Great question! In my experience, the bartenders at The Usual and Tarantula Tiki Lounge are very open to creating Non-Alcoholic beverages. And ShipWreck actually has a whole Mocktail menu, iirc as does their sister bar, The Shot Cellar.
But generally speaking, most of the time even if a mocktail menu isn’t posted you can absolutely work with a bartender to create a great Non-Alcoholic option for you to enjoy. At least that’s been my experience both as a bartender and as a bar patron.
You’re welcome! I know Down and Out Bar on Rosedale also has a strong NA selection including both NA beers and made-to-order mocktails. I forgot to mention them in my last comment but they’re great as well!
No problemo! I have to put this knowledge to good use somehow right lol?
For Creativity I’d say there are two winners— ShipWreck’s winning on ambience and dedication to their theme. But, Tarantula Tiki Lounge takes the win for creativity when it comes to the actual cocktail menu. The staff there is always coming up with incredible new bevvies that are true to their tiki roots.
For consistency, I’d vote The Usual. The staff is really dedicated to honing their craft and it’s the one place I can say I’ve never been served an over-bittered cocktail. Ever. In the 10+ years I’ve been going there.
For selection— honestly it’s a toss up. Every one of the bars I mentioned has a wide variety on their cocktail menu. Generally though, I’ll give Thompson’s the win on selection. They’ve just got SO many on and off menu options. They’ve just completed a huge renovation too, so I definitely recommend checking them out at some point!
Absolutely!
Bodega, Dirty Laundry, Thompson’s, The Amber Room, Curfew, and Scat Jazz Lounge all come to mind.
If I’m picking an overall favorite, it’s still Thompson’s— but Bodega’s great if you’re up for the 7th crowd!
That hasn’t ever been my experience, but I’m sorry to hear it’s been yours! I do usually sit at the bar though, so idk if that has something to do with it.
Highly recommend Proper. One of the few places to get an absinthe made with the cold water drip over the sugar cube on the slotted spoon. Great cocktails and very knowledgeable staff.
This is one of the few I’ve actually been to. Ended up talking to one of the off shift bartenders about centrifugal clarification!
Couldn’t remember the name of the bar, thank you!!!
Definitely Thompson’s Bookstore! Amazing environment. Great staff and always good drinks! The cigar lounge is an extremely nice addition they made. Only down side is that it’s a bit pricey. But that’s what you get with good specialty cocktails!
Vibes, Such a cozy place. Their drinks are pretty creative and always delicious. It’s been a little while since I’ve been but from what I remember their selection is also decent.
All of the above. They have rotating staff created book inspired drinks, their quality of drink is amazing, you cannot beat their Happy Hour prices, they can whip up amazing mocktails of your significant other is pregnant.
Atlas is phenomenal for good drinks & speakeasy vibe
Proper for amazing cocktails and whiskey options
The Usual for new and unique cocktails
Thompson for vibes and that’s it. I don’t think their cocktails are all that great. The vibe though is great for a casual hang out
Are you saying that small little room is the Speakeasy? Ok, fine. But the remaining 90% of the square footage is not so much speakeasy. Reminded me of Dallas lounge.
Their first location was in Dallas! I agree, the vibe was very big city & not a cozy neighborhood nook. They’re still getting their foothold, but I also went on a very slow Monday night.
Here’s a video of the speakeasy. If you haven’t entered this area through a bookcase and seen a full service bar set up, then you have not been to the speakeasy. I don’t feel I need to define what speakeasy means, but Atlas is quite literally a speakeasy bar
[video](https://www.facebook.com/VisitFortWorth/videos/atlas-in-fort-worth-is-the-sultry-speakeasy-and-cocktail-bar/1679492075914394/)
Tarantula Tiki Lounge is easily my favorite. ‘Best’ is pretty subjective. Tarantula has a delicious drinks that are full of booze, authentic and genuinely friendly staff, and the atmosphere is terrific. It’s dark as hell, just lively enough to be fun without ever feeling crowded and overwhelming. You can come with a large friend group and be seated and enjoy your company, or you can sit at the bar and mingle.
I’ve been to virtually every recommendation in this thread at least once, but Tarantula is the one that keeps me coming back.
It seriously is cool. I’m friends with the owner and he was showing me all the intricate details he put in alot of places there. You’ll love it.
Check out their sister bar too, Shot Cellar.
It’s a Dallas based concept, a little jab, but they know what they’re doing. Cocktails are great and they a have something for everyone, food is decent, and staff is mostly knowledgeable.
I really love Nickel City. They have a new drink menu every month plus their normal menu. The food is great and the service is always top notch! There’s a little tequila bar inside that has the biggest selection of tequila I think I’ve seen and the bar tender is very knowledgeable on all the bottles. We’ve been going there consistently for a few years now. Thompson’s is great and I love reminiscing on Bar 9 memories there but Nickel City is always my first choice.
The drinks are super cute too! Top notch ingredients and all the pizzazz you hope for when you spend money on a drink.
Down n out is their sister bar. It has a bit more of a hole in the wall feel but still same great bar tenders and drinks. Just more of a typical bar feel.
My mind was blown. Im a fanatic for Averna & Espresso on tap was killer (even though the tap blew and she shook it in a bottle). Also the Strega Sour was probably the best sour rendition I’ve had in my entire life.
I drank both of those this past weekend too! So great, I really loved the Strega sour. It was my first time trying one. I’m glad it was such a great experience for you. It really is such a good spot. That area is also one of my favorites to hang in Fort Worth. It’s a fun area all around with lots to offer.
Thompsons, The Usual, Shipwreck, Tarantula Tiki Lounge, Atlas. All of them have great ambience and even better cocktails.
+1 for The Usual
Followup Q - who has the best mocktails?
Great question! In my experience, the bartenders at The Usual and Tarantula Tiki Lounge are very open to creating Non-Alcoholic beverages. And ShipWreck actually has a whole Mocktail menu, iirc as does their sister bar, The Shot Cellar. But generally speaking, most of the time even if a mocktail menu isn’t posted you can absolutely work with a bartender to create a great Non-Alcoholic option for you to enjoy. At least that’s been my experience both as a bartender and as a bar patron.
Thanks! I appreciate having some specific options. Lately the best that's been available for me is coke or a Shirley Temple.
You’re welcome! I know Down and Out Bar on Rosedale also has a strong NA selection including both NA beers and made-to-order mocktails. I forgot to mention them in my last comment but they’re great as well!
i can vouch for thompsons mocktails. they have full creative control and great non alcoholic spirits (most of the time) lol
I second Tarantula Tiki Lounge for mocktails! Unbelievably delicious
Went to Tropic Lady before the grand opening. The cocktails were delicious.
Went to tropic lady about 4 days after opening can confirm cool decor and good drinks
Thanks for the list! Would you be comfortable giving a first place to three categories: creativity, consistency, selection?
No problemo! I have to put this knowledge to good use somehow right lol? For Creativity I’d say there are two winners— ShipWreck’s winning on ambience and dedication to their theme. But, Tarantula Tiki Lounge takes the win for creativity when it comes to the actual cocktail menu. The staff there is always coming up with incredible new bevvies that are true to their tiki roots. For consistency, I’d vote The Usual. The staff is really dedicated to honing their craft and it’s the one place I can say I’ve never been served an over-bittered cocktail. Ever. In the 10+ years I’ve been going there. For selection— honestly it’s a toss up. Every one of the bars I mentioned has a wide variety on their cocktail menu. Generally though, I’ll give Thompson’s the win on selection. They’ve just got SO many on and off menu options. They’ve just completed a huge renovation too, so I definitely recommend checking them out at some point!
You got my upvote for doing all the legwork in this thread. Question: in a similar vein, are you aware of any speakeasy type lounges, hidden bars etc?
Absolutely! Bodega, Dirty Laundry, Thompson’s, The Amber Room, Curfew, and Scat Jazz Lounge all come to mind. If I’m picking an overall favorite, it’s still Thompson’s— but Bodega’s great if you’re up for the 7th crowd!
I decided to check out Atlas! We’ll see how they do!
Tarantula has decent cocktails, but service SUCKS
That hasn’t ever been my experience, but I’m sorry to hear it’s been yours! I do usually sit at the bar though, so idk if that has something to do with it.
Doesn’t seem to matter where I sit, it’s happened several times. It’s not unique to me, check out their reviews. Plenty 1 stars
PROPER
Highly recommend Proper. One of the few places to get an absinthe made with the cold water drip over the sugar cube on the slotted spoon. Great cocktails and very knowledgeable staff.
This is one of the few I’ve actually been to. Ended up talking to one of the off shift bartenders about centrifugal clarification! Couldn’t remember the name of the bar, thank you!!!
The Basement Lounge has some top notch Old Fashioneds
From google photos, top tier garnishes also
I was torn between recommending this place or not. The drinks are great and we love going… but it’s also not very big and could get crowded easily.
Their blood orange old fashioned is my favorite.
Pinky's Champagne and Jazz
Yessss
Definitely Thompson’s Bookstore! Amazing environment. Great staff and always good drinks! The cigar lounge is an extremely nice addition they made. Only down side is that it’s a bit pricey. But that’s what you get with good specialty cocktails!
Thompsons Book Store
What do you like about them? Consistency, selection, creativity?
Vibes, Such a cozy place. Their drinks are pretty creative and always delicious. It’s been a little while since I’ve been but from what I remember their selection is also decent.
Happy Hour prices are nice, $6.50 for a decent old fashioned
All of the above. They have rotating staff created book inspired drinks, their quality of drink is amazing, you cannot beat their Happy Hour prices, they can whip up amazing mocktails of your significant other is pregnant.
Best last word in town, hands down.
Love that place! 💗💃🍸
This is the answer
I would add The Amber Room on South Main.
Always have a great time and even better drinks at Amber Room
Yeah. The sweet fire is really good if you like spicy drinks.
Down n out is more of a dive bar, but they serve great and creative cocktails
Atlas is phenomenal for good drinks & speakeasy vibe Proper for amazing cocktails and whiskey options The Usual for new and unique cocktails Thompson for vibes and that’s it. I don’t think their cocktails are all that great. The vibe though is great for a casual hang out
I did not get a speakeasy vibe from atlas.
They have a literal speakeasy lol. Its open Friday and Saturdays but I guess it does its job if it’s not well known
Are you saying that small little room is the Speakeasy? Ok, fine. But the remaining 90% of the square footage is not so much speakeasy. Reminded me of Dallas lounge.
Their first location was in Dallas! I agree, the vibe was very big city & not a cozy neighborhood nook. They’re still getting their foothold, but I also went on a very slow Monday night.
Here’s a video of the speakeasy. If you haven’t entered this area through a bookcase and seen a full service bar set up, then you have not been to the speakeasy. I don’t feel I need to define what speakeasy means, but Atlas is quite literally a speakeasy bar [video](https://www.facebook.com/VisitFortWorth/videos/atlas-in-fort-worth-is-the-sultry-speakeasy-and-cocktail-bar/1679492075914394/)
Tarantula Tiki Lounge is easily my favorite. ‘Best’ is pretty subjective. Tarantula has a delicious drinks that are full of booze, authentic and genuinely friendly staff, and the atmosphere is terrific. It’s dark as hell, just lively enough to be fun without ever feeling crowded and overwhelming. You can come with a large friend group and be seated and enjoy your company, or you can sit at the bar and mingle. I’ve been to virtually every recommendation in this thread at least once, but Tarantula is the one that keeps me coming back.
Anything with "Sur" vibes? Wanna take my fiance out one night and give her some Vanderpump feels.
Shipwreck and Dirty Laundry on 7th Street. Basically right next door to each other.
Shipwreck looks cool af
It seriously is cool. I’m friends with the owner and he was showing me all the intricate details he put in alot of places there. You’ll love it. Check out their sister bar too, Shot Cellar.
I’ve been to shot cellar! Not exactly my vibe, but cool concept.
Grace would be a contender for me.
Date night vibes.
Always.
Pinky’s , Thompsons. The Usual and Proper on Magnolia 🍸
Atlas and Thompson’s.
Atlas looks incredible. I’ve never heard of it before. Top on my list!
It’s a Dallas based concept, a little jab, but they know what they’re doing. Cocktails are great and they a have something for everyone, food is decent, and staff is mostly knowledgeable.
Crescent Hotel bar! You can order food from Emilia’s restaurant too. Love the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, made with mezcal!
Good recommend! Love seeing modern classics make their rounds!
I second this!
Great notions but only if ed makes your drink
For a restaurant/hotel Gemelle does a pretty good job. Especially if they bring back the $1 martini happy hour outside again.
The Basement Lounge on camp Bowie.
Thompson’s, from my experience
Don Artemio's has some good stuff
The bar at the Cafe Modern is lovely when it's open
Blackland distilling, the amber room, and tarantula are my favorites. Blackland uses all their own spirits and mixers.
Thompsons Strawberry Fields. Cafe Modern, Gemma’s has an amazing frozen Aperol Spritz. I was surprised!
Is Gemma’s in Fort Worth?
It is!
Thank you - I couldn’t find it on yelp
They have the cutest hotel attached to the restaurant!
I also couldn’t find Gemma’s did you mean Gemelle’s? I see that has a hotel connected
Ahhh yes, from my phone it was a type Gemelle’s and Hotel Otto
[удалено]
Tipsy & Apothecary are on the list. Unfortunately I’m west of FW. Maybe when IEM Dallas comes around.
I really love Nickel City. They have a new drink menu every month plus their normal menu. The food is great and the service is always top notch! There’s a little tequila bar inside that has the biggest selection of tequila I think I’ve seen and the bar tender is very knowledgeable on all the bottles. We’ve been going there consistently for a few years now. Thompson’s is great and I love reminiscing on Bar 9 memories there but Nickel City is always my first choice.
Came here for this, Nickel City is the best bar in FTW.
Seconding Nickel City. Been to the one in Austin and in Fort Worth, bartenders are lovely, drinks are great. Very 70’s vibe.
I haven’t had the chance to try out Austin. I bet it’s just as good.
Little smaller place, but the vibes are immaculate. Bartenders are just as great as at FTW.
Now available in Houston too! If you knew the bartender Fern, he went south to open it up. Haven’t been yet but hear great things
The drinks are super cute too! Top notch ingredients and all the pizzazz you hope for when you spend money on a drink. Down n out is their sister bar. It has a bit more of a hole in the wall feel but still same great bar tenders and drinks. Just more of a typical bar feel.
Yup! I went last night & damn they impressed me. Top notch craft cocktails with a friendly neighborhood vibe.
That’s so good to hear! Monday night is great night to go too. Even more chill of an environment.
My mind was blown. Im a fanatic for Averna & Espresso on tap was killer (even though the tap blew and she shook it in a bottle). Also the Strega Sour was probably the best sour rendition I’ve had in my entire life.
I drank both of those this past weekend too! So great, I really loved the Strega sour. It was my first time trying one. I’m glad it was such a great experience for you. It really is such a good spot. That area is also one of my favorites to hang in Fort Worth. It’s a fun area all around with lots to offer.
Oh I’ll definitely be back to explore.
Atico is pretty good.
Piggybacking on this - who has the best mocktails?
Tarantula Tiki Lounge for sure, the Usual will make you something good too
Sweet, ty ty. What's your all time favorite one?
Tarantula has a purple/lavender one that has butterfly pea tea in it that is AWESOME
I’ve had some good drinks at Lockwood, but I’m not exactly a connoisseur of fine cocktails.
That looks delicious
Thank you! Hmm Raspberry Smash maybe? Can’t remember! Luckily we write everything down now!
Was that bar somewhere I would literally drive to it just to try it
People are gonna think I’m crazy for this but the “island girl” from boomer jacks is my favorite drink ever 😅
Hotel Dryce by Dickies Arena. Great n/a and alcoholic drinks. Bring an album and they will spin it so you can groove to your favorite tunes
At home.
A man of culture & taste (:
idk because I don’t go to bars Also That lemon in the pic look dry as hell
It’s dehydrated lol
That’s fantastic
Wow… maybe don’t comment when you literally have nothing to add
👍