15 July 17 - 23, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents up. Whatever you do, don’t leave without treating yourself to one of the best espresso martinis in the city. Louie Louie’s Piano Bar 2605 Elm St. 214-741-3600 louielouiespianobar.com Magic is happening at Louie Louie’s Piano Bar, where acts such as Alessia Cara, Shaun Martin, Cure for Paranoia and many others grace the venue’s stage. The place is owned and operated by musicians, so you can expect a good show every time. If you hop into Louie’s on a Monday, the piano player for the night will likely be Ronnie Wilson, the owner of the venue. He’ll be slamming his keys, playing with other notable local musicians during his weekly Monday night jam. But it has a whole team of pianists. If keys aren’t your thing, you’ll want to hit up Louie Louie’s for the recurring artist showcase Lock- johnson’s Playground. And don’t worry about going hungry or thirsty at Louie’s. Try one of the tasty signature bowls. That’s not food. It’s literally a cocktail in a bowl meant to serve three-four people. Their menu is simple but satisfying. Chips and salsa, jalapeno bottle caps and pulled pork sandwiches all go well with a night of local music at Louie Louie’s. Mayer’s Garden 2422 N. Henderson Ave. 972-373-4647 www.mayersgardendallas.com In the late 1800s, Mayer’s Garden on Elm Street was a self-described “early pleasure resort of Dallas” that offered live animals, live music and beer that flowed seven days a week. We’re not sure about all that, but to- day, a new Mayer’s Garden lives on Hender- son Avenue, and while it may not have live animals, it makes up with impressive cock- tails and tasty food bites, wrapped in an in- door-outdoor space that’s lively and inviting. A solid list of Texas-centric beers is on tap so you can catch a game on TV or kick back for some hangs with your friends. Service at the bar is always excellent — we’re partial to places that get that first drink with a smidge of haste. Meyboom Brasserie 2100 Greenville Ave. 214-489-7498 meyboombar.com In 2023, Lower Greenville’s Belgian-influ- enced Meyboom Brasserie made its entry into our annual Best of Dallas list thanks to a stellar espresso martini that, quite frankly, blew us away. But Meyboom’s espresso martini is no outlier. The Mey- boom team, guided by owners April Sego- via and Jeff Karetnick, has set a high bar in all aspects of their operation. From the standout bar bites (like fried Dutch goat cheese balls made with Gigi’s Honey and drizzled with a cherry reduction made with Lindeman’s lambic beer) to the cozy, classy vibe to the top-shelf drink menu of meticulously crafted cocktails, wine and old-world brews, Meyboom Brasserie is an elite choice to grab some drinks and bites when cruising the bustling neighbor- hood of Lower Greenville. Midnight Rambler 1530 Main St. 214-261-4601 midnightramblerbar.com The soundtrack at this subterranean bar at the Joule Hotel in downtown Dallas is as well crafted as the neo-classic cocktails and art- deco interior. The swanky, dimly lit gem has speakeasy vibes. But the mirrored wall be- hind the bar holding the shelves of liquor bathed in backlighting lets everyone know the star of the show here is the cocktail pro- gram. Have a favorite eclectic drink that’s hard to find? Try the bartenders here. Chances are they’ll serve the best one you’ve ever had. Or stick to the classics like a French 75 or an old fashion, which put this spot in its truest form. Reservations are a must if you’re going with a group of four or more. Milo Butterfingers (new) 5645 SMU Blvd. 214-368-9212 Well, hello, darlin’. It’s so nice to see you again. Milo Butterfingers recently changed ownership and took a little time for itself to get one of those deep plane face lifts: We’re not sure what was involved or even if we want to know, but damn, it looks fantastic. The original location was one of the old- est bars in Dallas and even after its glow up, it pulls a mix of a college crowd and old tim- ers. It’s perpetually in a good mood; either out on the patio, in one of the big booths or the cozy fireplace den. Pool tables occupy the back of the bar, with another lounge past that. Either way, this is a great place to watch sports, hang with your besties or make new ones. The kitchen has a home- style daily special that sits around $11, plus happy hour and other specials. It’s an enter- taining space that splits Dallas’ penchant for sports, comfort and style. Off the Record Craft Beer & Vinyl 2716 Elm St. 214-745-1402 m.facebook.com/OTRDallas It all started as a hipster wet dream: a semi- quiet spot in Deep Ellum to browse through vinyl records while drinking beer — exposed brick walls included. But record shop + bar Off the Record became a line-down-the- block, the-doorman-doesn’t-know-you hotspot thanks to a constant nightly rotation of Dallas’ best DJs. The small space found new life after serving for years as Club Da- da’s green room. OTR is permanently packed to the rim with people actually danc- ing and, well, also grinding, but there’s a fairly large patio in the back if you want to talk to friends without someone twerking between you. Opening Bell Coffee 1409 Botham Jean Blvd. 214-565-0383 www.openingbellcoffee.com Good tunes and bangin’ cups of joe are a given at Opening Bell Coffee. With one of the lon- gest-running open mic nights in DFW, the shop’s stage has seen the likes of Leon Bridges, Charley Crockett and many who have gone on to compete on NBC’s The Voice and American Idol. Patrons who attend the shop’s open mic will often catch an early glimpse of the next big thing in the >> p16
