cheap pints and good times

DFW Airport is home to the No. 1 best airport bar in the U.S.

An ice cold beer on draft will run travelers $5 at TGI Fridays at DFW Airport.

TGIF

Airport bars are not known for being much more than a pitstop in between flights. But among airport drinkeries, DFW Airport reigns supreme: According to a recent study by online sports betting website BetUS, DFW's own TGI Fridays seized the No. 1 slot for best airport bar in the U.S.

In the survey, called "The Top 10 Airport Bars in the U.S.," BetUS experts determined the rankings by comparing the location of each bar within each airport, plus Google review scores, menu size, and menu item pricing.

TGI Fridays earned high marks for its budget-friendly status, thanks to its relatively affordable prices for a draft beer, cheeseburger, and French fries.

"With their draft beer priced at $5, their cheeseburger priced at $12.98, and their French fries priced at $2.86, TGI Fridays within the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport provides not only Texas travelers the best and most affordable airport bar option, but the best option for travelers across the United States," the report said.

For context, Billy Goat Tavern at Chicago O'Hare International Airport – which ranked one spot behind TGI Friday's – had the most expensive price for a draft beer ($8.50) out of all 10 airport bars on the list.

Pedal Haus Brewery (No. 7) at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport had the most expensive cheeseburger ($16), and Providence Provisions at T.F. Green International had the priciest French fries ($7) among the top 10.

TGI Fridays also boasts a 3.9-star ranking on Google with more than one thousand reviews, which offers further proof as to how well-received the restaurant is at the airport.

TGI Fridays first opened in Manhattan in 1965, and has since expanded to become a staple suburban hangout known for its ribs, loaded potato skins, and distinct decor embellished with red stripes and Tiffany-style lamps.

The casual restaurant chain operates not one, but five total locations at DFW airport, which means there's plenty of cheap beer to go around without worrying about each haunt being too busy. Sadly, they are the only remaining TGIF locations in Dallas-Fort Worth after the brand filed for bankruptcy in early November and closed its six non-airport Dallas-area locations.

The top 10 best airport bars in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – TGI Fridays at Dallas-Fort Worth International
No. 2 – Billy Goat Tavern at Chicago O'Hare International
NO. 3 – Chili's at Milwaukee Mitchell International
No. 4 – Gourmandise Euro-Diner & Bakery at Salt Lake City International
No. 5 – Village Pub Vegas at Harry Reid International
No. 6 – SkyDine Services at Sioux Falls International
No. 7 – Pedal Haus Brewery at Phoenix Sky Harbor International
No. 8 – Bardenay at Boise Airport
No. 9 – OMB at Charlotte Douglas International
No. 10 – Providence Provisions at T.F. Green International

"The convenience, ambiance, and comfortability these bars provide travelers in enjoying a nice drink and or even a good meal with it before a flight is desired more than ever these days," the report said.

Bus News

Luxury bus service Vonlane adds new destination city out of Dallas

Courtesy of Vonlane

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Texas travelers have a convenient new route to check out thanks to Vonlane: The Texas-based luxury motor coach service is adding a new daily service between Dallas and The Woodlands, starting on June 13.

This will be a second Houston-area destination from Dallas: Vonlane already offers service between Dallas and downtown Houston, where it stops at the Hyatt Regency at 1200 Louisiana St.

The new service brings a convenient nonstop route to and from the northern fringe of Houston — The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Conroe, Montgomery County, and northern Harris County. The trip time is 3 hours and 15 minutes. (The ride to downtown takes 3 hours and 45 minutes.)

According to Vonlane founder and CEO Alex Danza, The Woodlands has been a much-requested route.

“The Woodlands area has been our most requested geographic addition for several years, so we’re thrilled to announce this expansion, our 10th destination on our 11th anniversary,” Danza says. “Bringing our elevated bus service to suburban areas is a strategic priority as we seek to relieve the hassles of driving and air travel for our passengers and better meet them where they live, work, and play.”

Buses have 22 first-class leather seats, ample workspace, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an onboard attendant offering premium cabin service with snacks, meals, and beverages included.

Schedule
Beginning June 13, The Woodlands-Dallas route will offer the following departures:

Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 6:15 am, 10:15 am, 2:15 pm, and 6:15 pm – departing both The Woodlands and Dallas
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday: 10:15 am and 2:15 pm – departing both The Woodlands and Dallas
Saturday: 9 am: departing The Woodlands
Saturday 1 pm: departing Dallas

Terminal Locations & Hotel Partners
The new dropoff point for the Woodlands service will be at Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. According to Danza, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott offers easy access to I-45, ample parking, and high-quality accommodations, IE a nice waiting area.

It'll go to Dallas' established stop at Doubletree Love Field, 3300 W. Mockingbird Ln.

The new route offers proximity to major employers in the area such as Alight Solutions, Baker Hughes, Chevron Phillips, Entergy, ExxonMobil, Hewlett-Packard, Houston Methodist, Huntsman Corporation, Lone Star College, McKesson, Memorial Hermann, Occidental Petroleum, St. Luke’s Health, and Texas Children’s.

Visit The Woodlands president Nick Wolda says in a statement that The Woodlands is a popular destination for Dallas residents.

“Visit The Woodlands is excited to welcome Vonlane to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Conference Center. This first-class amenity is a fantastic addition to our vibrant community, perfectly designed to elevate the travel experience,” Wolda says. “The Woodlands is the go-to destination for trips from the DFW area—whether you're a corporate conventioneer, a Pavilion concertgoer, a college student coming home, or a weekend shopping trip with friends. With this new service, getting to and from The Woodlands has never been easier or more enjoyable!"

Fares are a flat rate of $125 for one-way trips with advance purchase. No taxes, baggage fees, or change fees apply. Rates increase with less than seven days’ notice and within 24 hours before departure.

Fares include complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, meals (on select routes), and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is available for purchase. Tickets can be booked at www.vonlane.com.

Vonlane was founded in 2014 and offers more than 475 weekly departures across 10 destinations. Routes operate in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; between Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee; and between Nashville and Memphis.

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