II Charlies is the ultimate Denton bar away from the square, located right off University Drive. There’s a dining room downstairs, with a more relaxed balcony bar area upstairs. The food alone is worth the trip, and cheap drink prices doesn’t hurt either.

One of Denton’s newest players, BackYard on Bell feels like it has been here for years. There are two bars, one that serves the inside seated area and the other that serves the enormous backyard space. Food trucks, a pizza kitchen and as many cold beers as the day’s long, BackYard on Bell is easily one of the best spots in Denton. The bar is family friendly and hosts live music almost every night.

Cool Beans has been Denton’s finest dive bar since 1992. It’s the only business on that side of the 100 block of historic Fry Street that remained during the renovations. Hell, it even survived after the Fry Street Fire in 2007. For those who aren’t into the bar’s divey interior, there is a patio to the side that faces the two bars across the street, Lucky Lou’s and Riprocks, and there is also a rooftop patio. Beans has a prime selection of bar food options; get the burger.

Dan’s Silver Leaf is the “Cheers” of Denton. Home to one of the best programmed music venues in town, Dan’s also provides a fair selection of spirits. Drinkers are in for a treat when bartender Kate brings homegrown goodies from her garden, including fruits and herbs, to accompany a hand crafted drink. No matter what day it is, there is probably live music accompanying the evening hours at Dan’s. Pro tip: always get the popcorn at happy hour.

Anyone who goes out in downtown Denton most likely stumbles upon East Side. There’s approximately 90 beers on tap — 60 of which are from Texas — at any given time and a system to track which beers drinkers have tried. There is a spacious patio out back with wooden tables as far as the eye can see. Bonus: the bar backs up to the Austin Street Food Park. What’s better than beers and food trucks, right?

This candle-lit lounge is one of the best-kept secrets in Denton, located right off of the square. The seasonal rotation of cocktails is nothing to sleep on, especially the surprisingly spicy Bluegrass Cocktail with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Luxardo liqueur, fresh lemon and pineapple juice, and a rosemary garnish. Another summery drink? The Watermelon Lemonade, made with freshly sliced watermelon.

The Denton OG college bar: Lou’s is where students go for $2 margaritas, or maybe three mind erasers and six tall boys of PBR. Within walking distance from the University of North Texas, Lucky Lou’s is a local favorite. Find three bars, plenty of seating and a spacious outdoor patio.

This industrial-chic tequila bar prepares signature margaritas and complimentary chips and salsa. With more than 90 different tequilas available, Mulberry Street Cantina is home to the best Mule in Denton, doesn’t matter the combination. All drinks are made with locally sourced fresh fruit that adds that extra Denton taste to every sip.

The speakeasy-esque bar that is hidden in plain sight, Paschall Bar embrace post-prohibition style drinking. Newly reopened, the bar added some extra space, an attractive new wooden bar, a pool table, but the draft beer options are no more. Despite the renovations, it still feels like the same bar regulars know and love.

Tom’s Daiquiri is located around the corner of Fry Street in the building that used to house art supply store HMS Art & Frame. Opened in 2015, this New Orleans-style daiquiri bar usually has a decent selection of flavored frozen drinks and a nice little patio out back. Darts, pool tables, bras hanging from the rafters - this is everything a college bar would be, and more.

Owned by the same folks as II Charlies, this Americana-style bar is a staple to downtown. The pub also offers a great selection of bar food including fried pineapple stuffed jalapenos - don’t question it, just go for it. Loophole has sixteen craft beers on tap and an array of bottles and liquor.