1 of 5
Photo by Olaf Growald
Ampersand
Best New Bar
2 of 5
Photo by Fawn & Fellow Photography
Artspace111
Best Event Venue
3 of 5
OLAF GROWALD
Magnolia
Best Live Music Venue
4 of 5
Photo by Rukes.com
Panther Island Pavilion
Best Outdoor Venue
5 of 5
Photo by Alex Lepe
Landmark Bar & Kitchen
Best Happy Hour
First Date
Café Modern
This incredible restaurant is tops for a first encounter with that special someone once you’ve mustered the courage to make it a date. The sheer beauty of this spacious circular restaurant encased in glass seems to float atop a breathtaking shimmer pool. Enjoy contemporary culinary brilliance with something for every palate paired with a beautiful wine selection. Oh, and did we mention it's in one of Fort Worth's most amazing art museums? So, take a tour after your bite.
3200 Darnell St., themodern.org/cafe
Girls' Night Out
Hammer & Stain DIY Workshop Studio
This one definitely stretches outside the bounds of a typical girls’ night out. Grab your toolbelt and pick your favorite paint palette and build inspirational interior accents signage with your own two hands. While it might be slightly labor intensive, you’ll leave with a distressed piece of art worth showing off (if you’re halfway decent at following directions, that is).
5411 Basswood Blvd., Ste. 217, hammerandstaindfw.com
Event Venue
Artspace111
This decadent and yet high-desert rustic venue is a kaleidoscope of aesthetic brilliance and cozy charm. Whether you are looking to gather with friends to admire some of Fort Worth’s most talented artists, saying “I do” to the one you love or just kicking back amongst the natural beauty of desert fauna and hydrangeas with a nice glass of white wine, this place is nothing short of magical. Pay this place a visit and find out what it means to you.1
11 Hampton St., artspace111.com
Lounge
Twilite Lounge
We should probably stop our whining about Dallas businesses expanding to the Fort, especially when they’re as cool as Twilite. Opened a year ago on the city's south side, the New Orleans-inspired lounge has a friendly, poser-free vibe, a pretty outdoor courtyard area and what may be the best po’boy sandwiches in town. There’s often live entertainment, too, from music to comedy.
212 Lipscomb St., 817.720.5483
Place to Dance
Studio Eighty
Fire up the DeLorean, grab your BluBlockers and give your bangs a tease. This rad nightclub harkens back to the days when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, Wall Street had no rules and the music was legendary. Dance the night away while enjoying all the greatest jams the 1980s had to offer, complimented with excellent bottle service.
500 Taylor St., 817.332.4833
Place to Watch a Game
Reservoir
This no-frills hangout is about three things: cold beer, great bar food and all the sports you can watch. Belly up to the bar to watch the Stars take the ice for Game 7, Dak throw a perfect pass into the end zone or even one of your favorite “football” (soccer) clubs over the pond. We’d say this joint is highly recommended if you like to spend your non-work hours eating good food with good friends while yelling at numerous TVs over missed free throws.
1001 Foch St., 817.334.0560
Live Music Venue
Magnolia Motor Lounge
This former car repair shop turned bar in the West Seventh Street district fuels Fort Worth music lovers with juicy burgers and frosty adult beverages. But music is at this joint's core, as local and national acts grace its iconic stage on a nightly basis. Eclectically clad in vintage automotive décor, Magnolia Motor Lounge is a place for friends and family to shift into park and dine on a five-star menu that boasts ingredients from scratch and no microwave.
3005 Morton St., magnoliamotorlounge.com
Outdoor Venue
Panther Island Pavilion
Panther Island Pavilion is one of the most scenic outdoor venues in the city. Multiple stages and festival grounds accommodate events year-round. It has the only waterfront stage in the state and hosts an annual summer tubing and music series, Sunday Funday, Oktoberfest and a mega Fourth of July event. A sand beach allows for boating, fishing, tubing and swimming.
395 Purcey St., pantherislandpavilion.com
Happy Hour
Landmark Bar & Kitchen
The crowd at Landmark is younger, so the vibe is amped up. Signature fishbowl drinks and carafe cocktails ensure guests won’t leave thirsty. As one of the hottest happy hour spots in town, Landmark has 30 HD TVs, a mechanical bull and DJ. It’s a safe bet guests won’t get bored. Drink specials include $3 Tito’s Vodka, Crown Royal, frozen drinks and domestic beers.
3008 Bledsoe St., landmarkfw.com
Theater/Movie Theater
AMC DINE-IN Clearfork 8
This isn’t your grandpa’s movie theater. AMC continues to push the boundaries of cinematic entertainment, and this theater complex in one of Fort Worth’s hottest new districts doesn’t disappoint. This 36,000-square-foot complex features luxury recliners, a menu with a wide variety of options and a full bar with dine-in servers. As if this wasn’t enough, each of the eight theaters includes all the latest in audio/visual technology. Just don’t have FOMO over catching “The Avengers” elsewhere.
5015 Trailhead Bend, amctheatres.com
Trivia Night
Ice Cole's Craft Trivia
Also known as the mayor of “Jort” Worth (due to his affinity for the timeless jean shorts he sports), Ice Cole does not disappoint with his venue-to-venue trivia competitions whilst participants enjoy local craft brews. His format and questions are challenging and entertaining without being totally obscure or ridiculous. Visit the Ice Cole’s Craft Trivia Facebook page to find out where the next unforgettable competition of the query will take place.
Editors' Picks:
Event Venue | Brik Special Events Venue | brikvenue.com
First Date | The Usual | 817.810.0114
Girls’ Night Out | The Whiskey Garden | thewhiskeygarden.com
New Bar | Off the Record
Live Music Venue | Shipping & Receiving Bar | shippingandreceiving.bar
Lounge | Scat Jazz Lounge | scatjazzlounge.com
Place to Dance | Billy Bob's Texas | billybobstexas.com
Place to Watch a Game | Whiskey & Rye | 817.350.4105
Happy Hour | Blue Mesa | bluemesagrill.com
Outdoor Venue | Whiskey Ranch | frdistilling.com/whiskey-ranch
Theater/Movie Theater | Amphibian Stage Productions | amphibianstage.com
Trivia Night | The CollectiveBrewing Project | collectivebrew.com
