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Drink Here Now: Three Sheets

This neighborhood joint on the edge of downtown comes with a gourmet pedigree.
By Christine Sracic |
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photo by Christina Barany

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photo by Christina Barany
The Concept: Noted caterer Andrew Ormsby has a new project. He’s only the landlord, but the new bar Three Sheets has his influence written all over it. The pub occupies the space of his former restaurant, Tucker, and although the furniture, TVs, and a library lounge are new touches, the woodwork and layout remain the same. The name of the place suggests you’ll walk out stumbling and cross-eyed, but it’s quite the opposite. It boasts a Cheers-like neighborhood feel. By the time you’re picking up your tab, everyone on staff will know your name.

Who’s There: A late 20s, early 30s crowd. Mostly groups of four or five young professionals letting loose. Then there are the lonesome stragglers crouched at the bar, nursing beers, minding their own business. If you didn’t know better, you’d mistake them for regulars who’d been coming for years.

What They’re Wearing: Chic but casual looks. No stilettos or cocktail dresses required. There’s an all-are-welcome feel, especially when you’re greeted by attractive waitresses in short shorts and form-fitting “Three Sheets” tank tops. Men don jeans and button-down shirts, some sporting baseball caps and flip-flops. Girls keep it flirty with light summer dresses and sandals.

The Grub: The full menu wasn’t ready during our visit, but they offered free pizza to compensate. Rocco, a quintessential jolly Italian chef with his coat buttons bursting at the seams, prepares the pies right behind the bar in a brick oven. The recipe is Ormsby’s, which means we finished it in less than 12 seconds. And to that Rocco says: care for another? Yes, please.

What’s Playing: No DJ here. The playlist could easily be found on any given 20-something’s iPod, with several songs prompting an “oh, I love this,” declaration mid-sentence. Everything from Oasis, Bush, and Weezer to MGMT and Vampire Weekend.

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photo by Christina Barany

What They’re Drinking: No specialty cocktails, but the whiskey and scotch lists are extensive. Most the girls sipped napkin-wrapped, longneck light domestic beers while the guys used Crown or Jack to wash down the pizza.

When You Enter, Make a Beeline For: The patio. Complete with two fireplaces, pool tables, foosball tables, flat-screens, twinkling lights contrasting brick red paint, and more than enough seating, you really can’t go wrong.

Fun Fact: Ormsby is a carpenter, with an appreciation for woodwork. The backdrop of the bar is from the Baker Hotel, an old downtown Dallas spot torn down in the early ‘80s. The hotel, which sat at the corner of Commerce and Akard, was once the home of WFAA Radio and served as the stomping grounds of many a Dallasite, especially during Texas-OU weekend. You know, before sports bars were equipped with big-screen TVs.

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photo by Christine Sracic

When the Crowd Arrives: About 9:30. Still a small group — the only “advertising” they’ve done is on Facebook — but for a brand new place, word of mouth has traveled fast.

Overheard: “Who is Andrew Ormsby?”

Bottom Line: Check it out. Friendly people, good music, chill atmosphere, tasty food, and stiff drinks – what’s not to love? We hear the menu is finally ready, and judging by the pizza, it’ll be great. The only downside is the location: the desolate field at the corner of Ross Avenue and Highway 75 doesn’t facilitate great bar hopping. The solution? Cross the street to Sunset Lounge if you’re stir crazy. Or just force yourself to throw back another round or two on the patio before simply calling it a night. (Bummer.)

Check out photos from Three Sheets in our nightlife gallery.


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