21 July 13-19, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Happiest Hour 2616 Olive St. (Harwood District) Mostly we lean toward off-the-beaten- path bars, low-key places with quirky per- sonalities. Happiest Hour is none of those. This is that one friend who is always in your face, “You’re having a damn good time, like it or not.” It’s a great spot to pregame for any- thing at American Airlines Center. It’s trendy and busy, but well-run and worth pushing the limits of your usual social ca- pacity. Groups gather around lounge seating on the rooftop for a view. There’s a large bar downstairs, as well as tables and chairs that spread out over a lawn. Ample TVs show all the sports ball contests. Be sure to share an order of foot-long fried mozzarella sticks (it’s 5 feet of cheese). Happiest Hour is an all-weather, all-occasion, all-happy spot. HIDE 1928 Greenville Ave. HIDE opened in Deep Ellum in 2017 and became a fast and true standard. Alas, dur- ing the pandemic, it closed. But, great news, it resurfaced in the bustling (but not bust- ing) Lower Greenville area late last year. Luckily it’s back to its old self as if it never missed a beat. HIDE is another one of those spots that has a toe in the restaurant and bar pools, but at its core, it’s a boozy botanist. Case in point: the Bell of the Block cocktail is made with vodka, Singani 63, grapefruit, grapefruit bell pepper cordial, floral super bloom, lemon, absinthe and bubbles. Or you can get High Life Pony for just $4. The roof- top atmosphere is great and there is still that amazing $7 burger on the happy hour menu. Ivy Tavern 5334 Lemmon Ave. Ivy Tavern is a local’s spot. Good news: you can be a local. The Ivy is a big sports fan with lots of spirit. The inside bar is dark and com- fortable, but be sure to saunter around to the back door for the big patio bar and courtyard. Don’t let hot or cold temperatures deter you, misters and fans keep your sweat chilled in the summer and it’s shady. Service is fast and su- per friendly. And the bar food is much better than it should be. Wings, loaded potato skins and fried jalapeños are all solid choices, but the pizzas are one of the most popular options. Leela’s Wine Bar 1914 Greenville Ave. (Lower Greenville) 2355 Olive St. (Uptown) If Leela’s Wine Bar was an Airbnb host, it would definitely have super-host status. Leela’s original location on Greenville Av- enue is a little bit more free-spirited than its new Uptown sibling, where the mood is a touch more mature with lo-fi bass beats and dark green plush booths. At both loca- tions, Leela’s implements a tap system, meaning every glass of wine is as the winemaker intended, not sullied by light or oxidation. Also, there’s much less waste. The global wine list includes a su- per Tuscan, a Garnacha, West Coast sta- ples including Joel Gott and Robert Hall, plus some deeper cuts. Get one of the cracker-thin-crust pizzas, which can be made with cauliflower crust. The mush- room bechamel or Butcher loaded with meat both hit the spot. Be sure to check out the Greenville location during the hol- idays for a winter wonderland pop-up. Whatever you do, don’t leave without treating yourself to one of the best espresso martinis in the city. Whiskeys 835 Exposition Ave. (Fair Park) In less than two years, Whiskeys in Ex- position Park has elevated itself to one of Dallas’ finest hidden gems. Located across the street from Fair Park, Whiskeys is a so- phisticated oasis in this almost-forgotten strip of Dallas real estate. Co-owner Sean Smith and the team take to heart the cura- tion of about 700 unique top-shelf whis- keys and bourbons for all to enjoy. Whether you are a dubious beginner or a fortified aficionado, this bar has some- thing for everyone. Among the many things that makes the place pop, besides the beautiful sultry interior and the soul- ful sounds pumping from the speakers, are the various whiskeys flights you can try. There’s a flight that pays homage to the originator of the Jack Daniel’s whiskey brand, Uncle Nearest Green. The Wounded Ostrich 2815 Main St. (Deep Ellum) If you’re looking for a bit of a country vibe, a pool table and, perhaps, a small stage for some guitar picking, meet The Wounded Ostrich. Located in Deep Ellum, this spot is a tall funny bird amid a bunch of chickens. A dive the day it was born, this low-key watering hole is a respite from the faster pace in the neighborhood. And, yes, you should get a boilermaker: The Original is a Coors Banquet with a shot of Jim Beam. If you get peckish, there’s a good selection of hotdogs. Doyle Rader The Wounded Ostrich
