Last Call

Amsterdam Bar pours final beer after nearly two decades in Exposition Park

The Amsterdam Bar in Exposition Park is closing, and it's on short notice: The last night is tonight.

The bar announced its closure with a Facebook update that read, "Well kids, It's a very special Bad Ass Jazz Night. Bobby Sparks is going to be closing it out. This is the last night for The Amsterdam Bar. It's been a hell of a run, and I thank you all! Come drink us out of house and home!"

Owner Mike Scheel told the Dallas Observer that he wants to make cider but isn't permitted by the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission to do that and own a bar at the same time. (The TABC issues licenses for manufacturers, wholesaler/distributors and retailers.) He said he wasn't up for having a "long pity party."

"On some level, I've become a victim of my own success," says owner Mike Scheel. "Craft beer is everywhere."

"It's almost 19 years now, and it's been fantastic, but I've reached a point where I need to move on," Scheel says. "I want to get into manufacturing cider and can't do that while being in retail."

His personal life has changed as well. "This area, 20 years ago when I was single, having a bar and living on top of it was great," he says. "But I have two young sons that are school age, so I need to put myself into an area with a good school district."

One of the many things Amsterdam did was pre-date the current craft beer boom.

"When I started out, there was basically myself, the guys at Flying Saucer and Feargal McKinney at Old Monk," he says. "Between us, if you weren't an Irish bar, you didn't have any imports.

"On some level, I've become a victim of my own success. Craft beer is everywhere: You can go to 1,000 places between your house and here and find it."

He sees vast potential in cider, which he says he's been dabbling in for a few years. "The cider world has changed quite a bit, and I'm excited about the idea of being on vanguard of producing it and changing perceptions," he says.

unspecified

Closing News

Longtime Dallas restaurant Sevy's Grill to close after nearly 30 years

Photo courtesy of Sevy's Grill

undefined

A longtime Dallas restaurant is closing in 2026: Sevy's Grill, which has been open at 8201 Preston Rd. near Preston Center for nearly 30 years, will close on June 27, 2026.

According to a release from the owners, they're closing due to what appears to be an increase in rent.

"After months of negotiations, we were not able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for our fourth 10-year lease," the post said.

The restaurant is located in Preston Sherry Plaza, which was acquired in September 2025 by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate. Somebody gotta foot the bill.

Sevy's says they are looking at other locations.

"Our focus now is to finish these next 6+ months taking care of our guests and staff at the same caring level we built our brand on: Warm, professional service, consistently good food and a comfortable ambiance where the guest is always first," the post says. "First on our list of priorities is taking care of our guests in December and all the wonderful celebrations of family, friends and business groups. We do still have some availability for reservations, including our last New Years Eve at Preston Sherry. Come celebrate with us as the exciting anticipation of a new year for all of us."

"Our second priority will be the search for a new location to continue doing what we love," they said. "We are already reviewing possible sites and will keep everyone updated regularly."

Owned by chef Jim "Sevy" Severson and his wife Amy Severson, the restaurant has long been a neighborhood favorite with a lively bar scene, and was nominated in CultureMap's 2018 Tastemaker Awards for Best Neighborhood Restaurant. They were a frequent choice for winemaker events and are also known for the longevity of their staff.

"Eight team members have been with us all 29+ years, with an average tenure in the kitchen of 15+ years and a Management team that you all know," their post said. "Come support our staff as we celebrate the next 6+ months.Thank you again for your support through all the normal challenges of running a restaurant as well as economic downturns, market bubbles, Y2K, and of course the COVID era. As I tell my family and friends to “enjoy the ride in life”, wow, what an amazing ride it has been for us! And as always, Sevy’s Grill is here for you."