My Top 10 Places to Grab a Drink in Dallas

The backyard of the Amsterdam Bar.

Weeks are long, especially in America where people work some of the longest hours with some of the least vacation days in the developed world. To counteract this, some brilliant dudes or dudettes long ago invented a way to give people excuses for not getting anything accomplished for limited periods of time - alcohol. People have been drinking for a long time obviously, but going out for a drink in Dallas, Tx. presents a special set of challenges and pitfalls likely unique in world history.

Like an expert navigator, my stir craziness has provided me with years of experience which I use to navigate these turbulent seas. There are no rocks or menacing shorelines, no soul crushing squalls to contend with in the cool controlled atmosphere of the modern Dallas bar, but I'd take jagged cliff faces and unexpected reefs over a $30,000 millionaire douchebag any day of the week. But that's the kind of obstacle that abounds in the Dallas social scene, where you can on any given night fully expect to -

• Battle with said douches just for the honor of receiving a warm Bud Light (with lime of course)
• Be stomped on by throngs of shiny manufactured people, many of them mysteriously wearing the same shirts and high heals...
• Be robbed by drinks that are so overpriced your CNN knowledge of economics makes you wonder when the bubble will burst. If you drink enough it's not hard to imagine the little bastards literally coming alive, reaching into your wallet, taking your money and shooting you the bird while laughing a gurgly immersed in liquid laugh.

But when you break through it all, there are some amazing places to hang out. These are some of the ones I found, and I definitely welcome any recommendations!

My Top Ten Places to Grab a Drink in Dallas

1. Zubar – great bar staff, regulars, and quirky crowd with events that change daily. Love the seeming contradiction inherent in the place. Pretty posh interior that nevertheless houses regulars and a neighborhood bar atmosphere in the early evening. As the night comes on the music gets a little louder, crowd a little crazier. The ability to pick your poison makes it a great and very unique place.

2. Amsterdam Bar – amazing outdoor area, friendly crowd, Strongbow ciders, occasional outdoor performances and BBQ's. Did I mention the incredible outdoor area? I once sat sweating like a pig (do pigs sweat where does this come from?) but refused to take shelter in the air conditioned insides. Dehydration is worth that kind of cool. Plus you get buzzed quicker if that's your goal.

3. Times Ten Cellars – incredible patio and good wine at good prices. This is a great date spot fellas. Don't forget to tell her she "looks beautiful in the candlelight". Which of course is always true. Especially after 5 or 6 glasses of wine.

4. The Bone – awesome music with amazing views of downtown from the rooftop. Great sound system and great energy. Perhaps best of all if you like quirky concoctions there's no better place in town. Shot that tastes exactly like Key Lime Pie? Check. Then there's the Jolly Rancher, the Chocolate Cake, the Orange TicTac, the Sex With the Bartender (just kidding on that last one, I don't know if it tastes exactly like that.)

5. The Old Monk – great décor, staff are fun to talk to, people are friendly, lots of selection. Incredible food. Seriously incredible (try the roast beef sandwich yum!!!)

6. Balcony Club – great old school feel. Close your eyes. Now open your eyes. Now close your eyes. Now open your eyes. You're in a Jazz club in 1940's Chicago, and you've drank too much hence the excessive openings and closings of the eyes. "Imagine". They make some stroooooong drinks here.

7. The Libertine – awesome feel GREAT food and friendly people

8. Capitol Pub – expansive patio overlooking busy intersection feels very Pittsburgh or east coast, which reminds me of...the east coast. Huge beer selection and excellent Fish & Chips.

9. Pearl at Commerce – this former sanitarium (so the story went one night) has the most amazing interiors of any place out of the bunch. Very laid back atmosphere with lots of local and national acts passing through to bring in a passionate and friendly crowd.

10. The Gingerman – great selection of beers that’s really driven home by the well considered organization of the taps. Good crowd through the week though weekends can get douchy, which is the only reason for the low rating.