Author Archives: Susie O

Muddy Waters

This Dallas legend has been around for quite a while and is a bastion of the Dallas local music scene. If you ask any of the guys from the Local Yokel show, this is one of the places in Dallas you MUST go … just so you can say you’ve been.

The night we went, we sadly didn’t do our homework; it was open mic night. No one was playing when we were there but a DJ was setting up (it looked like it would have been entertaining to stay!). So, we did the next best thing and fed our dollar bills to the jukebox and played a few rounds of pool.

The drinks were pretty misleading … I had a few and was quite festive though I thought they tasted weak. The drinks were so misleading that I felt confident enough to order jambalaya (very out of the ordinary for this girl!) when we ventured over to Alligator Cafe to grab a bite when we discovered Muddy Waters didn’t have any food offerings.

The bartender was efficient and the regulars were bizarre to say the least (and one was a bit smelly). This wouldn’t be a bad place to grab a round of pool or listen to a great local band … try it sometime.

Muddy Waters
1518 Greenville Avenue | Dallas, TX 75206-7413
(214) 823-1518

A Pearl of a Place

After a bite and a few drinks at Angry Dog, our group ventured into The Pearl on Commerce. “Jazzed” about the band we heard walking in the door, we all ordered large (and a bit too ambitious) drinks, grabbed, a table, and listened.

The 20-person brass band was upbeat and just what we needed on a Tuesday night. Though a bit loud, it is what we should have expected from a jazz club. There was a woman singing that had an incredibly soulful voice and indulged us once more after a request.

The drinks … oh, the drinks … make sure you don’t order wells. I had maybe one of the worst dirty martinis of my life – I didn’t finish it (and for me, that is a huge deal). We all switched to the deal of the day after only one drink: $1 Pearl cans.

Many aren’t aware, even if they’ve been, that there are two more levels to the Pearl. After the concert ended, we made our way upstairs for a round of pool. This place is quite a bit of fun and very interesting … the crowd is incredibly varied – sometimes there are bratty kids like us and sometimes there are biker dudes.

Drink strength: 3.5
Overall: 4.5

Pearl At Commerce
www.pearlatcommerce.com
2038 Commerce Street | Dallas, TX 75201-4425
(214) 655-8824

It is better to spend money like there’s no tomorrow then to spend tonight like there’s no money.

P.J. O’Rourke

Angry Dog

All the way down in Deep Ellum, beside St. Pete’s, a quiet evening amongst friends began with cheap wells and drafts and a plate of chicken wings. As we recapped our days, our blast-of-a-waiter, Vincent, entertained us with his attempt at a German accent.

The night was filled with Angry Dogs (the namesake of the chow joint, a fully loaded hot dog complete with a side of beans! Not the angry, biting dog that might send you on a trip to Stewart Law Offices) and drinks. Not Their alcohol spread is impressive but know that they don’t consider Franconia domestic – even though it’s made in McKinney!

The crowd wasn’t what one would expect from Deep Ellum because Angry Dog is loved by all and it’s reputation reaches quite far. Give it a chance and definitely make sure you put plenty of nickels in the meters, though … the meter maids in that neck of the woods are vicious (two of our four cars got $35 parking tickets for expired meters – one only by 8 minutes!).

Drink strength: 3
Overall: 4

Angry Dog
www.angrydog.com
2726 Commerce Street | (214) 741-4406

Specials:
Monday – Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $2.50 domestic drafts, $3.50 premium drafts, $3 house wine, $2.50 house cocktails

amster-DAMN bar (Closed)

With the places I’ve spent time in Dallas, Exposition Park was new to me. The drive down there from my office and finding parking was a bit stressful (my friends did the smart thing and took the Green Line which stops right across the street from A.B.) but when I arrived, a drink was promptly shoved into my hand and we ventured out onto the roomy patio.

The patio has quite a bit of “potential”; the night we went it was a bit cool but I can imagine how nice it would be on a beautiful Dallas Spring day. We caught up and sipped our cheap(ish) drinks … and then another drink … and then another. It’s the kind of place you get caught up and spend a bit too long drinking (in a good way).

The waiter was nice enough to bring drinks out to our table since we were the lone group braving the chilly wind. He was quite friendly, also.

Check out their blog … it’s so incredibly random but interesting.

Thumbs up: fun area, pizza place right next door, Green Line is WAY convenient, AMAZING music, fun decor

Drink strength: 3.5
Overall: 4

The Amsterdam Bar
831 Exposition Avenue – Dallas, Texas 75226 | (214) 827-3433
www.amsterdambar.blogspot.com

The oldest recipe in existance is the the recipe for beer.

ohyeahfacts:

(The Ultimate Book of Useless Information)

Louie’s

So many people have emailed asking me to review Louie’s … but bad news: Louie’s doesn’t have drink specials, so it’s not completely in my wheelhouse. Sorry!

Their pizza, drink strength, and people watching is great, though.

Make sure you have cash or an AMEX on you, it’s all they take. Don’t get mushrooms on your pizza; they’re fresh, not cooked. Also, know what you want and don’t put the wait staff out too much; they’re cranky.

Louie’s
1839 North Henderson Avenue | (214) 826-0505‎

no bull

Pulling up to Cock and Bull (which is quite hidden) I knew I was in for an experience. Anyone who has been hasn’t just been … they all seemed to have frequented the place for a time. When I walked in and saw a group of regulars doing shots of Sambuca with the bartender, I knew I was home.

The service was snappy (really snappy) and the waitresses checked on us often. The booths were really only the least bit tattered and had the look that they’d smell if you got too close. Try not to use the bathrooms if you can help it.

We went on a Monday and Mondays are the night of the $9.50 burger and draft deal. Who could ask for more than a great burger and draft deal with many choices of both drafts and burgers (I had the one with mushrooms and it was deLIGHTful).

In short, a pretty ok night in a fun area. Give Cock and Bull a try … especially if it’s in your neighborhood.

Extras: free WiFi, 1 TV (if they let you turn it on)

Drink strength: 2.5
Overall: 3

Cock and Bull Neighborhood Pub
www.cockandbulldallas.com
6330 Gaston Avenue
(214) 841-9111

Specials:
Sunday| Stella Artois $4, Blue Plate Special $6
Monday | Burger and Draft $9.50, wells $2.50
Tuesday| Domestic Bottles $2.50, ½ Price Appetizers (axcept cheese plates)
Wednesday | ½ Price Wine by the Glass, cheese Plate $8, Heineken $3
Thursday | Guinness/Harp $4, Irish Car Bomb $5

SusieDrinks

Drink well. Travel often.