August Events OPENERS

SCENES OF THE SOUTHWEST

Ed Bearden, who died in 1980, led at least a double life. He went from being the assistant director of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts to becoming a faculty member at SMU to owning his own design studio to founding SMU’s Academy of Visual Communication. But all the while, Bearden was also a serious painter of the scenery and people of the Southwest.

Ed Bearden Landscapes: 1944-1978, which is on exhibit at SMU’s Meadows Gallery, concentrates on his scenic pictures. The artist’s wife, Fran Bearden, is curator of the show, which offers only a sampling of Bearden’s prodigious output. But the 46 oils, watercolors, drawings and pastels on view are enough to demonstrate his considerable charms as a painter of rural scenes -with fields, wind-ruffled ponds and dappled trees. Bearden painted in short, generous brushstrokes (his pictures are full of lush textures) so that in his best works the light appears to vibrate. The colors are fresh and clear. The titles of his pictures – Sycamores in the Fall, October by the Pond and Late Afternoon, Turtle Creek – suggest that Bearden liked to stay close to the specific moment, to nature closely observed.

Not all the works in the show depict rural scenes, however. Also on display is a series of reproductions of Bearden paintings that were made between 1958 and 1969. They depict in almost documentary fashion the changing Dallas skyline. Through August 14 at the Meadows Gallery, Meadows School of the Arts, SMU. Free. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5.692-2516. – Ken Barrow



DIME STORE DRAMA



It keeps coming back. This month, New Arts Theatre continues its run of Ed Graczyk’s play, Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, which was last seen in Dallas as a much-praised if little-attended film by Robert Altman (Nashville, M*A*S*H).

Prior to making the film, Altman had directed the play on Broadway, where it was panned. Ironically, the highly theatrical style of the stage play worked best on celluloid.

In a dusty West Texas dime store, the Disciples of James Dean have gathered for a reunion 20 years after the death of their hero. Mona, the group’s leader, vividly recalls the day that Dean came to the nearby town of Marfa to film Giant, in which she was used as an extra. The revelation that her own child may be the son of the great man himself is just the first of many surprises in this charming, haunting play.

The New Arts production is noteworthy because it’s based on an earlier script used when the play ran off-Broadway. So what’s old is really new. The play runs through August 20 at New Arts Theatre, 702 Ross at Market. Tue-Thur at 8 p.m., Fri & Sat at 8:30 p.m., Sun at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $10.50 Fri & Sat; $7.50 Tue-Thur & Sun. 761-9064.

– Tim Allis<BR>

ONSTAGE AT SIX FLAGS



Every summer, thousands of folks from all over the country visit Six Flags Over Texas. They come mainly for the famous rides – scary rides, with names like “Shock Wave,” “Roaring Rapids” and “Texas Cliffhanger.”

This month, those who survive the roller coasters and the other thrills can relax in the cool of the evening and enjoy performances by musical groups that are even more famous than those gravity-defying rides. The concerts offer a variety of music -from country/western to pop to soul.

The bands take the stage on three consecutive Sunday nights: On August 7, Kool and the Gang entertain at 7 and 9 p.m. at the Festival Pavilion; Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers appear August 14 at 7 and 9 p.m. at the Music Mill; and Air Supply performs August 21 at 9 p.m. at the Festival Pavilion. Tickets $2 in addition to the park’s admission fee, which is $12.95. 461-1200.

– Wayne Lee Gay

D’s Openers include this month’s events in theater, music, film, sports, art, dance and enlightenment, as well as a list of some of the top nightlife establishments in Dallas. These listings are updated and supplemented each month and have nothing whatsoever to do with paid advertising.

All event listings should be sent to the Openers editor at least seven weeks before publication.

Credit card notations: MC/Master-Card, V/Visa, AE/American Express, DC/Diners Club, CB/Carte Blanche. “All credit cards” indicates that all five are accepted.



ART



Contemporary Printmaking. The Dallas Museum of Fine Arts has kept pace with the extraordinary resurgence of printmaking in America during the past two decades with these purchases, made through the Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon Fund. Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Fair Park. Through Aug 21. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. 421-4188.

Faberge. Some 120 glittering treasures from the famous “Forbes” magazine collection, including a number of the famous Imperial Eggs, go on display for the first time in this area. Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Through Sept 18. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 332-8451.

Jesus Bautista Morales. Working in multicolored granite, this artist grinds, slices and polishes stone into abstract forms that suggest fossils and geological strata. The show is paired with an exhibit of prints by David Salle and Julian Schnabel. two of the current enfants terribles of the New York art scene. Mattingly Baker Gallery. 3000 McKinney. Through Sept 9. Tue-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5. 526-0031.

John F. Peto. A master of 19th-century American still-life painting, Peto specialized in trompe I’oeil, works in which everyday objects appear so startling-ly realistic that the viewer is tempted to reach out and touch the canvas. Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Through Sept 18. Tue-Sat 10-5. Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.

Wealth of the Ancient World. Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt have quietly assembled this extraordinary collection of Roman and Greek vases, small bronzes and coins over the past several years; now it is unveiled to the public. Kim-bell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Through Sept 18. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 332-8451.



THEATER



Annie. Miss Hannigan, Daddy Warbucks, Sandy and that indomitable redheaded orphan have left Broadway after endless “Tomorrows,” but we can be sure that “Annie” is permanently entrenched in the canons of American musicals. A sticky-sweet treat for children and adults alike. Aug 8-20 at Casa Manana Theatre, 3101 West Lancaster. Fort Worth. Mon-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sat matinee at 2 pm. Tickets $13 Sat; $12 Tue-Fri; $11 Mon; $10 Sat matinee. (817)332-6221

Dallas Summer Musicals. Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill star in “I Do, I Do” through Aug 7; Shirley MacLaine performs Aug 9-14; and Hershal Bernardi appears in “Fiddler on the Roof” on Aug 16-28. All performances at the Music Hall, Fair Park. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm. Sat & Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $24-$5. 691-7200.

Talley’s Folly. This is Lanford Wilson’s touching follow-up to his immensely successful “Fifth of July.” Set in 1944, “Talley’s Folly,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, traces the courtship of young Sally Talley and her beau, Matt. Through August 20 at the Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 5 & 8:30 pm. Tickets $13.50 & $12 Fri & Sat; $12 & $10.50 Sat matinee; $11 & $9.50 Tue-Thur. 526-8857.

Threepenny Opera. This popular, eerie musical, with a script by Bertolt Brecht and music by Kurt Weill. is set in London in 1837 and follows the escapades of the treacherous Mack the Knife. Through Aug 27 at Stage West, 821 West Vickery, Fort Worth. Wed & Thur at 8 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm. Tickets $8.50 Sat; $8 Fri; $7 Wed & Thur. (817) 332-6238.

Tomfoolery. Torn Lehrer was a math professor before he began recording comedy albums during the Sixties. This four-person musical revue links some of his funniest songs, which lampoon everything from Boy Scouts to The Bomb. Through Aug 21 at Theatre Three, The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $12 Fri & Sat; $9.50 Wed, Thur & Sun matinee; $8.50 Tue& Sun. 871-3300.



MUSIC



Bath House Cultural Center. The jazz duo of Chris DeRose and Ed Smith appears in concert Aug 4 at 8:15 pm. Tickets $3. The trio Beledi performs music from Greece, the Middle East and Africa on Aug 18 at 8 pm. Bath House Cultural Center, 521 East Lawther Tickets $5. 328-8427.

Meadows School of the Arts. Guest artist George Baker presents an organ recital Aug 19 at 8:15 pm. William Cooper performs in a (acuity piano recital Aug 27 at 8:15 pm. Both events are free and are at Caruth Auditorium, SMU campus. 692-2628.



FILM



Omni Theater. In this unusual theater, seats are tilted to view the huge concave screen, surrounding you with images and sound. The Omni Theater offers this unique film experience with its presentation of “Hail Columbia!,” which chronicles the maiden voyage of the Columbia space shuttle. Omni Theater, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1501 Montgomery. Tue-Thur at 11 am and 1, 2, 7 & 8 pm; Fri at 11 am and 1.2,7,8 & 9 pm; Sat at 11 am, noon, 2,3,4,7,8 & 9 pm; Sun at 2,3,4,7 & 8 pm. Closed Mon. Tickets $4 for adults, $2.50 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. Tickets are available at Ticketron outlets. 654-1356.

University of Texas at Dallas. Aug 3: “The Clock”-Judy Garland stars in the story of a soldier who meets, woos and weds a girl on his 48-hour leave before he ships out again, at 7:30 & 9:15 pm. Aug 5: “All About Eve”-Bette Davis and Marilyn Monroe star in this Oscar-winning comedy/drama about theater people and the price they pay for success, at 7:30 pm. Aug 10: “Dark Victory”-Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and Ronald Reagan star in this tragic melodrama about a spoiled heiress, at 7:30 & 9:30 pm. Aug 12: “Knute Rockne: All-American”-Pat O’Brien and Ronald Reagan star in this biographical film of the famous Notre Dame coach, at 7:30 & 9:40 pm. Aug 17: “Witness for the Prosecution”-Marlene Dietrich stars in this superb adaptation of Agatha Christie’s suspenseful play, at 7:30 & 9:30 pm. Aug 19: “To Have and Have Not”-Hum-phrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall star in this film about Nazi spies and gun-running in the Caribbean, at 7:30 & 9:30 pm Aug 24: “Arsenic and Old Lace” -Cary Grant plays a man who is struggling with the enthusiasm of his two batty aunts, at 7:30 & 9:30 pm. Aug 26: “Camille”-Greta Garbo stars in a classic 18th-century romance set in Paris, at 7:30 & 9 pm. Aug 31: “The Adventures of Robin Hood”-Errol Flynn is the rebel outlaw who eludes the sheriff of Nottingham to save the English crown for his liege lord, at 7:30 & 9:30 pm. Showings are at Polykarp Kusch Auditorium (formerly Founders North Auditorium), UTD campus, Richardson Tickets $2; $1 for persons under 18 or persons 65 and older. 690-2945



ENLIQHTENMENT



SEMINARS, EVENTS, ETC. Dallas Museum of Natural History. “The Texas Hill Country,” an exhibition of the museum’s mounted specimens and photographs from the Texas Hill Country, is on display through Aug 28 in the museum’s upstairs lobby. “Landscapes of Texas,” on display in the downstairs lobby through Aug 19, includes museum photographs as well as 75 photographs that appeared in “Texas Highways” magazine and in the book “Landscapes of Texas.” Dallas Museum of Natural History, Fair Park. Free. Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. 421-2169.



SPORTS



Dallas Cowboys. Texas Stadium, Irving. Single-game tickets $15 at Dallas Cowboys Ticket Office, 6116 North Central Expwy; cash only. 369-8000 Games start at 8 pm.

Aug 6 vs. Miami

20 vs. Pittsburgh

27 vs. Houston

Texas Rangers. Arlington Stadium, Arlington. Tickets $8.50-$3.50, $2.50 for children 13 and under. Tickets are available at Sears, Preston Tickets (Dallas), Central Tickets (Fort Worth), Sun Rexall (Richardson), North Star Pharmacy (Garland) and Arlington Stadium. All games begin at 7:35 pm unless otherwise noted. (817) 273-5100.

Aug 2-4 vs. Boston

12-14 vs. Cleveland

15-17 vs. Baltimore

19-21 vs. Chicago (5:35 pm double-header on Friday)

22-24 vs. Detroit



NIQHTLIFE



ENTERTAINMENT/DANCING



Belle Starr. If denim Levi’s originated in the Old West, designer cowboy jeans may have originated at Belle Starr-the New West. But Belle Starr isn’t too slick: The semi-urban cowboys and cowgirls who polka and two-step on Belle’s large dance floor certainly know Hank Williams when they hear him. (7724 N Central Expwy near Southwestern. 750-4787 Mon-Sat 7pm-2 am. Sun 4 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Cafe Dallas. Newly remodeled Cafe Dallas sports ceiling fans, slick art posters, obligatory potted plants and smiling waitresses bedecked in slinky red dresses. The club’s circular, casinolike layout seems conducive to just about any sort of bar behavior, from frenzied dancing on the twinkling dance floor to intimate whispering on the cushioned couches that line the walls. Drinks get mixed reviews: well drinks are generous without being overpowering, but a Dallas favorite-the frozen marga-rita-was blah, with no bite. Swingles still abound at Cafe Dallas, but all you beautiful people partial to sweatsuit chic, beware: Sneakers-however expensive they might be-are not allowed. (5500 Greenville. 987-0066. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am. Sat & Sun Spm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-9 om. MC. V. AE.)

Calm Eddy’s. If the humor goes out of routine bar hopping, hop on over to Calm Eddy’s in the rebud-ding Deep Ellum district near downtown. This innovative comedy club features a comedy show a la “Saturday Night Live” performed by the house troupe, the Pezz; and live jazz is performed by Palladium every Friday and Saturday night. Call for information about other weekly performers. (2612 Commerce. 747-1131. Sun-Thur 7-11 pm, Fri & Sat 8 pm-midnight. No credit cards.)

Comedy Comer. This isn’t such a bad place to catch semi-big-name comedy acts. Comedians in their own right fill the audience, while comedy performers of varying quality take the stage for short sets of stand-up humor (8202 Park Lane at Greenville. 361-7461. Sets begin Tue-Thur&Sun at 8 pm;Fri&Satat 8:45 & 10:45 pm; Tue amateur night. Closed Mon. Reservations recommended Wed-Sat. MC, V, AE.)

Confetti. One man’s clutter is another man’s eclec-ticity, and this is possibly the most eclectic bar in Dallas. Dangling bicycles, zigzag neon and poster-plastered walls expose a theme bar that could’t de-cide on a theme. If you can dig your way through the crowd, you’ll discover two flashy dance floors, several well-manned bars-maybe even Mr. or Ms. Right. Music varies from Fifties doo-wa to Eighties do-whatever (5201 Matilda off Lovers Lane. 369-6969. Mon-Thur 4:30pm-2 am, Fri 4:30 pm-4 am, Sat 7 pm-4 am. Sun 7 pm-2 am. Weekend cover $3. All credit cards.)

Diamond Jim’s. What a great place to get picked up! It’s not too pretentious, it’s not overdone and it has the essential country/western elements to offer its patrons: pseudo-Western surroundings, lots of floor space for two-stepping or swing dancing and oodles of available singles. We especially like the windowsills that line one wall; they’re perfect per-ches tor people-watching. (5607 Greenville. 691 2411. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7pm-2am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-8 pm. MC, V, AE.)

elan. Since Dallas’ original beautiful-people bar underwent a bit of cosmetic surgery and reopened- completely remodeled-in early March, its mood has changed a bit. The word is smooth, elan still glitters (now with a tad more of the hi-tech look) but it’s quieter, more sophisticated and generally less showy-for-the-sake-of-being-showy. The happy-hour spread of cheeses is irresistible, and the crowd is equally sharp (5111 Greenville. 692-9855. Tue-Fri 4:30 pm-2 am. Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun & Mon. Happy hour: Tue-Fri 4:30-8 pm. All credit cards.)

Four Seasons Ballroom. Big-band music for ball-room dancing. A strict dress code is enforced- dresses for the ladies and coats and ties for the gentlemen. Only setups, beer and soft drinks are served, except on Fridays, when food is available Cover varies Free dance lessons are offered (4930 Military Pkwy. 349-0390. Wed 8:45 pm-12:15 am. Fri 9pm-12:30 am. No credit cards)

Ground Zero. Sixties go-go gone New Wave ga-ga “Dallas’ first nuclear bar” features live bands nightly, plenty of parquet and oh. yeah a dancing girl in a cage. (6844 Twin Hills, one block south of Park Lane. 363-0167. Daily: 8 pm-2 am. Cover varies. MC, V, AE.)

Longhom Ballroom. So what if it’s crowded and smoky, the cover’s too high and the tourists are too many? This is Bob Wills’ Longhorn Ballroom, the place tor kicker dancin’, beer drinkin’ and hell raisin’. You’ll fit in whether you can dance or not, but you might as well plan on coming home with bruised toe-nails (those rhinestone cowboys can be real oats). No one should live in Dallas without going to the Longhorn at least once: It’s a Texas tradition. (216 Corinth at Industrial. 428-3128. Wed-Sun 7pm-2am. All credit cards.)

Nick’s Uptown. Behind the dark windows at Nick’s you’ll find what is perhaps the finest musical club in Texas. The musicians-usually jazz or rock ’n’ roll -come from near and far and are frequently big-name. Buying a ticket, however, doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a seat-it’s sometimes standing room only. But the fans just keep coming back, (3606 Greenville. 827-0561; ticket information 827-4802. Daily:8pm-2 am. MC, V. AE.) Packard’s. This new dance club in Old Town shopping center gave Confetti-goers a place to go when Confetti’s line was too long But now the Packard’s line is just as long, so take your pick-both bars are flashy, large and swingles-soaked Packard’s features a wide, open dance floor, lots of fluorescent colors and pop music mixed with Fifties and Sixties tunes. (5500 Greenville, Suite 403. 361-9517. Mon-Thur 4:30 pm-2am. Fri 4:30 pm-3 am, Sat 7 pm-3 am, Sun 7 pm-2 am. Weekend cover: $3. MC, V, AE.)

Poor David’s Pub. After considerable deliberation, Poor David finally did it: He moved his hole-in-the-wall folk music establishment from its longtime McKinney Avenue location to the lights of lower Greenville, but he didn’t leave behind his commitment to solid live music Kerrville Folk Festival regulars, including legendary folk singers Odetta and Tom Paxton. appear often, as do country/folk rockers Steve Fromholz. Shake Russell and John Vandiver. We miss the coffeehouse look of mismatched tables and dinette chairs, but the new version still retains much of Poor David’s old flair. (1924 Greenville. 821-9891 Mon. Fri & Sat noon-2 am, Wed & Thur 4 pm-2 am. Sun & Tue closed. No credit cards.)

Popsicle Toes. The name may be a bit odd (taken from a Michael Franks tune), but this place has great jazz/funk and an enjoyable, casual clientele. We’ve never been to a Dallas bar that is so comfortably integrated or felt so at home on a first visit just sitting and listening to the music. Regulars such as Phyre-work and Buster Brown seem able to do it all-from jazz to rock to country. (5627 Dyer 361-0477. Tue-Sun 8 pm-1 am. Closed Mon. Happy hour: Fri 4-7pm. MC, V. AE.)

The Sock Hop. What’s new at The Sock Hop? Better to ask what’s old, since the theme here is late Fifties/ early Sixties. The Sock Hop has the front end of a ’57 Chevy, be-bopping waitresses in cheerleader garb and other “Happy Days” regalia. Best of all, the house band, Dash, plays some of the finest nostalgic rock in town. This is a great place to forget the Eighties (2946 W Northwest Hwy. 352-6856. Mon-Sun 4 pm-2 am. Happy hour: 4-7pm. MC, V. AE.)

Strictly TaBu. A recent return to the TaBu confirms our faith in one of Dallas’ best jazz bars, not just for the jazz-which is frequently excellent-but for the easy, unpretentious atmosphere. We like the dining area in the back, where pizza and pasta are the highlights. This is the perfect place for a late-night rendezvous with an intimate admirer or an old friend. (4111 Lomo Alto. 523-8101 Live music Wed-Sun at 9:30 pm. Food served Sun-Thur 6 pm-1 am, Fri & Sat 6 pm-1 am. Bar open Tue-Sat till 2 am, Sun & Mon till 1 am. All credit cards.)

Studebaker’s. This is the latest in nostalgic dance bars with car themes. Studebaker’s disc jockey emphasizes hits from the Fabulous Fifties (the club doesn’t play any music recorded after 1969), It all make’s for a boppin’ good time. (8788 N Central Expwy in NorthPark East. 696-2475. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 4 pm-2 am. Dress code MC, V, AE.)

Tango. If you can’t S.U.A.D., don’t Tango. S.U.A.D. is Tango-lingo lor Shut Up And Dance, and S.U.A.D. is what Tango is all about. Tango used to be a bank building before Shannon Wynne converted it into a labyrinthian shrine to dancing. There’s a cavernous two-story room dedicated to live music, another room with a large, fenced-in dance floor and recorded music, a video arcade (in the old bank vault) and a video “lounge” filled with lots of zap food (Tango-lingo for fast food) as well as a microwave oven and 23 TVs, all playing the same rock videos. The music’s loud, the rooms are dark and the crowd’s as diverse as the bands that are booked here. Dallas has never seen the likes of Tango, and its time is long overdue (1827 Greenville. 821-5800; box office 824-1101. Sun-Wed 7pm-2 am, Thur-Sat 7pm-4 am. Closed Mon. MC, V, AE.)

Zebo’s. This is a pop music dance bar that’s wide-open and unpretentious, with a low cover charge- an increasingly rare find. Zebo’s real forte, however, is its Rockabilly Wednesday, which features live bands as well as pumped-in rock ’n’ roll. (5915 E Northwest Hwy. 361-4272. Tue-Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Tue-Sat 7-9 pm. MC, V, AE.)



DRINKING



Andrew’s. The decor here is Scottish pub with lots of brick, and the service is efficient. The drink menu is larger than the food menu (great for liquid diets), with specialties ranging from hot coffee drinks to tutti-frutti tropical knockouts. (3301 McKinney, 521-6535; and 14930 Midway. 385-1613. Daily: 11:15 am-2am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 2-7pm, daily 11 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Balboa Cafe. This relaxing, dark fern bar offers good drinks, expeditious service and moderate crowds. The menu consists of reasonably priced and filling sandwiches, burgers, salads, and smooth guacamole and chips. The Greenville Avenue location has a patio for balmy nights but only a small bar. (3604 Oak Lawn. 521-1068. Daily 11 am-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Biff’s. When you look out the windows to the lush greenery of Old Vickery Park outside Biff’s, even the snarled traffic on Greenville Avenue somehow seems peaceful. The combination nachos here are a civic treasure, but the drinks are average (7402 Greenville 696-1952. Daily 11 am-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7pm. MC, V, AE.)

Cardinal Puff’s. Mostly we love the atmosphere here: open rooms filled with gentle breezes, plants, garden furniture and an occasional wandering cat. The large beer garden is great (or conversation and relaxation. (4615 Greenville. 369-1969. MonSat 11:30am-2am, Sunnoon-2am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-7pm. MC, V. AE, DC.)



Chelsea Corner. Almost hidden at the intersection of Monticello and McKinney, Chelsea Corner offers the fun food and drinks of upper Greenville Avenue in a casual atmosphere more akin to lower Greenville Avenue-without being either. The well drinks are potent and reasonably priced, and the special drinks (such as the frozen Tumbleweed and the Scarlet Fever) are truly luscious. (4830 McKinney. 522-3501 Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am; Sun brunch: noon-3. All credit cards.)

Dave & Butter’s. “There’s nothing quite like it” is Dave & Buster’s slogan, and they’re not kidding. The place is enormous, but the brass and dark wood decor adds a degree of sophistication. Head for the umpteen pool tables lining the walls or try shuffle-board, darts. Pente or backgammon; or just sip a cool one at the large bar on the main floor. Champagne brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays. (2710 Electronic, near Walnut Hill at Stemmons Frwy. 353-0620. MonSat 11 am-2 am; Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4:30-7pm. All credit cards.)

The Den. Located in the Stoneleigh Hotel, this is the essence of what a bar used to be: very small, very dark and very red, with very strong drinks (2927 Maple. 742-7111. Mon-Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun noon-midnight. All credit cards.)

Elght-O. This still gets our vote for the most original bar in town The sanitarium-green walls don’t seem quite as shocking now as when the Eight-O first opened its New Wave doors more than two years ago, but the atmosphere is still spirited; the clientele, fascinating; and the jukebox, bitchin’. (The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh, Suite 247 871-1180. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun 7 pm-2 am. Live jazz at lunch Wed-Sat. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Greenville Avenue Country Club. Take one step inside the door of this low-key, easygoing place, and the name “country club” takes on a new meaning Drinks are served inside the “clubhouse,” where the surroundings are warm and comfortable. At this country club, though, the only big shots are the ones poured into your glass. (3619 Greenville. 826-5650. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. MC. V, AE.)

Greenvllle Bar & Grill. Dallas’ oldest bar-or so the owners claim-has alleviated the overcrowding somewhat with the opening of a quieter adjoining room. You may be more comfortable in the annex, especially if you want to carry on a conversation, but the real GB&G is still out in the boisterous main room. The drinks are straight-up and strong, and the entertainment is eccentric and erratic (2821 Greenville. 823-6691 Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7pm. AE.)

Joe Miller’s. A perfect late-afternoon bar for friendly conversation-easy on the background music, soft on the lights and hard on the sledgehammer drinks that, along with the media crowd, have helped build Joe’s substantial reputation But watch that third drink. (3531 McKinney. 521-2261. Mon-Fri noon-2 am, Sat 5 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Knox Street Pub. Over the years, this neighborhood bar has worn very, very well. It’s a slice of the Sixties (it’s popular with Woodstock veterans and the work-

shirt-and-jeans set), but it attracts other folks as well. Knox Street has its cadre of regulars, but there’s no cliquish spirit here. The menu is limited, but the fare is reasonably priced and substantial. (3230 Knox. 526-9476. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 4 pm-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm, Sun all day. No credit cards.)

La Cave. Ah. a place for lovers, for discussions and for good wine. This small, chic wine shop/bar has a walk-in cellar with a fine collection of foreign and domestic wines A few dinner entrees are offered, but we suggest sticking to the cheese and to the nut and fruit trays. (2926 N Henderson. 826-2190. Wine shop: Mon-Thur 10 am-11 pm. Fri 10 am-11:30 pm, Sat noon-11:30 pm. Bistro: Mon-Thur 10 am-2 pm & 5:30-11 pm, Fri 10 am-2 pm & 5:30-11:30 pm, Sat noon-11:30 pm. Ail credit cards)

Lakewood Yacht Club. The Yacht Club is a well-deserved reward for those families-be they blood-related or not-who have stuck together long enough to learn to enjoy each other and to get past the door of this 21-and-over, self-proclaimed “family tavern and neighborhood gathering place.” The drinks, which include some interesting specialties, are to be taken seriously, and the food is better than you’d expect for a place where the atmosphere alone would be enough (2009 Abrams. 824-1390. Mon-Fri 11am-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

The Lounge. This semi-art deco, semi-hi-tech retreat sits in the lobby of the Inwood Theatre, separated from the movies and the moviegoers by walls of water and its own outside door But the Lounge is sans ceiling, which allows patrons to share the view of the ocean-motif mural that floats high above the theater lobby. This is a wonderful place to discuss films at great length. (5460 W Lovers Lane. 350-7834. Sun-Thur5pm-1 am. Fri& Sat 5pm-2am. AE.)

Mariano’s. If nachos and frozen margaritas are your passion, Mariano’s is the place for you. The only problem is that every other nacho/frozen mar-garita lover in town will have beaten you here. The bar is small and crowded, and a mariachi band is usually blaring “El Rancho Grande” and other favorites to make your visit truly a Tex-Mex experience (5500 Greenville. 691-3888. Mon-Thur 11 am-midnight, Fri & Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun 11 am-10pm. Happy hour: MonSat 11 am-7 pm. Sun 11 am-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Nostromo. Before venturing to Nostromo, it is advisable to have one or all of the following: (1) the looks of a New York model, (2) the clothes of a New York designer, (3) the blase countenance of a New York socialite, or (4) an entourage If the above applies, welcome to Nostromo If not, good luck getting in without a lengthy wait (if at all), especially on Thursdays and weekends. Nostromo offers the jet set and the would-be jet set strong drinks, good service and a stark, well-lit place to spread their feathers (4515 Travis. 528-8880. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. Reservations recommended. Jackets required for men alter 6 pm. MC, V, AE.)

The Palm Bar. This is a beautiful place for down-town workers to have an extended series of drinks. As hotel bars go. it is the most upscale in Dallas. Although you can’t reach the bar through the hotel, a walk through the Adolphus is worth the excursion; or, if you prefer open spaces, have a drink in the lobby (Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200. Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Peabody’s. Big bars, we’ve come to realize, are usually loud and impersonal. And institutional drinking can leave a patron feeling like little-more than another Miller Lite along the wall or a faceless Seven and Seven at table 33. Peabody’s, while fairly roomy, is not of that genre We spent a lengthy “working lunch” chatting to our heart’s content at a corner table with our papers spread across the top. The friendly, well-paced service never faltered with our ice-cold beers, and we suspect that the comfortable couches and tables yield this same relaxing ambiance in the evening as well. (4216 Oak Lawn. 559-3160. Sun-Thur 11 am-midnight, Fri & Sat 11 am-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Plaf’s. It used to be so easy to get a table at Piaf’s. Now there’s more of a crowd at this Californiaesque bar/restaurant, but so it goes with a good thing. The crowd is varied and lively, as are the food and drinks. Best of all, Piaf’s remains casual, comfortable and fairly quiet (4527 Travis. 526-3730. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun 11:30am-midnight; Sun brunch: 11:30-3. Happy hour: MonSat 4-7 pm & 10 pm-1 am, Sun 4 pm-midnight. All credit cards.)

The Quiet Man. This is the quintessential neighborhood bar, defined as one of those places you go to only if you’re meeting some buddies to quaff some brews and swap some stories. A lone stranger here sticks out like a Ralph Lauren shirt. The Quiet Man lost some of its beer garden out front when Knox Street was widened a few years ago. but that just means that the regulars have to squeeze a bit closer together (3120 Knox. 526-6180. Tue-Sat noon-2 am. Sun & Mon 4 pm-midnight. No credit cards.)

San Francisco Rosa. When you’re relaxing at San Francisco Rose, it’s easy to feel as if you’re in someone’s living room rather than in a lower Greenville Avenue bar Seating consists of cozy groupings of easy chairs and overstuffed Victorian sofas. Whether you’re alone or with a group, this arrangement lends itself to the cause If, however, you’re looking for a place for an intimate conversation for two, you may be out of luck here (3024 Greenville. 826-2020. Mon-Sal 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

St. Martin’s. St. Martin’s has been among our favorite romantic nightspots for a long time. We don’t know of another place in town with such unassuming class, good service, pleasant classical music and an intelligent selection of wines. (3020 Greenville. 826-0940. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-3; dinner: Mon-Thur 5-midnight: Fri 5 pm-1 am; Sat 11 am-1 am; Sun brunch: 11:30-3. MC. AE, DC.)

Stonelelgh P. This is an artist’s bar. And a businessman’s bar And a construction worker’s bar. And a housewife’s night-out-on-the-town bar. And just about anyone’s bar There are no pretenses here, just a lot of open space with room to “do your own thing.” There’s a great jukebox, a varied selection of magazines and always an interesting assortment of people. (2926 Maple. 741-0824. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. AE.)

Vickery Feed Store. This deli/bar has an odd but appealing mixture of country and class. Wooden walls, a wooden floor and a hometown atmosphere are combined with burgundy vinyl booths and slick black tabletops in what turns out to be a very pleasant watering hole Good drinks, great deli/snack food and some of the friendliest service in town.

(6918 Greenville. 363-9198. Mon-Fri 6 am-2 am. Sat 8 am-2 am, Sun 8 am-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Sat 3-7 pm. Sun noon-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Zanzibar Deli. A fresh face on the burger-spattered strip of lower Greenville Avenue, Zanzibar offers drinks and good deli food in a colorful cafe setting. The decor-neon, glass bricks and pink and green walls-is odd enough to work. (2912 Greenville 828-2250. Sun 11 am-midnight, Mon-Thur 11:30am-2am, Fri&Sat 11:30 am-3:15 am. Sun brunch: 11-3. Happy hour: Daily 4-7 pm. AE.)



FORT WORTH NIQHTLIFE



Billy Bob’s Texas. Bigger does not always mean best, and that’s quite evident at the world’s largest honky-tonk. Of course, this novelty club has a lot going for it: two restaurants. 42 bar stations, a real bull-riding arena and several shops. But when there’s a concert going on, Billy Bob’s is the last place you’d want to be-unless, of course, you’re partial to being trampled by thousands of people (the club can hold 6.000). and you don’t mind paying a two-digit admission charge that affords you a view of the rafters. Stick to the novelties, and stay away on concert nights (2520 N Commerce in the stockyards. Metro 429-5979. Mon-Sat 10 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Sat 4-8 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Blossoms Downstairs. This live music club is the downstairs half of the restaurant of the same name The likes of hometown hero Delbert McClinton and Roomful of Blues, an East Coast swing jazz band, can be found here, along with an assortment of regulars The dance floor is large enough to move around on; just watch out for the low ceiling. The restaurant upstairs offers a generous happy-hour buffet, and on most nights a soft-rock trio performs. (520/ Camp Bowie. (817) 732-2082. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am Closed Mon. MC. V. AE.)

The Plckln’ Parlour. Up the road from the popular White Elephant Saloon in the stockyards is a club that is unusually devoid of the hordes of Yankees who invade this touristy area each weekend. The reason? They take their beer drinkin’ and two-step-pin’ seriously here, folks. Those who can’t get their feet to move to the one-two, one-two-three beat get lost in the shuffle-literally There’s no room on the dance floor for lessons, either. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to disco. (103 W Exchange in the stockyards. (817) 624-2592. Tue-Sat 5 pm-1:30 am. Closed Sun and Mon. No credit cards.)

The White Elephant Saloon. In 1887. Luke Short, the former owner of the White Elephant, shot it out with a former U.S. marshal. Now the Elephant has country/western music six nights a week and a lot of tourists trying desperately to learn the two-step on a small dance floor (106 E Exchange. (817) 624-8273. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Closed Sun. MC, V, AE.)