BGG Does Dallas

Perhaps you headed to Dallas for the Super Bowl and never came back, or perhaps you’re thinking it might be nice to spend a weekend getting drunk with your friends at SMU Law -- either way, here is a list that ensures you do Dallas right....

DIVE BARS (these are pretty much a way of life in the big D):

Double Wide – a big silver tornado juts out of the roof of this hip yet laidback divebar, but somehow, it seems right.  Try the Yoohoo Yeehaw, described as “White Russian meets white trash.”

Lakewood Landing – the ultimate dive bar with cheap drinks, a jukebox, and “after-11pm-only” corny dogs.

Ships Lounge – locals adore this fun, rowdy dive bar on lower Greenville, rumored to have the best jukebox in town.  They only serve (cheap) wine and beer, but you can bring your own liquor (ghetto fabulous).  Also bring cash (cards aren’t accepted), and make sure to heed the “No Cussing” sign!

Reno’s Chop Shop Saloon – yes, it’s a biker bar, and yes, it’s awesome.

NOT-SO-DIVE BARS:

The Inwood Lounge – tucked way in the historic, art-deco Inwood Theater (Dallas’ go-to theater for independent and foreign cinema), this retro bar has an old-school Manhattan feel to it.  Throw back a few of their martinis before catching a film, and you won’t even care if there are subtitles.

Belmont Hotel Bar – wondering where you can drink while admiring the Dallas skyline?  Try the Belmont Hotel Bar, which has a gorgeous view of the city.   We suggest having dinner afterwards at Smoke, a casual yet upscale BBQ joint that’s right next door.

Cork Wine Bar – this West Village wine store brings customer service to a new level – the people who work here know EVERYTHING about wine.  If you attend a tasting, the place is packed, but any time is a good time to stop by and enjoy the outstanding selection, perhaps on the lovely patio.  Happy hour at the wine bar is Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 7pm.

The Libertine Bar – this is very cool bar that happens to also have great food (half price on Tuesdays), such as sweet potato fries and tuna burgers.  Like other lower Greenville bars, it gets crowded, but the booths are super comfortable if you can snag one.

Veritas Wine Room – another great stop on Lower Greenville.  Veritas is known for its reasonable prices, complete lack of pretension, and friendly, knowledgeable staff.  Ignore the strip mall scenery.

RESTAURANTS:

Bakers Ribs – straight-up, down-home Texas-style barbecue.  Bring a bib.

Mi Cocina – it would be foolish to visit Dallas without sampling the food at this Tex-Mex institution and sampling their frozen margaritas.  You probably were unaware that the frozen margarita was in fact born in this very city!  

Saint Ann – this 1927 schoolhouse-turned-dining hot spot opened late last year to great fanfare, having snagged the former chef from Abacus (another top restaurant in Dallas).  The patio is beautiful, and the prices are very reasonable.

The French Room – if you’re feeling fancy-pants, try the super-luxurious French Room in the historic Adolphus, the Grande Dame of Dallas hotels.  The ornate, Beaux-Arts dining room is gorgeous and the food is impeccable – just make sure that you aren’t the unfortunate soul who has to pick up the check.

Nonna – this charming, authentic Italian restaurant in Highland Park emphasizes seasonal cuisine and supports local producers.  The pizza from their wood burning is no joking matter.

Maple & Motor – the line doesn’t snake out of the door for no reason.  This budget-friendly burger joint is often described as having the best burger in town, neck in neck with….

Wingfield’s – also considered to have burgers so delicious, they will change your life.  This place is teensy (as is Maple & Motor), so calling in your order – onion rings and bacon cheeseburger with everything, please? – is the way to go.  And since the neighborhood might be considered a little…um, rough around the edges…may we once again suggest that calling in and getting your burger to go is the right move.

Bob’s Steak & Chop House – regularly wins the highly-coveted title of best steakhouse in Dallas, which is almost as impressive as winning a Super Bowl title.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT DRINKING / EATING / WATCHING FOOTBALL…GET SOME CULTURE:

Rachofsky House – this stunning, Richard Meier designed home exhibits a rotating selection of modern art.  Make sure to plan ahead for this very unique (and very free!) experience, because you generally have to make an appointment two weeks in advance.

The Dallas Museum of Art – located in the center of the Dallas Arts District, the DMA’s outstanding collection includes everything from ancient American art to contemporary photography.  Show your friends that it is possible to be equally passionate about football AND art.

Nasher Sculpture Center – this beautiful garden houses the single greatest privately held collection of 20th-century sculpture.  It is conveniently located down the street from the DMA, so you can easily see both in an afternoon.

Crow Collection of Asian Art – again, right in the Arts District like the DMA and the Nasher Sculpture Center, this museum is dedicated to the arts and cultures of China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, and admission is free!  We also suggest checking out the nearby Winspear Opera House – while we (embarrassingly) have trouble staying awake during operas, that doesn’t stop us from admiring the design of this architectural masterpiece.