BARS, BANDS & BOOZE

These listings are revised and supplemented periodically. Visits by our critics are made anonymously to avoid preferential treatment. Inclusion In this directory has nothing to do with paid advertising.

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



ENTERTAINMENT/DANCING



Belle Starr. If Levi’s originated in the Old West, then designer 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 sure know Hank Williams when they hear him. (7724 N Central Expwy near Southwestern. 750-4787. Mon, Tue&Sat 7 pm-2 am, Wed 7 pm-2 am, Thur & Fri 6 pm-2 am, Sun 4 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Boardwalk Beach Club. This place is a pleasant, if fast-paced, mixture of opposites. The club’s drawing card is Fifties and Sixties music, but patrons here are mostly under-30 singles. (6332 La Vista. 823-5340. Daily 10 am-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Cafe Dallas. This club’s circular, casinolike layout seems conducive to just about any sort of bar behavior, from frenzied dancing on the split-level dance floor to intimate whispering on the cushioned couches that line the walls. (5500 Greenville. 987-0066. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-9 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Calm Eddy’s Comedy Club. If the fun goes out of routine bar hopping, hop on over to Calm Eddy’s. This innovative comedy club features a comedy show a la “Saturday Night Live” performed by the house troupe. (2612 Commerce. 747-1131. Tue-Thur 8-11 pm, Fri & Sat 7:30 pm-1 am. Closed Sun & Mon. CB.)

Comedy Corner. 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 Mon- Thur & Sun at 8:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 & 10:30 pm. Reservations recommended on weekends. MC, V. AE.)

Confetti. This may be the most eclectic bar in Dallas. Dangling bicycles, zigzag neon and poster-plastered walls reveal a theme bar that couldn’t decide on a theme. Music ranges from Fifties doo-wah to Eighties do-whatever. (5201 Matilda off Lovers Lane. 369-6969 or 369-6977. Mon-Thur 4:30 pm-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 Jinn’s. Although this is really a country/ Western disco, frequently rock ’n’ roll prevails. Tight quarters make for close encounters between patrons, both on and off the somewhat limited dance floor. (5601 Greenville. 691-2411. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-8 pm. MC, V, AE.)

élan. Since its renovation early last year, elan still glitters-only now it’s a tad more hi-tech-but it’s quieter, more sophisticated and generally less showy for the sake of being showy. (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.AII credit cards.)

Four Seasons Ballroom. This place offers big-band music for ballroom dancing. A strict dress code is enforced: dresses for the ladies and coats and ties for the gentlemen. Cover varies; free dance lessons are offered. (4930 Military Pkwy. 349-0390. Wed 8:45 pm-12:15 am, Fri 9 pm-12:30 am. No credit cards.)

Ground Zero. Welcome to Sixties go-go gone New Wave ga-ga. “Dallas’ first nuclear bar” features live bands nightly. (6844 Twin Hills, one block south of Park Lane. 363-0167. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. Cover varies. MC, V, AE.)

Longhorn 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 for kicker dancin’, beer drinkin’ and hell raisin’. (216 Corinth at Industrial. 428-3128. Wed-Sun 7 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Nick’s Uptown. Behind the shaded windows at Nick’s you’ll find what is perhaps the finest musical club in Texas. The musicians (usually big-name jazz or rock ’n’ roll) come from near and far. (3606 Ureenville. 827-0561; ticket information 827-4802. Daily 8 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Packard’s. Packard’s features a wide, open dance floor, lots of fluorescent colors and pop music mixed with Fifties and Sixties tunes. (5500 Greenville in Old Town, Suite 403.361 -9517. Mon- Thur 4:30 pm-2 am, Fri 4:30 pm-3 am, Sat 7 pm-3 am. Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4:30-9 pm. Weekend cover: $3. MC, V, AE.)

Poor David’s Pub. Kerrville Folk Festival regulars appear often here, as do Steve Fromholz, Shake Russell and John Vandiver. (1924 Greenville. 821-9891. Mon & Wed-Sat 4 pm-2 am, Tue & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Cover varies. No credit cards.)

Popsicle Toes. Go here to listen to the live and lively jazz, funk and rock ’n’ roll, not just to hear it. Granted, you’ll have trouble hearing anything else, but that’s okay because the music is great. (5627 Dyer. 361-0477. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. Happy hour: Fri 4-7pm. MC. V, AE.)

The Railhead. Quality pop music and comedy with no cover charge is the drawing card here. (6919 Twin Hills. 369-8700. Sun & Mon 5 pm-1 am, Tue-Sat 5 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-7 pm. MC, V, AE, DC.)

Ravel’s. This cavernous singles bar may remind you of a bad 1967 sci-fi movie version of The Future.’ Track lights cut through the smoky blackness, beaming down like searchlights from a spaceship; music video screens are everywhere. (Registry Hotel, 1520Dallas Pkwy. 991-6923. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-8 pm. All credit cards.)

The Sock Hop. The theme here is late Fifties/early Sixties. Inside the Sock Hop are the front end of a ’57 Chevy, be-bopping waitresses in cheerleader garb and other “Happy Days” regalia. (2946 W Northwest Hwy. 352-6856. Tue-Sun 3 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. Happy hour: 3-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Strictly TaBu. A recent return to 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. (4111 Lomo Alto. 522-8101. Live music nightly. Sun-Thur 5 pm-midnight, Fri&Sat 5 pm-1 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-8 pm. All credit cards.)

Studebaker’s. The disc jockey favors hits from the fabulous Fifties and Sixties, and the waitresses wear poodle skirts and saddle oxfords. It all makes for a bop-pin’ good time. (8788 N Central Expwy in NorthPark East. 696-2475. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 4 pm-2 am. Dress code alter 4 pm. MC, V. AE.)

Tango. This was a bank building before Shannon Wynne converted it into a labyrinthian shrine to dancing. Now, it’s a two-story New Wave hodgepodge hangout swarming with every imaginable variation on the word “punk.” With careful planning, though, you can catch good live bands. (1827 Greenville, 821-5800; box office 824-1101. Sun, Tue & Wed 7 pm-2 am, Thur 7 pm-2 am, Fri & Sat 7 pm-4 am. Happy hour: Tue-Sat 7-9 pm. Closed Mon. MC, V, AE.)

Texas Tea House. The Tea House is a friendly, trendless country/Western spot where you can drink beer and enjoy the disharmonious but good-natured Will Barnes Band. (3400 Kings Road. 526-9171. Wed-Sat 8 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)

Tim Ballard’s. This place is perfect for a late-afternoon chat over drinks. Perfect, that is, until the band heats up around 9 o’clock. (3524 Inwood at Lemmon. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 6 pm-2 am. 559-3050. MC, V, AE.)

Top of the Dome. This revolving bar atop Reunion Tower affords guests a good view of the city, live entertainment and a small dance floor. Drink prices are as high as the bar. (Reunion Tower. 741 -3663. Mon-Fri 2 pm-2 am. Sat noon-2 am, Sun noon-midnight. All major credit cards.)

Zebo’s. This is a pop-music dance bar that’s wide-open and unpretentious, with a low cover charge-an increasingly rare find. (5915 E Northwest Hwy. 361-4272. Tue-Fri 6 pm-2 am, Sat& Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Tue-Fri 6-8 pm, Sat 7-9 pm. MC, V, AE.)



DRINKING



Andrew’s. This pleasant bar/restaurant is reminiscent of New Orleans with its abundance of old brick, soft lighting and a small courtyard. Try out the wacky, potent drink selections. (3301 McKinney, 521-6535: 14930Midway, 385-1613. Daily 11:15 am-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 2- 7 pm, daily 11 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Balboa Café. This dark, relaxing fern bar offers good drinks, expeditious service and moderate crowds. (3604 Oak Lawn. 521-1068. Daily 11 am-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Biff’s. The combination nachos at this Vickery Park nightspot are a civic treasure, but the drinks are only average. (7402 Greenville. 696-1952 Daily 11 am-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Cardinal Puff’s. The large beer garden is great for conversation and relaxation over cold pitchers of beer and loaded nachos. (4615 Greenville. 369-1969. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-7 pm. 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. (4830 McKinney. 522-3501. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 2-7 pm, daily 11 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE, DC.)

Dave & Buster’s. “There’s nothing quite like it” is Dave & Buster’s slogan, and they’re not kidding. Head for the umpteen pool tables lining the walls, or try shuffleboard, darts, Pente or backgammon. (2710 Electronic, near Walnut Hill at Stemmons Frwy. 353-0620. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun 11.30 am-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4:30-7 pm. 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. 871-7111. Mon-Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun noon-midnight. All credit cards.)

Elght-O. 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. (2800 Routh in the Quadrangle, Suite 125. 871-1180. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun 6 pm-2 am. Live jazz at lunch Wed-Sat. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Greenville Avenue Country Club. Drinks are served inside the “clubhouse,” where the surroundings are warm and comfortable. But the only big shots at this country club are the ones poured into your glass. (3619 Greenville. 826-5650. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Greenville Bar & Grill. Dallas’ oldest bar (or so its owners claim) now has a quieter adjoining room that somewhat alleviates the overcrowding. 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. (2821 Greenville. 823-6691 Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. AE.)

Hippopotamus. Far from the bright lights of Greenville Avenue, tucked inside the beautifully renovated Bradford Hotel, Hippopotamus offers a dark, soothing atmosphere and a New York-style piano bar. (302 S Houston at Jackson. 761-9090. Daily 11 am-2 am. Pianist: Tue-Sat 6-8 pm. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Joe Miller’s. This is a perfect late-afternoon bar for friendly conversation: It’s 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. (3531 McKinney. 521-2261- Mon-Fri noon-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Knox Street Pub. This pub is a slice of the Sixties (popular with Woodstock veterans and the work shirt-and-jeans set), but it attracts other folks as well. (3230 Knox. 526-9476. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 4 pm-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. 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. (2926 N Henderson. 826-2190. Wine shop: Mon-Thur 10 am-10:30 pm, Fri 10 am-11:30 pm, Sat noon-11:30 pm. Bistro: Mon-Thur 11:30 am-2 pm & 5:30-11 pm, Fri 11:30 am-2 pm & 5:30-11.30 pm, Sat noon-11:30 pm. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

Le Louvre. Dark and dimly lit, Le Louvre is a picture-perfect setting for a discreet rendezvous. (9840 N Central Expwy in the Corner Shopping Center. 691-1177. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:30 pm, daily 6-11 pm. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-8 pm. All credit cards.)

The Lounge. This semi-art deco, semi-hi-tech retreat in the lobby of the Inwood Theatre is separated from the movies and moviegoers by a wall of water and its own outside door. This is a wonderful place to discuss films- or just about anything- at great length. (5460 W Lovers Lane. 350- 7834. Sun-Wed 5 pm-1 am, Thur-Sat 5 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-7 pm. AE, DC, CB.)

Mariano’s. If nachos and frozen margaritas are your passion, this is the place for you. The remodeled bar is a bright, airy place to enjoy some of the best Tex-Mex munchies in town. (5500 Greenville. 691-3888. Mon-Thur 11:30 am-midnight, Fri&Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-7 pm, Sun noon-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Monopoly’s Park Place. The dance floor is a huge game board checkered with old standbys like Vermont Avenue and Reading Railroad, with a few new additions like Lowest Greenville, Old Town and European Crossroads. The staff seems earnest and eager to please, but our drinks had Boardwalk prices and Baltic Ave. quality. (6532 E NW Highway. 696-3720. Mon-Thur & Sun 5 pm-2 am, Fri & Sat 5 pm-4 am. All credit cards.)

Nostromo. This place offers the jet set and the wouldbe jet set strong drinks, good service and a stark, well-lit place for them to spread their feathers. (4515 Travis. 528-8880. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am. Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. Reservations recommended. MC, V, AE.)

On the Air. Video addicts, rejoice! Death to conversationalists! Here you can sip your favorite drink and gawk at both the New Wave videos and the back of your companion (who has twisted around in his seat to see the big screen, too). (2114 Greenville. 827-6800. Daily 5 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-9 pm. AE)

The Palm Bar. This is a beautiful place for downtown workers to have an extended series of drinks. As hotel bars go, it is the most upscale in Dallas. (Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200. Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm. All credit cards.)

San Francisco Rose. 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. (3024 Greenville. 826-2020. Mon-Sat 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, Sat 11 -5, dinner: Mon-Thur 5-11, Fri & Sat 5 pm-1 am, Sun 5-11 pm. All credit cards.)

Stoneleigh P. This is an artist’s bar. And a business-man’s bar. And a construction worker’s bar. And a housewife’s night-out-on-the-town bar. And just about anyone’s bar. (2926 Maple. 741-0824. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 10 am-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm.AE.)

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

The Wine Press. This is the perfect place to go on a chilly, damp winter night-or any time when you’re looking for romance, intimacy and spirits. The atmosphere is low-key and elegantly casual; the service, friendly but not hovering; the wine selection, extensive-to say the least. (4217 Oak Lawn. 522-8720. Daily 11 am-2 am. All credit cards.)

Zanzibar Deli. 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-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat 11.30 am-A am. Sun 10:30 am-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-7 pm, Sat & Sun 4-7 pm. MC.AE.)



FORT WORTH



Billy Bob’s Texas. This novelty club has a lot going for it: two restaurants. 42 bar stations, a real bull-riding arena and several shops. (2520 N Commerce in the stockyards. Metro 429-5979. Mon-Sat 9:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Reduced cover charge Mon-Sat 4-8 pm. MC, V, AE.)

The Blue Bird. This club is packed nearly every weekend, with regulars dancing to the infectious rhythm of Robert Ealey and the Bluesblasters. (5636 Wettesley. (817) 732-6243. Fri & Sat 7 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)

Cheers. Female bartenders wear flesh-colored Dan-skin tights, skimpy leotards and baseball hats, and there’s enough paper confetti around to make you want to save a tree. (6773 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. (817) 735-8814. Mon-Fn 11 am-2 am. Sat & Sun 4 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

The Pickln’ Parlour. They take their beer drinkin’ and two-steppin’ 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. (103 W Exchange in the stockyards. (817) 624-2592. Tue-Sat 5 pm-1:30 am. Closed Sun & Mon. Happy hour: all night Tue. No credit cards.)

The Red Parrot. This spacious lounge-turned-R & B nightclub has an unusual decor (stuffed toy animals hang from the ceiling), but some of the best acts can be found here -and some of the most reasonable cover charges. (1812 N Forest Park Blvd. (817) 332-5268. Tues-Sun 7 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Spencer’s Beverly Hills. The disco-crazed crowd gathers here almost every night to shake their booties and to watch widescreen movies such as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” (1724 South University. (817) 332-5651. Daily 4 pm-2 am. MC. V, AE, CB.)

The White Elephant Saloon. The Elephant has country/Western music six nights a week and lots of touriststrying desperately to learn the two-step on a smalldance floor. (106 E Exchange. (817) 624-8273. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Closed Sun. MC, V, AE.)