15 June 22 - 28, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Summer Sips 10 picks for whiling away the heat with cocktails. By Lauren Drewes Daniels E ach year we like to pull together our top 100 bars in Dallas. It’s a collection of our favorite water- ing holes, dance halls, dive bars or really any place we can start a mild amount of trouble. Some are sports bars, while others are swank, classic cocktail lounges. But with the heat rolling in, we’ve found ourselves looking for some nice summer drinks — enough mango or pineapple to mask all the booze that we’re drinking to forget about adulting. We pulled this to- gether after many breakout sessions. Alexandre’s 4206 Cedar Springs Road If you’re in the mood for drinks but don’t want to get wasted on vodka-crans, Alexan- dre’s is your spot. The long bar, comfortable seating and small stage give Alexandre’s the intimate feel of a speakeasy or jazz lounge. Plus, the knowledgeable team can whip up delicious craft cocktails such as mint juleps, clover clubs and sidecars. On weekends, Al- exandre’s showcases live music perfor- mances from local singers and bands. Summer Cocktail Pick: In addition to the chick-full-gAy sandwiches on Sunday, go for the Mmmmpeachmint, a tasty summer cocktail made with mint and peach for our very own impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton. Atlas 408 N. Bishop Ave. Atlas opened in 2021 in the Bishop Arts District with a global cocktail menu. The vibe here is come-one-come-all. Pretty Ap- erol spritzes stand tall alongside bottles of Lone Stars on the bar. It’s a fun mix of lo- cals, tourists and first dates. Notice a book- shelf at the back of the bar and ask yourself if anyone here is doing much reading. Not likely. The bookshelf serves as a fake door that leads to a back bar, which rotates global themes (remember, Atlas) and seats about two dozen but packs in many more. It’s open in the evenings, Friday through Sunday. Try the pho: it’s co-owner Dan Bui’s family recipe, and it’s bliss. And the toasty Cuban with house-roasted pork is magnificent. Summer Cocktail Pick: The classic Aperol spritz is enjoying a bit of a resurgence thanks to HBO’s White Lotus. This slightly sweet, on-trend orange drink is made with a touch of prosecco, Aperol (which tastes red; literally, if red had a flavor, this is it), and a bit of soda water. It’s light, refreshing and not too sweet. Boulevardier 408 N. Bishop Ave. This French bistro in the Bishop Arts Dis- trict has one of the best brunches in Dallas, a celebrated wine list, phenomenal French cuisine and a stellar oyster selection. It al- most feels arrogant of them to also have one of the best bars in the city. And, yet, here we are. Every Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., get half-off every bottle of wine on the list and discounted oysters. Watch the chalkboard for the best picks. Not a wine drinker? No problem. The hand-crafted classic cocktails will get you wherever you need to go. Summer Cocktail Pick: You can go for the classic namesake boulevardier (made with a rye blend and sweet vermouth), or try a clas- sic daiquiri. But don’t sleep on the Friday Happy hour: from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every bot- tle of wine is half off from one of the best wine lists in the city. Desert Racer 1520 Greenville Ave. Desert Racer on Lowest Greenville is from local restaurateur Nick Badovinus (Brass Ram, Town Hearth, National Anthem). We mention it because the man just knows how to have a good time, trust us. Just drink whatever he’s drinking. Here, the drink menu is loaded with wine, local beers, fro- zen cocktails and tequila hi-balls. The food menu is equally strong, filled with seafood and meat tacos, burritos, enchiladas, burgers and more. But it’s the patio you must come for, decorated with motorcycles, artificial turf, cacti, fountains and school desks — and strung with Christmas lights. Feeling peck- ish? Get the smoked chicken tacos. Summer Cocktail Pick: from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday – Friday, you can get $5 frozen drinks at Desert Racer. The Pina Colada Song is made with Malibu rum, pineapple juice, co- conut milk and (wait for it) mango puree. This is your summer song. Double Wide 3510 Commerce St. When Deep Ellum starts to feel just a bit too crowded, you don’t have to look too far for an escape. Double Wide, on Commerce Street, offers a selection of cheap, powerful and/or interesting drinks that all fit in with its trailer park aesthetic. What makes this location differ so much from its Greenville Avenue counterpart (Single Wide) is its out- door patio with seating made from repur- posed toilets and road signs. Double Wide’s music venue (which makes its width dou- ble) is located across the patio and Lauren Drewes Daniels From left, clockwise: An Aperol Spritz from Atlas; A classic boulevardier cocktail at Boulevardier; Double Wide’s Yoo-Hoo Yeehaw; The patio at Desert Racer is the quirky uncle living in the desert that you never had; The Dole Whip at Swizzle; Tiny Victories has a Bob Ross shrine to boot. Beth Rankin Swizzle Lauren Drewes Daniels Taylor Adams Lauren Drewes Daniels | CITY OF ATE | t Dish >> p16
