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A woman’s foot steps on a white tile floor. In letters made of black tile are the words “good luck.” To the left of the sign and her feet is a door covered in tufted red velvet.
Babou’s is the reservations recommended nightclub and bar in the Hotel Swexan.
Babou’s

The 10 Hottest New Cocktail Bars in Dallas Right Now

Where to sip the city’s best drinks, from high- to lowbrow

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Babou’s is the reservations recommended nightclub and bar in the Hotel Swexan.
| Babou’s

Patio season is upon us, and it’s time for a fresh update of the Eater Dallas Cocktail Heatmap. These buzzy cocktail bars offer the perfect answer to the question, "Where should I drink tonight?"

Whether in search of a complex sip mixed by one of Dallas's finest bartenders or something impossibly drinkable, this guide to the city’s hottest cocktail spots will help you get it done when its time to wet your whistle.

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The Whippersnapper

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It’s not a new place, but it does have a new look — and the Barbie-themed pop-up at this East Dallas bar is smartly tapping in to one of the biggest pop culture moments that’s still resonating and looks like it will continue for some time. Put on some pink, grab an Allen (no Ken-doms, please), and order a “Life in Plastic” or a “He’s Just Ken.”

Tequila Social

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Taco Tuesday just got a great new place to be observed. Head to this Katy Trail outpost for a tequila or Mezcal fueled cocktail. It has an extensive list to choose from. With 11 types and flavors of margaritas, six ranch waters, and tequila-forward takes on classic cocktails, there’s a lot to try.

Babou’s

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This intimate nightclub inside the Hotel Swexan has something for both types of partiers. Enter through the Library, which is refined with lots of seating and samurai art hanging on the walls. Or pass through the next set of doors to Babou’s, named for Dali’s ocelot, for dancing and wildness all night long.

Tina's Continental

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If exclusivity and intimacy are the vibe of the ideal cocktail bar, then Tina’s Continental in the Continental Gin Building in Deep Ellum is the spot. This martini bar has decor influenced by the Lincoln Continental Mark V, a luxury car from the ‘70s, all in 800 square feet. It’s got a menu of martini-based cocktails devised by mixologists as well as a build-your-own martini option.

Light bites, hookah, and karaoke come part and parcel with the cocktails at this Mediterranean-inspired bar. Order an “Arabian Nights,” with espolon reposado, Mr. Black Coffee liqueur, a macadamia reduction, aperol, and espresso to stay up and party all night. Or go for a “Tropical Breeze” with Bacardi chile mango and Bacardi coconut to get out of Texas completely — or at least in your mind.

Komodo Lounge

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After dinner at Komodo, hit Komodo Lounge above the restaurant for the after party. It’s a nightclub with a full bar, bottle service, sparkler parties, and the walls are loaded with prints by artist Mari Kim.

Devils Back Porch

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This tiny speakeasy above Saint Rocco’s at Trinity Groves bears the nickname for the area of Dallas it’s in, from it’s gangster and gin-running days of Prohibition. Bonnie and Clyde even grew up nearby. Try the Godfather, a scotch and amaretto concoction, or the Corpse Reviver No. 2, made with mezcal.

Round Two

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It’s a bar that doubles as a great first date spot. For $5 per person, play retro arcade games all night. Or do a gaming day for $15 an hour, which grants access to a whole bunch of modern games as well as the oldie but goodies. And pair it with the cocktail named after your favorite game.

LadyLove Lounge & Sound

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From the uber-cool Bishop Arts record store Spinster and the wonderful folks behind Taco Y Vino comes LadyLove. Stop here to listen to DJs spin (mostly vinyl). And enjoy drinks like the “Sad Girl R&B” with Libelula tequila, Pallini limoncello, Regans orange bitters, and grapefruit soda or a “Side Piece” with St. Remy signature brandy, Combier berry, Cointreau, dry vermouth, and lambrusco.

The Whippersnapper

It’s not a new place, but it does have a new look — and the Barbie-themed pop-up at this East Dallas bar is smartly tapping in to one of the biggest pop culture moments that’s still resonating and looks like it will continue for some time. Put on some pink, grab an Allen (no Ken-doms, please), and order a “Life in Plastic” or a “He’s Just Ken.”

Tequila Social

Taco Tuesday just got a great new place to be observed. Head to this Katy Trail outpost for a tequila or Mezcal fueled cocktail. It has an extensive list to choose from. With 11 types and flavors of margaritas, six ranch waters, and tequila-forward takes on classic cocktails, there’s a lot to try.

Babou’s

This intimate nightclub inside the Hotel Swexan has something for both types of partiers. Enter through the Library, which is refined with lots of seating and samurai art hanging on the walls. Or pass through the next set of doors to Babou’s, named for Dali’s ocelot, for dancing and wildness all night long.

Tina's Continental

If exclusivity and intimacy are the vibe of the ideal cocktail bar, then Tina’s Continental in the Continental Gin Building in Deep Ellum is the spot. This martini bar has decor influenced by the Lincoln Continental Mark V, a luxury car from the ‘70s, all in 800 square feet. It’s got a menu of martini-based cocktails devised by mixologists as well as a build-your-own martini option.

Saaya

Light bites, hookah, and karaoke come part and parcel with the cocktails at this Mediterranean-inspired bar. Order an “Arabian Nights,” with espolon reposado, Mr. Black Coffee liqueur, a macadamia reduction, aperol, and espresso to stay up and party all night. Or go for a “Tropical Breeze” with Bacardi chile mango and Bacardi coconut to get out of Texas completely — or at least in your mind.

Komodo Lounge

After dinner at Komodo, hit Komodo Lounge above the restaurant for the after party. It’s a nightclub with a full bar, bottle service, sparkler parties, and the walls are loaded with prints by artist Mari Kim.

Devils Back Porch

This tiny speakeasy above Saint Rocco’s at Trinity Groves bears the nickname for the area of Dallas it’s in, from it’s gangster and gin-running days of Prohibition. Bonnie and Clyde even grew up nearby. Try the Godfather, a scotch and amaretto concoction, or the Corpse Reviver No. 2, made with mezcal.

Round Two

It’s a bar that doubles as a great first date spot. For $5 per person, play retro arcade games all night. Or do a gaming day for $15 an hour, which grants access to a whole bunch of modern games as well as the oldie but goodies. And pair it with the cocktail named after your favorite game.

LadyLove Lounge & Sound

From the uber-cool Bishop Arts record store Spinster and the wonderful folks behind Taco Y Vino comes LadyLove. Stop here to listen to DJs spin (mostly vinyl). And enjoy drinks like the “Sad Girl R&B” with Libelula tequila, Pallini limoncello, Regans orange bitters, and grapefruit soda or a “Side Piece” with St. Remy signature brandy, Combier berry, Cointreau, dry vermouth, and lambrusco.

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