11 July 17 - 23, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents knows best, offering a casual dining experi- ence with a diverse selection of Hungarian comfort foods and other good stuff that doesn’t quite fit anywhere else. Be sure to ask about the burger of the week while you’re there. Also, venture out back to catch one of the free live shows, curated with a music taste as refined as the bar’s choice in booze. Atlas 408 N. Bishop Ave. 214-983-8510 atlasbishoparts.com 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. Bar Colette 3699 McKinney Ave. 214-377-4809 barcolette.com The mixology at this bar puts it into a cat- egory of its own. Ruben Rolon, the bever- age director who previously developed a Michelin-recognized establishment, is re- defining Dallas’ cocktail scene. The drinks are meticulously made, often taking multi- ple days to perfect, with a focus on rein- terpreted classics. Add in their exotic spirits and global wines paired with exqui- site bites that include sashimi and sushi, and you have one of the most memorable cocktail experiences in the city. Reserva- tions are a must. Barbara’s Pavilion 325 Centre St. 214-941-2145 Barbara’s Pavilion, or as the Oak Cliff town- ies like to call it “Barb’s,” is probably your favorite bartender’s favorite bar. This be- loved watering hole has been slinging drinks to patrons for more than 50 years. So, to be honest, this is probably your mom’s favorite 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 millen- nial hits to contemporary hip-hop. Don’t be surprised if you see a celebrity camped out at the bar next to you. It just means they have good taste. Barcadia 1917 N. Henderson Ave. 214-600-7027 www.barcadiabars.com/barcadia-dallas True to its name, Barcadia is half bar, half arcade, and offers video games from Cen- tipede and Dig Dug to Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat, plus skee-ball ramps and popular bar food. And with 24 draft beers to choose from and ample mixed-drink se- lections, Barcadia is not far from a Chuck E. Cheese with an adult twist. Not feeling gamey? Have a seat on the bar’s spacious front patio, which is great for accommo- dating large groups of people-just make sure to watch out for falling wooden blocks from the giant Jenga game. Bar W (new) 2926 Maple Ave. Bar W is a new sports bar along Maple Ave- nue across from The Stoneleigh, where The Stoneleigh P long lived. The crowd leans toward college sports fans, except when Love Island is on (love is a sport, many would say). They have a lot of space for big crowds both inside and out, with TVs packed in on every wall. There’s a whole game room if you like to pop a shot or lose money on a claw game. Don’t sleep on the salads here; way better than they have any business being. The flatbreads are solid, as is the service and drinks. They keep Ranch Water on tap here — can’t get much more Dallas than that. Aaren Prody Bar Colette is meticulous when making cocktails and offers exquisite bites. >> p12
