Bar Switcheroo

Bar Louie seizes newly vacated Park Tavern space at Shops at Park Lane

Park Tavern, the corporate gastropub at the Shops at Park Lane, closed only a month ago, but there's already a replacement: Bar Louie, the rather similar bar-restaurant concept that has blossomed around Dallas-Fort Worth's deepest suburbs.

Bar Louie has locations at Firewheel in Garland, Arlington, North East Mall in Richland Hills and Fort Worth.

Spokesman Dan Drummond confirmed that Bar Louie would take over the space, with a targeted opening date of November 18. The new concept is already advertising for staff.

Bar Louie describes itself as an eclectic urban bar with warm surroundings; nightlife photography; "jumbo hand-crafted" martinis; and "uniquely presented" American food, including burgers and "oversize" sandwiches. The beer and wine selection includes imports, microbrews and more than 20 wines by the glass.

Chicago restaurateur Roger Greenfield created the Bar Louie concept in 1990 and operated it under the umbrella of the Restaurants America group, which also happens to be the parent company to Park Tavern. Restaurants America has opened and closed a number of restaurants and bars in Dallas, including Mockingbird Taproom, Central Standard, Townhouse Kitchen + Bar and Boca Chica Sports Cantina.

Bar Louie is now owned by Sun Capital and based in Addison. It has been expanding, with 83 restaurants in 25 states, and a goal of opening 10 to 12 branches per year.

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Deep Ellum News

Longtime craft beer bar in Dallas' Deep Ellum to close after 10 years

Dot's

Dot's Hop House duck fat fries.

A venerable craft beer bar and restaurant in Dallas' Deep Ellum is closing: Dot's Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard, which had been open at 2645 Commerce St. for a decade, will turn out the lights on Sunday, February 1.

In a post announcing the closure, the owners said it had been "a fun run for the last 10 years," but that their "time in Deep Ellum is coming to an end."

Co-founder Jeff Brightwell was unavailable for comment, but shuttering the location after 10 years would suggest that the bar has reached the end of its lease. Asana Partners, one of the dominant landlords in Deep Ellum, has owned the property since 2017.

The neighborhood has changed significantly in the past decade, with other craft beer purveyors such as Braindead Brewing and Deep Ellum Brewing having closed. There is also ongoing construction on Commerce Street — part of a two-year project to transform the street from one-way to two-way that has negatively impacted businesses, and which is not expected to be completed until late 2026.

Dot's opened in January 2016 from a team who'd had a hand in Denton craft beer spots such as Lucky Lou's and Oak Street Draft House. It featured 99 beers on tap, at a time when the craft beer trend was on the upswing — along with a full bar and a menu that surpassed regular bar food. Their signature dish became their duck fat cheese fries, an over-the-top rendition of loaded fries cooked in duck fat, smothered with smoked cheddar, queso blanco, candied bacon, and jalapenos.

They also had an extensive brunch offering, served both Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm that included migas, chicken biscuit sandwich, omelets, decadent stuffed French toast, and a "sandwich" made from two waffles filled with Brie cheese.

A key part of Dot's appeal was its a 10,000-square-foot beer garden, constructed within the building's footprint, creating a unique outdoor space that was ahead of its time, especially in Deep Ellum.

The bar was a personal expression for co-founder Jeff Brightwell, who visioned an urban oasis, and who named the bar for his mother (Dot was her nickname).

According to their post they'll be open this week from Thursday-Sunday or until the food is gone.

craft-beer deep-ellum closings