Fort Worth is known as Cowtown and Where the West Begins, but behind those folksy nicknames is the fifth-largest city in Texas, sixteenth-largest city in the US, and a nightlife as varied as its 800,000 citizens. As you search for the right tailor-made barstool to pull up next weekend, check out some of these picks for the best bars in the Panther City.
Tucked away on historic Camp Bowie Boulevard, hidden behind the facade of an old time gas station is Winslow's Wine Caf. Family-owned and operated, patrons can enjoy a peaceful ambiance on the portion of Camp Bowie that's still paved with brick and bursting with atmosphere.
4101 Camp Bowie
(817)546-6843
Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 75 Reviews
Right in the middle of Sundance Square is a unique bar decorating with flying saucers (plates on the walls, ceilings and more) all around and a long list of all-star patrons who've been inducted onto the Flying Saucer Honor Roll for most brews tried. The current record: 199 different brews tried. Think you can beat that? Head down on any weekend night and most week nights as well to listen to good music, have a great draught, and kick back with best friends.
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
111 E. Third
(817)336-7470
Yelp: 4 Stars, 343 Reviews
Head back downtown to catch a brew and the 'Boys or just about any other sport or sports team you can imagine when you patronize Frankie's Sports Bar Grill. Don't let the generous seating or availability of screens large and small fool you this popular place fills up fast when there are big games or races on the tube.
425 W. Third
(817)870-9090
Yelp: 3 Stars, 86 Reviews
It's not surprising that a tavern with the word whiskey right in its name would claim the top spot in this category. Tucked inside the Omni Hotel, Whiskey Rye caters equally well to locals and hotel guests. Not only can you catch a game or event on the big screen, you can simultaneously listen to local tunes on an intimate in-bar stage.
1300 Houston St.
(817)535-6664
Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 45 Reviews
Head over near the museum district in Fort Worth to meet your mates for an after-work drink at the Capital Bar. Located in historic Arlington Heights, this brewpub actually has 2 bars, regularly books popular local bands, and has an upstairs hangout area you'll never want to leave.
3017 Morton St.
(817)820-0049
Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 44 Reviews
Remember CD's Bar from Walker, Texas Ranger? Then walking into the White Elephant Saloon may feel like going home. Walker was filmed in this Fort Worth Stockyards bar and this charming location caters equally well to tourists and regulars. It's a bit of a dive, in an authentic Texas-charm way, but you'll find bartenders who can mix any drink you can name and an atmosphere unique to the Lone Star State.
106 E. Exchange
(817)624-1887
Yelp: 4 Stars, 56 Reviews
Want to go out and just order the usual? Or perhaps you'd prefer to taste pure perfection in a glass by letting your favorite bartender surprise you each time. Either way, The Usual is anything but. Every single drink you'll experience will be just that an experience. From old favorites and new drinks your mind may have a hard time imagining, The Usual offers variety, quality and a relaxing environment, to boot.
1408 W. Magnolia
(817)810-76104
Yelp: 4 Stars, 186 Reviews
In a city where nearly every other bar offers live music at least a portion of the time, Lola's Saloon leaps to the top spot by doing what everyone else doingbut just a whole lot better. Sit indoors or out, go with friends or even alone, but if you don't want to miss today's best local bands, you'll get thee to Lola's as fast as you can.
2736 W. Sixth
(817)877-0666
Yelp: 4 Stars, 58 Reviews
Downtown Fort Worth may not have a ton of outdoor real estate to lend to its nightlife, but the Houston St. Bar Patio maximizes its space by offering the best rooftop bar around. Between live music, tasty drinks and big screens up top offering a look at the big game, you'll not soon want to leave this pub.
902 Houston St.
(817)877-4727
Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 35 Reviews
The Chop House tops the list for most expensive and worth it both for drinks and dinners. Located just off Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth, the Chop House has meals and cocktails designed to melt in your mouth and keep you coming back for more. And more. And more. Some locals especially love going just for drinks and desserts a more cost effective way to afford the best without breaking the bank.
301 Main St.
(817)336-4129
Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 86 Reviews
A Great Notion may as well be named Cheers, because by the time you've made a few visits, everyone will know your name. Over by the Ridgmar Mall, this pub offers good brews at grew prices, weekend karaoke, and a friendly atmosphere you'll love to soak in.
2024 Ridgmar
(817)731-8521
Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 5 Reviews
No list of best bars in Fort Worth would be complete without including Billy Bob's. And since best country bar didn't make it as a topic of its own, we'll settle for nominating the World's Largest Honky-Tonk as the best day drinking spot in Cowtown. Where else can you go to watch a bull rider, enjoy both classic and contemporary stars on stage, and eat (and drink!) lunch with your out-of-town aunt, all in one place? Billy Bob's is iconic Fort Worth at its cheesiest and tastiest.
2520 Rodeo Plaza
(817)624-7117
Yelp: 3 Stars, 167 Reviews
While the Republic Street Bar isn't actually, you know, located on Republic Street (oh, geography), it packs a lot of punch in a small plot of real estate. Throw together a bit of a dive, a bit of a hometown pub, and a relaxed overall joint you'll soon call your own and you've got the Republic Street Bar a great place for a first date, last date or any date in between.
201 E. Hattie
(817)615-9360
Yelp: 4 Stars, 14 Reviews
Not all bars serve alcohol and that's why Fort Worthians love the Jamba Juice down in Sundance Square. Fun fact: this Jamba Juice location is just around the corner from its original spot in Sundance Square, a building long-regarded as one of the most haunted in the area. Good news: the new building may be short on ghosts but is long in flavorful drinks.
101 W. Third
(817)870-1001
Yelp: 5 Stars, 5 Reviews
Drinks, dresses and drag queens: this bar has it all and more. An uber-inclusive bar in an already-inclusive town, you'll have a great night in Fort Worth whether you start or end your night at Changes.
2637 E. Lancaster
(817)413-2332
Yelp: 4 Stars, 4 Reviews
Proper isn't the newest bar on the block (it's been open for a couple years now) but it looks to be the one with the most local staying power for newer establishments. Located on revitalized Magnolia Avenue, south of the hospital district, Proper mixes unique drinks and old favorites, young Millennials and experienced Boomers, and a contemporary atmosphere with just enough old-fashioned comfort thrown in.
409 W. Magnolia
(817)984-1133
Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 48 Reviews
