Fort Worth’s new bar scene is as hot as the weather, as a slew of new drinking destinations has opened in recent weeks. Themes seem to be trending: island drinks are having a moment, but so is sparkling wine, cider, and sake. Here are eight new (or newly revitalized) bars to cool off with a cocktail this month.
The Coupe
Mark your calendars: The Coupe expects to finally open its doors on Tuesday, August 22. The long-awaited bubbles bar, at 314 S. Main St., comes from husband-and-wife duo Scott Kimble and Lauren Badgett, who’ll focus on unique small-batch sparkling wines from around the world in their first bar endeavor. (Don’t expect many mass-produced labels here.) The fresh space will feature a cool palette with shades of pink and green, along with floral murals and a chic bar. In addition to sparkling wine and a few still wines and craft beers, the bar will offer a handful of cocktails featuring sparkling wine. Small bites to start will include charcuterie, locally made bread and butter, and local baked treats. The Coupe will also be “BYOF,” and deals are in the works allowing for food delivery from nearby Bodega South Main and Coco Shrimp. The bar will open at 1 pm Tuesday-Sunday. Look for a soft opening Friday, August 18.
Shipwreck Island Tiki Bar
Land ho! Shipwreck has arrived in the West 7th district, bringing with it the closest experience to a real-life island available in Fort Worth. The tiki drink destination opened quietly last month but is celebrating its grand opening through Sunday, August 20. Located at 1015 Foch St., the bar comes from folks behind nearby The Shot Cellar. Once inside a very plain glass door, patrons are transported to an elaborate tiki paradise featuring palm trees, a floor painted with ocean waves, and a boat-shaped bar (complete with cannon and a parrot), all made iridescent with blue-hued black lighting. Glassware is as flamboyant as the drink selections, which range from the ocean water blue High Tide to the Pain, Kill, Arr! made with rum, coconut, and tropical fruit. As part of the grand opening specials, guests can order a Banana Runtz or Sunny Beaches and keep the limited-edition tiki glass (while supplies last). Or go big with a $200 Mai Tai made with very rare Appleton Estate 17-Year Legend Rum. (Pay $100 for a 1-ounce pour.) Also look for “7th Seas Scrolls” to be placed around the bar featuring riddles that can be solved to unlock a super-secret cocktail.
M&O Cocktail Lounge
The longtime Foundry District hamburger joint (which opened in 2000 before The Foundry District was a thing) now moonlights as a sleek cocktail lounge. M&O Cocktail Station Grill has transformed its space into a full bar, offering cocktails, wine, draft, and craft beers along with the same two-handed burgers the family-owned eatery has served for more than two decades. With blue walls, booth seating, and intimate mood lighting, the updated digs lend well to weekend live music – there’s even space to dance the night away. Try the refreshing grapefruit Paloma made with 1800 tequila. Or visit for daily happy hour from 4-7 pm, or on Wednesdays when all house wines are $6 a glass all day. Hours are 3 pm-midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 12 pm-midnight on Friday, 12 pm-1 am Saturday, and 12 pm-10 pm Sunday.
The Lounge at Musume
Pronounced “muh-suh-may” and meaning “daughter” in Japanese, downtown’s new contemporary Asian fusion restaurant boasts Fort Worth’s largest Japanese whisky and sake selection. There are more than 50 premium sakes available along with more than 60 Japanese whiskys – plus a slew of craft cocktails. Opened in July, Musume sits below street level inside the new Sandman Signature Hotel (810 Houston St.), in the 103-year-old W.T. Waggoner Building that originally housed a bank. (There are multiple historic vaults inside, including one that leads to a private dining space with seating sunken beneath the floor.) One entire wall is dedicated to Musume’s 2,000-square-foot bar and lounge, which features a shiny black lacquer bar top that’s back-lit in rich tones of red. Unique specialty cocktails include the Green Tea Negroni, Mind Over Matcha made with gin and boba pearls, and the Pikachu made with vodka, Licor 43, peach, orange, and Szechuan peppercorns. The new Sandman hotel also has a very nice ground level lobby bar with Asian-inspired cocktails.
Thompson’s Bookstore
While not new, the downtown craft cocktail bar (900 Houston St.) recently revealed the results of a $4 million facelift, which included a revitalized underground speakeasy along with a new private event space and a top floor cigar bar and lounge. Gone is the kitschy pharmacy-themed décor in the speakeasy (which still requires a password to get in – found on Thompson’s Facebook page), replaced with a sophisticated Roaring Twenties-inspired design. Plush seating and jewel tones pair perfectly with the space’s Prohibition Era cocktails. But the fourth floor cigar lounge might be taking center stage amid Thompson’s updates. The new destination can accommodate up to 60 and features a horseshoe-shaped bar and pockets of cushy seating meant to encourage conversation. Ultra-premium cigars are also a draw, along with the classic Old Fashion to pair them with.
Slushy’s Secret Rooftop Tiki Bar
Opened in late May, the not-so-secret rooftop bar located atop Free Play in the Near Southside (1311 Lipscomb St.) has provided steamy skyline views all summer long. Slushy’s, named for its signature cocktail, serves a rotating menu of eight frozen slushies blended with housemade syrups along with a small menu of six tiki drinks. Patrons can keep cool with a Blue Tsunami made with banana rum and tropical juices, or a Magnolia Mai Tai. Enjoy 40 percent off slushies on Thursdays and 80s movie nights on Fridays. The bar opens at 6 pm Thursday and Friday and at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Atheneum Cider
The Saginaw cider shop and bar relocated to a new location at 1029 N. Saginaw Blvd. just last month. Husband-and-wife duo Brennan and Lizzy Couey opened Atheneum Cider in 2021 to “introduce some excitement into their boring, suburban lives,” says their website. Friends and family loved the stuff, and the couple eventually made enough to share with the masses. At the new location there’s more room for production and more room to spread out – which is great because the Coueys draw local crowds, not only for their wide array of flavorful ciders but for their fun personalities, trivia nights, game-watching, and more. Cider flavors include ginger and lime, raspberry lemonade, cherry limeade, and sour mango with Chamoy spice. The bar is open Tuesday- Saturday until 10 pm.
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The Coupe will serve bubblies from around the world.
Fat Tuesday
In case you missed it: A Fort Worth outlet of Bourbon Street-based Fat Tuesday frozen daiquiri bar opened in Stockyards Station in May. The famed rum-based drinks come in colorful varieties and flavors, including the Cat 5 Hurricane, Peach Bellini, and Miami Vice strawberry pina colada. All are served in a plastic cup (or a plastic boot, if desired) to go. Feel free to sip and stroll in the Stockyards – it’s completely legal and you won’t be alone.
