And on the seventh day, God created Fun Day. Well, okay, maybe not, but really that should have been the case. After all, what better way is there to give the workweek ahead a defiant middle finger than to spend all of Sunday drinking irresponsibly? Damn be the consequences, we say; our temple of worship bows to the unholy trinity of beer, shots and karaoke.
Like any red-blooded Americans, we start planning our weekend drinking on Wednesdays (at least), and this weekend is a special one for those who love the Sunday Fun Day: it's Labor Day weekend, meaning Monday is a vacation day. So in honor of this glorious occasion, here are the 10 best places in Dallas to celebrate the Day of Fun.
The Lot 7530 E. Grand Ave.
If there is a better way to waste a Sunday afternoon than sitting on a great patio, it's either illegal or you can't afford it. At The Lot, you can enjoy your favorite legal intoxicants alongside excellent burgers, good company and occasional live music on their massive patio. Dog owners will be happy to know that they can safely let their critters roam off-leash while they drink their booze, and the serene location just east of White Rock Lake is quiet enough to make you forget that you're sitting in the middle of our busy city. Amy McCarthy
Dan's Silverleaf 103 N. Industrial St., Denton
Every Sunday for the past few years the back porch at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton has been taken over by the Denton musician super-group Hares On the Mountain. They've been described as "danger-folk" by some and as the best damn time in town by others. The group takes their weekly set seriously, sometimes dedicating the whole set to work through albums they love (i.e. the Pogus' Rum, Sodomy and the Lash) or stick to their own material, like their recently released EP Sheep. Whatever they choose a few certainties always exist: 1) The porch will be packed with drinking Dentonites, 2) the shot and beer special is the way to go and 3) you're gonna have a hell of a good time. Jaime-Paul Falcon
Lee Harvey's 1807 Gould St.
Lee Harvey's started their traditional Sunday "Dog Day Afternoon" a decade ago -- long before dog-friendly patios, icehouses and beer gardens started opening their gates all around Dallas. Sure, you can take your fur-baby to Lee Harvey's any day of the week, but Monday through Saturday dogs must stay leashed. On Sunday things turn, well, weird as Dog Day staff keeps the main gate closed and the pooches have free run of the massive patio. DJ "Weird" Warren Harris (of 89.3 KNON fame) plays from 4 to 7 p.m. Weird Warren's antics and selections calls to mind other legendary zany late-night DJs, playing "comedy, music and audio oddities" as if an occult hand from another era conjured the playlist by flipping through a dusty record bin stuck in another dimension. Daniel Rodrigue
Truck Yard 5624 Sears St.
Truck Yard gets a lot of fanfare, but it's not overrated in the least. Even if you aren't really into the food trucks, there are still great cheesesteaks and plenty of beer and cocktails to keep you and your lush friends occupied all afternoon long. Keep it classy with a frozen Trash Can Punch or try one of their house-made cocktails on draught. There's Carnival Barker's ice cream right out front and a real, actual goddamn treehouse. This is one of the only places in town that you can pretend that you're not an adult with bills and problems for a few hours before you have to head back to the real world on Monday. AM
The Goat 7248 Gaston Ave.
Spending a Sunday at The Goat is not about singing karaoke, although that's the bar's main event. No, the people watching serves as more than enough stimulant. Karaoke Carmen has built a reputation for putting on a good show, filled with off-key singing, a live band playing back up and at least one version of "You're So Vain." Grab a cheap drink from the bar (or four) and enjoy one of the city's most amusing Sunday night caps. Lauren Smart Truluck's 2401 McKinney Ave.
When the term "Sunday Fun Day" comes to mind, it's doubtful that Truluck's is the first thing to pop into the brain of end-of-the-week debauchery seekers. It probably doesn't occur to most people, actually. Truth is, Truluck's has one helluva happy hour that night. From 5 p.m. until close, pop a seat at the bar and sip on half-priced cocktails, wines and appetizers. We're not talking rum and Cokes and chicken fingers here, either. Rather, ceviche, crab and top-shelf martinis. Suck a few dirty martinis down and you'll surely be having fun. Catherine Downes
Sisu 2508 Maple Ave.
This may not be the most laid-back crowd, but sometimes we all need to feel a little more glamorous than we actually are. Put on your best bikini (pool attire is actually required for some events) and get ready for an afternoon with some of the city's most beautiful people. On Sundays, this "Uptown resort" hosts their own version of Sunday Fun Day that they call the Aqua Day Club, where they book internationally renowned DJs like Paul Van Dyk and Chris Lake. They also have a few food trucks on site, meaning that you'll have no excuse to leave once you get there. AM
Adair's 2624 Commerce St.
Happy Hour at Adair's on a Sunday is all day. That bears repeating: Happy Hour at Adair's on a Sunday is all day. This is important, because after you've tied one on at your brunch spot of choice, and the slate of football games have crushed your soul via Cowboys bruh-ha-ha you'll need somewhere to drink the night away. Lucky for you, not only is happy hour all day, but live country music starts at 4 p.m. at Adair's, with new acts taking over the stage every three hours from there. A truly dedicated Sunday Fun Dayer can catch about six bands, drink about two shots per-band and then chow down on one of the best burgers in town without leaving the bar. That's doing it right. JPF
The Village Country Club 8308 Southwestern Blvd.
The Village Country Club has no golf course, but service industry folks and newly independent college grads (those that can't afford Uptown) alike don't need those 18 holes for an excuse to get schwasted in the middle of the day. Everyone (not just Village residents) can get into the pool off Southwestern Blvd. for all the Miller twist-offs your poor beaten down stomach can handle. At its best, it's seriously great people watching -- pretty sure Sisqo cast the Thong Song video here -- and at its worst, that bouncer from last night will relieve you of your teeth. Try to leave soberish and/or not in handcuffs. C.W. Ingram
Single Wide 2110 Greenville Ave.
In one of the supreme twists of irony on this list, you don't really need to be drunk to enjoy a Sunday out at the Single Wide. But as it goes with everything else at this Lower Greenville hole in the wall, it's a hell of a lot more fun with a few Lone Stars and a who's-keeping-track or so of shots. You see, after you've rolled out of bed early in the afternoon and downed a $3 Bloody Mary or three, you can stick around for Mr. Rid's karaoke, which starts at 4 p.m. The thing is, the folks who show up are often pretty great, not just good singers but also fun performers. So step up, take the mystery song challenge and see how much you remember in the morning. Jeff Gage
