Beloved Deep Ellum Bartender Gabe Sanchez Finds a New Home in Downtown Dallas

Just about two months after longtime Deep Ellum bar Black Swan Saloon announced that it would close its doors for good, founder Gabe Sanchez has officially found a new home at a beloved Downtown Dallas bar.

The Instagram account for the Joule, the ritzy hotel that houses Midnight Rambler, announced on Friday that Sanchez will take over its basement cocktail bar in the coming months. “Gabe became a fixture of Deep Ellum’s cocktail scene as founder of Black Swan Saloon,” the post reads. “Now, he’ll be shaking things up at The Joule, starting with a series of private cocktail classes.”

Opened in 2014 by Chad Solomon and Christy Pope, alums of iconic New York City drinking destinations like Milk & Honey and Cellar Bar, Midnight Rambler had earned a reputation as one of Dallas’s finest drinking dens. Plushly appointed with luxe furnishings and chic art, the bar was a destination for spendy drinks like the Pho-King Champ, a shot infused with aromatized beef stock and cilantro that recalled a boozy bowl of pho.

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic means that the bar is closed for now, the prospect of Sanchez bringing back some of Black Swan’s most beloved offerings — like his incredible infused tequilas — to Midnight Rambler when it’s safe once again to sip drinks together in a tiny room.

Sanchez will kick off his series of private cocktail classes, available for a minimum of 10 people, in February. Email events@thejouledallas.com to book.