10 July 17 - 23, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents 4. Ayahuasca 334 Jefferson Blvd. 469-687-0005 www.xamancafe.com/ayahuasca Ayahuasca is possibly the most difficult-to- find restaurant and bar in Dallas. To get to the Oak Cliff hideaway, enter at Xaman Cafe, then head down a back hallway to a wooden door. Step inside to one of the most transformative experiences in Dallas. The speakeasy style bar is moody and enchanting offering an experience like no other in Dal- las. Every bottle behind the bar is sourced from Mexico (yes, even the wine and gin). Cocktails are small works of art intended to transport visitors into the heart of Mexican culture. If you are feeling a bit more peckish, they serve pre-Hispanic dishes and tech- niques influenced by Oaxaca and steeped in authenticity, from the pulpo y tinta (octopus and ink), caldo de piedra or chicharron en salsa verde. Fear not if you’re unfamiliar with the fare; servers are happy to walk guests through the menu, asking them what looks interesting or what kind of dish they’re looking for. 3. Mike’s Gemini Twin 1906 S. Hardwood St. 214-377-9356 www.instagram.com/mikesgemini The Cedars bar is often labeled a dive bar, but there’s nothing shabby about Mike’s. Here a refreshing cross of swanky and un- pretentious collides with a stripper pole and hot dogs. The bar has a pool table and darts; a ciggie machine and management wears suits, which is said to be a nod to how seri- ous they take serving customers. If you go, you must order Mike’s dirty martini, made with fresh-pressed olive juice and dressed with an anchovy-stuffed olive. The bar has a tiny patio in the back and the few snacks in- clude a row of boxed candy sitting behind the bar and a roller grill for hot dogs (Meats by Linz, mind you). It’s flirty, dark, mysteri- ous and classy all at once. Just don’t even think about getting on that stripper pole; it’s for decoration only. 2. Cosmo’s Bar & Lounge 1212 Skillman St. 214-826-4200 cosmosloungedallas.com Tucked away at the corner of Skillman and Live Oak since 2000 is Cosmo’s, a restaurant and bar boasting no nonsense, one of a kind hospitality. With a ‘60s lounge vibe, spe- cialty cocktails and an eclectic menu with some of the best damn Vietnamese dishes you’ll find anywhere in Dallas, Cosmo’s has something for everyone. When you’re there, browse through their extensive VHS collec- tion and step outside to their patio, which feels like a little oasis outside the noise of the city. If they have them, order the garlic noo- dles. And pray they have them. The martini espresso is made with house-brewed Viet- namese coffee, and they only have a limited quantity each night. 1. Lakewood Landing 5818 Live Oak St. 214-823-2410 www.lakewoodlanding.com For more than 50 years, Lakewood Landing is the “upscale dive” Dallasites turn to for a great burger and a neighborhood bar atmosphere that you just can’t find at many places around town these days. The Landing packs a lot of character into its small space with a pool table and jukebox that is kept updated with local fa- vorites. The bar also has a big patio area out front with plenty of seating to get some air and talk music, sports or anything with locals who know where the good times really roll. Fa- mously, they serve a jalapeno beer-battered corn dog after 11 p.m. only. And one of our fa- vorite bars seats in the city is the solo spot at the far end of the bar by the door. If you dabble in casual anthropology, snag this seat. A TOAST TO THE REST Adair’s Saloon 2624 Commerce St. 214-939-9900 www.adairssaloon.com Adair’s Saloon is Deep Ellum’s outpost for what truly makes country music country. With frequent guest musicians representing the best of outlaw country from North Texas and around the nation, Adair’s boasts a honky tonk vibe in a dive bar atmosphere. The kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m. nightly offering some of the best bar burgers, sand- wiches and wings for a surprisingly reason- able price. Be sure to grab a pen and leave your mark on the wall. Some may call it graf- fiti, but the good folks at Adair’s call it art. Alamo Club 1919 Greenville Ave. 469-399-7600 alamoclubdallas.com The Alamo Club feels like it’s always been a part of Lower Greenville despite having opened in 2019. Owner Austin Rogers can often be found running food, taking orders and sometimes bussing tables at the classy Dallas club. The Alamo Club is billed as a cozy spot fit for any occasion, a quiet date night, an outing with the family or drinks with friends. To make sure patrons don’t go hungry, Rogers enlisted the help of English chef Michale West. The menu is filled with mouth-watering apps for the table and entrees like the club cheese burger and the pot roast pappardelle. Alexandre’s 4026 Cedar Springs Rd. 214-559-0720 www.alexandres.com 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 julep, clover clubs and sidecars. On weekends, Alex- andre’s showcases local talent with live music performances from local singers. Don’t miss Cher-E-Oke every Sunday. Angry Dog 2726 Commerce St. 214-741-4406 www.angrydog.com 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. Armoury D.E. 2714 Elm St. 972-803-5151 armouryde.com When Armoury D.E. opened its doors in 2015, its mission was to offer some of the best cock- tails, food and live music Deep Ellum had seen in years. The Armoury has stuck to what it Alison McLean Cosmo’s Bar & Lounge offers delicious Vietnamese dishes alongside cocktails. Kathy Tran Atlas offers a global cocktail menu in the Bishop Arts District. Top 100 Bars from p9
