Either Dallas is a drinky kind of town or else times are prosperous — because we're experiencing an almost unprecedented explosion of new bars. In the past couple months alone, we've seen new bars downtown, new bars Uptown, new bars everywhere in between.
If you love the nightlife and need to catch up, you're in luck. Here's our list of the newest bars to open in Dallas:
City Council
Named for its goal to be a meeting-friendly place, City Council is in the old Boxwood T&G space in Uptown and comes from J.R. Reyna, whose resume includes the W Hotel, Del Frisco's Grille, and The Dram. Reyna aims to recapture the neighborhood niche and incredible patio that prior tenant TABC once had, but with a healthier menu than the usual bar food.
Eberhard
Named after brewer and businessman Eberhard Anheuser, father-in-law of Adolphus Busch, Eberhard is a bar-nightclub combo, home to both glittering chandeliers and an Anheuser-Busch beer wagon at the front door. The casual, living-room atmosphere changes at midnight when the place becomes a nightclub with dress code.
Frankie's
The former Frankie's Sports Bar of Uptown has opened in downtown Dallas in the residential Davis Building. Cocktails got a consult from Lucky Campbell, and there's a big Chili's-type menu with calamari, burgers, spinach-artichoke dip, stuffed jalapeños, fried pickles, blackened chicken Caesar, pizzas, flatbreads, club sandwiches, and wraps. If all of that sounds thoroughly average, it kind of is. That's part of the appeal.
Happiest Hour
Almost-open (definitely in time for TX-OU weekend) restaurant-bar across from the American Airlines Center brags about the size of its patio bar and lounge. Signature dishes include smoked beef rib; a crudité platter with seasonal vegetables, hummus, and ranch dressing; and sandwiches such as fried green tomatoes, mozzarella, and sweet pickle marmalade on brioche. Happiest Hour is part of the Harwood Hospitality Group, and a sibling to Marie Gabrielle, Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar, Mercat Bistro, and the Grove at Harwood.
High Fives
Another venture from the team behind the inordinately popular So & So's on McKinney Avenue, High Fives realizes the failed vision of previous tenant Glass Boot, with just a sliver of a dining room and an expansive patio that extends out onto McMillan and Henderson. Good cocktails and moderately priced snacks such as the "dip board" with salsa, hummus, guacamole, raw vegetables, and chips draws a big crowd.
Industry Alley Bar
Bar on the Southside has a built-in following, thanks to the history of Charlie Papaceno, who was co-owner of the Windmill Lounge. Industry Alley has an underground vibe, with reasonable prices, a cool jukebox, and a friendly staff. The big lure: pinball machines, including World Cup '94, for 50 cents a game. You don't find that in many Dallas bars these days.
On Premise
Quirky Deep Ellum bar comes from the same folks who own Truth & Alibi, across the street, and The Mitchell in downtown Dallas. The old Lemongrass space has been transformed, with Victorian furniture and distinctive lighting creating an elegant yet faded atmosphere. Menu devised by chef Brian Zenner is fun for snacking, with wok-fired cashews, fava bean dip, and food on skewers.
Sidebar
Because this Uptown bar just opened, it is not possible to state with authority what the flavor will be. But clues can be found in the photos on its Facebook page. There are girls with long hair, their arms interlocked, slugging from 350-milliliter bottles of champagne; girls in red and black gowns; a DJ; and, last but not least, a promotional campaign centered on the slogan "Keep Dallas Pretentious."
TBD
Uptown Dallas restaurant-bar at the corner of McKinney Avenue and Hall Street is the home of pretty people, with a service staff that includes models from the Campbell Agency. TBD owner Alex Marko takes his inspiration from the nightlife scene in Los Angeles and New York, with bottle service and a flashy brunch. The space, formerly home to a bar called Republic, now boasts a glitzy atmosphere with a white-on-white bar, brown leather banquettes, and a covered patio.
Uptown Pawn
Cousin of nearby TBD, Uptown Pawn takes over the old Belly & Trumpet space, where its decorative collection of used goods is meant to fuse the "fun, whimsical nature" of a pawn shop with the hospitality of a bar and restaurant. Drinks include the signature Lunch Box drink, which is beer topped with orange juice and accented by a shot of Amaretto dropped into the glass.
On Premise in Deep Ellum.
The wraparound porch at Docent Steak.Photo courtesy of Harwood Hospitality
Docent's high-energy lower level.Photo courtesy of Harwood Hospitality