Mega-wave of new bars opening in Dallas

by Teresa Gubbins

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If you like to drink alcohol and socialize with people, then here is some good news.

DALLAS — Whether it's a comfy rock spot downtown, a mixologist den in Uptown, or a sports bar in the 'burbs, there are a dozen new bars opening in Dallas-Fort Worth where you can consume alcohol, engage in social interaction, and go home sad and lonely like you always do. Drink up.

Downtown digs

Empire Rock Bar is going into the primo location at 1301 Main Street in January '12. It comes from ex-New-Yorker Marc Connolly, who co-owns OT Tavern and was previously chef at Blackfinn. At Empire, he's going for a rock vibe. "The thing I don't like about Dallas nightclubs -- the reason I got into bars -- is that I didn't want to wear a tie, but it seems like most bars in Dallas, everyone's wearing a tie," he says. "This will be a place where you don't have to wear a tie."

The Spread Eagle Saloon is about to open in downtown Dallas, with bar food, shots, and DirecTV. SMU alum and owner Scott Scripps told Eater that while the place will not be an outright breastaurant, it will have "a heck of a good looking female staff."

Sports bars

Draft Picks took over the vintage McKinney Avenue spot that was long occupied by Newport's Seafood. NBCDFW says it's a modern sports bar because it has a diverse menu -- bacon-wrapped shrimp, chicken & waffles, chicken pot pie. In addition to 60-inch TVs, there's a stadium seating setup with a 220-inch screen.

Go 4 It Sports Bar & Grill opened in October in the former Blockbuster spot at Northwest Highway and Plano Road. It has 15 HD LED's, pool tables, and HD projectors, according to co-owner Gene Martinez. They serve burgers, Cajun, and New Mexican, thanks to Martinez’s El Paso roots and past experience at Shuck-N-Jive.

Owner's Box is the the ultra-ultra sports bar at the new Omni Dallas Hotel.

Mixology

The Chesterfield is the creation of celebrated barman Eddie "Lucky" Campbell, formerly of The Mansion On Turtle Creek and Bolsa, now partnered with restaurateur Ed Bailey, to create the most mixologistic bar in Dallas, if not the world, with a bar that DFW.com describes as being "technically engineered." Chef Michael Ehlert will do small plates such as flatbreads and sandwiches. Opening any day now.

Tate's Dallas on McKinney Avenue opens Wednesday, says Eater and Crave, from former Krispy Kreme exec John Tate, with an emphasis on cocktails, including house-made sodas, ginger beer, tonic, limoncello, orangecello, Pomacello, and the musical cello, too.

The Dram, from Candleroom owner Tommy DeAlano, opens in the "historic 2918 North Henderson building" that was formerly the Wooden House. Bartender Dub Davis is of the same mixologist circle as "Lucky" Campbell, Michael Martensen, and Jason Kosmas.

Beer here

Sundown at the Granada is the new neighborhood restaurant and beer garden opening on Greenville Ave next door to the Granada by the Granada. Along with beer, it will provide a reliable place to try chef Patrick Stark's food as well as a go-to spot after Granada shows. They're advertising for help, so the opening is imminent.

Union Bear is the nano-brewery opening in West Village from Matt Spillers of Eno's Pizza Tavern and Oddfellows. Chef is John Kleifgen, whose food will pair well with craft beer.

Themes

Studio Eighty is an '80s-themed club opened in Fort Worth on the corner of University and 5th in the spot formerly occupied by Sardine's Italian Ristorante. Landlord Louie Jacobini told DFW.com that the eventual goal is to become an '80s-themed supper club. For now, they've added ambience via posters from '80s-era films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Dirty Dancing, Bachelor Party, Raging Bull, Field of Dreams, and Valley Girl.

Theme-less

The Mason Bar, no relation to the mason jar, describes itself as an "Uptown bar with classic drinks and creative foods." It's from Brandt Wood, who once co-owned Trees, and who's partnered here with Martin Corboy, who owns McFadden's. The chef is David Anthony Temple. It'll open in January in an iconic Masonic Lodge in Uptown Dallas.

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