Dallas isn’t just about steakhouses and Tex-Mex joints—though we’ve got those in spades. From craft cocktail dens that rival NYC’s best to hidden gem wine bars in Deep Ellum, this city’s drinking and dining scene tells a story of Southern hospitality meeting global ambition. Consider this your curated guide to where Dallas truly shines after dark.
Wicked Butcher Dallas
$$$$ | (214) 444-7740 | WEBSITE
This is your favorite steakhouse’s favorite steakhouse. As its name implies, Wicked Butcher Dallas is all about honoring legends in the carnivorous realm. Celebrated cuts like the A5 wagyu and dry-aged ribeye take center stage in the sophisticated dining room, where the open kitchen action is visible from every seat, and the menu is stacked with takes on classic dishes, including a gourmet version of surf and turf spruced up with premium seafood and perfectly cooked steak.
The buttery popovers are the best prelude to Wicked Butcher’s impressive ode to fine dining’s benchmark chocolate souffle, the airy dessert layered with rich chocolate and served with a delicate sauce. A sip of complimentary champagne upon entry is non-negotiable. There’s also a cocktail menu that includes refreshing options as well as our favorite, a gulpable palate cleanser between courses—a steakhouse BFF if there ever was one.
Rattlesnake
$$ | (214) 922-4848 | WEBSITE
Set a calendar reminder to visit Rattlesnake for late-night cocktails—this Dallas hotspot fills up quickly, especially on weekends when notable celebrities occasionally make appearances. With a swanky, high-end atmosphere, this modest space offers classic Dallas people watching, but its main attraction is the exceptional service from friendly staff like Jeff, Emma, Ryan, and Daniel. Think attentive bartenders crafting great drinks in a kid-friendly environment where everyone feels welcome.
If you visit here more than a few times, it’s likely that the servers will remember your preferences. And if you’re celebrating with a larger group or event, there’s a good chance that the welcoming environment will make it a favorite spot to relax and chat after a long day.
Mermaid Raw Bar & Champagne Room
$$ | (214) 944-5865 | WEBSITE
This sophisticated yet casual seafood spot offers a delightful escape under its awning-covered seating, where the atmosphere feels both polished and relaxed. The menu features standout dishes like crispy Brussels sprouts and creamy hummus, but the real star is the pizza—perfectly charred and satisfying. Instead of traditional cocktails, immerse yourself in bubbles with a glass of Prosecco or Champagne, which pairs beautifully with the fresh, vibrant flavors.
While service can be inconsistent, servers like Johnny shine with amazing meal suggestions and attentive care, making for a memorable evening that’s worth the occasional hiccup.
Lakewood Landing
$ | (214) 823-2410 | WEBSITE
If there was ever a burger worth driving across town and then squeezing into a packed bar for, this is it. Lakewood Landing is fine-dining for dive bar lovers, but instead of a pretentious dining room you’re leaning against a worn wooden bar with regulars in jeans and their baseball cap-wearing buddies.
Make sure to get the Landing Burger for yourself—this impressively juicy, classic version of the American staple has a perfectly charred exterior and a tender middle, which might be topped with cheese and bacon or kept simple with lettuce and tomato. When it comes to late-night snacks, the highlight is wings, bar-style fried wings served with a side of ranch or blue cheese and a cold beer.
There are no fancy cocktails—or any frills—on offer, but the straightforward drinks and attentive service from Bill and the bartenders are compelling enough to forgo a polished night out just this once.
XOXO Dining Room
$$$ | (469) 397-4226 | WEBSITE
XOXO Dining Room might be the best restaurant ever named after an affectionate gesture—look out for the chic pink décor that makes every corner Instagram-worthy and don’t miss the unique mimosa flight presentation. Diners happily gather at cozy tables in a beautiful venue flanked by an engaging service team and an energetic atmosphere with music.
Part special-occasion spot, part girls-night destination, the servers at XOXO pour recommendations and attentive care to pair with dishes that feel like they were crafted for celebration. That means aioli salmon accompanied by sauce on the side, short rib with thoughtful preparation, or lamb chops served with knowledgeable guidance from the staff.
The brunch menu offers delights like the Freaky Friday and fried chicken, though the outdoor seating can get hot and humid during Texas summers—thankfully the staff accommodates requests for inside seating. While the music adds excitement, it can be quite loud, making conversation a bit challenging at times. Overall, it’s a memorable dining experience where the staff goes above and beyond, perfect for a night out with friends.
Henry’s Majestic
$$ | (469) 893-9400 | WEBSITE
The brunch-ready, spacious atmosphere at Henry’s Majestic is familiar—massive portions, vibrant energy—but the menu throws a curveball. Classic choices like the beef marrow burger rub elbows with inventive dishes like avocado/deviled eggs, though this isn’t a jack of all trades, master of none situation. The majestic swizzle is like a perfectly balanced cocktail, strong and delicious (and disappearing from your glass within five minutes).
Outdoor seating is nestled with games and dogs welcome that’ll make you wonder why more places don’t pair the two. And while the food selection spans thoughtful options, the drinks bring it back home. They’re ready for any dietary restriction, including the staff’s alternate suggestions or the several vegetarian choices available.
Oak Cliff Social Club
$$ | (214) 941-0298 | WEBSITE
This neighborhood bar is a whole lot livelier than the quiet pub it replaced, but it still has an all-are-welcome feel. And although its bartenders are more friendly than formal, they also give patrons what might be the closest to a classic American bar experience as you can get in Dallas without traveling across town. The $12-18 drink menu is available at the cozy bar or the pool table area, and it reliably offers a variety of beer choices.
That means enjoying a cold lager during hot summer months and swapping in local brews for their imported counterparts when they’re on tap.
Time Out Tavern Sports Bar
$ | (214) 956-9552 | WEBSITE
Cold craft beers, sizzling chicken wings, loaded nachos: an evening at Time Out Tavern might give you the sports bar bug. The roomy interior is decorated with neon signs and stacks of championship memorabilia, and one step onto the patio will have you checking game schedules for the weekend. Each order of charcuterie comes with a spread of cured meats and cheeses that hits your senses with flavor when you dig in.
Enough attentive bartenders like Danny and Brittany will swing by with frosty mugs and witty banter to make you order another round, and you’ll be glad you did. The atmosphere is chill but the vibes are cool—accompanied by happy hour specials, local camaraderie, and dive bar authenticity, this reliable combination of elements scratches an itch we didn’t know we had.
Coupes
$$ | (214) 434-1347 | WEBSITE
Don’t be fooled by the crystal chandeliers or the vintage champagne buckets on display—you have not wandered into a Fitzgerald novel. Welcome to Coupes, a champagne bar bringing Parisian elegance to Dallas, right down to the delicate flute-shaped door handles. If you’re looking to indulge your bubbly fantasy and savor a flaky, buttery spinach and mushroom quiche, you’ll leave happy, but even the brown buttered cookies, golden from the oven, are amazing.
And the caviar deviled eggs come topped with a sprinkle of chives—a classic but inspired touch. It might be tempting to continue the night with a jazz club in Deep Ellum, but probably not after all that champagne.
Bourbon & Banter
$$ | (469) 776-3700 | WEBSITE
Tucked behind an unassuming door and glowing with speakeasy charm, Bourbon & Banter is one of Dallas’s coziest late-night haunts. Its plush leather booths have been perpetually full since the cocktail menu took a more focused, bourbon-forward direction. The strongest drinks here are like elevated versions of classic cocktails, like an old-fashioned that’s transformed into an outrageously smooth smoked maple bourbon with an orange twist.
A whiskey sour subs in for a daiquiri in a more complex riff on citrus, a bright, frothy concoction with egg white foam. Sipping these soulful drinks while dressed in your casual best in what feels like an old-fashioned library lounge never gets old.
Plomo Quesadillas: Henderson Ave
$ | (214) 730-0021 | WEBSITE
This unassuming Henderson Avenue spot basically forces you to squeeze past the bar to grab a table. But what it lacks in elbow room it makes up for in sheer flavor, with a Tex-Mex approach to classic quesadilla dining. The menu stays consistent, but current highlights include the El Padrino quesadilla with its perfect cheese pull and the Rock Ross quesadilla—like a regular quesadilla’s adventurous cousin who discovered great seasoning—and a rich, tender brisket quesadilla, packed with smoky meat.
Once you taste their awesome frozen margaritas, smoother and more refreshing than the usual slushy version, you’ll be counting the days until happy hour returns.
Stillwell’s
$$$$ | (469) 405-1911 | WEBSITE
Stillwell’s might be the only moody and romantic restaurant in Dallas with legitimately extraordinary food. If you don’t want to celebrate in the sophisticated main dining room, grab a comfortable chair and grab a cowboy cut steak that arrives buttery with the perfect cook and comes with a side of roasted asparagus and sautéed mushrooms. Or dig into the Caesar salad with its crisp freshness, and a lobster bisque that outshines most French bistros.
The best perch of all is at the chef’s table, where Chef Josh hosts special off-menu tastings, and where servers like Andres and Tomas provide thoughtful recommendations with deep knowledge and gracious professionalism.
Rodeo Bar
$ | (214) 651-3559 | WEBSITE
This is the bar equivalent of a classic pair of cowboy boots: ruggedly reliable and somehow always in style, over the years cementing its status as one of Dallas’s best bar-restaurants, consistently packed with lively events and regulars. The atmosphere is just like you remember: a vibrant space buzzing with energy and laughter, with rustic wood accents and warm lighting that make it welcoming for all ages.
Everything is flavorful (and satisfying), including the shrimp tacos that are praised as some of the best, or the Texas Red Fish rice bowl that’s a highlight of Chef David’s incredible food. Along with drinks like the standout Rodeo Sunset crafted by the amazing bartender Blu, the menu is reliably delicious, with crowd-pleasers like the Hook’em burger and chicken sandwich keeping folks coming back for more.
Las Almas Rotas
$$ | (972) 685-5666 | WEBSITE
At Las Almas Rotas, you choose your mezcal and taco, and they pour the smoky spirit right before your eyes at the lively bar. We suggest any mezcal with the pork belly chicharron, where crispy skin and tender meat almost outshine the drink. Or the elote, charred and creamy with just enough cotija cheese on top.
(It’s locally revered enough that the bartenders warn “BEWARE OF WEAK IMITATIONS!”) Live music periodically fills the room—visit here before a show and the friendly staff will arrange a limo golf cart shuttle to nearby Dos Equis Pavilion, if the back patio area wasn’t enough of a treat already. Resist the temptation to pocket your table’s adorable ceramic shot glass on your way out. They’re for sale at the counter, so buy one instead.
King’s X
$ | (972) 234-9064 | WEBSITE
This Dallas dive bar looks like a quintessential neighborhood spot—all vintage charm, with pool cues and darts mounted on the walls—where you could get great cheap drinks. And you can. But you can also settle in for a lively night of games and be content in the knowledge that you’re getting the most genuine experience at any given moment, since King’s X is known for its exceptional service from Lynn. Look out for regulars playing pool or newcomers trying darts.
The welcoming atmosphere extends into its service, from a sweet bartender who remembers your name to a friendly vibe that’s warm but not overwhelming.
Electric Shuffle Dallas
$$ | (469) 382-9888 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in the bustling heart of Dallas is the vibrant-and-voluminous Electric Shuffle Dallas, a bar restaurant with signature retro-modern flair. Vintage neon signs glow like disco balls, while the combination of shuffleboard lanes and sleek technology makes us briefly consider (and then disregard) the potential distraction from the food. With a brunch menu featuring bacon jam boneless wings, candy bacon, pizza, fries, and beignets, the fun atmosphere isn’t relegated to the games.
Their bacon jam boneless wings are a must-try—imagine the best barbecue snack of your life transformed into a shareable delight. The candy bacon is crispy and indulgent and the beignets are dusted in powdered sugar, giving them a comforting familiar sweetness. The spacious interior never feels crowded, with drinks priced affordably around $10-14 each, and the kind, attentive staff—who went above and beyond for a birthday celebration—ensures every visit feels like a special occasion.
It’s an energetic spot where great music and shuffleboard create a relaxing yet memorable experience, though some dishes could be improved. Overall, it’s a destination for celebrations that delivers on its promise of a fun time.
Renny’s
$$ | (972) 818-0068 | WEBSITE
This hidden gem in Dallas has the backing of a family-inspired menu, curated by the owner’s personal touch. Start with a cocktail at the speakeasy known as The Stache before heading to the main dining area, where you can choose between the vibrant bar seating for happy hour or the cozy outdoor patio with its open garage doors. Either way, spring for the hot chicken sandwich at brunch, which includes a perfectly charred piece of redfish and a slice of lime if it’s available.
And you should always pick the coconut curry redfish, which is the standout dish—however it’s prepared, you need it on your table. The lychee lovebomb cocktail is a great way to explore the sensory delights by the glass.
Quarter Bar
$ | (214) 694-2522 | WEBSITE
Sliders are king at Quarter Bar, and if you leave without the voodoo fries, you didn’t do it right. The dive bar-like Dallas spot does brisk business in fun, served with mugs of Revolver Blood Honey and Fireball whiskey that make great mood lifters, especially on trivia nights. Platters of those sliders, both classic and creative, come with the killer jukebox and all the games to fashion your own good time.
But if you’re with the right company, you should get loud with a whole karaoke session, excavating notes of 90’s hits off the playlist while navigating through the occasional pool shot or music bingo card.
Cosmo’s
$$ | (214) 826-4200 | WEBSITE
You might feel like you’ve stepped into a retro living room when you walk into Cosmo’s, with its fun, old-school vibe that mixes a record store and diner feel. Behind the counter, the friendly staff quickly serves up fantastic bar food, all while the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to hang out. Highlights include Pork Belly Tacos with creative flavor, crispy Tater Tots that are creamy inside, and egg rolls that hit the spot.
You can order a la carte or go for the full meal—the latter includes non-bar food bangers like a vegetarian vermicelli noodle dish with seasoned tofu and chopped spring rolls, and a modern Vietnamese banh mi with tofu, pickled daikon and carrot, and shiitake mushrooms. Whether for drinks or dinner, Cosmo’s remains a must-visit spot with its lively back patio and comfy chairs.
Goodbye Horses
$ | (469) 372-1110 | WEBSITE
This Dallas college haunt does one good magic trick: it’s so good that you won’t mind having to squeeze in for a football game. If you haven’t had pizza from a proper local water hole, it means phenomenal pies, cheap stiff drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere. The signature pizza with (wonderfully stretchy) mozzarella is a must-order, while the bar food is deeply satisfying with a kiss of attention.
The pepperoni might be the sleeper hit, so savory, cheesy, and punchy that you’ll crave it afterwards like a student after finals. Order more than you can eat––you’ll want to take a little Goodbye Horses magic home with you.
