Looking for a cocktail bar.
Posted by El-paulo-guapo@reddit | plano | View on Reddit | 33 comments
So I moved from Detroit and am now living the suburb life. For those who don’t know, Detroit is blessed with an abundance of excellent cocktail bars. Tequila Old fashioneds, Last Words, excellent sours and Negronis.
I was wondering if there are any places in the north Dallas area. I’m slightly lazy and also if I’m drinking I’m not looking to drive, and will likely Uber/lyft so proximity is a factor. But if there is a place in Dallas I will make the journey if it’s highly recommended.
I’ve tried the “nicer” restaurants around Legacy West and they just don’t seem to compare.
For reference, this was my go-to bar in Detroit:
https://instagram.com/kieslingdetroit?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
I guess I’m looking for a place that’s solely a cocktail bar with less emphasis on food.
Open to suggestions! Happy holidays people!
dallaswatchdude@reddit
The wilfred is a speakeasy type cocktail bar off of Preston.
https://seabreezefish.com/thewilfredplano/
No-Vegetable-4185@reddit
My cousin owns the Wilfred and it’s the best!!!
Swirls109@reddit
I never knew about this. Do you have to do something swanky to get in?
Ok-Big9680@reddit
It's newish. I believe it says on their Facebook or Instagram the secret to getting in but in my experience most Speakeasies will tell you if you just go in and ask
Ok-Big9680@reddit
Yea I checked its on their Instagram the pass code to get in....
dallaswatchdude@reddit
I've never been, but I don't imagine so.
inkydeeps@reddit
Anyplace that’s dedicated to a dog is A1 in my book.
El-paulo-guapo@reddit (OP)
Will check it out! Thanks!
UncleStains@reddit
Your post made me pour one out for Black Swan.
Ruins in Deep Ellum is not specifically a cocktail bar, but they have some solid Mexican cocktails.
Las Almas Rotas in Expo Park is the real deal for anything mezcal.
dallasdude@reddit
Hahahaha too funny first thing came to mind was Gabe, I never ordered a drink there just would say make me whatever and it was always good
Haven’t been to Midnight Rambler in the Joule but read that’s where he landed
aemerson24@reddit
He just opened up another spot in east dallas by jimmys called st valentine go check it out
UncleStains@reddit
Also, Ayahuasca, a separate restaurant in the back of Xaman Cafe in Oak Cliff.
dragmonkey@reddit
Legacy West’s second floor bar is surprisingly good depending on the day. For a more consistent pick, I’d head to Bourbon and Biscuits in Water’s Creek. The guy who runs the cocktail program is awesome and the drinks are delicious! I’d also check out Ida Clair, their food has gotten a little “meh” but some fried green tomatoes and a few cocktails is an awesome time at 3:30 pm.
I’m with you, man. I just got back from Houston and the lack of consistent cocktails around here is lacking.
Keep_Plano_Corporate@reddit
FYI if you're a first timer, it's Beauxbeaux's Bourbon and Biscuits. I'd also recommend this spot, but go during dinner if you want more attention. As it gets later the music turns up a bit and you lose the one on one you get during more typical restaurant hours.
chamoy_dealer@reddit
You’ll have to really go to the core of Dallas to find more cocktail bars. Not too much out in the burbs.
chamoy_dealer@reddit
Actually found a nice cocktail bar tonight called “Rare Books Bar” in Frisco. It’s located inside a restaurant called L Theodore. It’s a speakeasy and you can get their password off of their Facebook every week. I think it’s more of what you’re looking for.
Isthatahamburger@reddit
There’s a lot of Speakeasies in Dallas! You might like this place in Grandscape. I forget what it’s called, but it’s like a secret bar behind a telephone booth.
There’s also one in downtown McKinney behind a vintage soda machine.
And then there used to be a place called Atwater Alley in Uptown area. Classic speakeasy with an entrance an alley. However, they closed as their main restaurant was moving somewhere else. I think the main restaurant just reopened so maybe they’ve opened Atwater again?
I’ve also had really good cocktails at a place called Felix Culpa in Henderson Knox Area.
If you look up “Dallas Cocktails Bars” on Instagram or tiktok you’ll find a ton
bflood1113@reddit
Bottled in Bond in Frisco
El-paulo-guapo@reddit (OP)
After reading through the reviews, even the negative ones, the cocktails were always highlighted as good! So I’m def gonna check this one out. Thank you!
turnedabout@reddit
Bottled in Bond is the restaurant side of it, in the back is The Parlour, their speakeasy style bar. The cocktails were delightful, and the vibe was very chill. It’s been a couple years, but I really enjoyed it. I don’t think I’d have enjoyed the restaurant side of it as much due to it feeling small and crowded, but I loved the speakeasy in the back.
WereBot@reddit
There’s a lot of good cocktails in the Plano/Frisco/McKinney area but I completely get your point about there not being a lot of dedicated cocktail bars or a “scene” around it.
A list in no particular order. Not all are cocktail driven bars but all have at least one good/signature cocktail. Sorry if a few are repeats
Rare Books Bar and their restaurant J. Theodore Bottled in Bond (in the same parking lot as the first two!) Craftway Kitchen Whiskey Cake The Wilfred Suburban Yacht Club Taverna Rossa (Old Fashioneds on Wednesdays) Tommy Bahama (way better than a bar in a clothing store has any right to be) Fizz Urban Rio (for La Verdadera margarita) 32 Degrees (also happens to be one of the best rooftops in Plano)
El-paulo-guapo@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I’ve been to a handful listed but so far bottled in bond has piqued my interest. Thanks!
WereBot@reddit
Bottled in Bond is my favorite one from the list. On Friday nights they have live music, the regular is a girl named Corina Grove and she’s AWESOME
dragmonkey@reddit
Compete list!
inkydeeps@reddit
The Fifth in Richardson … it still has food but very bar forward. I feel your pain, I’ve been disappointed with the cocktail scene since we moved here from Seattle, but assumed that it’s what you get in the burbs.
Luckyjulydouble07@reddit
Have you tried Peppersmash?
El-paulo-guapo@reddit (OP)
Yes. But it was ok. (I know I’m pretentious with the drinks so probably more a me problem rather than the establishment).
inkydeeps@reddit
I too was disappointed in the cocktails at peppersmash.
apeoples13@reddit
I liked Rare Books Bar. It’s a speakeasy in frisco
wckedjkster@reddit
Bowen house and standard pour in Dallas are both places that I’d recommend. Super boozy drinks that are delicious.
CajunAsianTexan@reddit
https://instagram.com/theowlbar?igshid=MmVlMjlkMTBhMg==
Try their cocktail flight.
Luckyjulydouble07@reddit
I also found a place called Hide off Greenville Ave in Dallas that has really good reviews. I’ve never been.
El-paulo-guapo@reddit (OP)
Will check it out in the future, looks good