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December Events OPENERS

By D Magazine |

MAYA ART

AT DMA



“Maya: Treasures of an Ancient Civilization” at the Dallas Museum of Art, may do for the ancient Mayas what the celebrated King Tut exhibit a decade ago did for the ancient Egyptians: Give them a place in the sun.

The show broke attendance records at the Los Angeles County Museum and for good reason. The Mayas created the most brilliant civilization in the New World until the time of Columbus. But the beginnings and the ending of their society remain shrouded in mystery. Scholars are still trying to piece together the prehistory of this talented civilization that first settled in the Guatemalan highlands around the time of Christ. And nobody knows for sure why their society seemed to collapse after 900 A.D.

About the quality of the Mayas’ achievement, however, there is no mystery at all. The Mayas invented the mathematical concept of zero, an intellectual feat rivaled only by the ancient Babylonians and the Chinese. They perfected a calendar more accurate than our own, created a subtle and still undeciphered system of hieroglyphic writing and left behind art that still exercises its appeal on the imagination.

Organized by the Albuquerque Museum and including treasures from museums in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, as well as the U.S., “Treasures of an Ancient Civilization” is the first comprehensive museum survey of Maya culture. (Another, quite different Maya exhibit will be coming to Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum next summer, and a small exhibit of Maya textiles and costumes from the Dallas Museum’s own collection is currently on display in the Print and Textile Gallery.) The show relates Maya art to Maya accomplishments in other fields, including architecture, agriculture, astronomy and mathematics. Among the objects on view are ceramics, figurines, metalwork and carved jade, wood and shell. Photomurals and maps summarize what is known of Maya history and, sadly, also record the damage done to that history by indiscriminate looting of archaeological sites.

“Maya: Treasures of an Ancient Civilization” runs Dec 15-Feb 16 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Har-wood. Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-5; Thur 10-9; Sun noon-5. 922-0220.

-Ken Barrow



NEW YEAR’S CONCERT

One of the most pleasant of Old World cultural traditions, the New Year’s Eve concert has taken root in Dallas under the sponsorship of the Dallas Bach Society. Begun in 1978 under the leadership of Bach Society founder and artistic director Paul Riedo, the annual concert has become a favorite way for area music-lovers to greet the new year.

As in years past, the 1985 New Year’s Eve concert will feature baroque and classical orchestral music including Mozart’s beloved motet for soprano, orchestra and organ, Exsultate jubilate. Guest artists for the concert will include soprano Nancy Elledge and harpist David Williams. Dec 31 at 10 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 6306 Kenwood Ave. at Abrams Road. Tickets $7.50. 827-8886.

-Wayne Lee Gay



THE NUTCRACKER IN FORT WORTH



This month, ballet-goers will be treated to the Fort Worth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Fort Worth Ballet artistic directors Nanette Glushak and Michael Rahn choreographed this production, which is based on the traditional scenario and philosophy that The Nutcracker is a real classical ballet.

The Nutcracker was first created for ballet from E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale in 1892. In 1954, George Balanchine established the American importance of the piece with his production based on the original Russian version.

Patrons will get an added bonus. Sets and costumes for this production are by the talented French designer Alain Vaes. In conjunction with the ballet’s performance, The Fort Worth Art Museum will exhibit Vaes’ original paintings for The Nutcracker beginning Thanksgiving morning. Fri Dec 20 at 8 pm; Sat Dec 21 at 2 pm & 8 pm; Sun Dec 22 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm. Tarrant County Convention Center Theater. (817) 335-9000 or (Metro) 429-1181.

-Alan Peppard



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

All events listings should be addressed to the Openers editor and must be received at least two months before publication.

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.



ART



Joe Guy. Guy, who teaches architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington, labors over the surfaces of his painted constructions with the care and attention of a monk illuminating the sacred word. Starting with mulberry paper stretched across redwood frames, Guy layers wax over pure graphite and then patiently polishes the results with a stone. Ten of these works, arranged and installed by the artist, are the subject of the latest in the Dallas Museum of Art’s excellent series of “Concentration” shows. Curator Sue Graze, the show’s organizer, says it best: “In a world in which one’s senses and intellect are often on the front line, Guy’s ability to persuade the viewer to stand in solitary silence is unique.” Through Jan 5 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. Tue. Wed, Fri, Sat 10-5; Thur 10-9; Sun noon-5. 922-0220.

Mary Ellen Mark. Pictures by an internationally known photojournalist are marked by a restless conscience, a relentless eye and an uncanny ability to burrow beneath society’s skin. Through Dec 1 at Allen Street Gallery, 4101 Commerce St. Wed-Fri noon-5, Sat 10-4, Sun 1-5. 821-8260.

Peter Kitchell. A California artist pushes a medium too often associated with the small and cautious to the big and bold in large, abstract watercolors mounted on panel. Through Dec 3 at Nimbus Gallery, 1135 Dragon St. Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-4. 742-1348.

Anniversary Show. In the ten years since it opened its doors, DW Gallery has earned an amazing track record for discovering and cultivating local talents; many have gone on to national and international recognition, but they are being reunited for this, the first of a two-part anniversary exhibit. Through Dec 4 at DW Gallery, 3200 Main St. Tue-Sat 11-5. 939-0045.

Michi Susan. The paintings of this Japanese-born artist combine handmade rice paper, a calligraphic line and vigorous brushwork from the artist’s native Japan, but the strong feeling for folk art is strictly American, and southern American at that. Through Dec 5 at Mattingly Baker. 3004 McKinney. Mon-Fri 9-5:30. Sat 10-5. 526-0031.

Catherine Nance. Working in major museums throughout the country, a former Dallas photographer re-interprets the mystery and myth of the human body in stunning black-and-white photos of ancient Greek sculpture. Through Dec 15 at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, 2719 Routh. Mon-Fri 9-5, evenings and weekends by appointment. 871-2440.

Alfredo Arreguin. Arreguin, who grew up in Mexico but now lives in Seattle, paints densely patterned works in which exotic beasts and birds emerge from, and merge with, a tropical profusion of leaves, vines and flowers. Through Dec 31 at the Paige Gallery, 1519 Hi Line Drive. Mon-Fri 9-4:30. 742-8483.

Peter Max. The darling of the psychedelic poster movement of the Sixties is still painting, though with a looser and more expressionistic brush. Through Dec 31 at Discovery Gallery, 4531 McKinney. Mon-Sat 10:30-6. Sun 1-5.526-0464.

Modem and Contemporary Masters. From Chagall to Sam Francis, these 37 paintings, drawn from the splendid collection of modern art in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pretty well cover the 20th Century to date. Through Jan 26 at the Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery St. Tue 10-9: Wed-Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5. (817) 738-9215.



Fincher at Nimbus



Paintings and works on paper by native Texan John Fincher will be the focus of a one-man show this month at Nimbus Gallery. Fincher is usually best known for his vast, rowdy, punkish canvases about the Wild West. The artist uses familiar icons of the Southwest, such as thorny cactus, cowboy boots, spurs and knives to evoke the mystique of the region in his still-life studies. Dec 7-Jan 14 at Nimbus Gallery, 1135 Dragon St. Mon-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 11 am-4 pm. 742-1348.



John Haberle. A master of the painted illusion, Connecticut-born Haberle excelled at that popular 19th Century genre, Irompel’oeil, in which paper money and postcards, coins and keys look as if they could be plucked right off the canvas. Through Jan 19 at the Amon Carter, 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.

Rodin’s Thinker. Rodin’s great masterpiece, on loan from the B.G. Cantor Collection, finds a temporary-and welcome- home, contemplating Dallas’ own Ross Avenue. Through April 1986, in the Ross Avenue Plaza of the museum, Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Har-wood. Tue, Wed. Fri, Sat 10-5; Thur 10-9; Sun noon-5. 922-0220.



Cone Collection



The Cone sisters of Baltimore-Dr. Claribel and Miss Etta-put together one of the world’s great private collections of modern painting and sculpture. Under the expert tutelage of Leo and Gertrude Stein, the Cones bought key works by Matisse, Cézanne, Gauguin, Picasso and a host of other early modern artists. In 1949 the entire collection was left to the Baltimore Museum of Art, and there it has remained ever since. But the museum’s Cone Wing is currently being refurbished, and so 35 selected works are on the road in “The Spirit of Appreciation: Masterpieces from the Cone Collection of Baltimore.” Dec 14-Feb 9 at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-6. (817) 332-8451.



The Reves Collection. From Renaissance furniture to impressionistic paintings, the fabled treasures of the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection go on exhibit in a replica of Villa La Pausa, the Reves’ villa in the south of France. Continuing display in the Decorative Arts Wing, Dallas Museum of Art. 1717 N Harwood. Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-5; Thur 10-9; Sun noon-5. 922-0220.

Sid Richardson Collection. Here’s a prime collection of Remingtons and Russells in a prime location, amid the restored 19th Century splendors of Fort Worth’s Sundance Square. Permanent show at 309 Main St. Tue-Fri 10-5. Sat 11 -6, Sun 1 -5. (817) 332-6554.



THEATER



A Christmas Carol. The return of Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming’s lively adaptation of the Dickens classic inventively staged on Eugene Lee’s boundless set. Nov 29-Dec 29 at the Dallas Theater Center’s Arts District Theater, 2401 Flora at Fairmount. 922 0422.

A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking. Another female odd couple graces the stage of the Majestic Theatre in this affectionate but too pat comedy by John Ford Noonan about a wealthy suburban Connecticut housewife and her new neighbor, a loud-mouthed Texan with a tendency to give unsolicited advice, who barges her way into the other’s life. Elizabeth Ashley and Marilu Henner star in this West Coast import, Nov 26-Dec 8 at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. Tue-Fri at 8 pm; Sat at 2:30 & 8 pm; Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $26.50-$21.50 Fri & Sat evenings: $21.50-$19.50 Tue-Thur, Sat matinee and Sun; available at Rainbow Ticket-master outlets. 787-2000.



Gemini. Albert Innaurato’s wonderful, funny play about a Harvard senior from South Philadelphia whose summer vacation is a string of conflicts with his slob father, his WASP girlfriend and himself as he acknowledges the crush he has on his girlfriend’s brother. Dec 5-Jan 5 at New Arts Theater, 702 Ross at Market in the West End Warehouse District. Wed-Fri at 8 pm; Sat at 5 & 9 pm; Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $14.25 Sat at 9 and Fri; $10.75 all other performances. 761-9064.

Home Front. A play by former Arlington resident James Duff, set in Dallas in the early Seventies, about a young Vietnam veteran and the alienation he feels toward his family when he comes home from the war. Through Dec 1 at Theatre Three in the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm; Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $14.50 Fri & Sat; $13.50 Sun; $12.50 Tue-Thur. 871-3300.

Season’s Greetings. The Dallas premiere of a new play by Alan Ayckbourn, Britain’s reigning comic mannerist. This time his subject is Christmastime and the perils therein as people stop acting as they normally do. Dec 6-Jan 9 at Theatre Three, the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm; Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $14.50 Fri & Sat; $13.50 Sun; $12.50 Tue-Thur. 871-3300.

The Skin of Our Teeth. In 1942 Thornton Wilder won his third Pulitzer Prize for this surreal allegorical comedy about George Antrobus and his family, of Excelsior, N.J., who first face a creeping wall of ice, then a long war, each time barely escaping annihilation. George manages to hold his family together and to save them because of his belief in beginning again and rebuilding. Through Dec 15 at the Dallas Theater Center’s Frank Lloyd Wright Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue & Thur at 8 pm; Wed at 2:30 & 8 pm; Fri at 8:30 pm; Sat at 4 & 8:30 pm; Sun at 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets $22 Fri & Sat at 8:30; $16 Tue, Wed at 8, Thur; $13 Wed at 2:30. Sat at 4 & Sun. 526-8857.

Our Town. Thornton Wilder’s startlingly simple tale of small-town America and American innocence. Considered one of the all-time greatest American plays, it is both charming and profoundly disturbing. Dec 5-Jan 5 at Dallas Repertory Theatre, NorthPark Center (outside Joske’s), Park Lane at N Central Expwy. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm; Sun at 3 pm & 7:30 pm. Tickets $14 Fri & Sat; $12.50 Sun; $11 Tue-Thur. 369-8966.



MUSIC



Dallas Bach Society. Dec 15 & 16: The Dallas Bach Orchestra and Choir perform Handel’s Messiah with soprano Julianne Baird. counter-tenor Dale Terbeek. tenor Jeffrey Thomas and baritone William Sharp, with Paul Riedo conducting from the harpsichord. 7:30 pm. Tickets $12.50. Dec 31: The annual New Year’s Eve concert features soprano Nancy Elledge and harpist David Williams with the Dallas Bach Orchestra at 10 pm. Tickets $7.50. All concerts at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 6306 Kenwood Ave. at Abrams Road. 827-8886.

Dallas Chamber Orchestra. Dec 1: An all-chamber concert includes Handel’s Sonata for Two Violins, J.S. Bach’s Trio Sonata in C major, Biber’s Sonata no. 9 (“The Crucifixion of Jesus”) and Beethoven’s Trio, op. 97 (“Archduke”). Dec 22: The orchestra presents favorite holiday selections from the Baroque period. Both concerts at 7 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU. 826-6974.

Dallas Classic Guitar Society. French guitarist Tania Chagnot appears in recital. Dec 3 at 8:15 pm at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. Tickets $11-$6.50. 343-3709.

Dallas Opera. Nov27, Dec 1, 4 & 7: Berislav Klobucar conducts Roberto Oswald’s new production of Wagner’s Gotterdammerung (in German with English captions), starring soprano Johanna Meier, tenor Wolfgang Neumann, baritone Victor Braun, bass William Wildermann, soprano Susan Dunn, mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier, bass Marius Rintzler, soprano Edith Davis, mezzo-soprano Deborah Milsom and mezzo-soprano Rose Taylor. Wed & Sat at 6:30 pm and Sun at 12:30 pm. Dec 12. 15, 17 & 21: Nicola Rescigno conducts Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (in Italian with English captions), directed by Sandro Sequi and starring soprano Mariella Devia. tenor Denes Gulyas, mezzo-soprano Kathleen Hegierski, baritone Alan Titus and bass Guenter von Kannen. Wed, Tue & Sat at 8 pm and Sun at 2 pm. All performances at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $75-$4. 871-0090.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Kirk Trevor will conduct the annual holiday special featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in a Christmas Festival Fantasy, Dec 19 & 20 at 8:15 pm and Dec 22 at 2:30 pm. McFarlin Auditorium, SMU. Tickets $15-$8. 692-0203.

Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra. John Giordano conducts a concert featuring Milhaud’s Creation of the World, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D (with soloist Cho-Liang Lin) and Ives’ Symphony no. 3 (“The Camp Meeting”), Dec 10 at 8 pm at Ed Landreth Auditorium, University at Cantey, TCU, Fort Worth. Tickets $12-$8. (817)926-8831.

Meadows School of the Arts. Dec 4: Anshel Brusilow conducts the SMU Symphony. Dec 6 & 7: The SMU Opera Theatre presents an evening of opera scenes at Margo Jones Theatre, Owen Arts Center. Dec 8: Professional new music ensemble Voices of Change joins student new music ensemble Perspectives in a joint concert. Dec 14; SMU Conservatory Chamber Orchestra performs at 4 pm. Unless otherwise noted, all events are at 8:15 pm. Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center. SMU. Free. 692-3510.

North Texas State University. Dec 4: Concert and University bands perform. Dec 5: Serge Zetyiacker conducts the NTSU Symphony and Chamber orchestras in music of Schoenberg, Mozart and Strauss, with harpist Dorella Maiorescu and flutist Dr. Mary Karen Clardy. All events at 8:15 pm at the Concert Hall on the Denton campus. Free. (817) 565-2791.



Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Greg Hustis performs Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 on a concert also featuring Herold’s Overture to “Zampa” and Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite, with Chris Xeros conducting, Dec 14 at 8 pm at Richardson High School Auditorium. Belt Line at Coit, Richardson. Tickets $13-$8.50. 234-4195.

Schola Cantorum. Gary Ebensberger conducts the Fort Worth Chorus in a program of Christmas music, Dec 9 at 7:30 pm at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, 2600 Sandage, Fort Worth. Free. (817) 737-5788.

Texas Baroque Ensemble. Chorus and orchestra present Handel’s Messiah with authentic 18th Century instruments. Dec 22 & 23 at 7:30 pm at Perkins Chapel, SMU. Tickets $10. 278-2458.

International Trio



Two Hungarians and a Texan, each renowned in his own right as a soloist, will be together to perform chamber music in Dallas this month under the sponsorship of the Dallas Chamber Music Society. Pianist Peter Frankl, violinist Gyorgy Pauk and cellist Ralph Kirshbaum will present Mendelssohn’s Trio no. 1 in D minor, Beethoven’s Archduke Trio and the trio written especially for them by the late pianist-composer Andre Tchaikovsky. Dec 2 at 8:15 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU. Tickets $8. 526-7301.

Texas Christian University. Dec 2-3: Dance and music departments join for an Advent performance at 7:30 pm at University Christian Church, University at Cantey. Dec 6: The TCU Jazz Ensemble performs at 8 pm. Dec 8: Chorus and orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah at 7 pm. Dec 9: A faculty trio performs chamber music at 8 pm. Unless otherwise noted, all events are at Ed Landreth Auditorium, University at Cantey. TCU. Free. (817) 921-7810.



FILM



And The Ship Sails On. In this 1983 film by noted director Federico Fellini. a group of opera lovers sail to the Aegean to attend the funeral of a diva, modeled after Maria Callas. Dec 26, 6:30 pm at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. $3 for non-members, $2 for members. 922-0220.

The Films of Charlie Chaplin. The comedic genius of Charlie Chaplin is represented in this series of great classics each Sunday this month, from his early silent films featuring the Little Tramp to his later social commentaries. Dec 1: The Gold Rush. Dec 8: City Lights. Dec 15: Modern Times. Dec 22: The Great Dictator. Dec 29: Monsieur Verdoux. All films at 2 pm in the museum auditorium at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. $2 for members, $3 for non-members. 922-0220.



DANCE



Fort Worth City Ballet. A cast of 175 dancers, angels, soldiers and mice will present 11 performances of the full-length production of the traditional Nutcracker in two acts Dec 21-23 at 8 pm, and 2 pm matinees (3 pm matinee on Dec 20) Dec 20-23 at the William E. Scott Theatre, 3505 W Lancaster. Fort Worth. Tickets $25-$5. 9210101 or 921-0102.



ENLIGHTENMENT



The Dallas Institute of Humanities & Culture. This winter the Institute offers seminars and courses featuring programs designed to study contemporary culture. Dec 7& 8: “The Artistic Imagination,” by Professor Lyle Novinsky. All seminars $60 at the Dallas Institute of Humanities & Culture, 2719 Routh. 871-2440.



RECREATION



Editor’s note: For a comprehensive listing of holiday activities and events, please see “A Christmas Calendar” in our Christmas Gift Guide in this issue.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. The Garden now offers free admission to garden visitors every Tuesday. In addition, 5,000 complimentary tickets will be available at all Dallas Park & Recreation Centers for admission to the gardens during special events. The Arboretum is located on the shores of White Rock Lake on the grounds of the historic DeGolyer and Camp estates. Tue-Sun 9 am-4 pm. Closed Mon. 8525 Garland Road. 327-8263.

Holiday in the Park. Six Flags Over Texas introduces this Christmas celebration for families that will feature festive holiday decorations, live Christmas shows, Bugs Bunny and his friends with street entertainment, a snow hill, old-fashioned buggy rides, artisans and craftsmen with a large selection of handcrafted ornaments and gifts, holiday foods and a family New Year’s Eve party. Nov 29-Dec 31 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), Mon-Fri 4pm-10pm,Sat&Sun 11 am-10pm. Admission is $4.50.



SPORTS



Dallas Cowboys. Texas Stadium, Irving. Reservedseat tickets $19; available at the Dallas Cowboys Ticket Office, 6116 N Central Expwy. Home games at noon unless otherwise indicated. 369-3211.

Dec 15 vs New York Giants

SMU. All home games played in Moody Coliseum onSMU campus. For ticket information, contact the SMU Athletic Ticket Office, Moody Coliseum, SMU. 692-2902.

Dec 4 vs Prairie View College 7:30 pm

6 vs Central Michigan 2 pm

13 & 14 Dallas Morning News Classic

13 vs NTSU 8 pm

TCU. All home games played in Daniel Meyer Coliseum on TCU campus. Tickets $7. For more information, contact the TCU ticket office (817) 921-7867.

Dec 21 vs Drake University 7:30

23 vs California St – Long Beach 7:30

Dallas Mavericks. All home games in Reunion Arena at 7:30 pm unless otherwise specified. Tickets $7 & $5 at Rainbow-Tickets or Reunion box office. 988-0117.

Dec 5 vs San Antonio Spurs 7 pm

7 vs Golden State Warriors

14 vs Denver Nuggets

27 vs Portland Trail Blazers 7 pm



NIGHTLIFE

ENTERTAINMENT/DANCING



Amnlzia. A perfect name for its location, because who can remember how many nightclubs have come and gone along here? This latest addition, with its Madonna-like dance music bouncing off the fluorescent painted walls, is going for the young 20ish singles crowd. You won’t find the chic types who hang around Upper Greenville, but the music is the same. And the dance floor is just as crowded. (2829 W. Northwest Hwy. 351-1262. Nightly 7pm-2am. No credit cards.)

Barney Oldfield’s. Barney Oldfield’s relentlessly pushes on, no matter what other clubs are doing, with its “straight from Las Vegas” theme. Everyone who appears on the stage seems to be either from Reno or Vegas. But while other similar supper clubs in Dallas have only had short lives, this one continues to thrive with its basic pop music act. (1893 W Mockingbird. 634-8850. Mon-Thur 4 pm-1 am. Fri-Sun 7 pm-2 am. Shows: Tue-Thur 9 & 11. Fri & Sat 9:30 & 11:30. Sun 9. MC, V, AE.)

Boardwalk Beach Club. You thought preppies were dying out? Head over in your BMW to Boardwalk and you will find them, hiding out from the real world. More than 1,000 of the prep set, from college kids to holdovers in their early 30s, jam the place every weekend night. The disc jockey plays good beach music, if you can hear it above the noise of the preppy talk. Dress is essential to a successful bar evening here, so button down tight. (6332 La Vista 823-5340. Wed-Sat 7pm-2 am. Fir 5 pm-2 am. Closed Sun-Tue. MC, V, AE.)

Bowley & Wilson’s. If you’re looking for a place to have your church social, don’t come here. Not for the faint of heart or timid of ear, Bowley and Wilson dish out hysterical music and humor that landed them in on one occasion. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, humor-filled evening. Bowley & Wilson and the Blue Bathroom Humor Band are for you. Light food, including pizza, is prepared by their Peruvian chef, Juan Ortega, You can win free drinks by being a good sport when they ask you to join in the act. Win free Kamikazies by successfully singing “Old Ben Lucas” in front of the audience. (4714 Greenville. 692-6470. Tue-Sat 7:30 pm-2 am. Show starts at 9:45)

Café Dallas. The club that was at one time the hottest disco in town (a title Cafe Dallas held back in 1980) has overhauled its image to bring back clientele. But Cafe Dallas has stuck with its dark decor and driving dance music and same drink specials-and amazingly has staged a sort of popular comeback on the always-changing Greenville strip. (5500 Greenville in Old Town Shopping Village. 987-0066.Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am. Sat 8 pm-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Callaghan’s. Ah, the sweet mysteries of Dallas nightlife. At Callaghan’s, part of the West End live music renaissance, you used to get pure Irish music. Now you never know what will be coming out of the loudspeakers. The little Irish bands play sporadically, and there’s jazz on Sundays, but the rest of the week could be anything. When we went, there was a Top 40 group early in the week, then a flat-out rock ’n’ roll group by the weekend. But it’s still worth the gamble (1701 Market at Ross. 761-9355. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am. Sat noon-2 am, Sun 4 pm-2 am. AE, DC, CB.)

Confetti. Look what’s happened to Dallas’ meat market: It went upscale. No more wild-looking waitresses in nasty outfits. No more best-body contests. No more teenager-looking types. Now sleekly redesigned for the young office crowd, the club still throws a good party. (5201 Matilda off Lovers Lane. 369-6969. 369-6977. Mon- Thur 5 pm-2 am, Fri 5 pm-4 am. Sat 7 pm-4 am. Sun 6 pm-2 am. Cover: $2 Mon after 7 & Tue-Thur after 7, $3 Fri & Sat. $2 Sun MC, V, AE, DC.)

Court Five. This place could be one of your great discoveries. A hole in the wall hidden among the North Dallas apartment complexes, this little bar attracts non-swingle-style partiers who have a roaring great time dancing to such decent little rock ’n’ roll bands as the Vinyl Tops and Silent Partners, There’s a large outdoor patio, hilarious photos on the wall of the owner with his friends and even bad pool tables in the back. (7108 Holly Hill. 363-0174. Tue-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Dick’s Last Resort. The charm of this newest nightspot in downtown’s West End district comes from the owner himself. In this charmingly hectic, casual atmosphere, where everyone sits at long tables, presides loud-mouthed Dick – he teases you. roars happily at you from across the bar and puts together a terrific combination of drinks with a hefty chicken ribs-crab menu. Dixieland jazz groups nightly. (Corner of Ross and Record. 747-0001 Mon-Wed 11:30 am-midmght. Thur-Sat 11:30 am-2 am. Sun 5 pm-midnight. MC, V, AE, DC.)

Fast and Cool. This Greenville Avenue creation, located in the old Nick’s Uptown building, is a dance club with naked light bulbs hanging down from the ceiling and female dancers in cages. They play everything from the Animals to the Eurythmics to Motown hits. (3606 Greenville. 827-5544 Sun Thur 7 pm-2 am, Fri 5 pm-4 am. Sat 7-4 Cover: $3 Thur-Sat MC, V, AE.)

500 Cafe. Everyone likes to think they’re part of the eclectic crowd, but you can find the real thing at the 500 Cafe A combination of the city’s intelligentsia. New Wavers and Deep Ellumites. this little bar near Fair Park offers live entertainment Thursday through Saturday and such unusual delights as poetry readings and short films during the week. (408 Exposition Ave 821-4623 Tue-Fri 5 pm-2 am.Sat6pm-2am Closed Sun & Mon AE only.)

Gershwin’s Bar & Grill. No one can discover a nightspot faster than the North Dallas single. This new Upper Greenville restaurant features two bars-and both are constantly packed. If you don’t like the bar closest to the door, you can simply work your way over to the one beside a grand piano that appears to be built on top of a scaffolding Most of the crowd is at the bar waiting for a table, so if you’re going to hustle someone, you’d better hurry. (8442 Walnut Hill at Greenville. 373-7171 Sun-Thur 11:30 am-midmght, Fri & Sat 11:30am-1 am. No cover MC. V. AE. DC.)

In Cahoots. All of us serious North Dallas nightclub watchers are starting to wonder Is In Cahoots going to beat the trend and last? Almost every Greenville club that plays off contemporary dance music has a hot period and then fades, but the parking lot at NorthPark East is still packed Great laser show, sophisticated decor, blackjack tables-but most important, they have hot. sweaty, single dancing bodies. (NorthPark East. 8796 N Central Expwy. 692-5417. Mon-Thur 5 pm-2 am. Fri 5 pm-3:30 am. Sat 7:30 pm-3 30 am; cover on weekends MC, V, AE.)

Jazz City. There are nightclubs galore that offer a sprinkling of jazz, but until now. none has tried so diligently to recreate New Orleans’ French Quarter atmosphere Here, on far Lower Greenville, you’ll find a place that serves New Orleans food and drinks, and it plays pure, straight jazz. Every major |azz group in the area comes through, so you can get a taste of just about all Dallas has to offer. (1518 Greenville. south of Ross 823-7474. Mon-Thur 11 am-midmght, Fri 11-2, Sat 4 pm-2. Live music Thur-Sat Cover varies depending on act MC, V, AE)

Mistral. Without question, the most expensive dance club in Dallas Weekend cover is now $10, and though it’s a very slick European-styled club with a fabulous light show (aren’t you tired of people calling light shows “fabulous?”) and a huge video screen, it still has a tendency to draw more people from the suburbs than from the beautiful crowd. The revamped adjoining restaurant now serves food “by the ounce,” (Loews Anatole. 2201 Stemmons 760-9000. Tue-Thur 5 pm-2 am. Fri 5 pm-4 am. Sat 7 pm-4 am. Closed Sun & Mon. MC, V, AE)

Nairobi Room. Are you adrift from reality, are you in touch w]ith your true self, or are you just sticking safety pins through your ears because everyone else is doing it? Find out here, at the most well-known New Wave and punk bar in the city. Sometimes the Nairobi Room is a parody of itself: A lot of people there try exceedingly hard to make themselves look too cool During the day. no doubt, they wear business suits Dress any way you want and they’ll let you in. (Beer and wine only BYOB 2914 Harry Hines. in the Town House Motor Hotel 748-9567 Open 7 days a week. 7 pm-2 am Bandsand cover charge are sporadic. No credit cards)

Poor David’s Pub. In a city where live music clubs close quicker than real estate deals. Poor David’s has been hanging on for eight years. It’s still the leader in blues artists, progressive-country singers and touring folk singers. (1924 Greenville. 821-9891. Mon-Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. Cover varies. No credit cards.)

Popsicie Toes. After taking one look at the seamy exterior, people have been afraid of walking in here, which is a mistake. Featuring rhythm and blues and funk bands like Phyrework and Buster Brawn, Popsicle Toes brings together a lively group from every social strata. This is one of the best places to dance you’ll find. (5627 Dyer. 368-9706. Tue-Thur& Sat 8 pm-2 am; Fri 4 pm-2 am; Sun 7:30 pm-midnight. MC, V, AE.)

Prohibition Room. Too long regarded as the place in the basement next door to the Starck Club, the Prohibition Room has developed an aura of its own, not the least because it has begun to regularly draw some of the top local bands, like Robert Lee Kolb. When you enter, you think it’s another pool-and-shuffleboard bar, but when you run out of quarters, go to the back by the stage and listen to an evening’s worth of fine music. (703 McKinney in the Brewery. 954-4407. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am. Sat 7 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

The Railhead. The one Greenville Avenue showroom that never changes has good – but never flashy – pop acts. The crowd seems to be getting older. (6919 Twin Hills. Park Lane at Greenville. 369-8700. Daily 5 pm-2 am. Cover vanes; Fri-Mon only. All credit cards.)

Razz Ma Tazz. The nightclub assault continues in the West End district of downtown Dallas. The latest, Razz Ma Tazz, offers one of the most intriguing interiors we’ve seen in a while: a combination of a Havana show room from the Fifties and a plain old Sixties rock ’n’ roll hangout. The live music you get, though, ranges from rock to R&B to dance-styled pop. Good local bands, ornate bar; restaurant menu also available. (1714 N Market. 748-7112. Mon-Fri 11 am-2am, Sat6pm-2am Closed Sun. MC, V, AE, DC.)

Redux. This new Lower Greenville live act club (pronounced Ree-do for reasons no one has yet been able to explain) is at the site of the old Tango, where frogs were perched on the roof and women danced in an aquarium. Redux has lightened up the color on the walls but cut out the video dancing rooms, so all there is to do is listen to the bands-which are your basic non-splash regional fare. (1827 Greenville. 827-1591 Tue-Sat 7:30 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Rick’s Casablanca. At first glance, you may think you’ve come to one of those old-fashioned tropical bars (with perhaps the best ceiling fans in Dallas). But Rick’s is quickly becoming one of the best small clubs in which to hear good bands, from reggae to rhythm and blues. The place is often crowded early in the week, since Robert Lee Kolb and Local Heroes perform Monday through Wednesday nights. (1919 Greenville. 824-6509. Daily 8 pm-2 am. Cover vanes. MC, V, AE.)

Strictly TaBu. One of the longest-lasting jazz clubs in Dallas (with the best pizza you’ll ever find at a jazz club), Strictly TaBu continues to present, in its dark, badly decorated interior, some of the best contemporary jazz in town. Groups play every night, the most regular being Jeanette Brantley and Clockwork, which plays with such a unique style that it often takes a survey in the middle of a performance asking people what they think they’re listening to. (4111 Lomo Alto. Lemmon at the Tollway. 528-5200 Tue-Sun 6 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. MC, V, AE.)

Studebaker’s. Can this good-times emporium be slipping so soon into senescence? Say it ain’t so, Elvis. Actually, news of Studebaker’s demise may be greatly exaggerated. True, new clubs have cut deeply into its crowds; the patrons are older and less chic than before. But the passion for nostalgia seems undying, so aging rock lovers still gather at such shrines to bop and stroll their way to bliss. The non-stop mix of Motown, cutesy rock (“Hand Jive,” “Hokey-Pokey,” etc.) and the old gold of various Frankies and Bobbies can still pack em in. And don’t forget the generous happy hour buffet. (NorthPark East, 8788 N Central Expwy. 696-2475. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am,Sat & Sun 7 pm-2am. Dress code after 4 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Studio E. When you’re ready for a change of pace in live jazz music, you have to make it to Studio E. You aren’t going to get the snobbery here that goes with some jazz clubs. This is strictly a BYOB affair (setups are available). By day, it’s a music store that sells amplifiers, band instruments, etc. But at night, local jazz groups come in and try out their new material on willing audiences. It’s a chance to see what may become tomorrow’s headliner groups. (919 N Haskell. 824-8483. Fri-Sun 9 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)

Studio 67. The hottest disco in South Dallas, Studio 67 is regularly packed, with everyone wanting to dance. Dance music is new, not filled with the old disc jockey favorites. Membership required to buy liquor. (3939 S Polk. 374-1200. Wed-Fri 5 pm-2 am. Sat 8 pm-3 am. Sun 8 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)

Top of the Dome. If you want to meet the tourist who comes to Dallas, come here. All the wide-eyed visitors, from small-town vacationers to conventioneers and traveling businessmen, mingle up here in the ball. Spectrum, a top 40 group, plays six nights a week. There’s a small dance floor, and the windows provide the best view of downtown. (Hyatt Regency’s Reunion Tower on Reunion Blvd. 651-1234. Mon-Fri 2 pm-2 am, Sat noon-2 am, Sun noon-midnight. All credit cards.)

Venetian Room. The old king of the Dallas showroom supper clubs, the Venetian Room still consistently brings in the most recognizable names in pop-jazz-comedy acts. The posh, elegant place, with its frescoes on the walls and tuxedoed waiters, might be intimidating to some, but the dress code has been loosened (you can get by without tie or fancy dress), the cover charge ranges from $12-$20, and you don’t have to buy the full-course dinner (which starts at $20) to come to the show. (Fairmont Hotel, Ross and Akard. 720-2020. Mon-Sat. two shows nightly at 9 pm and 11 pm. MC, V, AE, DC.)

Village Country Club. Pull out all the old jokes about the people from the Village Apartments, and you have the makeup of this club, right? Wrong. Local bands appear here, and the crowd doesn’t trade business cards or astrological signs. They just hang loose and appreciate the music. (8308 Southwestern. 361-9866. Mon- Wed 4 pm-midnight, Thur & Fri 4 pm-2 am. Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-midnight. Live music Thur-Sat. MC, V, AE.)



NIGHTLIFE

DRINKING



Andrew’s. Why mess around with a successful formula? Andrew’s still features obscure folk singers on the guitar, it keeps serving its well-regarded hamburgers, and it keeps offering its strong specialty drinks with ridiculous names. Although there are now four Andrew’s locations in Dallas, only the McKinney location offers live music. It’s still a kick to see the Yuppie crowd that packs this comfortable nightspot listening to the old Joan Baez tunes. (3301 McKinney. 521-6535. 14930 Midway, 385-1613; 7557 Greenville. 363-1910; 10723 Composite, 351-4804. Mon-Sat 11:15 am-2 am; Sun 10:30 am-2 am. All credit cards.)

Arthur’s. The ideal spot for you to meet that rich middle-aged man, Arthur’s has for years been the sophisticated gathering place for the single upper-class crowd in their 40s and up who don’t believe that wearing a thick gold chain around your neck is the way to show your charm. (1000 Campbell Center. 361-8833. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-1:30 am; Sat 6 pm-1:30 am. All credit cards.)

Biff’s. If you’ve lived in Dallas longer than five years, you’ll recognize the unique thing about Biffs. It’s the only Greenville club north of Park Lane that has not changed its name. Since 1978, Biff’s has provided mingling at the bar, a menu of about any food you can name and upscale clientele. Now it adds another popular feature, an outdoor veranda overlooking a grove of trees, not a parking lot. (7402 Greenville. 696-1952. Sun- Tue 11 am-midnight. Wed & Thur 11 am-1 am, Fri & Sat 11 am-2 am. MC, V AE.)

Cactus. Are you ready to get down in Richardson? At the end of the work day, it seems that everyone who must drive Central all the way from downtown stops here to unwind. By Friday, the place is a madhouse, with Richardson residents packed two-deep at the bar talking mortgages and landscaping and sex, like all good suburbanites. (13929 N Central Expwy, Richardson. 234-1055. Daily 11 am-2 am. All credit cards.)

Cheers. A neighborhood bar on Upper Greenville? This darts-pool-horseshoes-and-jukebox bar has all the trappings of a place where you want to hang out and not necessarily get picked up. A popular place with the SMU set, it’s still a good all-around bar, except for the times when they switch the channel on the big-screen television to the tacky Playboy channel. (5118 Greenville. 692-5738. Daily 10 am-2 am. MC, V, AE, DC.)

Chelsea Comer. In the block where upper McKinney Avenue runs into Highland Park, there is the perfect club to blend the two cultures. A quiet, candle-on-the-table place, with little sandwich or quiche dinners, all kinds of colorful fruit drinks and a guitarist playing folk-pop songs on an elevated stage, Chelsea Corner is great for a peaceful moment before you hit the fast lane, or a way to unwind if you’re coming off it. (4830 McKinney. 522-3501. Mon-Sat 11:15 am-2 am, Sun 5 pm-2 am. Live music Tue-Sat. MC, V, AE, DC.)

The Den. The great all-time dark bar of Dallas is the place to go for your after-work liaison. You can barely see past your own table, and the bartender pours doubles all night at single-drink prices. (The Stoneleigh Hotel, 2927 Maple. 871-7111. Mon-Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun noon-11 pm. MC. V, AE, DC.)

Greenville Bar & Grill. This no-frills bar still remains the centerpiece of the Lower Greenville crowd. After you hit all the funky nightspots on the strip, you always seem to head back over to the Bar & Grill for one last drink or hamburger. Hal Baker’s Gloomchasers continue with Dixieland music on Sundays and Thursdays. (2821 Greenville. 823-6691. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. AE only.)

Joe Miller’s. Why does Joe Miller’s get more press than any other bar in the city? Because it’s the hangout of the middle-aged news media crowd. Walk through the door and wait two minutes until your eyes adjust to the darkness. Sit on those simulated leather couches. Listen to John Anders and Blackie Sherrod talk about the good old days. Listen to Joe Miller tell 100 jokes in a half-hour. Actually, the bar is far from exclusive. The bartenders and waitresses make everyone feel welcome, even if you didn’t just finish a story on deadline, (3531 McKinney. 521-2261. Mon-Fri noon-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sunday. MC, V, AE.)

Juan Murphey’s. Across from the Wine Press on Oak Lawn comes a self-styled “Mexican Bar and Grill.” And the cheap margaritas are staggering. The bar is making a play for the Oak Lawn crowd that doesn’t have a Tex-Mex place to call its own. Sleek, high-tech interior, along with your standard Mexican food menu. (4216 Oak Lawn. 559-3160. Mon-Sat 11 am-midnight. Closed Sun. MC. V, AE.)

Knox Street Pub. Here, across the street from such Yuppie delights as On the Border and Hoffbrau, is a bar still fighting to be laid back. And what is laid back these days? How about a varied jukebox with rock ’n’ roll, English New Wave, country/western and Sixties pop? How about terrible restrooms and old pool tables? How about a vast array of clientele? The pub is a classic neighborhood bar, a vanishing species. (3230 Knox. 526-9476 Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun 5 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)

The Lounge. What’s that, you old coot? Want to throw down a beer with young intelligentsia? Here’s what you do: First, dress chic, but don’t let it look elegantly chic. Casual chic is the style here (unless you’re in the New Wave crowd and you come in so everyone can have a look at what they’ve been told is “gloriously outrageous-fashion). Then, you’d better see one of those foreign movies playing next door at the Inwood Theatre so you’ll have something to talk about at the bar. And you’d better show a little poise. This is as close as Dallas gets to one of those sophisticated, high-tech upper West Side bars in New York where you wish you could eavesdrop on the conversation at every table. (5458 Lovers Lane. 350-7834. Sun-Wed 5 pm-1 am, Thur-Sat 5 pm-2 am. AE, DC, CB.)

Mimi’s. This is the perfect spot for European beer lovers. Also Asian beer lovers. Caribbean beer lovers and, if you must be boring, American beer lovers. At this quiet spot, in the heart of the noise-blasting Greenville clubs, you can play a game called “Around the World,” where you drink beer from dozens of countries -more than 130 brands, Mimi’s also has fine sandwiches and snacks. Bartender plays albums (not singles) and is open to any request. (5111 Greenville. 696-1993. Daily 11:30 am-2 am. MC, V, AE. DC.)

Nana. It’s hard to imagine a hotel bar that’s romantic, but elevator up to the 27th floor of the Anatole. In one of his racier moves, Trammell Crow had a huge painting of a nude woman named Nana put behind the green marble-topped bar. You’d probably look more at the painting, but the view of Dallas through the huge windows is better. Fine jazz trio plays Thursday through Sunday. (Loews Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons Fwy. 748-1200 Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat & Sun 6 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

The Palm Bar. If you’re downtown, few places are as nice as this for a drink after work. If you’re not downtown, it’s worth the trip. The decor is elegant but not pompous, the drinks are excellent and reasonably priced and the service is flawless. If you work late, beware-this place closes at 7 pm. (Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200. Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm. Closed Sat & Sun. All credit cards.)

San Francisco Rose. The continued success of Dallas’ oldest fern bar defies rational analysis. The inside seating is some of the worst in town; the food ranges from so-so to no-no; the service can be forgetful; and the al fresco scene outside is only for those who like their drinks with carbon monoxide The one strong point we can discover is the drink list: Some of Rose’s concoctions blend imagination with hefty shots to produce a reduced level of critical awareness. Hey. maybe that’s the answer. (3024 Greenville. 826-2020. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. All credit cards.)

Shuckers. The new McKinney Avenue spot, Shuckers wants you to order from its Continental seafood menu while you watch one of the sporting events that goes non-stop on one of their televisions. Their forte, however, is their bartending staff. They put together sensational Bloody Marys and Martinis. Don’t let the establishments ugly exterior prevent you from trying it out. (4620 McKinney. 522-7320. Mon-Thur 11 am- 11 pm. Fri & Sat 11 am-midnight. MC, V, AE, DC)

SRO. What would the Yuppie downtown business crowd do if they couldn’t have an after work drink at SRO (which should stand for Smashingly Resplendent-ly Ordinary)? Here, you may tap your manicured fingernails against the sleek bar and wonder who that handsome man is in the Armani suit or what kind of soul lurks beneath that Neiman-Marcus mannequin lookalike who is sipping wine by herself. Everyone looks good in the track lighting of SRO. That, of course, doesn’t help the food, and you’d better be ready to talk banking or real estate principles if you want to last here. (2900 McKinney 748-5014. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun 5 pm-2 am, All credit cards.)

St. Martin’s. What could be better for an intimate late-night rendezvous than sharing a bottle of good wine and a cheese-and-fruit or paté board in this quiet, relaxing Lower Greenville Avenue bistro? The atmosphere is romantic, with uncrowded candlelit tables, fresh red carnations, crisp white tablecloths and soft classical music; the service is pleasant. (3020 Greenville. 826-0940. Mon- Thur 11 am-2:30 pm &5-11 pm, Fri 11 am-3 pm & 5 pm-1 am, Sat 5 pm-1 am. Sun 5-11 pm; Sun brunch: 11-3. All credit cards.)

Steak Pit. In the midst of hectic Harry Hines, here is a country/western bar that should be located in a small town. It’s the country bar for people who can never get enough country. The bar opens at 11 am, and the drinks flow till 2 am. Lonnie Dean and Silvercreek, which plays there most nights, is one of the most venerable country bands in Dallas, and there’s a great talent contest on Tuesdays where truckers, housewives and a few guys who’ve had a little too much to drink prove that it ain’t how well you sing that makes a song good, but whether you know all the lyrics. The restaurant, which has great steak, is open 24 hours. (8121 Harry Hines, 631-8225. daily 11 am-2 am. V.)



Stoneleigh 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. 871-2346. Mon-Thur 11 am-1 am, Fri & Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-midnight. AE.)

TGI Friday’s. Remember how this was “the” singles place in the mid-Seventies? TGI Friday’s got a lot of national attention then, and the management hasn’t messed with the formula. This is practically the training school for all singles bar patrons in Dallas. Like clockwork, one group of singles replaces another: Whoever you saw hanging around the bar (still packed three-deep) six months ago probably won’t be there tonight. When you’re exhausted, you can take a table in the dining room where the sandwich food remains supreme. (5500 Greenville in Old Town Shopping Village, with locations in Addison and Piano. 363-5353. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-2 am. MC, V, AE, DC)



Vickery Feed Store. This deli/bar has an odd but appealing mixture of country and class. Wooden walls 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. Vickery has good drinks, great deli/snack food and some of the friendliest service in town. (6918 Greenville. 363-9198. Mon 6 am-midnight, Tue-Fri 6 am-2 am. Sat 8 am-2 am. Sun 8 am-midnight. MC, V, AE.)



The Wine Press. This is the perfect place to go on a rainy night – or any time you’re looking for romance, intimacy and spirits. The Wine Press is decorated with wine bottles from floor to ceiling on almost every wall. 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 Mon-Sun 11 am-2 am. Sun brunch 11 am-3 pm. All credit cards.)

Zanzibar. 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. And even though Zanzibar looks cosmopolitan, it has a neighborhood bar feel to it that leads to discussions among perfect strangers from table to table. (2912 Greenville. 828-2250. Mon 6 pm-1 am, Tue- Thur 6 pm-2 am, Fri & Sat 11:30 am-2 am. Sun 4 pm-midnight; Sun brunch: 11:30-3 MC, V, AE.)



FORT WORTH NIGHTUFE



Billy Bob’s Texas. This huge country/western club in the Fort Worth Stockyards has a lot going for it: two restaurants, 42 bar stations, a real bull-riding arena and several shops. It’s bigger than Gilley’s, more citified than the Longhorn Ballroom and is a “must-see’ if you’re in Fort Worth. (2520 N Commerce in the Stockyards. Metro 429-5979. Mon-Sat 9:30 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. MC, V, AE.)



The White Elephant Saloon. In 1887, Luke Short, then the owner of the While Elephant, shot it out with a former U.S. marshal. Today, the Elephant has country/western music six nights a week and lots 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. Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

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