Blame it on the ever-growing mocktail trend, or the hype of over-the-top concoctions seen on social media, but cocktails have become an art on par with finely plated haute cuisine. Dallas has its cocktail staples, like ranch water, palomas, and margaritas, but in recent years, the city has secured its place nationally as a mixed-drink destination. Both the James Beard Foundation and the Michelin Guide have recognized the city’s cocktail programs; heavy-hitter mixologists have left Los Angeles and New York to set up shop in Dallas’s bars; and sous vide, fermentation, milk washes, and the zero-waste ethos have become fairly common throughout the Metroplex.
Admittedly, the popularity of cocktail bars has meant rising cocktail prices, but this list will explain which splurges are worth it.
Bar Colette
Restaurateur brothers Henry and Brandon Cohanim know how to scout talent. For their West Village cocktail bar, they hired Rubén Rolón, formerly of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Miami, where he won the Michelin Guide’s 2022 Florida Exceptional Cocktails Award. Rolon performs a trick similar to that of the pianist who can hear a song once and play it by ear. If a dish like Tarte Tatin inspires him, he can mix up a cocktail that perfectly evokes its flavor. At Bar Colette, ingredients are hyper-seasonal, so there’s no bad day time of year to visit. But beware, even Rolon’s most popular concoctions won’t grace the menu forever. 3699 McKinney Ave. #306, Dallas, barcolette.com
The Branca Room
This alluring speakeasy transports drinkers to Argentina with its discreet red entry door in an alley, tight 12-cocktail list, and homemade amaros and vermouths. Because Argentina is home to the largest Italian population outside of Italy, Italian liquors, including Vermouth, a fortified wine from Turin; Amaro, a liqueur with ancient monastic roots; and Fernet, a type of Amaro that many Argentines mix with Coke, are popular in Buenos Aires and beyond. In the states, where Vermouth is incorporated more commonly in martinis, it’s rare to see such selections featured so heavily on a cocktail menu. Even the Branca Room’s take on a gin and tonic includes homemade Fernet. 324 W. Seventh St. Dallas, thebrancaroom.com
Ginger’s
Sean Kanyon, whose bar Williams & Graham in Denver was a finalist three times for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Bar Program award, created the cocktail program at this cool, subterranean spot. Ginger’s current bar lead is Eric Simmons, who offers well made classics, including a perfect Old Fashioned that pairs appropriately with the flickering candles and moody ambiance. Among the best offerings on the small menu are a couple of drinks made not with tequila or mezcal, but the far rarer agave spirit sotol. Try the unholy matrimony, crafted with sotol, sherry, and cynar, an earthy aperitif. 2115 Jackson St., Dallas, gingersdallas.com
Apothecary
The neighboring sister concept of Rye, on which the Michelin Guide bestowed its “Exceptional Cocktails” Award, Apothecary is a speakeasy complete with an unmarked door that pushes boundaries with its eccentric menu. This isn’t a place for drinkers in search of familiar, or even approachable cocktails; it’s for those who are open to drinks built with ingredients like peach smoke, duck confit-washed bourbon, butter curry, garlic, and even ceviche. Garnishes might include anything from glitter to caviar to scorpions. 1922 Greenville Ave., Dallas, apothecary.bar
Ghost Donkey
This bustling Mexican speakeasy, adjacent to the Mexican restaurant Palma in Deep Ellum, offers a tight list of tasty agave spirit cocktails with unique twists. The mezcal-based Oaxacan Beet, for example, incorporates actual beets, and another mezcal cocktail, La Chispa, mixes lemon, ginger beer, and mango shrub. 2625 Main St., Dallas, ghostdonkeydallas.com/
Saint Valentine
Three years after decade-old Deep Ellum institution Black Swan Saloon suffered a Covid closure, its owner and lead bartender Gabe Sanchez joined forces with Ryan Payne of Oak Cliff bar Tiny Victories to open Saint Valentine in East Dallas. With its vintage vibe and unique cocktail program, the bar was an instant hit. Whimsical garnishes, like a paper umbrella turned inside out as if caught in a storm, adorn cocktails that are approachable and carefully crafted. Saint Valentine’s signature cocktail is the refreshing space vato, made with mezcal, aperol, cucumber, lemon, papaya, and cilantro, served in a prayer-candle glass. 4800 Bryan St., Dallas
Musume at The Star
Even if you don’t go for a full dinner at this Japanese restaurant in the Star, reserve a couple of plush seats on the sprawling outdoor patio and enjoy cocktails that incorporate a deep Japanese whisky list and one of the widest sake selections in North Texas. The cocktail menu, created in part by famed Dallas bartender Gabe Sanchez of Black Swan and Midnight Rambler, includes a short rib fat-washed Old-Fashioned derived from the short ribs on the dinner menu. 3625 The Star Blvd. Ste. 315, Frisco, musumedallas.com
Thompson’s Bookstore
Some of the best cocktails in Fort Worth are coming out of this four-floor library-themed bar, where one bookshelf is actually a door (and you’ll need the password to walk through it.) The couches are plush and cozy, and the cigar lounge doubles as an event space. Many of the cocktails are maximalist affairs, like the absinthe-based Sipping Sideways, mixed with hazelnut liqueur, A&W root beer, simple syrup, lemon juice, and pumpkin seeds. 900 Houston St., Fort Worth, thompsons-bookstore.com/
Catbird
On the ninth floor of the Thompson Hotel, this trendy spot with epic city views and tasty pan-Asian bar bites is serving up some of the most interesting drinks in the city. The ever-rotating cocktail menu incorporates unusual ingredients like Greek yogurt, onion brine, and toasted rice rum. The earthy, savory Mushrooms in Manhattan cocktail combines maitake-infused bourbon, Vermouth, homemade bitters, and miso spray. 1401 Elm St., Dallas, catbirddallas.com/
Billy Can Can
This elegant steakhouse and saloon boasts one of the deepest bourbon selections in Dallas—not to mention an impressive list of agave spirits. The cocktail list makes use of it all in lively and creative ways. Grab a seat at the bar and order the refreshing Sonora Showdown: mezcal, tequila, and lime mixed with tepache, a fermented Mexican pineapple drink that’s made in-house. Pair it with an order of rock shrimp aguachile. 2386 Victory Park Ln., billycancan.com/
The Tipsy Alchemist
At the Tipsy Alchemist, expect your drinks to involve flames, billowing smoke that smells like autumn, lightbulb glasses, or “nitrogen” pomegranate seeds. That’s because this place is all about the scientific side of cocktail-making, or at least, there seems to be a science-experiment theme to the drink-making. And the experiments are successful. The bright purple mezcal-based Jewel of the Night comes garnished with a dehydrated pear and torched cinnamon. 2101 Cedar Springs Rd. r125, Dallas, tipsydtx.com/
Bowen House
Set in a 19th century farmhouse in Uptown, this cocktail bar is so beloved that you might not want to run the risk of heading over without a reservation. Don’t be afraid to order in a vague way: Just tell the bartender what kinds of cocktails you generally like and be prepared to receive the drink of your dreams. If you don’t mind a little kick, try the Spacecaster: cayenne-pepita-infused bourbon, maple syrup, bitters, and demerara. 2614 Boll St., Dallas, bowenhousetx.com/
Mister Charles
When the Michelin Guide arrived in Texas for the first time, it added this swanky fine-dining restaurant to its list. When the Guide returned for the second time, Mister Charles won the 2025 Texas Exceptional Cocktails Award. At Mister Charles, go for the classics, like martinis, Old-Fashioneds, and French 75s, and expect the most balanced, top-shelf interpretations. 3219 Knox St. Ste. 170, Dallas, themistercharles.com/
Midnight Rambler
In the basement of the Joule Hotel, this chic cocktail bar rakes in accolades. The lights are dim, the vibe is moody, and Dallas celebrity cocktail guru Gabe Sanchez is behind the unique menu. Try the Cuffs and Buttons: spiced bourbon, stone fruit, acacia honey, Creole bitters, and orange zest. 1530 Main St. Ste. 100, Dallas, thejouledallas.com/midnight-rambler
