The best bars in Dallas right now

What is it? A subterranean cocktail bar in the Joule hotel that’s home to some of the city’s best drinks, music and bartenders.

Why we love it: Midnight Rambler is always a good time, whether you’re there for happy hour or a nightcap. The bar team has serious chops, but they’re fun and unpretentious, so you’ll always feel welcome. And the new Pokémon-inspired menu just proves the point. Order drinks like the Matcha Chop made with mezcal, matcha, coconut milk punch and blackberry foam, or the Conspirator, a caprese-style martini featuring tomato-basil-infused rum and mini mozzarella balls. Cocktails are presented with a "playing card" souvenir featuring custom characters inspired by each drink. Collect them all.

Time Out tip: The Joule is a destination in itself, so if you’re visiting Midnight Rambler, you might as well make a day of it. Score some caffeine at Weekend Coffee, have dinner at CBD Provisions or Sassetta, pick up a few gifts at Swoon, and decorate your coffee table with a book from Taschen Library.

Address: 1530 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201

Opening hours: Tue–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu–Sat 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: About $15 each for cocktails

What is it? A retro lounge that feels a bit like drinking in your parents’ basement circa 1975. It’s from the same team behind Tiny Victories and Highfives, and it’s one of the most dynamic spots in town, offering a little something for everyone.

Why we love it: If you want to sip beers, shoot pool and listen to music at a reasonable volume, you can do that here. If you want to knock back shots and dance under a disco ball while a DJ spins tracks above a reasonable volume, you can do that here, too. It just depends on what time you arrive, as the party turns up the later it gets. Either way, the bar is stocked with $3 Miller High Life ponies and pours solid cocktails, including a carbonated Paloma on tap.

Time Out tip: By 10pm on a weekend, there’s usually a line out the door. So if your evening plans call for good times without the wait, show up early—the vibe is different, but the drinks taste just as good before dinner.

Address: 1404 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: $3 and up for beers, $11 and up for cocktails

What is it? A lovable dive that’s not too divey, situated in a neighborhood that may confuse your Uber driver.

Why we love it: Mike’s opened in 2019 in a space that’s seen some things. It keeps some of the vestiges of its past—note the stripper pole—but gives you all the appreciated updates you want today, like good drinks, friendly service and clean bathrooms. Sip on ice-cold bottled beers, simple cocktails like a Martini or Old Fashioned, and a very decent whiskey selection, and play a game of pool if you’re feeling sporty. When you’re hungry, there’s just one item on the food menu: hot dogs. Well, two if you count chips.

Time Out tip: Late-night food is hard to find in this area, so there’s no better or more necessary meal at 1am than a Mike’s hot dog. These all-beef franks don’t hit the roller until you order them, so they’re always fresh, and they’re served with all the accoutrements you want.  

Address: 1906 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75215

Opening hours: Daily 4pm–2am

Expect to pay: $5 and up for beers, $10 and up for cocktails

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What is it? One of the best-looking spaces in town, with blush upholstered furniture, a well-staged backbar and unique glassware to complement each cocktail. It also happens to serve a menu of fine drinks created by Rubén Rolón, who won the Michelin Guide’s Exceptional Cocktails Award in Miami before coming to Dallas. 

Why we love it: The drinks here hit the perfect note between serious and playful. You don’t have to understand how a centrifuge works to enjoy a clarified cocktail, so just sit back, relax and know that a lot of work went into each drink behind the scenes. A prime example is the Akebono, which is made with clarified butter, shichimi-washed mezcal, fino sherry and banana water. If that’s all too much to wrap your head around, the bar also serves classics, fun shots, wines and sake. And when you’re hungry, the food comes from chef Kazuhito Mabuchi at sister concept Namo next door, so you can expect well-executed nigiri, sashimi and rolls. It’s pretty easy to see why this place snagged a 2025 James Beard nomination for Best New Bar.

Time Out tip: Bar Colette takes reservations. You don’t usually need one on weeknights, but it fills up on weekends, so plan accordingly.

Address: 3699 McKinney Ave #306, Dallas, TX 75204

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay:  $50-75 per person for a couple drinks and bites

What is it? A cool, casual bar from the powerhouse teams behind Black Swan Saloon and Tiny Victories.

Why we love it: Saint Valentine’s seemingly simple nature—a bar, a few booths, some food—is belied by the quality driving everything here. Sure there are beers and shots, but those are combined into boilermaker combos like the Ludafish, which joins a mini Modelo with tequila and a deliciously bright-green sangrita. Cocktails get thoughtful treatment, including a goose fat-washed Martini garnished with a gilda skewer (the classic Spanish pintxo composed of an olive, pepper and anchovy) and the Space Vato, made with mezcal, Aperol, papaya, cucumber and cilantro. Then there’s the food. Yes, there are wings, burgers and hot dogs, but they’re all better than the usual suspects. There’s also a comforting bowl of miso garlic noodles and a crunchy, salty snack of hash browns topped with chive sour cream and caviar. Throw in the well-curated playlist setting the mood each night, and you may never want to leave.

Time Out tip: There’s already a lot to like here, but the Wednesday-through-Sunday happy hour doubles down with classic cocktails for just $8.

Address: 4800 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75204

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: Non-happy hour cocktails start at $13, and snacks start at $8

What is it? An avant-garde cocktail bar that’s part laboratory, part lounge, on Lower Greenville. It serves some of the most creative drinks in town, plus a menu of equally thoughtful small bites and entrees.

Why we love it: There’s never a dull moment at Apothecary. The space feels like stepping back in time and is outfitted with Victorian-style chairs, mirrors and chandeliers. And the menu, comprising sections like light and refreshing, spirit-forward and cuisine-inspired, is a masterclass in thinking outside the box. In April, the bar debuted a Drinking Through the Decades menu that started in the 1920s and changes each month, moving to the ‘50s, ‘70s, and ‘90s before culminating with a best-of menu in August.

Drinks on these ambitious, era-specific menus are created as if Apothecary existed during this timeframe, using only ingredients and tools that were available in that decade. For the ‘50s, you get a Don Draper-inspired take on the Dirty Martini and a riff on the Rusty Nail featuring baijiu, pandan and lemongrass shochu. The wildest drink is a liquid version of green bean casserole that’s made with haricots-verts-and-onion-infused mezcal, shiitake mushroom, cream, lime, parsley and soda and topped with crispy onions.

Time Out tip: You can and should eat at sister concept Rye next door, but don’t miss the food at Apothecary. It’s also embracing the through-the-decades theme, so right now you can order snacks like dressed-up pigs in a blanket and larger plates like meatloaf.

Address: 1922 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay: Cocktails are $15-$20. Throw in some food, and you’re looking at $60+ per person.

What is it? A historic home dating back to 1874 that was, thankfully, turned into a bar in 2014. It’s been one of the most popular watering holes in Uptown ever since.

Why we love it: In a city that often celebrates newness, Bowen House is very old. The Registered Texas Historic Landmark still looks the part, presenting as a mid-Victorian period house on the outside, complete with a shady front patio. But inside, it’s a modern bar that’s slinging great cocktails and one of the best cheeseburgers in town. Try a classic Martini or go the other route entirely and get a highball featuring roasted ube-infused Japanese whisky, nori syrup and Szechuan bitters, or a Negroni riff laced with coffee and creme de cacao. Don’t miss the food, because in addition to that perfect burger, the bar is also serving escargot, steak tartare, cacio e pepe and other things you want to eat after a couple drinks.

Time Out tip: Bowen House is small and fills up fast. Make a reservation if you want to visit during prime hours. If you’re walking in, aim for the early side of the bar’s happy hour between 4 and 6pm, when classic cocktails are just $9, and you’ve got less competition to drink them.

Address: 2614 Boll St, Dallas, TX 75204

Opening hours: Sun-Tue 4pm–midnight, Wed–Sat 4pm–2am

Expect to pay: $50-75 per person for a couple drinks and bites, more if you’re staying for dinner.

What is it? It’s one of the best restaurants in Dallas. But it’s also an excellent place to drink, where the cocktails and wine selection receive just as much attention as the food. Michelin thinks so, too. Rye received the Exceptional Cocktails award in the inaugural Michelin Guide Texas.

Why we love it: Rye’s bar is a comfortable place to spend some time, but it doesn’t matter whether you sit at the bar or a table—the drinks are all prepared with utmost expertise and care. The cocktail menu includes drinks like the Rye Ball, a seemingly simple highball that’s just rye whiskey and sparkling water, but Rye dials in custom carbonation to create the perfect fizz. Other favorites are the Golden Negroni made with golden beets and shio koji, and a few classics made with private barrel whiskeys. If you prefer wine, Rye stocks an eclectic selection, including bottles from South Africa and Uruguay.

Time Out tip: If you’re dining in and want to splurge, choose the chef’s tasting menu with the beverage pairing or premium beverage pairing, and you’ll get a variety of Rye’s best cocktails and wines to accompany your dinner.

Address: 1920 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay: Cocktails and wines start around $15, while the beverage pairings are $85 and $145.

What is it? A sophisticated, underground cocktail lounge tucked away in Dallas’ East Quarter with Great Gatsby vibes and high-pour martinis.

Why we love it: With its intimate ambiance and compelling drinks, Ginger’s is the perfect spot to unwind after work or with a nightcap. Grab a seat at the bar or slip into one of the wraparound leather booths, then consult the cocktail menu. Classics like the Negroni and Paloma are served alongside creative originals, including the Fromage Noir, which features goat cheese-washed gin, spiced pear and lemon, and the Unholy Matrimony, made with sotol, Cynar and sherry. If cocktails aren’t your thing, choose from wines and beers, or treat yourself to a glass of premium whiskey. Ginger’s also provides a thoughtful selection of zero-proof drinks, so you can still sip on something interesting if you’re not drinking alcohol. 

Time Out tip: Ginger’s is owned by the same team as neighboring Sushi | Bar, the fun-loving omakase spot, so you can double up here for an extravagant night out. Eating a pricey omakase dinner isn’t usually a last-minute decision, of course, so plan ahead if you want to combine the two.

Address: 2115 Jackson St, Dallas, TX 75201

Opening hours: Sun–Thurs 6pm–midnight; Fri-Sat 6pm–1am

Expect to pay: Cocktails are $20 each, mocktails are $14

What is it? A classy, moody bar that looks like a cattle baron’s library, complete with hardcover books, dark woods and leather.

Why we love it: Whether you’re staying at this iconic Rosewood hotel, eating at the equally iconic restaurant or none of the above, the Mansion Bar is a fine place to have a drink. Come early if you want a quiet cocktail or glass of wine, and know that the crowds and volume turn up later and on weekends. The cocktails are creative—the Smoked Rusa blends African rum with sorghum, tobacco bitters and cinnamon cigar smoke—but the barkeeps can make the full arsenal of classics, too, so pick your poison. If you’re feeling peckish, pair your drink with something from the food menu, like wagyu sliders or squash blossom beignets

Time Out tip: The Mansion Bar has live music on Thursdays beginning at 7pm and at 8:30pm on weekends, so plan accordingly if you like jazz. There’s a $10 cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights during this time, but it’s well worth it for the smooth soundtrack accompanying your drinks.

Address: 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219

Opening hours: Sun 3–10pm; Mon-Wed 3–11pm; Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat noon–1am

Expect to pay: About $20 for cocktails and $10-$20 for small bites

What is it? A dive bar whose name is meant to intrigue—especially depending on how deep your conspiracy theories run.

Why we love it: Lee Harvey’s is cool and casual, with a small interior, a pool table and a large front patio. The patio is the best place to be, as it’s dotted with picnic tables and fire pits and always seems to have an open spot to sit, even when you’re rolling in with a large group. You’re not drinking anything fancy here, so get a beer or a simple mixed drink, but the food menu is surprisingly solid, with a great burger, several sandwiches, chicken wings, tacos and other bar favorites. There’s even a 12-ounce ribeye. It doesn’t quite compare to what you’ll get at the best steakhouses, but it’s about half the usual price, and hey—it’s a ribeye at a dive bar. There’s also live music on weekends, so swing by Friday through Sunday to hear local bands.  

Time Out tip: Lee Harvey’s hosts a seriously good happy hour, serving $4 well drinks and domestic beers each weekday from 3 to 7pm. Do a little math, and you’ll find that it’s actually four hours of happiness.

Address: 1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215

Opening hours: Daily 11–2am

Expect to pay: Not much—drinks are cheap, and appetizers start at $5

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What is it? The anchor restaurant and bar at Hall Arts Hotel, the stunning home to art displays and luxury rooms in the Dallas Arts District.

Why we love it: Ellie’s is a tried and tested date spot that guarantees a good time, whether you’re feeling out a first date or celebrating your 10-year anniversary. Order a glass of wine in the lounge amidst art and plush furnishings while live music plays from an elegant Steinway grand piano. Peckish? Add the warm focaccia with tapenade and some wagyu meatballs to your drink order. The lounge sits within Dallas’ exciting and super walkable arts district, which means a stop here pairs perfectly with a day at the Dallas Museum of Art or a night seeing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson.

Time Out tip: Complete your outing at Ellie’s with a stop on the terrace, and take in the views of the Texas Sculpture Walk and the James Welling mural.

Address: 1717 Leonard St, Dallas, TX 75201

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight

Expect to pay: About $50-75 per person for a couple of drinks and snacks

Why we love it: Hide manages to merge an easygoing, casual nature with high-end drinks, creating a spot that’s good for after-work drinks, nightcaps and everything between. Cocktails are broken into categories like refreshing, spirited, comforting and brave, so you can choose your own adventure. The bar also pours craft shots, like the Noodle Dance (whiskey, fig jam, peanut butter) and TNT (tequila, mango, lemon, chamoy, habanero salt), perfect for when you want a drink in a smaller package. If you’re hungry, the menu is filled with shared plates and entrees, from the standard nachos, wings and burgers to less expected fare like chicken schnitzel with cheesy grits and a pizza topped with grilled corn and candied jalapenos.

Time Out tip: Hide opens for weekend brunch, so if your plans dictate an earlier hang, swing by for buttermilk pancakes, chilaquiles and the wagyu steak and eggs. The bar adds several midday drinks to the menu, too, like mimosas, bloody marys and spritzes.

Address: 1928 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 3pm–midnight; Fri 11am–midnight; Sat, Sun 10am–midnight

Expect to pay: About $50-60 per person for drinks and food

What is it? One of the best LGBTQ-friendly bars in Dallas—and it’s western-themed to boot. It’s located in the popular Oak Lawn neighborhood next to other LGBTQ hotspots, including JR’s and Station 4.

Why we love it: Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall is perfect for groups, singles or just a random night on the town. It serves stiff drinks, which help to fuel the spectacular line dancing and inspired karaoke performances. Country music is played all night long. Evenings start off with slower songs, and the tempo builds as the hours get later. The bar—which is really more of a venue—has six themed bars throughout the cavernous space, including The Tool Shed, Horseshoe Bar and Tequila Shack, so explore them all to see which is your favorite.

Time Out tip: Intimidated by all those talented dancers? Take a lesson. Round-Up offers free lessons most nights of the week across styles like two-step, line dancing and partner swing, so you can learn the steps and then come back to impress your friends.

Address: 3912 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3pm–2am; Sat, Sun noon–2am

Expect to pay: About $5-10 per drink

What is it? The reincarnation of the much-loved bar that inhabited a longstanding perch on Maple Avenue before closing and moving to the Medical District.

Why we love it: The Grapevine Bar is a friendly dive, and we love a friendly dive. It’s been going strong for nearly 30 years, and it managed to keep the same well-worn ambiance even after moving to its new, larger location. Inside, you’ll find vintage furniture surrounding wooden tables and eclectic lamps in multiple colors hanging from the ceiling to provide a warm glow in the otherwise dim room. There’s a stage for live music, a patio with its own bar and a basketball hoop, so there’s plenty of space to spread out with a beer or boozy slushie. The Grapevine is popular with the local neighborhood, including nearby hospital workers, but many of the regulars made the move over to the new spot. If you frequented the former iteration, you’re bound to see some familiar faces.

Time Out tip: The bar hosts a couple of theme nights, like Trivia Tuesdays and Karaoke Wednesdays, so plan accordingly if you want to partake (or avoid).

Address: 2213 Butler St, Dallas, TX 75235

Opening hours: Sun 1pm–2am, Mon-Sat 3pm–2am

Expect to pay: $5-10 per drink