libertine bar

Did you know that it’s possible to spend 7 hours in a bar and not realize it? Well, I haven’t done it in 3-1/2 years but Thursday night proved that it isn’t too difficult to do at the right bar. We ate, we drank, we laughed, and we enjoyed the Libertine Bar quite a bit.

Between the two of us, we tried every drink on the classic cocktail menu and then some – and they were good. The Dark n Stormy, Pimm’s Cup, The Bronx, etc. … all were delightfully different and intriguing (and considerably stronger than expected – watch out for the Aviator!). Matt had the pint of the week so he could have a cool pint glass, but in the end he forgot it (bust).

The staff at Libertine contributed to the fun. They were incredibly outgoing and friendly without crowding us or being annoying. The other thing that contributed to the fun was the AMAZING, nay, delicious food. If I could only have one bar’s hot wing’s for the rest of my life, it would be Libertine’s. Ordinary hot wings these were not, they were pork shanks that FELL off the bone, literally. This plate of food was what dreams are made of and I can’t wait to have them again.

When you visit, make sure you clear your schedule because, yes, it is that great!

Drink Strength: 4
Overall: 4.5

Libertine Bar
www.libertinebar.com | @libertinebar
2101 Greenville Ave | Dallas, TX 75206-7125
(214) 824-7900

the hacienda on henderson

All I can say is, “What a night.” Not only is a Tuesday at Hacienda $3 margarita night, but as it turns out, it’s also the night they bring in liquor companies to hand out samples. Needless to say, we enjoyed ourselves.

I got there before everyone else and the waitress took the time to have a chat with me so I wasn’t sitting alone for too long (how nice!). When my friends got there … menus were distributed and it came time not for the decision of WHICH tex-mex tapa to try, but which to try first. Mouths watering, we ordered our tapas and margaritas and partook in the chips and salsa.

The food was great and the margaritas were even better. You can add a shot of “infused” tequila (choose from strawberry, pineapple, and mango habanero) for only $2 – and they sure pack a punch.

Fun things about Hacienda: a great porch, a great location, live music Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, free booze from promotors on Tuesdays, and a kitchen that stays open til 2 a.m. (perhaps an homage to Cuquita’s which was formerly housed nearby).

Drink Strength: 3

The Hacienda on Henderson
www.haciendaonhenderson.com | @haciendadallas
2326 N Henderson Ave | Dallas, TX 75206
214-515-9990

Specials:
HAPPY HOUR DAILY | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | $1 off all drinks
Tuesday | $3 house margaritas and $3 tapas
Sunday | brunch 11am-3pm

sushi axiom

We strolled into Sushi Axiom for our reverse happy hour after a glass at Veritas and a quick meetup at Capitol Pub on a Thursday night. The bar was somewhat full but the restaurant wasn’t. We opted for a table on their huge patio since it was a nice night and people watching on Henderson is always interesting. Once seated, we ordered some rolls and a sampler. While not a sushi connoisseur, I was with two people who are and didn’t love our spread of food.

The reverse happy hour specials (read: sake) didn’t bring out my sake bomb game, but were fun nonetheless. Our waitress also made our time at Sushi Axiom quite interesting and the strong drinks didn’t hurt.

I’d say your best bet is to sit at the bar and chat to one of my new favorite bartenders in Dallas, Kevin; he’s good for a good conversation and a laugh or two. Just stay away from the spring rolls and good luck trying to get the happy hour specials straight!

Drink strength: 4

Sushi Axiom
www.sushiaxiom.net
2323 N. Henderson | Dallas TX, 75206
(214) 828-2288

Specials:
Happy Hour | M-Th | 5-7 p.m. | $2 off appetizers, $2 off classic rolls
Reverse Happy Hour | M-Th | 9-11 p.m. | $3 drafts, hot sake, and signature rolls, $1 sushi

Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel shamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, “It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.”

Jack Handy

Coal Vines Uptown

Walking into my favorite pizza place in Dallas last week, it felt different … and I liked it. The new menu items sound incredible and the extra seating made me hopeful that I’d never have to face another 45 minute wait for a table!

The pizza at Coal Vines is TO DIE. My best friend from Austin orders a white pizza (not the white special) to take back with her each time she visits. Yes, it’s that delicious.

The mimosa was just ok; they didn’t jump on the bottomless bandwagon as so many brunch destinations have so I don’t know if I’d come here just for their drink specials. Their wine selection is good and they also sell retail if you want to take it home to enjoy.

The people who dine at this establishment are the Uptown see-and-be-seen type. They stop here and gobble a pie and guzzle a bottle before hitting the town. The only problem with that is that every time I eat here, I leave so full that I can’t rally for a fun night out!

Stop in and grab a glass of wine and a pizza; don’t forget to be extra nice to their New York implant, Uncle John at the front door! Everyone in Dallas should try this place once to know what good pizza tastes like.

Coal Vines Pizza
2404 Cedar Springs Rd | Dallas, TX 75201
(214)855-4999‎
www.coalvines.com

Specials:
Sunday | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $4 mimosas, poinsettias, Pompelmos, and peach lemonade bellinis

Dubliner

I walked into the Dubliner for only the second time ever last night and the rush of one of the more fun Sunday nights I had this year came over me. The last time I was there I was having so much fun I lost track of time and paid for it with a hangover the next day at work.

While there weren’t many people there on a Wednesday (it seemed people were more interested in Mexican food last night), the ones who were there were quality. The bartender, Kevin, was incredibly personable and entertaining. He was so entertaining I hardly noticed that my friends got there 15 minutes late (you’d think I’d expect that by now!).

The Dubliner has a chill feeling with a fire crackling beside a dart board and a really large patio. Though it’s directly on Greenville, it doesn’t feel like it’s too close to anything else and isn’t too loud. It reminded me of the dark pubs my friend Chelsea and I would spend our time in when I lived in Europe.

Make sure to try this place out on a Sunday night … and get a snakebite or half and half.

Drink Strength: 3
Price: 2

Dubliner
www.dallasdubliner.com | @dallasdub
2818 Greenville Ave | Dallas, TX 75206-6239
(214) 818-0911

Specials:
Monday | all day | $1 off draughts, domestic bottles, calls, and wells
Tuesday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $1 off draughts, domestic bottles, calls, and wells

in vino veritas

Move over Vino 100, take a step back, Cork … there’s a new kid in town. Veritas Wine Bar on Henderson took me by surprise. I hadn’t been in until this week and walking in on Monday night was a breathe of albeit grape heavy, but fresh air.

I arrive before the rest of my party as is usually the case, so I sidled up to the tall, heavy bar and began to peruse the menu. I decided to take a mental break and went for “what we’re pouring”. It was delightful and I decided it was my choice for the night — not to mention the fact that it was only $3.25 since it was half price wine by the glass (and that is made even better because they use the long pour!).

My group arrived and we settled into the front room next to the (real) crackling fire. Wine flowed, cheese and meats were noshed on, and great conversation ensued. The waitresses were attentive and Brooks, the owner, knew his cheeses and other wares better than the back of his hand. (You can’t go wrong with their Purple Haze or Drunken Goat.)

Don’t be fooled by the name, this bar unlike most wine bars also serves beer. I’d say this place is suitable for a date or a friendly chat, but not for a pickup scene … take your butt next door to Glo Lounge for that.

Click for the cheese, beer, and wine menus.

Selection: 4

Veritas Wine Bar
2323 N Henderson Ave, Suite 103 | Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 841-9463

Specials:
Monday | all day | 1/2 price wine by the glass
Tuesday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $1 off every beer, $1 off of every glass of wine ($8 a glass or less) and $2 off every glass over $8

Tuesdays, Veritas brings in Il Cane Rosso to make baked-to-order pizza. A definite MUST.

I don’t care how liberated this world becomes – a man will always be judged by the amount of alcohol he can consume – and a woman will be impressed, whether she likes it or not.

Doug Coughlin in “Cocktail”

This quote is in honor of my toasts this past weekend!

SusieDrinks

Drink well. Travel often.