2017 is now in full swing, which means that it's time for an update of the Eater Dallas Cocktail Heatmap. While established places like Black Swan Saloon, Tate's, Boulevardier, The Windmill, and The People's Last Stand are all top-notch cocktail destinations, this map is intended to showcase newer spots and those with exciting new (and boozy) offerings.
They're also all perfect answers to the question, "Where should I drink tonight?" A slew of excellent new cocktail bars have recently debuted in Dallas, like Deep Ellum cocktail lab Hide and new East Dallas tiki haunt Pilikia, which means that you have really no excuse to stick with your same ol', same ol' bar.
Whether you're looking for a complex sip mixed by one of Dallas' finest bartenders or something impossibly drinkable, this guide to Dallas' hottest cocktail spots will certainly satisfy.
Is there a hot new cocktail bar missing from this map? Shout it out in the comments.
At this Deep Ellum bar, you can seamlessly switch from coffee to booze at any point during the day. Try the bar's whiskey & cheese pairings if you're feeling adventurous, or stick with theme-appropriate classic cocktails like the Corpse Reviver.
This sexy Design District lounge's see-and-be-seen vibe is enough to draw the crowds, but the cocktails are equally noteworthy. The sips – like the Senya Many Nights mixed with pisco, sake, and yuzu juice – are just as sophisticated as the atmosphere.
The food at Independent Bar & Kitchen gets plenty of fanfare, but the cocktails are plenty strong — in more ways than one. Traditional drinks (like a killer Tom Collins or Corpse Reviver) are a sure bet, but be sure to try the Dallasite. Mixed with 10-year-old Irish whiskey, bitter orange, and cantaloupe, it's a smooth ode to our fair city.
This bar at Alamo Drafthouse may be best known for its boilermakers, but that combination is a bit heavy for the summer months. Instead, go for the Prescription Julep, blended with rye, cognac, and mint poured over plenty of cooling crushed ice.
This showy new Cedar Springs cocktail lounge doesn't skimp on presentation – expect plenty of dry ice and over the top garnishes. Behind the glamour, though, you'll find some pretty stellar drinks. During happy hour, score a selection of ever-changing $6 "creative cocktails" that are much more delicious than their price point would indicate.
Chef Stephan Pyles is concocting his most creative fare yet at this new Arts District hotspot, and the accompanying cocktails are equally innovative. Try the Elotes, mixed with smoked corn, charred poblano, and a lemongrass-lime-cardamom syrup, for a boozy take on the traditional street food. Or go for the blissfully pink Flora, a delicate drink mixed with junipero.
Situated inside Houndstooth Coffee, you can take care of (nearly) all your vices in one stop. If it's too early to hit the hard stuff, try one of the low-proof cocktails mixed with sherry or vermouth. Otherwise, go ahead and order that martini and know it will be shaken (or stirred) perfectly.
This brand new East Dallas' sparse aesthetic belies the intricate and well-mixed cocktails that await inside. Cocktail snobs, your classic favorites (martinis and Old Fashioneds) are in good hands here, or you could try one of the libations on the menu. Perhaps the Sugarmaker, mixed with Ford's gin, coconut water, orgeat, and apricot liqueur?
Deep Ellum's newest bar is likely to become your favorite new cocktail haunt. With its stunning rooftop views and equally gorgeous patio, you can expect for this spot to be packed at peak hours. Squeeze your way to the bar and order the Babe's Old Fashioned, mixed with bacon fat infused rye, chocolate liqueur, and Angostura bitters.
This hot new Uptown booze haven comes from the minds behind some of Dallas' favorite bars, like Truth & Alibi. Swing by after grabbing dinner at the adjacent Uptown Urban Market, then sip on killer cocktails and craft beers in a lush, loungey atmosphere. Don't miss out on reverse happy hour — the well drinks are $4 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Deep Ellum continues to be one of Dallas' best place to drink, and the arrival of science-inspired cocktail lab Hide adds a whole lot of interesting libations to the mix. Try the Snapdragon, mixed with pisco, clarified grapefruit, maple syrup, and Kummel, a delightful Dutch liqueur infused with caraway seed, fennel & cumin.
kummel, pisco, clarified grapefruit, maple,
Since Trader Vic's shuttered years ago, Dallas has sorely lacked a tiki bar. It may not have the deep dedication to the tiki trend that other bars across the country have, but if you're craving a painkiller (mixed here authentically, with Pusser's Rum) and a taste of the tropics, Pilikia is an excellent option.
Reflective of a changing Deep Ellum, The Parlor on Commerce serves up the neighborhood's old dive bar aesthetic inside an upscale haunt, and that's a pretty solid recipe for success. The selection of whiskeys here is excellent, so order up an Old Fashioned or a neat pour of something fancy.
At this Deep Ellum bar, you can seamlessly switch from coffee to booze at any point during the day. Try the bar's whiskey & cheese pairings if you're feeling adventurous, or stick with theme-appropriate classic cocktails like the Corpse Reviver.
This sexy Design District lounge's see-and-be-seen vibe is enough to draw the crowds, but the cocktails are equally noteworthy. The sips – like the Senya Many Nights mixed with pisco, sake, and yuzu juice – are just as sophisticated as the atmosphere.
The food at Independent Bar & Kitchen gets plenty of fanfare, but the cocktails are plenty strong — in more ways than one. Traditional drinks (like a killer Tom Collins or Corpse Reviver) are a sure bet, but be sure to try the Dallasite. Mixed with 10-year-old Irish whiskey, bitter orange, and cantaloupe, it's a smooth ode to our fair city.
This bar at Alamo Drafthouse may be best known for its boilermakers, but that combination is a bit heavy for the summer months. Instead, go for the Prescription Julep, blended with rye, cognac, and mint poured over plenty of cooling crushed ice.
This showy new Cedar Springs cocktail lounge doesn't skimp on presentation – expect plenty of dry ice and over the top garnishes. Behind the glamour, though, you'll find some pretty stellar drinks. During happy hour, score a selection of ever-changing $6 "creative cocktails" that are much more delicious than their price point would indicate.
Chef Stephan Pyles is concocting his most creative fare yet at this new Arts District hotspot, and the accompanying cocktails are equally innovative. Try the Elotes, mixed with smoked corn, charred poblano, and a lemongrass-lime-cardamom syrup, for a boozy take on the traditional street food. Or go for the blissfully pink Flora, a delicate drink mixed with junipero.
Situated inside Houndstooth Coffee, you can take care of (nearly) all your vices in one stop. If it's too early to hit the hard stuff, try one of the low-proof cocktails mixed with sherry or vermouth. Otherwise, go ahead and order that martini and know it will be shaken (or stirred) perfectly.
This brand new East Dallas' sparse aesthetic belies the intricate and well-mixed cocktails that await inside. Cocktail snobs, your classic favorites (martinis and Old Fashioneds) are in good hands here, or you could try one of the libations on the menu. Perhaps the Sugarmaker, mixed with Ford's gin, coconut water, orgeat, and apricot liqueur?
Deep Ellum's newest bar is likely to become your favorite new cocktail haunt. With its stunning rooftop views and equally gorgeous patio, you can expect for this spot to be packed at peak hours. Squeeze your way to the bar and order the Babe's Old Fashioned, mixed with bacon fat infused rye, chocolate liqueur, and Angostura bitters.
This hot new Uptown booze haven comes from the minds behind some of Dallas' favorite bars, like Truth & Alibi. Swing by after grabbing dinner at the adjacent Uptown Urban Market, then sip on killer cocktails and craft beers in a lush, loungey atmosphere. Don't miss out on reverse happy hour — the well drinks are $4 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Deep Ellum continues to be one of Dallas' best place to drink, and the arrival of science-inspired cocktail lab Hide adds a whole lot of interesting libations to the mix. Try the Snapdragon, mixed with pisco, clarified grapefruit, maple syrup, and Kummel, a delightful Dutch liqueur infused with caraway seed, fennel & cumin.
kummel, pisco, clarified grapefruit, maple,
Since Trader Vic's shuttered years ago, Dallas has sorely lacked a tiki bar. It may not have the deep dedication to the tiki trend that other bars across the country have, but if you're craving a painkiller (mixed here authentically, with Pusser's Rum) and a taste of the tropics, Pilikia is an excellent option.
Reflective of a changing Deep Ellum, The Parlor on Commerce serves up the neighborhood's old dive bar aesthetic inside an upscale haunt, and that's a pretty solid recipe for success. The selection of whiskeys here is excellent, so order up an Old Fashioned or a neat pour of something fancy.
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