Some prefer a sophisticated craft cocktail while others count on a cold schooner. Bars are as varied as the patrons who frequent them. As we continue to profile nominees for the 2024 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards, it’s time to raise a glass to contenders for Bar of the Year.

Among these 10 contenders are some longtime watering holes and some brand new hangs. Get to know them, and all the nominees, in our special editorial series leading up to the big event: the Tastemaker Awards party.

Taking place May 2 at The 4 Eleven (411 S. Main St.), the annual tasting event and awards ceremony, hosted by chef Jon Bonnell, will shine a light on top local restaurant and bar talent.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $60 for general admission and $99 for VIP (includes early access to the event, valet, and a dedicated bar). Don't wait - prices will increase March 31.

Now, let's belly up for a closer look at the 10 nominees for Bar of the Year, presented in alphabetical order:

Atlas
Making a splash in South Main Village since opening in January, this worldly bar takes patrons on a global voyage with exotic cocktails in a sophisticated setting. Atlas (314 S. Main St.) originates from Oak Cliff, where the first location opened in 2020. Both locations offer food and drink inspired by owner Dan Bui's worldwide travels. Think Singapore Sling, Pompeiian gin martini, traditional Cuban daiquiri, and Peruvian pisco sour, plus other custom concoctions on the drink menu. Beers come from Japan, Italy, Jamaica, and beyond, and wines are from as far as South Africa, Australia, and Argentina. There's even a trendy speakeasy bar hidden behind the bookcase.

Curfew Bar
The iconic collection of disco balls that hang above the dance floor here give this underground club Studio 54 vibes. Located below street level at The Tower building in downtown Fort Worth, Curfew (350 W. 5th St.) transforms into a glamorous party scene come late night, with cocktails in coupe glasses paired with DJ music and bottle service. Guests are greeted by Zoltar the fortune teller upon entry before a stairway leads them down to the action. Curfew also does great pizza served cheesy and hot.

Nickel City
With its original location in Austin, Nickel City has drawn its own set of loyal locals since opening in Fort Worth's South Main Village (212 S. Main St.) in late 2020. Vintage alcohol signs, pinball machines, mustard-yellow booth seating, and a century-old, triple archway bar adorned with carved lions’ heads are among the visually captivating highlights here. Then it explodes with holiday spirit each year when the "Miracle" pop-up arrives. Drinks range from $4 Coors Banquet on draft to $13 mixed drinks and frozen concoctions, like the popular Frozen Irish Coffee. The onsite Delray Café supplies hungry patrons with coneys, sliders, and wings.

The Rabbit Hole Pub
There are nothing but friendly vibes at this White Settlement Road watering hole – maybe because patrons can start imbibing as early as 7 am during the week. The Alice in Wonderland-themed bar (3237 White Settlement Rd.) draws night shift workers for early morning happy hour that runs all day until 7 pm. (On Saturdays and Sundays, happy hour is 11 am-7 pm.) There’s also plenty of room to spread out with table seating both inside and out thanks to glass garage doors that slide open to a string-lit covered patio area. Visit on Wednesdays for music bingo, Thursdays for karaoke, and daily for sports on TV and tacos from the permanent food truck outside.

Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club has been taking the movie experience to new heights since it opened in 2022 on the mezzanine level of The Worthington Renaissance Hotel downtown. While not solely a bar, the outdoor venue offers a full bar for those who purchase tickets for a film, which are shown in a separate area lined with rows of Adirondack chairs. The rest of Rooftop feels like a neatly manicured backyard, complete with outdoors games like corn hole and table tennis along with cushy patio seating and plenty of photo ops. Movie-goers can arrive early for a pre-screening happy hour, and stay until last call for a nightcap under the stars. Favorite drinks are the house margarita or TX Whiskey old fashioned, both served on tap.

Tarantula Tiki Lounge
Fort Worth’s original island-themed bar transports guests to a beach vacation daily via tropical décor and potent libations - no plane ticket required. Located at 117 S. Main Street south of downtown, the intimate yet festive bar slings classic rum drinks on the regular, like the pineapple-infused Painkiller, the iconic Mai Tail, and the bold Planter's Punch. Groups can also share large-format cocktails by the bowl.

The Coupe
The South Main Village bubbles bar (314 S. Main St.) opened in August and focuses on unique small-batch sparkling wines from around the world. It’s the first bar venture for husband-and-wife duo Scott Kimble and Lauren Badgett, who created a fresh space featuring a cool palette of pinks and greens, along with floral murals and a chic bar. The concept has proven to be a hit, answering many patrons’ call for a “champagne diet.” Theme nights include board game night on Wednesdays, mahjong on Thursdays, and “Friday Night Flights.” The Coupe also offers charcuterie boards and hosts occasional food trucks.

Thompson's Bookstore
The downtown Fort Worth craft cocktail lounge has had a topsy-turvy past few months. On the heels of a $4 million facelift and expansion last summer, Thompson’s Bookstore was forced to close for a week in January after a massive explosion at nearby Sandman Signature Fort Worth Hotel. Despite the presence of rubble, road barriers, and caution tape near the entrance, things are mostly back on track. Thompson's opened in 2015 in the historic Vybek building at 900 Houston St., and new features since the renovation include a reimagined underground speakeasy, a new private event space, and cigar bar on two floors that previously sat dormant for 70 years. One thing that hasn’t changed is the password required to enter the underground bar, found by solving the weekly riddle on Thompson’s Facebook page.

White Elephant Saloon
The historic Fort Worth Stockyards district has undergone astronomic changes with the recent addition of Hotel Drover and Mule Alley. But nothing has changed at this iconic Stockyards saloon (106 E. Exchange Ave.), which dates back more than a century and is owned by chef Tim Love. "The Elephant" remains a top destination for everyone from locals and business travelers to rodeo professionals, many looking for a longneck bottle and a dance partner. A live country band plays there daily, providing the backdrop for singalong-good time on any given afternoon into the night. Regulars know to order a cold schooner or salt-rimmed margarita and grab a coveted seat at the historic bar for some of the best people-watching in Fort Worth.

Wines From A Broad
Opened in September in Sundance Square, Wines From A Broad comes from tenured chef-caterer-restaurateur Dena Shaskan. Her first wine-centric venture keeps women in mind – all 150 wines come from female winemakers, owners, and grape growers. Wines are offered by the glass, as well in wine-based cocktails. Femme-friendly décor includes pink velvet couches and artwork by female artists. Even the playlist highlights women musicians, from Taylor Swift to Tina Turner. Shaskan's shareable bites include pickled shrimp, cheese with fruit, nuts, honey, and a flavorful chicken liver plate perfect for pairing.