12 July 17 - 23, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Bernie’s 1917 Henderson Ave. 214-702-9339 Bernie’s is tucked away inside Preston Tower down a dim corridor with no signage an- nouncing it’s even there (none that we saw, anyway), but a visit here plays out like a trip back in time. Bernie’s gives speakeasy vibes. The decor is vintage art deco, the atmosphere is classy and the playlist offers the likes of Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, Patti Austin and Quincy Jones. Bernie’s unapologetically skews to a slightly older crowd, which we’re here for — a place where the phone doesn’t eat first. The bartenders are pros, and the drinks are stiff. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you order, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend the beautifully smoky and oh-so-smooth old fashioned. Bowen House 2614 Boll St 214-484-1385 www.bowenhousetx.com In the historical Dallas home of Ahab Bowen, you can brush with a bit of local his- tory while you slam back a few cold beers. It’s located conveniently in uptown Dallas, in, well, an old house. The drink menu tends toward the upscale, with a classy wine list and an assortment of beers in draft, bottles and cans. All your favorite hard liquors are available, too, so don’t fret if you need some- thing a touch stiffer when you stop by Bowen House. There’s also an assortment of signature cocktails. If you’re feeling equal parts literary and spicy, for instance, you could try out the “For Whom the Bell Pep- per Tolls,” a mix including tequila, Cynar Amaro, lime and bell pepper. Boxcar (new) 4509 Greenville Ave. 214-238-7945 www.boxcardallas.com Boxcar is our favorite new bar in Dallas. Hands down. This tiny sliver of a space is fashioned to look like a old-timey luxury passenger train car. Instead of actual win- dows, TVs line the walls all synced to pass- ing landscapes. Elegant and mysterious (who knows where you’re going!), the only thing this spot needs is something to shake the building so the crystals hanging from the chandelier sway and clink on occasion. But it’s not all show here. The drinks are as mysterious and captivating. Start with the Magic Potion, with a single word descrip- tion: clarified. We can’t recall exactly what was in ours (it changes), but we had two. Then went again, and had two more. True story. We can also vouch for the cocktail Thief in the Night with pistachio-infused gin, lemon and Midori topped with an egg white froth. There are elevated bites, like a jalapeno cheddar corn dog and truffle par- mesan tater tots. Oh! And absolutely be sure to visit the bathrooms. Brick & Bones 2713 Elm St. 469-914-6776 bricknbones.com This bar in Deep Ellum has effortless charm and an easy attitude. Brick & Bones has six house cocktails all priced to move, plus a bevy of beer, wine and liquors. The small kitchen in the back pushes out 24-hour-brined Mexican-inspired chicken fried to order that will light your soul on fire and maybe other things. It’s sexy-hot, but keep that down low because influenc- ers may pick up on it and ruin the joint. Drinks roll out quickly, and service is on point. This is a pocket of Deep Ellum’s old soul. Catbird (new) 1401 Elm St. Thompson Hotel 469-726-4115 www.catbirddallas.com Head past the art-splashed lobby of the Thompson Hotel and up to floor 9C, and you’ll find Catbird—a bar that’s not just a vibe, it’s a full-blown aesthetic. Housed in a former bank, you enter through a tunnel of flowers that feels like you accidentally wan- dered into an out-of-place wedding, only to emerge in an eclectic art deco fantasyland that’s equal parts swanky lounge and surre- alist gallery. The room itself is a maximalist fever dream of bold patterns, geometric prints, inviting fireplaces, and curious de- sign moments (including a giant bedazzled Russian doll) that’ll keep your eyes from fix- ating on any one thing for too long. It’s the kind of place where you’re just as likely to be mingling with Dallas A-listers as you are with one-night-only business travelers and that’s part of the intrigue. Every corner is distinct, from the DJ-fueled entry to a ga- rage-chic floral room and a wraparound rooftop that feels like you unlocked a secret level of the city. The drink menu leans just as playful: cocktails made with pressed mineral water that’s basically couture Topo Chico, egg creams, and flavored cold foams. The Haiku—a minty, green tea–infused gin sip- per—tastes like the cleanest mojito you’ve ever met. And if the night goes too right? There’s always the option to end it with a room key. Charlie’s Star Lounge 4319 Main St. 214-997-4940 charlieslounge.com “Be Kind, Unwind” is the tagline for this bar right outside of Deep Ellum in the lo- cation of the old Starlight Lounge. Allen Falker, owner of Nines in Deep Ellum, and general manager Corey Howe had to re- place almost everything in the building: plumbing, electrical, roof, floor, HVAC, bathrooms (for ADA compliance), the parking lot. What is left is a straightfor- ward bar with DJ, music video and kara- oke nights. Be sure to try the Cherry Lime-Yay! a frozen cherry limeade with vodka, and if you’re feeling extra fancy, an Old Fashioned made with Garrison Broth- ers Single Barrel. Christies Sports Bar & Grill 2817 Greenville Ave. 469-250-7323 www.christiessportsbar.com When the soup of the day is “mimosas” and sangrias come in towers, you know you’ve found home. Not to mention the spicy and tropical F*** It Bucket. And while we all loved (sometimes too much) their original Uptown location, their new spot has a large outdoor space; every seat on their patio, rooftop and inside has views of TVs. It’s lit- erally wall-to-wall sports here. It’s a great option for catching local sports teams, espe- cially when the weather is nice and you can sit on the patio. Nathan Hunsinger Community Beer Company is a long-time Dallas staple with biergarten and brewing. Top 100 Bars from p11 Alison McLean Boxcar looks like a luxury passenger train car with mysterious cocktails.
