Super Bowl Visitors Guide: The Best of Dallas Nightlife, Bars, and Clubs

In town for the big game? We'll show you how to party like the locals do.

Day Two: Friday

The Porch: Right now, you’re hating us. Let’s just consider your trip to The Loon as a hazing exercise of sorts, shall we? You’ll forgive us once we send you to the always-charming Henderson Avenue. We’re familiar with what comes after a night at the Loon, so let’s skip straight to brunch at The Porch. This restaurant is always busting at the seams with cute socialites, perched on the heated patio for the day’s best people watching. You’ll find them noshing on the savory spinach artichoke dip while attempting to recover from last night’s festivities with the three grilled cheese and tomato soup. (We highly recommend you do the same.) Need the hair of that still-biting dog? Try the blood -orange margarita or the grapefruit-agave gimlet. They’re fruity enough to go with brunch.

TopGolf: Now that you’ve refueled, hail a cab and head to TopGolf. The interactive driving range lets you and your crew try your hands at a field of targets, ranging from 20 to 250 yards away. The golf balls are equipped with microchips allowing you to keep score — and perhaps making it easier to decide who’s buying the drinks. The range boasts a full bar with quirky golf-related libations, such as the Pear for Par Cosmo. So if you’re really that uncoordinated, just down a couple Lay Me on the Greens, and you won’t care in the slightest that you whiffed the ball.

Barcadia: Rough cab ride back to Henderson Avenue? You can hear it now, can’t you: “hey, remember how you whiffed on that golf ball in Dallas?” Friends can be so cruel. It’s time to settle the score. Gather your quarters, and head to Barcadia. You’ll see every old-school arcade game you can imagine: Skee-Ball, Ms. Pac-Man, Star Wars, Atari, Space Invaders, and even super-size Jenga and Connect Four on the patio. Happy hour lasts until 8 pm on Friday, so be sure to take advantage of the 24 beers on tap and selection of 35 bottled brews.

Victor Tango’s: All that gaming works up an appetite. It’s time to indulge. Victor Tango’s is a Euro-style gastropub, located across the street from where you brunched at The Porch. You might notice the same attractive Dallasites you saw this morning, now donned in their Friday night best. Victor Tango’s takes an upscale approach to bar food; no onion rings or nacho platters here. We’re talking ahi tuna nachos, warm flatbreads, lollypop lamb chops, and, the popular crowd pleaser, chicken and waffles. The plates are meant for sharing, but don’t be shy. We can’t seem to recall a time when the server has taken away anything but empty plates. The cocktails are equally satisfying and serve as the perfect precursor to a night on the town. Champagne junkies, try the French 75. If whiskey’s your drink, the Blood & Sand never disappoints. And, for the sake of your first visit, try the Victor Tango, a refreshing cucumber and tequila creation.

J. Black’s: It’s late, and you’re probably suffering from a food coma after your first date with Mr. Tango. But you’re a trooper, we know. So it’s down the street to J. Black’s. (This bar originated in Austin, so you’re getting extra Texas culture here.) The self-proclaimed “feel good lounge” is just that, with an easy-going vibe. By this time there might be a line to get in, but here’s a tip: this line could easily be mistaken for a model-search open casting call, so use your time wisely. Once inside, claim your spot at one of the high-tops circling the bar, or burn off those chicken and waffles and join in on the dancing action. Order a Sea Cat or the Hemingway, and you’ll fit right in.