By Matt Payne
The diamond in the rough I’m surprised more people don’t frequent is Upper 90, just off College Avenue.
How does one even begin to describe what low-key may be Fort Worth’s premier dive bar?
The diamond in the rough I’m surprised more people don’t frequent is Upper 90, just off College Avenue. It’s easy to miss situated between a quaint convenience store and taqueria, but what lies inside makes for easily one of the most satisfying nights out on Magnolia.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical a few months ago when a friend first told me of the splendor inside the unassuming sports lounge, but there’s just something about the raucous, yet simultaneously laid back Upper 90 ambiance that always strikes a chord with me in ways other Fort Worth watering holes haven’t. Sure, some dudes might be yelling at each other in the other corner of the spot, but it’s easy enough to tune that out — with the help of a drink or three — and get lost in the mellow atmosphere.
You’ve got sports — soccer, football, basketball — airing nonstop from a projector onto a wall and on the TVs. You’ve got a back game room with pool, pinball and an open window to keep up buzzed convos with strangers standing outside. I’d absolutely be remiss if I didn’t mention Power Hour, when drinks are knocked down to half price (sometimes all day), including the good stuff like Tito’s.
But who cares? Bars like that are a dime a dozen, right? Thing is, a big part of it is in the way it all comes together at Upper 90.
Nights out with buddies at what’s now our go-to starting point hit in the same way past nights have back at our favorite college joints. It strikes a delicate balance in allowing you to just decompress after a long day and enjoy watching Luka Dončić bulldoze through opponents, but it also allows you to push a little further and bulldoze through a few rounds.
Get you a bar that can do both.
