The best bars in Dallas right now

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; Thurs 12-11pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-1am

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

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-12am; Fri-Sat 6pm-1am

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

What is it? An avante-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. A couple favorites include the Pekin Tom, made with duck fat-washed bourbon, lapsang peach liqueur, absinthe and smoked pecan, and the Butter Curry, a wild and surprisingly balanced drink featuring sake, butter curry, cream and soda.

Time Out tip: You can and should eat at Rye next door, but don’t miss the food at Apothecary. There’s a full menu, from snacks like oysters and charcuterie to larger plates like ocean trout and a wagyu ribeye. Can’t decide? Try the four-course dinner, which includes a couple starters, an entree and dessert.

Address: 1922 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Opening hours: Tues-Sun 5pm-12am

Expect to pay: Cocktails are $15-$20. Throw in some food, and you’re looking at $75+ per person.

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-Thurs 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am

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

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: Tues-Thurs 5-10p; Fri-Sat 5pm-12am

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

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 12pm-2am

Expect to pay: About $5-10 per drink.

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? 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-Tues 4pm-12am, Wed-Sat 4pm-2am

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

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What is it? A former Deep Ellum and current Lower Greenville bar that’s pairing well-made cocktails with a fun food menu. Since inhabiting its new digs, Hide gained a rooftop with great views of the bustling street below.

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-Thurs 3pm-12am; Fri 11-12am; Sat-Sun 10-12am

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

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 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.