reasonably prices and the jukebox music is loud. Sit on lounges and couches or be ready to stand and mingle. A rooftop patio is refreshing. Valet parking.
8. Time Out Tavern
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 956-9552
Address: 5101 West Lovers Lane
Description: Regulars know this as TOT, a basic, somewhat divey bar popular for its picnic tables, shuffleboard, pool, graffiti, beer signs, and ticket stubs tacked to the walls. Happy hour beer prices are tasty.
9. Backdoor Comedy
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 328-4444
Address: 8250 North Central Expressway
Description: Comics playing here have appeared on Comedy Central and BET, and regulars have included Paul Varghese of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, with special appearances from the likes of David Spade and Bill Engvall. Open-mic night is Thursday and Saturday. Ask about stand-up workshops.
10. The Granada Theater
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 824-9933
Address: 3524 Greenville Ave.
Description: A vintage movie theater turned music venue, this one never fails to please. A full bar is offered.
11. House Of Blues
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 2200 North Lamar St.
Description: One of the locations in a nationwide chain, this edition is found downtown in the Brewery district. Big names performing on the stage to date include Usher, Snoop Dogg, Katy Perry, and B. B. King. An enormous venue with a separate restaurant, it’s definitely a destination. Sunday Gospel Brunch is very popular.
12. Sons Of Hermann Hall
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 747-4422
Address: 3414 Elm St. at Exposition Ave.
Description: In a fraternal club venue founded in 1890, this saloon brings in exceptional music groups perfect for sipping and dancing crowds. Swing dance night is Wednesday and includes an hour of lessons, Thursday is acoustic music night and weekends brings live acts from around Texas and the nation. You can play billiards here, too. Note that it’s a cash-only outfit.
13. Cowboy’S Red River
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 352-1796
Address: 10310 Technology Blvd.
Description: When they were up-and-coming acts, Neal McCoy and Tracey Byrd played this honky-tonk, where the house band called Runnin’ Behind plays most nights. You can shoot pool, take free dance lessons on Wednesday and Friday, and order drinks from a full bar.
14. Gilley’S
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 421-2021
Address: 1135 South Lamar St.
Description: A descendant of the Houston-area honky-tonk featured in John Travolta’s Urban Cowboy, this giant dance club hosts local acts as well as marquee names like Dwight Yoakum. There are large and small dance floors, with free dance lessons at 6 p.m. on Saturday. You can ride a mechanical bull, shoot some pool, and enjoy cocktails from a full bar.
15. Aura
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (214) 220-2872
Address: 2912 McKinney Ave.
Description: There’s usually a wait outside on weekends at this popular, newer nightspot, which offers VIP tables and bottle service starting at $300. Very modern in styling, this has been a hit with pro basketballers and Paris Hilton, among others. DJs spin hip-hop and electro dance stuff.