My Bartender
Once an important trading outpost for cowboys and Central Texas ranchers, Fort Worth maintains its cowboy allure with the National Cowgirl Museum and Rodeos at the Forth Worth Stockyards.
Fort Worth has also updated its cultural offerings to include art museums and hip, edgy neighborhoods full of wonderful restaurants and bars.
I went to Fort Worth in search of great drinks and creative atmospheres. I found a variety of bars to enjoy a night out. Read on to explore my list of the best bars in Fort Worth.
The Rabbit Hole Pub
3237 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Phone: (817) 744-7160
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 882-8003
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 984-1133
Visit Website
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
Phone: (800) 328-7448
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 350-4105
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 945-2433
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 945-8890
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 222-9500
Visit Website
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
Phone: (682) 703-2148
Visit Website
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
Visit Website
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
Phone: (817) 501-1850
Visit Website
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.
Final Thoughts
The best bars in Fort Worth offer a range of atmospheres, from dive bars to classy speakeasies. They all honor Texas, whether it’s through their specialty cocktails, food, or décor.
After a night of bar hopping, let me know in the comments which Fort Worth bar was your favorite below.
Best Bars in Fort Worth, Texas
- The Rabbit Hole Pub
- Thompson’s Bookstore
- Proper
- The Basement Bar
- Whiskey & Rye
- The Amber Room
- The Post at River East
- Bathtub Gin’s Jam Lounge
- The Mad Hatter
- Nickel City
- Winchester Tavern
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings