Baby, It's Cold(ish): Restaurants with Great Fire Pit Scenes

Another Christmas has come and gone, but winter’s cold spell remains. And we have a remedy for that. Here’s what you do: Order a tasty cocktail and an appetizer then cozy up to one of Dallas’ great fire pits or fireplaces. Here’s a list to get you started.

Backyard

505 N. Good Latimer Expressway

Backyard is a sports bar and overall entertainment mecca in an expansive 12,500-square-foot space with 40-plus TVs (including three LED screens), interactive games and a state-of-the-art audio, visual and lighting system. The gameday experience at Backyard is second to none. Plenty of heaters and fire pits will keep you toasty while you watch the game or enjoy the music. (There are also DJs and live music.)

The Dubliner

2818 Greenville Ave.

Nothing says winter quite like sipping an Irish coffee with Jameson while you bask in the warm glow emanating from The Dubliner’s corner fireplace. This proper neighborhood Irish watering hole, owned and operated by native Dubliner Peter Kenny, is a Lower Greenville favorite. And does a better winter meal exist than The Dubliner’s shepherd’s pie topped with garlic mashed potatoes? We doubt it.

Haywire

1920 McKinney Ave.

Uptown's Haywire offers elevated Southern fare in a rustic space that oozes charm. The bar menu is on point: You'll find a lineup of various house old fashioneds and margaritas (like the Midnight in Marfa made of Cazadores Blanco tequila and blueberry pomegranate) along with bold signature cocktails. On brisk evenings, there's a covered patio with a roaring fire, so grab a cocktail and a plate and park yourself near the flames. Haywire also has a location at Legacy West in Plano.

The Henry

2301 N. Akard St.

When we visited The Henry in 2019, we called it “a temple devoted to the brunch gods.” While that’s true, The Henry also offers some of Uptown’s finest cocktails and outdoor spaces. Heat lamps and fireside pits will keep you cozy outdoors – and we strongly advise ordering the bourbon caramel braised short rib. You can thank us later.

Henry’s Majestic

2303 Pittman St.

Henry's Majestic offers live music, ample outdoor seating (with fire pits) and a host of cocktails, beers and wines. These key ingredients make Henry's Majestic one of Dallas' preeminent outdoor winter chill spots. We suggest pulling up fire pit-side with an 85th Old Fashioned (Elijah Craig bourbon, black peppercorn roasted peach reduction bitters and citrus oils) and an order of Cuban Cigars (not those Cuban cigars; we mean Henry’s Cuban Cigars of ham and Cuban roasted pork with Swiss-grained mustard and mojo sauce).

Lee Harvey’s

1807 Gould St.

One of the city’s legendary dives, Lee Harvey’s (a top 100 bar) has a lively outdoor space with plenty of picnic tables and fire pits. Stiff drinks are standard, the pub fare is lowkey excellent and a thriving live music scene is on tap every weekend.

MoMo Italian Kitchen

8989 Forest Lane, Ste. 130

MoMo is a gem. It’s sleek, the Northern Italian dishes are made from scratch and the center stone fireplace is the consummate mood-setter on brisk winter evenings. There are also signature house cocktails and a fab wine list. While you snuggle by the fireplace, we recommend the house espresso martini of Dripping Springs vodka, espresso and Borghetti Coffee Liqueur.

The Rustic

3656 Howell St.

Farm-fresh cuisine, local craft beer and a vibrant live music scene make The Rustic one of the premier venues of its kind in Dallas. Keeping Old Man Winter at bay are the many heat lamps and fire pits throughout its expansive outdoor space. Check the calendar for upcoming local and national acts visiting The Rustic.

Two Mules at Texican Court

501 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving

Two Mules is a restaurant inside the Texican Court Hotel, which is adjacent to the Toyota Music Factory and Alamo Draft House Las Colinas. We found this gem earlier this year and loved it. First, have dinner here, which includes many house-smoked meats. Then, grab a gimlet and head to the large courtyard, where staff come by to check on the fires often, ensuring your toes are toasty.

Upside West Village

2950 Cityplace W. Blvd.

In addition to boasting jaw-dropping views of the Dallas skyline, Upside West Village’s terrace, on the eighth floor of the Canopy Hilton hotel, offers a standout fireplace. Killer views while cozying up to the fire on one of the country’s 25 best rooftop bars? Sounds perfect. To enhance your experience, you’ll require a signature cocktail, such as the Mrs. Doubtfire, made with Woodford Reserve, chocolate and black walnut bitters, and Licor 43.