The 13 Essential Dallas Bars, According to Industry Pros

• By WineBottleMag
• January 26, 2025
• Bars Dallas Essential Industry Pros
• With 0 comments

Somewhere between reality and the tall tales that have made it the stuff of legend, Dallas, Texas, continues to earn its reputation as one of the most iconic cities on the planet.

Home to 1.3 million people (over eight million across the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area), world-class shopping, the internationally famous Dallas Cowboys (and their cheerleaders), the birthplace of the frozen margarita machine and the Margarita Mile, immense wealth and high fashion, it’s also a city brimming with top-quality restaurants and bars. 

In a recent study, Dallas-Fort Worth ranked sixth nationally (and #1 in Texas) for restaurant spending as a percentage of overall pre-tax income. So, it’s clear that people here love to dine out—and drink out by logical extension of that information.

So, to find the spots most worthy of the funds, we asked a group of industry experts to tell us where they personally like to imbibe—specifically within the city of Dallas—and why.

Whether you’re looking for a laidback dive bar, a place to hear live music or enjoy a quiet date night, these food and beverage professionals offer several solid suggestions. (Hint: Add each of their own establishments to your to-drink list, too, and you won’t be disappointed.)

Best Date Night Bars

The Balcony Club

Lakewood

For more than 35 years, this swanky jazz joint has been a staple in the Lakewood neighborhood and a destination bar for anyone seeking an intimate lounge to enjoy drinks and live music. 

“The Balcony Club is a classic,” says James Shull, general manager and head of operations at Onesan Dim Sum & Sushi. “The small club plays jazz seven nights a week and their bar program is solid. It’s the perfect place to sit back, listen to live music and enjoy some of the best craft cocktails in the city.” 

Drinkswise, Shull recommends their Manhattan. “It never disappoints,” he says. 

Equally impressed with the venue is George Stergios, owner of Knife Steakhouse – Plano, who also chose The Balcony Club as a top spot for cocktails and live music. 

Al Biernat’s 

Oak Lawn

Though it’s best known as a white-tablecloth steakhouse with some killer cuts of beef and fresh seafood dishes, many people love going just for drinks and maybe a bite or two while sitting at the bar. 

Lisa Georgalis, owner of both Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge and The Ivy Tavern, recommends the restaurant as a fantastic locale for date night. “I absolutely love the staff, the atmosphere is fun and the crowd is often many of my compadres,” she says. “I order one watermelon basil martini to start then transition to Champagne.”

Best Dive Bars

Adair’s Saloon

Deep Ellum

Joe Shirghio, beverage director at Bowen House, simply adores Adair’s. “It’s an absolute must-visit,” he says. “Live music seven days a week, all-day happy hour Sunday through Thursday, and one of the best burgers you’ll find anywhere, Dallas or otherwise.

Graffiti-splattered walls create a vibrant, ever-changing art installation that encapsulates the Deep Ellum vibe effortlessly. “There’s so much history in this bar, and a lot of it is, literally, written on the walls,” Shirghio says. 

He recommends ordering a cold Lone Star Beer with a shot of Weller bourbon and a burger with tater tots. The seven-day happy hour is not only a rarity in Dallas, it’s one of the most affordable in the city.

Black Swan Saloon

Old East Dallas

When Black Swan Saloon shuttered in Deep Ellum in 2020, barflies mourned the decade-old favorite. But last year, it reopened less than two miles away. 

“It has risen again in a new location—not like a swan, but a phoenix,” says Shirgio, who describes the vibe as quaint, cozy, and inviting while still being lively and hip.

He notes the friendliness of the staff and the music always being on point. “Order the Sue Ellen Ewing—think of a tequila espresso martini, but it’s clear and actually looks like a martini. You’ll thank me later,” he says. 

Kallhoff echoes the sentiment. “This 20-person dive bar has some serious cocktails utilizing molecular gastronomy and the clarified espresso martini is heavenly.” 

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Best Neighborhood Bars

Charlie’s Star Lounge

Old East Dallas

Before your night ends at Charlie’s Star Lounge, you might end up on the dance floor. This neighborhood dive may not look like much from the outside, but the experience will leave you wanting to add it to your regular rotation. 

“This place is always a vibe,” says Shirgio. “They have live music along with an occasional food truck, vintage pop-up, tattoo artist or some other fun event going on. The bartenders are incredible and somehow remember everyone—and what they drink. You can even take on your bar buddies in a game of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the arcade machine in between turns around the dance floor.” 

His drink recommendation? The Cherry-Lime-Yay, a frozen, boozy cherry limeade. “It’s incredible,” he says.

Clifton Club

Turtle Creek

Cozy and sophisticated, Clifton Club offers chill vibes from the moment they open for business each evening. Happy hour Tuesday through Sunday (they’re closed Mondays) offers patrons cocktails starting at only $10 and bites from $5, making it a logical spot on the way home from work. 

“It’s a neighborhood bar/lounge off the Katy Trail with an incredible bar program and one of the best staffs in the city,” says Justin Kallhoff,  managing partner of Columbian Country Club, who describes it as an upscale neighborhood bar. “My fave cocktail is the Firing Squad, made with reposado tequila, hibiscus, ginger, lime and housemade tajin.”

Best Cocktail Bars

The Mansion Bar 

Turtle Creek

The historic 1925 estate became a hotel in 1981 and has defined luxury accommodations and Dallas sophistication ever since. Even though it’s a top choice for out-of-towners staying on property, the Mansion Bar attracts loads of locals to its candlelit leather-and-wood environs. 

Seasonal cocktails always impress and live musicians play every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. “The Mansion is a staple classic bar in the city,” says Stergios. “No matter when I go, I always drink bourbon or rye neat.”

Bowen House

Uptown 

There’s a lot of history inside this tiny dwelling in Uptown. Built in 1874, it’s one of the oldest houses in Dallas. From 1976-2011, it operated as Ahab Bowen, a popular vintage store named after the home’s original owner. In 2013, it re-emerged as Bowen House and quickly topped the list of bars synonymous with craft cocktails, both iconic and innovative. 

Kalhoff calls it “one of the Dallas staples for cocktails over the past 10 years,” noting that it’s a perfect place to have a drink after dinner. Or, you could get dinner there, too. 

“They have a chicken salad with Ritz crackers that brings me back to my childhood,” Kalhoff says. “They also have a great Japanese whisky highball.” The latter is called the Toki Session, a concoction of roasted ube-infused Toki Japanese whisky, nori syrup and Szechuan bitters.

Best Wine and Whiskey Bar

Republic Texas Tavern

Preston Hollow

The warm and inviting space lures people in for dinner, drinks or both, according to Shull. “It’s a quintessential gathering place that feels perfect for catching up with old friends, meeting with clients or watching the game on one of the six TVs,” he says.

The notable wine prices alone should be a draw. “I would recommend ordering any wine from their Reserve wine list which is aggressively priced, unlike any restaurant in Dallas with prices near or at retail,” he says. “Or one of six whiskey flights showcasing their extensive 160 bottle whiskey list.” 

Best Patio Bar

Chelsea Corner

Park Cities

Originally opened in 1974 and reimagined in 2017, Chelsea Corner has been a staple for 50 years and counting. “It boasts the neighborhood’s best patio,” Shull says. “It’s a warm gathering spot and honestly has it all: a local vibe with really tasty craft cocktails.

Shull says he has two go-to drinks at the bar. “It may sound simple but their Chelsea Bloody Mary is fantastic,” he says. “With Ketel One Vodka with housemade fixings, shishito pepper, celery and pickled okra, it’s a must. If I’m not ordering a Bloody Mary, I’ll order their Blackberry Smash, which includes Maker’s Mark 46 bourbon, blackberries, lemon and fresh mint.”

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Best Wine Bar

Parigi

Oak Lawn

Celebrating four decades in business, this charming French bistro has a legion of devoted neighborhood regulars and has remained a destination restaurant for scores of people from other parts of town.  

Parigi means “Paris” in Italian, so expect influences from both countries on the menu. Naturally, this translates to the wine list. 

“It’s one of my favorite spots for a great bottle of French wine, a delicious selection of cheeses, cool vibe and fun people watching,” says Georgalis. “I recommend a Chablis in summer, which is nine months out of the year in Dallas, or a red Bordeaux.”

Best Live Music Bars

The Library Bar at the Warwick Melrose Hotel

Oak Lawn

Tucked away off the main lobby of the Warwick Melrose Hotel, The Library Bar captures the vibe of a bygone era. Here, classic cocktails pair perfectly with the music. 

“It’s a classic bar. I love the dark feel, old school chairs-with-casters seating, nightly live entertainment, and always a fun mix crowd of loyal Dallasites and out-of-towners,” Georgalis says, advising tipplers to opt for either an Aviation or an Old Fashioned, both delightful sippers to enjoy as the night unfolds.  

Revelers Hall

Bishop Arts District

The easiest—and closest—way to experience New Orleans–style hospitality can be found inside the four walls of Reveler’s Hall. Featuring live music every day they’re open, the dimly lit space truly feels like you’ve just popped inside from a bustling street in the French Quarter. 

“My wife and I love to enjoy local live music and they have great bands paired with great cocktails,” Stergios says. 

Start with a classic Reveler’s Hall Old Fashioned while you decide what to eat (perhaps the fried shrimp po-boy to complete the Big Easy experience). It’s always worth the gamble to order the Get What You Get, made with whatever the bartender’s feeling at the moment.

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