Paul Kushner
Take an exciting journey of Fort Worth’s thriving nightlife as we present the best places to drink in the city. Situated in the center of Texas, Fort Worth’s bar scene presents a distinctive fusion of urban charm and Western hospitality. From well-known saloons in the Stockyards to hip lounges in Sundance Square, our carefully chosen list helps you discover the various tastes and ambiances that characterize each place. Enjoy locally brewed beer, indulge in handcrafted cocktails, and become fully immersed in the vibrant cultural fabric that permeates the entire city. Come explore the top bars that embody the spirit of Fort Worth’s friendly hospitality and Texan flare. Toast to many more Cowtown nights to remember.
The Rabbit Hole Pub
3237 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 744-7160
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The Rabbit Hole Pub is a philanthropy-driven, friendly University Park neighborhood pub (a 5-minute drive from West 7th). They offer multiple events, including music bingo on Wednesday nights at 7:00 and a monthly vendor fair featuring 40 local artisans. They are also known for their daily specials, the famous Chef Taco food truck that is permanent, and the eclectic decor including Alice in Wonderland themed murals painted by Murals by Svetlana. They have a respectable list of draft beer, wine, and reasonably priced cocktails. If you like sweet cocktails, I recommend the Butterscotch Lemondrop.
Thompson’s Bookstore
900 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 882-8003
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Another popular downtown destination, Thompson’s Bookstore is a library-themed speakeasy in the historic Vybek building. The cozy, vintage-chic space will transport you to the 20s, winning the 2022 vote for the best cocktail lounge by Fort Worth Magazine. The cocktail menu is as classic as they come, using the finest spirits and scratch-made mixers. I had a Bramble with bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Proper
409 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 984-1133
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Located in an edgy, rustic-chic space in Fort Worth’s Near Southside, Proper is a contemporary American cocktail bar with an impressive craft cocktail menu. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but its relaxed, lowkey atmosphere and stellar drinks make Proper a hidden gem. They have an extensive selection of cocktails and spirits with a small selection of beer, wine, and snacks. I loved their blueberry vodka Magpie cocktail.
The Basement Bar
105 W Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164
(800) 328-7448
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If you’re looking for the ultimate cowboy experience, look no further than the Basement Bar overlooking the famous Fort Worth Stockyards. The Basement Bar is a rowdy, beer pub covered in autographed dollar bills, with live country music and an old-school jukebox. Basement Bar is a Fort Worth fixture, voted the oldest Fort Worth Bar. No frills beers and cheap cocktails abound. I recommend the Texas favorite, a can of Lone Star.
Whiskey & Rye
1300 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 350-4105
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Located inside the lovely Omni Hotel Forth Worth, Whiskey & Rye is a cowboy-chic sports bar voted Best Place to Watch the Game by Fort Worth Magazine. In addition to multiple HD TVs playing every sports game, they also have live music and billiards. The menu features Texas-inspired snacks and meals with a Texas-sized selection of draft beers, wine, and craft cocktails. I went for a Whiskey spiked Michelada with a plate of nachos.
The Amber Room
334 Bryan Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 945-2433
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The Amber Room is a Texas-style speakeasy in a hidden space that only those in the know can access. Located inside a Near Southside restaurant, The Amber Room has exposed brick walls, Persian rugs, mismatched vintage furniture, and chandeliers. The cocktail list is as stunning as the atmosphere, with imaginative, cultural takes on classics. I loved the Aztec Old Fashioned with chocolate bitters, cherry syrup, and rye whiskey.
The Post at River East
2925 Race St, Fort Worth, TX 76111
(817) 945-8890
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The Post is a classy and rustic communal dining space, music venue, and cocktail bar in River East. All meals and cocktails are seasonal and scratch-made, taking inspiration from the Southwest and Texas barbecue traditions. The cocktail list is a mix of tropical and spicy, with items like the Pink Panther Tiki and, my personal favorite, the Habanero Mule.
Bathtub Gin’s Jam Lounge
2500 E 4th St, Fort Worth, TX 76111
(817) 222-9500
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Known affectionately as The Tub, Bathtub Gin’s Jam Lounge is a dive bar in United Riverside a block from the West Fork Trinity River. The dingy interior has pool tables and a rowdy atmosphere, offering cheap drinks and nightly specials. I went dressed in glitter for their Prom Not Prom Night. They have a rotating list of food trucks parked out back to soak up one too many well drinks.
The Mad Hatter
706 Carroll St, Fort Worth, TX 76107
(682) 703-2148
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The Mad Hatter is a 7th Street district favorite for the cheapest drinks in a quirky, no-frills neighborhood bar. In honor of the creative Cultural District in which it lies, The Mad Hatter always has a diverse clientele and a unique lineup of unbeatable drink specials to pair with various forms of entertainment. I went for three-dollar Tito’s drinks.
Nickel City
212 S Main St Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76104
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Located in the Historic Southside, Nickel City is an award-winning cocktail bar and gastropub, receiving praise from Esquire, Spirited Awards, and TimeOut. The hip yet casual industrial-chic atmosphere always has the best soundtracks and a fun atmosphere. In addition to an extensive cocktail menu and a long list of draft and bottled beer, they offer some of the best burgers and hot dogs in town. I loved their frozen Orange Whip cocktail that’s a dollar cheaper if it’s above 99 degrees outside!
Winchester Tavern
903 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 501-1850
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Winchester Tavern is an English pub and billiards room with a laid-back and inviting atmosphere in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. It’s got a hole-in-the-wall appeal that’s always jam-packed with patrons. In English Tavern fashion, you’ll find a wide range of whiskey, British-inspired cocktails, and a rotating taproom list with classics like Guinness alongside local brews.
Why should you trust us?
We use our own local experience and contacts in the city to know which places to include in our lists. We also researched the web and read 6 reputable blogs and websites, including tripadvisor.com, dfwi.org, fortworth.com, star-telegram.com, fortworth.culturemap.com and blacklandfw.com. So that you can be sure you’re receiving the best of the best. We compiled all the results in one spot and ranked them according to how frequently they were referenced.
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