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Belly up to the bar at Belly & Trumpet on McKinney Avenue.
Belly up to the bar at Belly & Trumpet on McKinney Avenue.
Photo credit: Stephen Masker/EDFW

Where to Drink Cocktails Right Now: March 2013

by Whitney Filloon
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Belly up to the bar at Belly & Trumpet on McKinney Avenue.
| Photo credit: Stephen Masker/EDFW
by Whitney Filloon

It's time for a fresh edition of the Eater Dallas Cocktail Heatmap. Below, we've plotted out where to sip the city's finest libations for your imbibing pleasure. About half of the selections are holdovers from the previous edition of the map that continue to raise the bar (pun fully intended), while the rest are more recent additions to the city's burgeoning cocktail scene. All are perfect answers to the question, "Where should I drink tonight?"



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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Belly & Trumpet

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3407 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 855-5551
(214) 855-5551
Visit Website
The cocktail menu at Belly & Trumpet is outstanding from start to finish with a little something for everyone whether you favor gin, whiskey, or tequila. Try the Guinevere.

2. Black Swan Saloon

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2708 Elm St
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-4949
(214) 748-4949
Visit Website
Black Swan Saloon is the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular, even if you only stop in occasionally. Barman and owner Gabe Sanchez will always remember your drink, and forget that whole menu thing. Just tell him what you like and he'll mix you up something tasty, from a jasmine tea-infused vodka cocktail to a pumpkin pie-esque rum drink and anything in between.

3. FT33

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1617 Hi Line Dr.
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 741-2629
(214) 741-2629
Visit Website
The drinks at FT33 are as carefully crafted as the plates; try a classic like the Corpse Reviver #2, or the constantly-evolving Seasonal Smash, the current version of which contains fresh carrot juice.

4. Kennedy Room

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2512 Maple Avenue
Dallas, TX 75201
214-880-0189
214-880-0189
This pint-sized bar inside the Montaigne Club oozes low-key class; an ideal spot to take a date for a classic cocktail, it boasts a penny-encrusted bartop and a cozy fireplace. [Photo: UrbanDaddy Dallas]

5. LARK on the Park

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2015 Woodall Rodgers Fwy
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-5275
(214) 855-5275
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Shannon Wynne's newest spot gives a whole new meaning to drinking in the park. Sip on creative cocktails like The Horned Lark (Absolut vodka, yellow Chartreuse, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit bitters) while taking in the artful interior.

6. The Libertine

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2101 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 824-7900
(214) 824-7900
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Many people overlook the cocktail list at this Lower Greenville mainstay in favor of the craft beer selection, but they shouldn't--barman Mate Hartai is whipping up some mean original concoctions, like a hibiscus Pisco Sour and liquors infused with everything from pulled pork to morel mushrooms.

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7. P|S

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3232 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 754-4744
(214) 754-4744
Visit Website
The name may have changed, but the excellent bar program remains: Eater bartender of the year Rocco Milano works his magic here nightly, whipping up unique creations from housemade bitters to cocktails on tap.

8. The People's Last Stand

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5319 E Mockingbird Ln, Suite 210
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 370-8755
(214) 370-8755
Visit Website
People's is tucked away on the second level at Mockingbird Station near the Angelika, and its worth seeking out even if you're not catching a flick. Relaxed but classy, they make a mean Old-Fashioned, as well as barrel-aged cocktails and massive tiki drinks.

9. Smyth @ The Establishment

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4513 Travis St.
Dallas, TX
(214) 520-0500
(214) 520-0500
Michael Martensen's dimly lit new bar inside The Establishment will soon be reservations-only, but for now you can waltz right in and have the talented bartenders shake you up a reasonably-priced custom cocktail.

10. The Standard Pour

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2900 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 935-1370
(214) 935-1370
Visit Website
Brian McCullough's Uptown spot is a breath of fresh air in the midst of all those frozen red bull & vodka machines that dot McKinney Avenue bars. Surround yourself with dark wood and old books and sip a Life & Death, champagne spiked with Aperol and absinthe, or try a shot of Dude, Sweet Chocolate-infused Rumpleminze.

11. Stone Street Martini Lounge

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1520 Elm St., Suite 201
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 749-1009
(214) 749-1009
Visit Website
This sorta-hidden downtown spot is slightly corporate-feeling, but the drinks are fun, like a bacon Old-Fashioned and a Fruity Pebbles-flavored martini.

12. Sunset Lounge

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3030 Ross Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 566-4834
(214) 566-4834
Visit Website
Recently relaunched Sunset Lounge is shaking up updated versions of classic tiki drinks like the Zombie and Rum Runner, plus new creations like chili-spiked horchata.

13. Tate's

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2723 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 954-4141
(214) 954-4141
Visit Website
Tate's burst onto the scene at the tail-end of 2011 to class up the Uptown bar scene. Barman J.W. Tate shakes up fine beverages in an old house-turned-bar with a clean, classic feel. Gin fans shouldn't miss the housemade tonic.

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1. Belly & Trumpet

3407 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204
The cocktail menu at Belly & Trumpet is outstanding from start to finish with a little something for everyone whether you favor gin, whiskey, or tequila. Try the Guinevere.
3407 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 855-5551
Visit Website

2. Black Swan Saloon

2708 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Black Swan Saloon is the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular, even if you only stop in occasionally. Barman and owner Gabe Sanchez will always remember your drink, and forget that whole menu thing. Just tell him what you like and he'll mix you up something tasty, from a jasmine tea-infused vodka cocktail to a pumpkin pie-esque rum drink and anything in between.
2708 Elm St
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-4949
Visit Website

3. FT33

1617 Hi Line Dr., Dallas, TX 75207
The drinks at FT33 are as carefully crafted as the plates; try a classic like the Corpse Reviver #2, or the constantly-evolving Seasonal Smash, the current version of which contains fresh carrot juice.
1617 Hi Line Dr.
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 741-2629
Visit Website

4. Kennedy Room

2512 Maple Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201
This pint-sized bar inside the Montaigne Club oozes low-key class; an ideal spot to take a date for a classic cocktail, it boasts a penny-encrusted bartop and a cozy fireplace. [Photo: UrbanDaddy Dallas]
2512 Maple Avenue
Dallas, TX 75201
214-880-0189

5. LARK on the Park

2015 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
Shannon Wynne's newest spot gives a whole new meaning to drinking in the park. Sip on creative cocktails like The Horned Lark (Absolut vodka, yellow Chartreuse, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit bitters) while taking in the artful interior.
2015 Woodall Rodgers Fwy
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-5275
Visit Website

6. The Libertine

2101 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75206
Many people overlook the cocktail list at this Lower Greenville mainstay in favor of the craft beer selection, but they shouldn't--barman Mate Hartai is whipping up some mean original concoctions, like a hibiscus Pisco Sour and liquors infused with everything from pulled pork to morel mushrooms.
2101 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 824-7900
Visit Website

7. P|S

3232 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX 75204
The name may have changed, but the excellent bar program remains: Eater bartender of the year Rocco Milano works his magic here nightly, whipping up unique creations from housemade bitters to cocktails on tap.
3232 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 754-4744
Visit Website

8. The People's Last Stand

5319 E Mockingbird Ln, Suite 210, Dallas, TX 75206
People's is tucked away on the second level at Mockingbird Station near the Angelika, and its worth seeking out even if you're not catching a flick. Relaxed but classy, they make a mean Old-Fashioned, as well as barrel-aged cocktails and massive tiki drinks.
5319 E Mockingbird Ln, Suite 210
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 370-8755
Visit Website

9. Smyth @ The Establishment

4513 Travis St., Dallas, TX
Michael Martensen's dimly lit new bar inside The Establishment will soon be reservations-only, but for now you can waltz right in and have the talented bartenders shake you up a reasonably-priced custom cocktail.
4513 Travis St.
Dallas, TX
(214) 520-0500

10. The Standard Pour

2900 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX 75204
Brian McCullough's Uptown spot is a breath of fresh air in the midst of all those frozen red bull & vodka machines that dot McKinney Avenue bars. Surround yourself with dark wood and old books and sip a Life & Death, champagne spiked with Aperol and absinthe, or try a shot of Dude, Sweet Chocolate-infused Rumpleminze.
2900 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 935-1370
Visit Website

11. Stone Street Martini Lounge

1520 Elm St., Suite 201, Dallas, TX 75201
This sorta-hidden downtown spot is slightly corporate-feeling, but the drinks are fun, like a bacon Old-Fashioned and a Fruity Pebbles-flavored martini.
1520 Elm St., Suite 201
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 749-1009
Visit Website

12. Sunset Lounge

3030 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
Recently relaunched Sunset Lounge is shaking up updated versions of classic tiki drinks like the Zombie and Rum Runner, plus new creations like chili-spiked horchata.
3030 Ross Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 566-4834
Visit Website

13. Tate's

2723 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX 75204
Tate's burst onto the scene at the tail-end of 2011 to class up the Uptown bar scene. Barman J.W. Tate shakes up fine beverages in an old house-turned-bar with a clean, classic feel. Gin fans shouldn't miss the housemade tonic.
2723 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 954-4141
Visit Website

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