Where to drink

Where to drink in Fort Worth now: 7 best bars for a post-rodeo nightcap

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo season is finally here, and the the whole city is "cowboying up" for high energy action and a dirt-flinging good time. It's also a time when local bars and restaurants are filled to the gills with rodeo patrons pre- and post-show.

Blackland Distillery/Facebook

The cocktail lineup at Blackland Distillery.

If you've already got your rodeo tickets and dinner plans solidified, consider this list of seven Fort Worth bars for an after-rodeo nightcap. None are rowdy dance clubs or too far from Dickies Arena (where the rodeos take place), and all will provide for a spirited sip in perfect Fort Worth fashion.

Blackland Distillery
When former lawyer-turned-distiller Markus Kypreos opened Blackland Distillery (2616 Weisenberger St.) in 2019, he wanted a modern and sophisticated spot for locally-distilled spirits near the Cultural District nightlife, but right not in the middle of it. Now he anchors the continually developing Foundry District that’s built up around him. Blackland has built a reputation for producing high quality spirits and creating innovative cocktails, as well as boasting a beautiful Art Deco-inspired bar perfect for a quiet drink. Try one of several old fashioneds, including the Salted Pecan made with Blackland Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon and Blackland Rye Whiskey; or the Ol’ Tex made with Blackland Texpresso Whiskey. The bar is open until 11 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Ye Olde Bull & Bush
Why fight post-rodeo traffic when you can wait it out and wind down at this longtime English pub located within walking distance of Dickies Arena? Open since 1999, “the Bush” (2300 Montgomery St.) has served pint upon pint to thirsty patrons through the years, drawing folks looking for a low-key spot with zero fuss or pretention. The European beer-on-tap selection is lengthy, the staff continually garners stellar reviews, and the precision pours are always quick – even when the bar is hopping after a concert. Darts and the jukebox are popular here, too, and you can’t go wrong with a Strongbow cider or British stout.

The Corkyard
No need to leave the rodeo grounds to visit this pop-up wine bar located right outside Dickies Arena on the Simmons Bank Plaza. Unlike its rowdy neighbor, the Michelob Ultra Roadhouse (where live concerts will be held after almost every rodeo), The Corkyard is much more intimate, with cocktail table seating and a small stage for up-close acoustic acts. The venue offers a menu of wine and light bites and is open two hours before each rodeo and at least an hour after – just enough time for a true nightcap. Admission is free with any Stock Show admission. (You don’t even have to attend the rodeo to get in.) For the full music lineup, head here.

The Bar at Bowie House
Owned by National Cutting Horse Association hall-of-famer in Jo Ellard, Bowie House (3700 Camp Bowie Blvd.) makes perfect sense as a popular destination for post-rodeo cocktails. It’s a hotel bar with a Cheers feel, meaning local regulars and out-of-towners alike frequent the Western-chic space both for the well-executed beverages and the neighborly service. Word is the spot has become red hot with the younger crowd, especially after 10 pm. That’s why Bowie House has extended bar hours until 1 am daily through the rodeo season. (For those who didn’t fill up on funnel cake and corn dogs at Dickies Arena, bar food hours will run through midnight.)

The Bar at Hotel Dryce
Set to mark its fifth anniversary this year, the acclaimed lobby bar Hotel Dryce (3621 Byers Ave.) has established itself as a funky fun spot to sip cocktails or even stay the night, located just steps from Dickies Arena. The former dry ice warehouse maintains an industrial feel with its concrete floors and minimalistic design dotted with modern Western vibes. As for the drinks, you’ll be hard-pressed to find just one to cap off the night. Try the Cherry’s Espresso Martini on the "Local Flavors" menu made with La Pulga Reposado tequila, Cherry Coffee cold brew, cherry vanilla syrup, and chili bitters, or the Dryce Tea made with Pops’ Whiskey, smoked tea syrup, and orange peel. Or keep it simple with a Two Step – a Lone Star beer and a shot of whiskey. The bar is open until 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 1 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Rabbit Hole Pub
Home of the 7 am happy hour, this award-winning neighborhood pub (3237 White Settlement Rd.) caters to third shift workers by morning and, in January, rodeo-goers by night. It’s another friendly spot with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, great drink specials, lots of TVs and jukebox music, and never a snooty staff. There’s an on-site taco truck to cure late-night hunger pangs, and thirst-quenching cocktails like the Texas Cherry Coke made with Blackland Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon, Coca Cola, and cherry bitters; and Alice’s Paloma made with Jose Cuervo and grapefruit soda.

Sarah’s Place
Keep the people-watching going at this neighborhood watering hole (5223 Camp Bowie Blvd.) well-known for its post-rodeo scene. The casual dive bar is popular for its karaoke crowd and classic drinks that won’t let you down, like vodka soda, whiskey and Coke, or a cold longneck beer. Sarah’s is also a hot hangout for those involved in the rodeo who might need a stiff drink after a long day.

fort worth stock show & rodeo

Burger king

Burger giant Fred's to debut long-awaited location outside Fort Worth

Facebook/Fred's Texas Cafe

Fred's queso burger

Iconic Fort Worth burger restaurant Fred's Texas Cafe is finally set to open a long-anticipated new location — its first outside Fort Worth, in the heart of Crowley.

According to a release, the new restaurant, at 101 N Magnolia St., Crowley, will open Tuesday, January 27. Opening-day fanfare will include a ribbon cutting with city officials at 12 noon.

The Crowley location was announced in summer 2024 with a planned-for opening, at a different address, in spring 2025. The restaurant worked hard with the city to make it a reality.

According to the release, Fred's is partially housed in building that dates to 1887, when it opened as the Hays Brothers General Store and Post Office. The property became the Clover Farm Store in 1919, and the original wood building was replaced with brick in 1925. From 1957 to 1976, the space operated as Legg’s Super Saver. The remainder of the dining room was added by Fred’s, allowing the restaurant to expand while maintaining the integrity of the historic structure, they say.

“As Fred’s opens its doors, guests will catch glimpses of Crowley’s past within these walls, even as new memories are made around the table," says Crowley mayor Bill Davis in the release. "This investment not only brings new energy, jobs, and foot traffic to downtown, but also reinforces what makes Crowley special, a community that values its history while embracing growth and opportunity.”

The new location spans approximately 6,200 square feet and will offer seating for 220 indoors, with an additional 60-seat covered patio still to come.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Crowley community for their patience, support, and warm welcome as we worked to bring Fred’s to town," says Fred’s Texas Cafe President Quincy Wallace. "This building has served as a gathering place for generations, and we’re honored to carry that legacy forward. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome neighbors old and new.”

The Crowley location will be the first to venture beyond Fort Worth city limits since its beginnings on Currie Street in 1978. They'll bring their signature cowboy cuisine, burgers, and ice-cold beer on tap to the new spot.

Crowley Fred's joins its two Fort Worth locations, on Camp Bowie Boulevard in far west Fort Worth and Western Center in far north Fort Worth. Hours at the Crowley cafe will be 10:30 am-10:30 pm daily.

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