Cocktails, wine bars and dives: drinking in Fort Worth for grown-ups.
Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Fort Worth for grown-ups.
White Elephant Saloon in Fort Worth's Historic Stockyards pours cold beers and Texas whiskey alongside live country music every night of the week.
Order: Lone Star longneck; the house margarita on the rocks.
Tip: 21 and over after 19:00 daily. Arrive before 20:00 on weekends to secure a good spot near the stage.
Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth holds the Guinness record as the world's largest honky-tonk, with 40 bar stations and live bull riding on weekends.
Order: Frozen margarita at the bar; a Shiner Bock by the indoor rodeo arena.
Tip: Arrive before the headlining act sells out on Friday and Saturday nights. The indoor rodeo runs Fri-Sat around 21:00.
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Fort Worth downtown pours over 200 beers on draught and in bottle beneath its famous suspended saucer collection.
Order: The rotating Texas craft tap; the UFO Platter sampler of five beers.
Tip: Happy hour runs Tuesday to Friday 15:00 to 18:00. The back patio catches afternoon shade nicely.
The Usual is a cocktail bar on Fort Worth Magnolia Avenue with a rotating menu of well-made classics and signature drinks in a relaxed neighbourhood setting.
Order: The house negroni; the seasonal sour with local citrus.
Tip: The small bar fills quickly on Thursday nights. Weekday visits from 16:00 to 19:00 are the quietest window for conversation.
Proper on Fort Worth Magnolia Avenue has poured expertly crafted classic and signature cocktails since 2014 in a casual, welcoming neighbourhood lounge.
Order: The Paper Plane; whichever seasonal signature is on the chalkboard.
Tip: Happy hour runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday to Friday from 16:00 to 19:00. Closed Tuesdays.
The Bearded Lady in Fort Worth South Main is a dog-friendly gastropub with a large covered patio, rotating Texas craft taps, and a solid pub food menu.
Order: One of the rotating local Texas taps; the smash burger with fries.
Tip: The large patio is a great afternoon spot. Closed Mondays year-round.
Wicked Butcher at Fort Worth Sinclair Hotel pairs a polished lobby bar with an upscale American dining room, drawing professionals for cocktails and steaks.
Order: The smoked old fashioned; the craft gin and tonic with house bitters.
Tip: The bar lobby is open from early morning for coffee service. Evening cocktail hour tends to draw a post-work crowd from nearby offices.
The Social House in Fort Worth West 7th serves upscale-casual American food alongside a full bar, popular for weekend brunch and late-night cocktails.
Order: The smoked margarita; the craft cocktail of the week at the main bar.
Tip: Brunch on Saturday and Sunday starts at 10:00 and fills quickly. Parking in the West 7th garage is free for a few hours with validation.
Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth pairs first-run films on four screens with a canteen bar, food trucks, and live music on weekend evenings under the open sky.
Order: Frazil frozen drink; the wagyu sliders from the canteen menu.
Tip: Gates open at 18:30 on weeknights and 18:00 on weekends. Arrive early to get the best screen-front spot and grab food before showtime.
The Library Bar in downtown Fort Worth is a college-themed dive with sports screens, pool tables, arcade games, and evening karaoke, open daily until 02:00.
Order: A bottle of Lone Star; the house whiskey shot during happy hour.
Tip: Karaoke nights draw big crowds mid-week. Street parking on Houston St is metered until 22:00 and free afterwards.
Reata in Fort Worth downtown near Bass Performance Hall serves Texas ranch-cuisine cocktails at a polished bar drawing theatergoers and business diners alike.
Order: The West Texas martini; the pecan-smoked old fashioned with local rye.
Tip: The bar is the best spot for solo dining on the full menu. Reserve a table for the dining room if visiting on performance nights near Bass Hall.
Curfew in downtown Fort Worth is a cocktail bar and speakeasy with late-night pizza, resident DJs, and a dance floor popular among local nightlife crowds.
Order: The house signature cocktail; the late-night pizza to accompany a second round.
Tip: Reservations are accepted and recommended on Friday and Saturday nights when the dance floor gets going around 22:00.
Little Red Wasp in Fort Worth downtown Sundance area is a kitchen and bar with a straightforward menu, solid draught beer list, and all-day happy hour daily.
Order: The house beer selection on draught; the brunch cocktail on weekends.
Tip: Happy hour runs 16:00 to 18:00 daily with $5 drafts and wells. Weekend brunch starts at 10:00 with bottomless options.
Refinery 714 is a penthouse whiskey bar on the 24th floor of the Kimpton Harper in Fort Worth, with panoramic skyline views and a polished spirits programme.
Order: The whiskey flight from the deep spirits list; the Tipsy on 24 house cocktail.
Tip: Sunset visits from 19:00 to 20:00 offer the best light for skyline views. Dress smartly as the hotel bar maintains a relaxed but polished atmosphere.
The Magnolia Wine Bar on Fort Worth Magnolia Avenue is a neighbourhood spot with a well-chosen bottle list, tasting events, and one of the best patios.
Order: The curated glass pour of the week; the charcuterie and cheese board.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The events calendar fills fast for Friday tastings, so check their website before visiting on the weekend.
Pour Decisions in Fort Worth West 7th is a two-floor sports bar and patio spot known for wings, craft beer, and a lively late-night atmosphere on weekends.
Order: The smoked wings with house sauce; the craft beer on draught during the game.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. The second-floor experience opens on busy weekend nights and is the liveliest section of the venue.
Branch and Bird in Fort Worth Frost Tower Sky Lobby is a smart contemporary bar and restaurant on an upper floor with well-made cocktails and city views.
Order: The cocktail of the month; the contemporary shareables paired with a glass pour.
Tip: Happy hour runs Tuesday to Friday from 16:00 to 18:00. The venue closes Sunday and the dinner menu runs Tuesday onwards.
Atlas on Fort Worth South Main is a cocktail bar with globally inspired drinks and elevated bites, open late most nights in a compact and welcoming space.
Order: The globally inspired house cocktail; the elevated small plates from the kitchen.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Weekend opening on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 makes it one of the few South Main options for afternoon cocktails.
Lot 12 Rooftop Bar near TCU in Fort Worth pours craft cocktails and cold beers on an open-air rooftop deck above the Berry Street strip with game-day energy.
Order: The frozen cocktail on the rooftop deck; the house-made guacamole with chips.
Tip: Hours shift for TCU game days, so call ahead on home-game weekends. The rooftop is exposed to heat in summer; evening visits from 19:00 are cooler.
Longhorn Saloon on West Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth Historic Stockyards is one of the oldest Western bars on the strip, with live country music and dancing.
Order: Cold Lone Star longneck; a shot of Texas whiskey at the long wooden bar.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Live bands take the stage most Friday and Saturday evenings from around 21:00.
Neon Moon Saloon in Fort Worth Stockyards is a weekend-only dance bar drawing crowds for country line dancing and DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights.
Order: A bucket of longnecks for the dance floor; the frozen margarita at the side bar.
Tip: Open Friday and Saturday only. Arrive before 21:00 to avoid long entry lines on Saturday nights when the venue hits capacity.
PR's Saloon in Fort Worth Stockyards has served late-night beers and shots in a no-frills Western saloon setting since 1980, closing near dawn on weekends.
Order: A cold can of domestic beer; a tequila shot at the no-frills bar counter.
Tip: Doors open at 21:00 Thursday and Sunday and 20:00 Friday and Saturday. The crowd peaks after midnight on weekends when other venues begin to wind down.
Stockyard Saloon on N Main in Fort Worth Stockyards is a neighbourhood dive with pool tables, dart boards, flat screens, and a weekly karaoke programme.
Order: A cheap beer at the bar; a game of pool on one of the back tables.
Tip: Karaoke on Friday nights pulls a fun mixed crowd. The saloon also runs Service Industry Day on Mondays and Ladies Day on Wednesdays.
Star's Basement Bar in Fort Worth Stockyards sits beneath the historic Exchange Avenue boardwalk, with live country music and a casual crowd most nights.
Order: A longneck bottle of Shiner; the well whiskey with soda during happy hour.
Tip: The only bar physically underground in the Stockyards. Gets noticeably cooler than street-level bars in summer, which makes it a good midday refuge.
Rodeo Exchange in Fort Worth Stockyards offers free dance lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays and live country bands through Saturday in a classic Western hall.
Order: A cold Bud Light longneck; join the free line-dancing lessons before the band starts.
Tip: Free two-step lessons start at 19:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays before the main show. One of the better places in Fort Worth to learn line dancing for free.