Historic taverndowntown
The Esquire Tavern downtown keeps the longest wooden bar in Texas upstairs and a cocktail room by the river below; a burger soaks up the drinks either way.
Signature drink: Cocktails at the longest wooden bar in Texas
Food: Burgers and bar snacks
Tip: Sit at the historic bar upstairs, then drop to the downstairs cocktail room by the river. A burger soaks up the drinks.
Cocktail and charity bareast-side
The Cherrity Bar near downtown's east side pairs craft cocktails and comfort food with a charity model, donating proceeds to rotating local causes.
Signature drink: Cocktails that fund local causes
Food: Vegan and comfort plates
Tip: Your tab supports a different local charity each cycle. The vegan kitchen and live-music nights make it a full evening.
Cocktail bardowntown
Double Standard is a downtown American tavern with a serious cocktail list, chef-crafted burgers and small bites, and fresh Texas oysters on ice.
Signature drink: Cocktails with burgers and Texas oysters
Food: Burgers, small bites, oysters
Tip: The cocktails come with a real kitchen behind them; the burger and oysters hold up. A reliable downtown option.
Speakeasy and live musicdowntown
Bar 414 is a downtown speakeasy stirring 1920s-style cocktails with house-made ingredients, named for the Gunter Hotel room where bluesman Robert Johnson recorded.
Signature drink: Prohibition-era cocktails with live jazz and blues
Food: Snacks
Tip: Named for Robert Johnson's Gunter Hotel recording room. Come for the live jazz and a properly stirred classic.
Restaurant barsouthtown
Liberty Bar is a genuine Southtown institution that is equal parts restaurant and bar, where the cocktails and the enchiladas both more than hold their own.
Signature drink: Cocktails with Tex-Mex and American plates
Food: Tex-Mex and American cuisine
Tip: Equal parts restaurant and bar; the cocktails and the enchiladas both deliver. A genuine Southtown institution.
Beer gardeneast-side
Burleson Yard Beer Garden is a big open east-side yard good for groups and dogs, pouring craft beer alongside whatever food truck is parked that day.
Signature drink: Craft beer in a converted yard
Food: Food-truck fare
Tip: Check which food truck is parked before you go. A big open yard that is good for groups and dogs.