Dallas, Texas night skyline

The Bishop Arts District, The JFK Memorial Plaza, AT&T Stadium, The Dallas Cowboys — there are plenty of things Dallas (aka “The Big D”) is known for. Among them are drinking establishments. These include bars, beer gardens, cocktail lounges, and everything in between.

The city of Dallas loves to drink, and the best bars in Dallas highlight this perfectly. They’re varied, plentiful, and loads of fun. They range from chic distilleries to laid-back breweries and more.

Maybe you’re planning your trip to Dallas, Texas now or are considering making your way to Dallas in the future. Either way, plan ahead to ensure you hit up the trendiest — and most worthwhile — spots. Here are 10 of the best bars in Dallas, Texas that you can’t miss.

 

Mansion Bar

This gem is hidden inside Rosewood Mansion Hotel, and it’s got that dark, must-drink-a-fancy-cocktail vibe. Fade into its leather-lined walls, dark wood, equestrian art, and clear casks of amber liquor. You can totally picture a secret meeting going down in this classic but charming bar.

Mansion Bar was voted one of the best happy hours in Dallas, too. So pick an evening, get fancied up, and sip on a half-price cocktail of your choice at Mansion Bar.

 

Atlas

Moody paintings, fancy chandeliers, and an Edgar Allen Poe ambiance distinguish this lounge located in Bishop Arts District. Full of red banquettes and damask sofas — as well as a bar, of course —this is a chic and intriguing bar you can relax in.

There are global drinks from a Pimm’s Cup (England) to a Pisco Sour (Peru), not to mention some Texas-born spirits and cocktails. Translation: you’ll find something you’ll love at Atlas.

ArtPark

If you love art and you love beer, ArtPark is the spot for you. Located in Trinity Groves, ArtPark is a huge beer garden. It’s full of graffitied walls, picnic tables, colorful chairs, and even a shipping container that is also a bar. Not to mention, there are loads of lawn games to partake in as you sip on your beverage.

The beer garden is on a bright green turf, but the actual restaurant offers a little reprieve from the hot Texas sun if you need it. Grab a bite from their simple menu of burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and fries to pair with your draft beer or frozen cocktail.

 

Lee Harvey’s

If dive bars are more your vibe, Lee Harvey’s is the way to go. From its neon signs to its torn booths to its cheap wood paneling to its weathered pool table, this dive is a gem. It is known as one of the weirdest — but most welcoming — bars in Dallas.

Huge bonus: Lee Harvey’s is cheap, but the drinks are stiff. Plus, you can’t pass up the $1.50 tacos on Monday.

 

Harper’s

Located in the Epic building in Deep Ellum, Harper’s is a huge restaurant and bar that has a lot going on. Hanging plants are everywhere, and the patio can be closed if the weather goes south. There’s also a wine wall, because, why not?

They have any wine you can imagine plus a wide range of creative cocktails, like the Bye Bye Birdie, which is served in a bird-shaped glass.

 

4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge

A 20-minute drive from downtown Dallas, 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge is worth the trip. This reclaimed wood bar has all the makings of a tiki lounge, from the palm thatch paneling to the tropical soundtrack to (you guessed it) Hawaiian shirts everywhere.

Happy hour boasts $7 specialty drinks like the Pain Killer, which is an Old Fashioned made with rum (you read that right). There’s also a Volcano Bowl, which is exactly what it sounds like but in cocktail form (i.e., it’s huge).

 

Side Saddle Saloon

Fun, rowdy, and totally Texas, Side Saddle Saloon is located in Mule Alley in the history of Fort Worth Stockyards. The bar is a saloon through and through, with loads of liquid creations inspired by the Wild West, like the Prairie Rose Henderson (Old Forester bourbon, Texas tea, raspberry, and rose water).

If you get hungry, enjoy Texas-style tapas, like homemade beef jerky or bacon-studded cheddar biscuits.

 

Mama Tried

Named after the Merle Haggard song, Mama Tried is a huge indoor/outdoor bar made with country and bluegrass fans in mind. It screams old-school Dallas, with its huge “Don’t Mess with Texas” sign that you can’t miss.

Happy hour offers awesome deals, but the everyday deals are worthwhile, too (think $5 Fireball shots and half-off appetizers).

Truck Yard

Trucks are the essence of Texas, including Dallas. At Truck Yard, you can watch a bartender make drinks from an Airstream located on a patch of dirt surrounded by (where else but in Texas?) truck bed tables.

There are a variety of rotating food trucks and three permanent bars. You can also catch live music, so be sure to get there early to grab a good viewing spot.

 

Blackland Distillery

Visiting a local distillery is always a good decision, and Blackland Distillery is a chic, sophisticated one you can’t miss. This Fort Worth tasting room offers homemade cocktails with seasonal mixed drinks. And they’re all made with the distillery’s own gin, bourbon, vodka, and rye.

Opt for a flight to try multiple spirits from this distillery, or dive in with a full cocktail. Either way, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at Blackland.

 

Dallas, Texas: A Bar Scene to Remember

Dallas, Texas is known for a lot of things, and alcohol is certainly one of them. Whether you go to a saloon that screams Texas, a fancy distillery, or the epitome of a dive bar, you’re sure to find a bar you love in this lively town.

 

Why stop at Dallas? Check out our 5 Florida Whiskey Bars to Remember for some inspo in the Sunshine State. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest liquor-inspired trends.

 

The question is: which Dallas, Texas bar will you try when you get the chance?