20 July 13-19, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents E ach year we like to assess the local bar scene and tweak our top 100 bars list. We look for a mix of iconic Dallas spots, new places with big energy, sports bars, cocktail lounges, great rooftop bars, strong drinks, naturally, and cool tunes to pull it all together. Good service is impor- tant, and superior bar grub gets extra gold stars. Fortunately for Dallas, no matter what you’re parched for, there’s literally a bar for every mood you can fathom. Following are 12 bars, new and old, we’ve added to the list for 2023. Angry Dog 2726 Commerce St. Is Angry Dog a restaurant or a bar? It’s a great place to have some drinks while watching a game, get a good meal and hang out. So, a bar, right? Are good salads on the menu a disqualifier? What about a packed house when the Stars are in the playoffs? See? Tough call. So, we threw a dart at our Angry Dog Venn diagram and it landed on bars. The burgers, chili cheese dogs or club sandwiches are great for lunch or before a game over at the American Airlines Center or a show in Deep Ellum. Or just let Angry Dog be your only destination and you’ll be well entertained, fed and, hopefully, buzzed. Barbara’s Pavillion 325 Centre St. (Oak Cliff) Barbara’s Pavilion, or as the Oak Cliff townies like to call it “Barb’s,” is probably your favorite bartender’s favorite bar. This beloved watering hole has been slinging drinks to patrons for more than 50 years. So, to be honest, this is probably your mom’s fa- vorite bar too. This low-key dive bar with a retro drip is notable for its epic karaoke nights on Thursdays and Sundays and its steamy burlesque shows every third Wednesday of the month. When locals aren’t belting out their favorite go-to kara- oke tunes, you can rock out to anything from ‘70s golden disco to New Age millennial hits to contemporary hip-hop. Don’t be sur- prised if you see a celebrity camped out at the bar next to you. It just means they have good taste. The Branca Room 324 W. Seventh St. (Bishop Arts District) Lying out of sight, The Branca Room is a speakeasy of sorts behind Chimichurri Bis- tro in the heart of the Bishop Arts District. To find it, slip down the alley just east of Eno’s and look for the red light hanging above the unmarked door. It’s self-described as a ceremonious atmosphere honoring the Argentine culture and its rich Italian influ- ence. Inside is lit by crystal chandeliers, showing off Argentinian art and posters. Or- der anything with Amaro or vermouth. An Amaro Transfusion has house-made ver- mouth, port, jasmine liqueur and rye, served in an IV bag. City Hall Bar (Social Lobby) at The Adolphus 1321 Commerce St. (Downtown) If people-watching is on your LinkedIn profile as a skill, then the bar at the center of the historical Adolphus Hotel is your Huck- leberry. There’s a treasure chest of options at this iconic downtown hotel, including the Rodeo Bar, The French Room and City Hall Bistro, all great spots on their own. But at the center of it all, past the dual fireplaces in the lobby, is a marble-topped bar sur- rounded by dark wood. There’s also a large communal table to relax or go sink into a couch in front of one of the fireplaces. Soak in the early-20th-century craftsmanship, which was a “passion project” of Anheuser- Busch cofounder Adolphus Busch. Sip a 1912 old fashioned and watch wedding parties stumble into and out of the elevators. Cold Beer Co. 3600 Main St. Cold Beer Co. is a low-key beer garden on the east end of Deep Ellum — east enough that East Dallas locals get split custody. The bartenders are attentive and knowledgeable, and the place has a fantastic selection of lo- cal beer: 24 taps with 36 more options in cans, some that rotate seasonally. And, per- haps its most adorable feature, CBC has a grilled pimento cheese sandwich on the menu. The large outdoor areas are all worked over with either heaters or misters and fans, depending on the time of year. Check out the Wednesday drink special: The Pony Up, a small Miller High Life with a shot of Jameson. Double D’s 1404 N. Riverfront Blvd. Get your mind out of the gutter: It’s Double D’s because it’s in the Design District. This is another bar from the same group behind The Whippersnapper and High Fives. The vibe here is the best party you ever hosted in your grandma’s basement, with polished brass knickknacks, old couches, a shag rug and the rest. The cocktails here are serious. Try Ed- na’s Lunch Box, a tribute to the famed Okla- homa bar, made with a Miller High Life, amaretto and orange juice served in an ice- cold mug. It oddly tastes like Dr Pepper. Early in the evening, the vibe is a bit more cocktail- lounge. Later, a line starts to form at the door and things get groovy. Local DJs set up in the booth and the whole place starts dancing. Don’t be shy about ordering a classic cocktail; the bar menu is one of the best in the city. Fresh Pours Dallas loves a nice cocktail. We have the proof and have added 12 new spots to our annual list of the top 100 bars around town. Cheers! BY LAUREN DREWES DANIELS AND E.MAYNE Chris Wolfgang Lauren Drewes Daniels From top: The Branca Room, City Hall Bar (Social Lobby) at the Adolphus, Cold Beer Co. Lauren Drewes Daniels
