12 July 30 - August 5, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents July 30–August 5, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER | CLASSIFIED | MUSIC | DISH | MOVIES | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | SCHUTZE | UNFAIR PARK | CONTENTS | I’m getting out of here.” He grabbed his friend, who slid off his barstool, and they did, in fact, get out of there. This is a classic dive bar where the service is always super friendly even to newbies who might feel out of place at first. The pours are strong, and we can’t put in print how cheap drinks are ($5 margs on Wednesdays — that’s it. That’s all we’re saying.). There are several pool ta- bles around the bar. Bonus: You can order dinner from Tacos El Metro next door, and they’ll bring it to you. If you’re broke but need some more bullshit in your life, A Step Up Lounge is your Huckleberry. LONGTIME LOCAL DIVES Cities may change, but local dives anchor neighborhoods. BARBARA’S PAVILION 325 Centre St. Barbara’s Pavilion, or Barb’s to those in-the- know, has been slinging drinks for over 50 years. A low-key dive known for epic karaoke nights on Saturdays, Barb’s also hosts the can’t-miss Gender Blender bur- lesque-drag-variety show every third Wednesday. Of course, you can always pop in on any ol’ night, too, and don’t be surprised if you see a celebrity camped out at the bar next to you. It just means they have good taste. COSMO’S 1212 Skillman St. Cosmo’s is the neighborhood bar equivalent of your favorite pair of jeans: nicely bro- ken-in, suitable for most any casual occasion, and always makes your ass look great. A hang with friends? Post-work beer? Finally meet- ing that Tinder match IRL? Check, check, and check. For the last quarter century, Cos- mo’s has defined laid-back Lakewood cool via ‘60s lounge vibes, specialty cock- tails, and a Vietnamese-in- spired menu with some of the most craveable pho in town. Sip your first drink while you browse through the nostalgic VHS collection, then take the next one outside to the patio for some one-on-one time. Wrap up your visit with an espresso martini made with house-brewed Vietnamese coffee (because sleep isn’t on the agenda). THE GOAT 7248 Gaston Ave. Many places proclaim to celebrate the blues, but they hardly play the part. For example, no self-respecting blues establishment should be brighter than your average live K-pop experience. We need a little weather- ing and history to fuel the music. Not only does The Goat boast a longstanding dedica- tion to the genre, but it’s every ounce the perfect shabby, yet soulful, setting. Live acts take the stage across the nights and week- ends, with an occasional jukebox or karaoke night thrown into the mix. To be sure, it’s the kind of place the blues would go to if it had legs and a sentient existence. INWOOD TAVERN 7717 Inwood At over 60 years old, this iconic Park Cities drinking den is an institution. The old- school, unpretentious atmosphere attracts folks from all walks of life, from local High- land Park day traders to a Master’s jack- et-donning Scotty Scheffler, to regular Joes like us who just want to knock back a cold one and smoke a ciggie out back. The taps here represent many local brewers, the wine pours are generous (to say the least), and if you need a cure that only a stiff drink will fix, this spot serves up a mean mixed drink, too. Insiders know the real party’s out back on the porch, by the way. LAKEWOOD LANDING 5818 Live Oak St. For more than 50 years, Lakewood Landing has been the “upscale dive” Dallasites turn to for a great burger and a neighborhood bar atmo- sphere 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 ta- ble and jukebox that is kept updated with local favorites. 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. Famously, they serve a jalapeno beer-battered corn dog after 11 p.m. only. And one of our favorite bar 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. SHIP’S LOUNGE 1613 Greenville Ave. Sailing since 1947, Ships proclaims itself the “Oldest Dive Bar in Dallas.” Straddling the Lower Greenville club scene and an old East Dallas neighborhood, it offers a one-of-a- kind look into what happens when the two worlds collide. On one end of the bar, you’ll see folks who’ve been regulars for decades. A few seats down, local artists flirt with fans catching the game on TV. The older regulars like to keep the place quiet, so please respect the no-cussing policy and be prepared to use your inside voices. PARADISE FOUND A near-perfect mix of everything we love (and nothing we don’t). BRICK AND BONES 2651 Commerce St. This Deep Ellum joint recently relocated from Main Street to Commerce, losing none of its effortless attitude in the process. Each of the six house cocktails is priced to move, plus a bevy of beers, wines, and liquors. The small kitchen in the back pushes out 24-hour-brined Mexican-inspired chicken that will light your palate on fire – and maybe other things. It’s sexy-hot, but keep that down low because influencers 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. THE GRAPEVINE BAR 2213 Butler This has long been Dallas’ “everyone bar,” and though there’s no doing coke in the bathroom (so says a sign, anyway), there’s always karaoke and regular theme nights like the Synth Pop Dance Party. Or, head out to the patio to shoot some hoops, sip some seriously powerful drinks, and snack on a nosh from the kitchen. MIKE’S GEMINI TWIN LOUNGE 1906 S. Hardwood St. This Cedars bar is often labeled a dive, but there’s nothing shabby about Mike’s. Inside, a refreshing cross of swanky and unpreten- tious collides with a stripper pole and hot dogs. The bar has a pool table and darts; the management wears suits, which is said to be a nod to how serious they take serving cus- tomers. If you go, you must order Mike’s dirty martini, made with fresh-pressed olive juice and dressed with an anchovy-stuffed olive. There’s a tiny patio in the back and the few snacks include a row of boxed candy sit- ting behind the bar and a roller grill for hot dogs (Meats by Linz, mind you). It’s flirty, dark, mysterious and classy all at once. Just don’t even think about getting on that strip- per pole: it’s for day-dreaming only. SAINT VALENTINE 4800 Bryan St. Opened in 2023, this East Dallas bar named for a West Texas town may be young, but it knows how it’s done. From two experienced barkeeps – mixologist Gabe Sanchez, previ- ously of Black Swan in Deep Ellum, and Ryan Payne from Tiny Victories in Oak Cliff – it brings a certain swanky style with an at- titude of indifference. Sip a cocktail like the fruity Big Booty Trudy with pineapple cha- randa, lemon macadamia orgeat, and pas- sionfruit. James Beard Award finalist chef Misti Norris runs the kitchen now, serving patrons upscale nostalgia on a plate (think a super-fancy TV dinner). NICE AND NAUGHTY A hint of delicious mischief or just plain down and dirty. CHARLIE’S STAR LOUNGE 4319 Main St. “Be Kind, Unwind” is the tagline for this bar right outside of Deep Ellum. Located in the former home of the Starlight Lounge, owner Allen Falker and general manager Corey Howe had to replace 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 karaoke nights. Be sure to try the Cherry Lime-Yay!, a frozen cherry limeade with vodka. If you’re feeling extra fancy, try an OId Fashioned made with Garrison Brothers Single Barrel. DOUBLE D’S 1404 N. Riverfront Blvd. Get your mind out of the gutter. It’s called Double D’s because it’s in the Design District. But that’s not to say the vibe isn’t sexy and a little naughty. From the ‘80s basement decor to guest DJs, dance parties and cocktail com- petitions, it’s giving “party like your parents are out of town” every night. Early on, try Ed- na’s Lunch Box, a tribute to the famed Okla- homa bar made with cold beer, amaretto, and orange juice. Later, as a line starts to form at the door, order a classic cocktail off one of the best bar menus in town. And hey, why not buy one for the hottie on the next stool, too? LADYLOVE LOUNGE AND SOUND 310 W. Seventh St. Lying low on a near-hidden corner of Bishop Arts gives LadyLove the allure of a speak- easy, but there’s no prohibition at this inclu- sive space. The music may be loud enough to limit conversation, but who’s here to talk? Instead, dance to sounds from a stellar DJ lineup, plus the red-lit lounge also hosts theme nights (hello, Rose Toy Rave), a patio, and a delectable new Asian-inspired menu. House cocktails include a Rude Boy with te- quila, dry vermouth, aloe-peno syrup, lime and salt. Beers start at $5 and include some local options. This is where velvet Photo by Christopher Durbin Saint Valentine B A R S T O P Top 50 Bars from p11 >> p14
