From hip dives to hotel lounges, here are the best bars in Dallas
Written by James Wong Contributors Matt Charnock & Cecilia Meis Saturday September 10 2022 TimeOut
Best bars in Dallas
Photograph: Courtesy Chase Dorsett
1. Apothecary
Avant-garde cocktail lounge, Apothecary is unparalleled in Dallas. The hidden Lower Greenville bar transports guests down in time, in a space outfitted with decorative peacock wallpaper, custom-made rich velvet seating and vintage chandeliers. Cocktails are separated into three categories: Over the Counter, Prescription and Illicit Elixirs, offering a journey that begins at entry-level cocktails to adventurous. We recommend the Asian-inspired Pandan bear—sesame shochu, cacao gin, white chocolate, pandan-coconut cream and sesame mochi; and the Hummussexual—vodka, red bell pepper, cucumber, tahini, chickpea, lemon and black olive salt—a surprisingly winning combination. Their small plates, and cheese and charcuterie boards pair nicely with the drinks if you’re peckish.
Photograph: Courtesy Chase Dorsett
4. Rye
Two locations later, Rye has quickly cemented itself as a local favorite. The latest Lower Greenville branch sits next to Apothecary, making for an easy night on the town. Both the food and drinks menus are seasonal, using fresh ingredients that are locally sourced. Cocktail “musical” hits include Somebloody To Love (vodka, blood orange, Aperol, buddahs hand, lime, cava, soda) and the Blurred Limes (dill infused tequila, cucumber, aloe, lime, celery bitters) and they also have an extensive wine, beer, whiskey, rye (obvs!) and scotch collection worth sampling. Remember to save room for dessert, it’s always a treat at Rye.
9. Truck Yard
It doesn’t get more Texan than watching an enthusiastic bartender sling drinks from an AirStream parked on a patch of dirt surrounded by a smattering of truck-bed tables. This open-air bar in Lower Greenville is the perfect spot for, well, anything. Choose from a variety of rotating food trucks and three stationary bars serving curious concoctions like Trash Can Punch, a drink made with New Amsterdam vodka and “other good stuff.” This is the place to be when temperatures climb to the unbearable triple digits, so get here early, snag a good spot, and catch some live music.
13. Hide
Hide is like a secret laboratory for simple, unpretentious yet boldly flavored drinks. Most of the concoctions are made using centrifuges, roto-vaporizers, and a host of too-complicated-to-explain gadgets. Don’t let the molecular mixology intimidate you, though, because Hide doesn’t take itself too seriously. Case in point: you’ll find drinks with names like Yass Betch (made with vodka, mint, cucumber, honeydew, and clarified lime). Unlike the dark, windowless aura of most cocktail lounges, Hide is bright and open, with a fresh herb garden growing behind the bar. Reasonably priced bar bites and happy hours mean it’s a great stop for a post-work drink or a date night.