Coronavirus News

Bar in Fort Worth Stockyards says it's opening, COVID-19 or not

The Basement Bar suggests that the coronavirus is "all nonsense and grossly over exaggerated."

Photo by Jeremy Hallock

A bar in Fort Worth is taking a page out of Colleyville's coronavirus book and making plans to reopen for business: The Basement Bar, located in the Stockyards district, has declared its plans to open on Friday, May 1.

The bar announced its intent via a Facebook post (since removed) that begins, "We have played the game long enough," and goes on to suggest that the coronavirus fears are unfounded.

Both the city of Fort Worth and the state of Texas have stay-at-home decrees that extend until April 30. If those decrees end on that date, then the bar would not be out of order opening one day later, on May 1.

However, Dallas has extended its stay-at-home order into mid-May.

Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced plans to phase out the order, beginning with the reopening of state parks on April 20.

The town of Colleyville recently stirred up a storm with its decision to allow churches, restaurants, and other businesses to reopen with certain limitations. As of April 22, Tarrant County reported 1,430 positive cases of COVID-19, including 97 new cases; 44 fatalities; and 259 recovered cases.

The Basement Bar's post says, "We abided by the rules set forth to help prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed and to 'flatten the curve.' Since March 18th we have been closed. We always put our customers first as well as theirs and our employees safety. As most of you already know, more and more evidence is brought to light everyday that most of this was all nonsense and grossly over exaggerated. We feel it is most important to stand up for our freedoms and get our employees back to work, it is our right. We can no longer neglect our livelihoods for the illusion of safety put forth by our city leaders. There's no more 'Y'all Stay Home' it's 'Y'all Get Back To Work!'"

"This post is not to be insensitive or undermine anyone who feels they have or knows someone has has lost their life to 'covid19'," it says. "Any loss of life is tragic. But freedom is exactly what makes life so precious and special. Without it what kind of life can you live? If you disagree with us, please feel free to stay home."

The post on its own is amusing enough but for Grade A quarantine reading, you can't beat the 3,500-or-so comments. I mean, it is a gold mine.

Musician Tom Urquhart starts it off, saying, "Um. I love this venue, but I won't be performing there anytime soon. Good luck to the survivors in the meantime."

"God speed," says Tony Diaz. "May the benedictions be sweet at their funerals."

"I'd hate to see anyone lose their business over this virus. That was, until I read this shitshow," says artist Steve Hunter. "Imagine getting 900 shares and they’re all by people calling you a moron. Fantastic business plan."

nightlife health

Closure News

Tropic Lady restaurant-bar on Fort Worth's Race Street says aloha

Tropic Lady

The dip trio at Tropic Lady.

A chill restaurant and bar in Fort Worth's River East district has closed: Tropic Lady, which opened in the former Fuzzy's Taco space at 2719 Race St. in 2023, has closed.

The restaurant, which closed in mid-December, was a sibling to Bearded Lady, the popular gastropub in Near Southside; their last Facebook post was on December 10. Their phone number is not working, and their website is no longer active. Owner Shannon Osbakken was unavailable for comment, but a Bearded Lady employee confirmed the closure.

Tropic Lady was a tropical-themed gastropub opened by a trio of friends: Bearded Lady owner Shannon Osbakken, her business partner Sarah Allen, and general manager Amanda Yunger. It offered a similar menu as Bearded lady but with more tropical-inspired fare, including shrimp tacos, bacon-wrapped grilled pineapple bites, and guacamole dotted with mango.

For a gastropub, they did interesting food with dishes like watermelon salad with feta and cucumber; or their Dip Trio, with mango guacamole, tomatillo salsa, and queso blanco served with house-made tortilla chips. Definitely not run-of-the-mill. They also had great lunch specials like a smashburger with curly fries for $10.

Food did not seem to be the problem.

Decor featured artwork and murals created by local artists. A beautifully landscaped patio wrapped around the building’s facade. So the setting did not seem to be a factor.

It's tempting to point the finger at its location on Race Street, which has witnessed a round of closings in the past two years including buzzy birria taqueria Caliscience, which closed in February 2024; as well as The Post at River East, a restaurant and live music venue that shut down the same month.

In 2023, three other restaurants on Race Street closed: Tributary Cafe, the Bon Appetit-lauded La Onda, and vegan burger spot Zonk Burger. But separate reasons can also be found for each of those closures, whether that be inexperience or lease issues.

For years, the city and neighborhood advocates have been trying to turn Race Street into a trendy hotspot. As part of the city’s Urban Villages program, the city of Fort Worth invested $5.6 million in revitalizing the area, making improvements to traffic flow, sidewalks, landscaping, and outdoor lighting.

When Osbakken opened the bar, she said she loved the area, stating "it reminds me of Magnolia when were first were on it 10 years ago in our old location. It's a great community and the neighbors have been friendly and reaching out."

And there are still restaurants along the street, including a popular Mexican restaurant called Tesoro, the Dough’d Up doughnut shop, and Kingyo Sushi & Ramen House, as well as a coffee shop, Race Street Coffee.

The Bearded Lady continues to flourish. Osbakken originally opened the popular gastropub on Magnolia Avenue in 2013. Six years later, she moved it to the South Main, where it’s still going strong.

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