An exciting round of new bars has debuted in Fort Worth, with a few notable additions in Grapevine, too. The list is wide-ranging, from a sky-high hotel rooftop lounge to an underground cave dedicated to fine wine. All eight are worth a visit this month for the latest in sips, brews, and views.
Annex
Add Annex to Fort Worth’s growing list of rooftop bars. This one sits atop the newly opened 14-story boutique hotel, Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown, located in the long vacant Hotel Texas Annex building (811 Commerce St.). The spacious bar and lounge offers lots of indoor and outdoor seating, with comfy couches surrounded by pillows and planters situated under glass-covered wooden pergolas (safe from any rain), and enclosed seating next to a large, charcoal-colored full bar. While Annex is just days old and still gaining its footing, it promises cocktails, light bites, and stunning downtown views with weekly live music to be added soon. Hours are 4-10 pm Monday-Thursday, 4 pm-midnight Friday, 12 pm-midnight Saturday, and 12-10 pm Sunday.
Hoppin’
This self-pour taproom in the Foundry District (2608 Weisenberger St.) opened in late August, boasting a high-tech, serve-yourself system of 58 beers, wines, seltzers, ciders, and cocktails on tap. Hoppin’ comes from husband-and-wife duo Michael and Holly Brittner, who discovered the concept in North Carolina when it debuted there in 2017. The new Fort Worth location is the first in Texas, with another in the works for Grapevine. While the primary draw is the wide-ranging self-pour service, Hoppin’ does offer a full bar with a bartender – the espresso martinis are worth the visit alone. Find them on special during Tuesday trivia night. Other theme nights include wine specials on Wednesdays, margaritas and Modelo discounted on Thursdays, and food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays.
Hogan Alley
The south end of downtown Fort Worth has new life thanks to the opening of Hogan Alley (901 Houston St.), a new coffee shop and bar that debuted in late August in the former Brass Tap space. Serving coffee and cocktails all day and into the night, the shotgun-style bar offers cozy nooks for conversation without the loud atmosphere of a rowdy nightclub. Specialty coffees are named for area neighborhoods, such as the Northside Latte and the Chisholm Cold Brew. Signature cocktails include the South Sidecar with brandy and orange liqueur, and the Horned Mule with vodka, ginger beer, and prickly pear puree. Combine the best of both worlds with “Dirty Coffees” (aka “spiked coffee cocktails”) like the carajillo, espresso martini, or the Amber Honey Sipper made with bourbon and honey cold brew concentrate, walnut bitters, topped with vanilla oat cold foam, and a honeycomb slice. Pastries, baked goods, salads, and charcuterie round out the offerings. Open 7 am-10 pm Monday through Wednesday, 7 am- midnight Thursday and Friday, and 8 am-midnight Saturday and Sunday.
FW Thunderbird will go into the Red Goose building in downtown Fort Worth.Photo by Malcolm Mayhew
FW Thunderbird
Fort Worth’s newest speakeasy opens this week on a downtown Fort Worth block that’s experienced lots of closures lately. FW Thunderbird comes from veteran bar owners Brian Forella (Lola’s, The Wreck Room) and Danny Weaver (The Aardvark). It sits on the second floor of the historic Red Goose Saloon building (306 N. Houston St.), just steps from recently shuttered-and-relocated Sundance Square businesses Reata, Four Day Weekend, and Melt Ice Creams. (Sundance Square doesn’t own FW Thunderbird’s building.) While the Red Goose Saloon still occupies ground level, Weaver and Forella aim to bring a neighborhood bar feel with lots of TVs and a wide selection of beer and cocktails to an area of downtown that lacks anything similar. A drink menu is still in the works, but the owners promise it will be ready in time for this weekend’s football games. Find the entrance via a semi-secret staircase that’s separate from the Red Goose entrance.
Cave Society
This secret, subterranean wine cave hidden inside Grapevine’s Hotel Vin recently opened to the public after previously requiring a pricey membership to enter. Now wine enthusiasts can book a reservation for exclusive access to highly rated, limited production wines. The intimate, dimly lit lounge also features a 16-bottle self-pour system that offers tastes in one, three, or five ounces. Reservations may be made for up to a party of four Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 5 pm. Note that no food is served inside Cave Society, so guests will want to plan for dinner accordingly and dress to impress.
Rock & Brews
This bar, restaurant, and live music venue – the brainchild of KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley – rocked its way into Grapevine in July (520 W. State Hwy 114). While the concept has been around since 2010 and has 24 locations, the new Grapevine outlet is Tarrant County’s first. Fittingly, everything has a rock-n-roll theme here, including “rocktails” named for iconic songs, like the tropical "Stairway to Heaven" and the "Smoke on the Water," shaken with peach vodka and spiced rum. As for the space, tall ceilings, massive windows, and indoor-outdoor seating areas draw large groups (including families) for game-watching and weekend live music. Concert-style lighting, music videos displayed on 75-inch TV screens, and rock art and memorabilia add to the fun.
Mr. Froze serves grab-and-go frozen margaritas and more.Facebook/Mr. Froze Margarita
The Annex/Facebook
Fort Worth's newest rooftop bar is now open on the 14th floor of Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown.
Mr. Froze Margarita
This local frozen drink chain just opened its third area location, in Watauga (5624 Watauga Rd.), after existing outlets in Saginaw and Arlington. Customers can grab-and-go from an array of frozen blended libations, like the Mango Sangria and the Peach-A-Rita, in sizes from 16 ounces to one gallon. “Boosts” include extra shots, electrolytes for rehydration, and fruit juice-filled boba pearls. Guests can also stay and partake in the beverages on-site thanks to a spacious interior with patio-style seating, yard games, and open garage doors. Kids are welcome, so expect a family-friendly atmosphere.
Rowdy Cowboy
Grapevine just got a little rowdier thanks to the opening of Rowdy Cowboy (1713 Crossroads Dr.), a new bar and “breastaurant” co-owned by a couple of veteran Fort Worth strip club owners. The female servers are clothed here, but barely. Attire includes bikini tops and thong bottoms in similar fashion to many West 7th District bars. Based on recent reviews, the locals are loving the spice. Expect steamy innuendos all over the place, from the “Saddle Up” neon sign to the “Reverse Cowgirl” cocktail made with cucumber vodka. There are 32 beers on tap and an emphasis on whiskey with a whiskey locker program. Daily drink specials include $5 Modelo Mondays and $4 Four Sixes Fridays. A lengthy food menu ranges from steaks, burgers, and tacos to pizza, sandwiches, and salads.
