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300 N. Akard St. Dallas, TX 75201-3415
214-969-5550
http://www.ampmdallas.com AMPM (in the Mosaic building) promises "Dallas' only ultra urban luxury dining experience," which one presumes means that it's the only place in the city where you can enjoy the fine people-watching of an ultra-lounge as well as get a bite to eat.
A visit to the restaurant and nightclub reveals that yes, there were plenty of people who appear to spend a disproportionate amount of time at the gym, in the tanning booth and at body-waxing salons...along with their girlfriends. But even people those without an Affliction credit card would enjoy the food, courtesy former N9NE chef Tommy Simpson. Bites include tuna tartare on sesame crackers; watermelon and feta wrapped in a cucumber sliver; and mango-carrot spring rolls with jicama. A row of musician portraits including the likes of Jimi Hendrix--people who would probably never set foot in the place, living or not--greets you as you enter. The place is at once minimal and modern, with smooth black granite surfaces and a polished concrete floor and what has to be the biggest collection of mirrored disco balls in the city. More >>
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831 Exposition Ave. Dallas, TX 75226-1743
214-827-3433
http://www.theamsterdambar.com The Amsterdam Bar is by far one of the coolest bars in town. It's set up like a European-style bar, with a heavy German and Belgian beer menu. There is vintage fat-tire bicycle that hangs above the entrance. The huge backyard is perfect to sit out and catch the occasional band on warm summer nights. More >>
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4151 Belt line Road Addison, TX 75001
972-233-1515
http://www.andiamogrill.com For more than two decades, this Addison restaurant has been getting saucy (and romantic) with its brand of moderately upscale Italian cuisine. Begin the meal with a plate of bruschetta and move on to Conghiglie al Forno (clams baked with herbs, pecorino and garlic butter) before digging in to any number of pasta, veal or chicken dishes. Some options, like the Capellini Basilico (angel hair pasta with fresh tomato sauce and basil) are light. Others, like Tortellini Bolognese, are substantial. Signature items include many dishes involving the restaurant's name, among them Sole Andiamo and Veal Andiamo. After eating all that and ordering from the healthy wine list, it's doubtful anyone will be able to go anywhere, even if Andiamo means "let's go" in Italian. More >>
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122 N. Locust St. Denton, TX 76201
940-565-5400
http://www.andyslivemusic.com A longtime staple of the Denton bar scene and located on the downtown square, Andy's smokey interior is one of the best places to catch some of the many emerging bands in North Texas. Local acts regularly test new material on a small audience, and occasionally national acts pass through. Other than a stage and a bar, Andy's offers little else in the way of amenities. A few chairs and cocktail tables are scattered around toward the back, as well as a very ramshackle-looking balcony where the sound man mixes during the bands' sets. More >>
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2726 Commerce St. Dallas, TX 75226
214-741-4406
http://www.angrydog.com We're reluctant to use the phrase "fancy dive," but the Angry Dog is dark with long tables, mismatched chairs and a wooden bar that runs almost the length of the restaurant. The name comes from its specialty--an all-beef hot dog with a choice of toppings. But the burger (which you can build yourself with a menu of extras) and the chicken-fried chicken sandwich are good, too. You'll find out after only a few bites why we've heaped so many awards on them over the years. You can wash down each bite with one of their 80-plus beers or with anything from their full bar. The Angry Dog also serves its own ice tea, which is a combination of raspberry and regular teas blended locally. More >>
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2638 Elm St. Dallas, TX 75226
214-741-1271
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anvil-Pub-Deep-Ellum/129514830415751 For many years, popular dining and drinking areas of Dallas, from Uptown to Greenville Avenue have had their share of English-style public houses. But, alas, Deep Ellum has never been able to draw a pub within its midst. That is, until Anvil Pub opened in mid- November 2010. Which may explain why -- even on the first weekend of its opening -- the place already had folks from the Deep Ellum neighborhood proclaiming themselves as "regulars." That first weekend, Anvil Pub still smelled of Home Depot, which, coincidentally, is where the family who own and operate the pub bought the supplies needed to build Anvil from the floor up. "Everything but the barstools, the chairs and the metal table bases," came from there, owner Josh Bridges said, while pouring a beer behind the long, dark wood bar. The grease-free "green" kitchen cranks out pub grub ranging from pizzas and wings to "all-natural" burgers from the menu, which boasts lots of vegetarian options. More >>
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1825 Abrams Parkway Dallas, TX 75214
214-827-5253
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=arcade bar&init=quick&tas=search_preload#!/pages/Dallas-TX/ARCADE-BAR/238937525174 Located next to the historic art deco Lakewood Theater and underneath the Balcony Club, this dive is popular among people in the Lakewood and Lake Highlands neighborhood. There's some café seating out front under the theater's marquee, but don't be disappointed -- there's no arcade inside. The long wooden bar runs the length of the establishment, and there's lots of seating available at the bar and at tables and chairs along the adjacent wall, which is decorated with old concert posters ranging from The Misfits to Jane's Addiction to Polvo. Arcade Bar offers weekly specials like Procession Mondays with $2 you-call-its all day, and karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More >>
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1409 S. Hampton De Soto, TX 75115
972-223-1199
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11617 N. Central Expwy Dallas, TX 75243
214-363-6655
http://www.asianmint.com
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2912 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75204
214-220-2872
http://www.avenulounge.com You might want to dress to impress before heading out to this Uptown lounge or you might not make it past the doormen on a busy night. A posh lounge with plenty of room to dance if you're there to shake it on the floor and plenty of elevated lounge seating if you're just there to watch. There's valet parking up front, bottle service and loads of featured specialty drinks to sip on. Inside, the club is spacious and dark and makes good use of state-of-the-art mood lighting. Aura is only open Thursdays through Sundays, 9 p.m. to 2a.m., but is available for private parties the rest of the week. More >>
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935 W. Parker Road Plano, TX 75023
972-422-8003
http://www.austinavenue.com A handful of former Steak & Ale higher-ups opened Austin Avenue Grill & Sports Bar in the mid '90s with the idea of creating a sports bar that, as they say, "Doesn't take a whatever you can fry approach in the kitchen." Sure, Austin Avenue still has 50 cent wing nights and the like, but the menu also features popular items like blackened chicken pasta. As if it were three establishments under one roof, there's a large, sports-themed family-friendly (no neon beer signs) dining area with an arcade; a traditional bar area with plenty of seating; and, in the back, a separate 21-and-up section, which offers adult patrons nearly a dozen pool tables, a half-dozen dartboards and a few more arcade games. With 32 TVs, nine big-screen HDTVs and three 10-foot HD projection screens, it seems nearly impossible to miss a second of a big game at Austin Avenue. More >>
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7315 Gaston Ave. Dallas, TX 75214
214-953-0300
http://www.myspace.com/babaludallas Loud, Latin beats pump away at this upscale dance destination, so take your wallet and your salsa shoes if you're looking to get down around McKinney. Make sure to show up fashionably late, as OK takes its sweet time filling up, but man, does it wind up getting crowded. More >>
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10250 Shady Trail Dallas, TX 75220
214-358-5511
http://www.babydolls.com Years ago, Baby Dolls Saloon moved locations and began boasting "The Legend Lives On." The 37-year-old institution backs up the claim with a roster of more than 200 dancers on any given night. The grand staircase opens onto a bar that sits in the center of the club. The main stage is enormous, and off to the side are smaller audience rooms where the waitresses hang out. Although it has its share of regulars, Baby Dolls is one of the more famous strip clubs in Dallas, and you can count on any number of out-of-towners of all stripes to be there enjoying the show. More >>
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2711 Storey Lane Dallas, TX 75220
214-353-9820
http://www.babyotejanonightclub.com Baby O is situated in an old movie theater that's been renovated into a two-story Tejano night club with a bar and dance floor on each level. Baby O is hard to miss from nearby Northwest Highway, but getting there requires a little maneuvering onto Storey Road. The place is open only two days a week: On Friday the DJ plays anything from hip-hop to country, and on Saturdays Tejano bands from all over come to play, filling the club to its 600-person capacity. Cover charges vary depending on the band, so call ahead. More >>
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210 N. Main St. Grapevine, TX 76051
817-251-8434
http://www.backporchtavern.com Back Porch Grill & Tavern claims to be "Grapevine's own slice of Nashville with a splash of Texas flavor." That much seems true the second you walk in the doors and hear the unmistakable twang of Nashville country tunes blaring from the laptop of a DJ dressed in full cowboy garb. But the rest of the bar, with its wood-paneled walls and prairie décor, is very much a caricature of an old Texas saloon. So too is the menu, which is loaded with strong drinks, comfort food dinners and lunch options. More >>
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8250 N. Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75206
214-328-4444
http://www.backdoorcomedy.com/index Bare bones comedy club on the eastern edge of downtown. Ample parking thanks to the hotel. Intimate room. More >>
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7530 E. Grand Ave. Dallas, TX 75214
214-327-3866
http://www.backyardbeachbar.com With sand volleyball courts and swimming pools, The Backyard Beach Bar is a favorite among sports fans, though those who prefer just to watch the action can find comfy, cushioned chairs and four flat-screen televisions in the main bar. Inside the game room, complete with dartboards and electric slots, the bar hosts a dart league and weekly foosball tournament. Poolside, wicker furniture on the wrap-around deck offers a spot to chow down on a burger or street-style tacos. Volleyball is league play during the week and typically lasts through late fall, but on weekends anyone can join the game for a fee that includes pool access. More >>
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6333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-377-9772
http://www.sherlockspubco.com Meant to replicate the eclectic home of the great Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street has a hardwood decor and English-pub vibe with bookshelves, barrels and a carpeted stage offering live music throughout the week. The original location opened in Houston in 1977, and now has branches throughout Texas and into Oklahoma and Colorado. There's hold 'em poker on Tuesdays plus darts and pool for fun, and the menu is replete with Americanized versions of English dishes. Sundays tend to be busy, with karaoke and happy hour all day. More >>
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1825 Abrams Dallas, TX 75214
214-826-8104
If you can overlook the awkward design that puts the stage right by the front door and leaves just a narrow path to the back seating area, this Lakewood hole in the wall is a great place to catch live jazz almost every night. While the club has a repeating weekly schedule of musical acts, you never know who might climb up on stage to guest-improv for a song or two with that night's band. Drinks are pricier than one might expect from such a dark, homey bar, but the selection of liquors, beers and wines is well-chosen. More >>
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2521 Rodeo Plaza Fort Worth, TX 76106
817-624-6736
As the rest of the area leans a bit toward the country side of music, The Bandwagon offers something a little different now and again. Bringing local and national artists to the Fort Worth stockyards, the venue covers indie, metal, rock, country and everything in between. Depending on the people a particular act will draw, the space opens as The Door for all-age shows and The Bandwagon for an older crowd, including a bar for age-appropriate drinkers. Being in the stockyards, the theme of choice includes wagon wheels and worn wood, but most of the music venue is a giant open space, funneling fans in standing room only toward a big stage. More >>
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1313 Main St. Dallas, TX 75202
214-924-2074
The Bank, located on Main Street in downtown Dallas, makes good use of the basement of an old bank - even to the point of tucking a lounge area, complete with bottle-service, into an old vault. It's wrapped the vault's big round door in lights, and added some lasers and smoke machines that make the bar seem like something out of a James Bond flick. Just grab a martini from one of the attentive bartenders to complete the image. The Bank offers a spacious wraparound bar, plenty of space for dancing, seating throughout, or, if you're looking for a quieter, less bustling place to grab a drink, check out the backside of the bar where there's lots more space to hang out. More >>
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219 W. Oak St. Denton, TX 76201
940-565-1638
http://www.dentonbanter.com Known for its hand-pulled espresso, homemade and handmade food and choice beer selection, Banter is a family-owned and -operated bistro with a coffeehouse aesthetic near the square in downtown Denton. Banter's walls feature a revolving assortment of creations by area artists, and its stage features a rotating cast of mostly local bands and artists. Thursdays are open-mic nights. Because it's situated between Texas Woman's University and the University of North Texas, Banter is often filled with students, study groups and, at times, entire classes. But Banter is just as popular with townies. There are patio tables and chairs out front, and seating ranging from comfy couches to folding chairs inside. More >>
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1917 N. Henderson Ave. Dallas, TX 75206
214-821-7300
http://www.barcadiabars.com/barcadia-dallas/ True to its name, Barcadia is half bar, half arcade, and offers video games from Centipede and Dig Dug to Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat, plus skee-ball ramps and popular bar food. And with 24 draft beers to choose from and ample mixed-drink selections, Barcadia is not far from a Chuck E. Cheese with an adult twist. Not feeling gamey? Have a seat on the bar's spacious front patio, which is great for accommodating large groups of people-just make sure to watch out for falling wooden blocks from the giant Jenga game. More >>
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5612 SMU Blvd. Dallas, TX 75206
214-824-0306
http://www.barleyhouse.com It's no surprise that this Dallas institution is jam-packed with coeds after dark; it's a beer-pong bounce away from Southern Methodist University. However, the endless rotation of original and cover bands brings in live-show fans from across Dallas. While the kitchen does turn out food, mostly appetizers (e.g., "Totally Fried" Sampler: onion rings, stuffed red chiles, chicken strips, fried pickles and fries) and sandwiches (Barley House "Wing" Sandwich: spicy chicken breast with ranch dressing, carrots and celery), some entrées are available. The emphasis is on the musical acts and beer selection, which includes 17 drafts and more than 30 bottles. And for local historical kitsch: The Barley House is proud to advertise, "Laura Bush mentions the Barley House in her 2009 commencement speech at SMU." More >>
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105 W. Exchange Fort Worth, TX 76164
817-458-1803
Despite being in the historical Fort Worth Stockyards with its tourist pull, The Basement Bar is a neighborhood bar, and literally in a basement. Small and casual, it offers live music from country to reggae, typically with no cover charge. Local historical cattle brands dot the weathered wood surrounding the bar, and ever-present are the horseshoe and cowboy boot décor one would expect in the area. Clientele ranges from young to old, dictated mainly by whatever band is playing. Beer tubs, shot girls and a waitstaff cater to heavier crowds on weekends, though bands perform five nights a week on a corner stage curtained in red velvet at this cozy locale. More >>
