
BAR WITH GAMES
Reader Pick: Barcadia
Barcadia's “lush” gameroom includes old-style arcade games like Ms. Pac Man. Ms. Pac Man!
816 Matisse Drive, Fort Worth, 76104, 817.348.8606, barcadiabars.com
Staff Pick: Varsity Tavern
An impressive rooftop offers a wraparound bar, views of downtown and a tasty menu, while downstairs has a dog-friendly outdoor area, massive flatscreens and stadium-style seating.
1005 Norwood St., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.882.6699, varsitytavern.com
BIRTHDAY PARTY DESTINATION
Reader Pick: Four Day Weekend
Our readers have strong ideas for where they'd like to enjoy a birthday party, and laughs elicited by the goofball comics of Four Day Weekend were at the top of their list.
Sundance Square, 312 Houston St., Fort Worth, 76102, 817.226.4DAY, fourdayweekend.com
Staff Pick: Joe T. Garcia’s
Margaritas by the pitcher and enchiladas and fajitas on the shaded patio have been a Fort Worth birthday institution for years.
2201 N. Commerce St., Fort Worth, 76164, 817.626.4356, joets.com
CRAFT COCKTAILS
Reader Pick: The Usual
This retro bar is a great place to hang out. Ask the bartender to name a cocktail after you, and be sure to try the alcohol-absorbent artisan pizzas from a food truck that parks in back of The Usual.
1408 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.810.0114, theusualbar.com
Staff Pick: Proper Bar
409 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.984.1133
DOG-FRIENDLY BAR
Reader Pick: Woodshed Smokehouse
The magazine's readers regularly gripe there aren't enough dog-friendly patios in the city. Here's one they like: the Woodshed allows dogs in the gravel area of the patio, which overlooks the Trinity Trail and Colonial Country Club across the water. And in case your pooch is overcome by the aromas, Woodshed offers a special menu for your dog.
3201 Riverfront Drive, Fort Worth, 76107, 817.877.4545, woodshedsmokehouse.com
Staff Pick: The Bearded Lady
One of the city's most relaxed bars and patios is also Fido-friendly.
1229 7th Ave., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.349.9832
FIRST DATE
Reader Pick: Acre Distilling Co.
Acre Distilling sits in downtown Fort Worth's old Keg Steakhouse space, in the middle of the historic Hell's Half Acre, known for its gambling, alcohol, lawlessness, and general carrying on. So, naturally, our readers singled this new bar and restaurant out as a great spot for a first date. Acre, named after the district, makes its own spirits, serves them up in cocktails at the bar, and sells them to take home. Alcohol not your taste? Acre also sells Avoca coffees, pastries in the morning, sandwiches at lunch, and flat bread pizzas and cheese boards in the evening.
1309 Calhoun St., Fort Worth, 76102, 817.632.7722, acredistilling.com
Staff Pick: Times Ten Cellar
Enjoy a glass of wine, or a flight, with a cheese board or food delivered from another restaurant. Hang out the entire evening, or take a stroll around the West 7th district.
1100 Foch St., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.336.9463, timestencellars.com
GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Reader Pick: A Piece of Work
This West Side art studio has a simple draw: get a little tipsy, get the creative going over wine and hors d'oeuvres, make a piece of art to go home.
5714 Locke Ave., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.737.7700, apieceofworkfortworth.com
Staff Pick: Kent & Co. Wines
Kent & Co. has Fort Worth's finest wine minds, according to Fort Worth, Texas magazine's readers. Pair that with the artisanal cheeses and other snacks and relax in Kent & Co.'s open-air conversation pits for a perfect evening out.
1101 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.632.6070, kcowines.com
GUY'S NIGHT OUT
Reader Pick: Whiskey & Rye
Whiskey & Rye's luxuriant environs, pool tables, multiple TV screens, and bar made this a top choice for Guy's Night Out.
1300 Houston St., Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, 76102, 817.350.4068, whiskeyandryefw.com
Staff Pick: Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge
426 Commerce St., Fort Worth, 76102, 817.887.9535, silverleafcigar.com
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Reader Pick: The Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge
The Live Oak, in the heart of West Magnolia, offers multiple experiences for music lovers: the Music Hall, with its state-of-the-art systems and full bar, that's a favorite of musicians and music lovers; adjacent 50s-era lounge; rooftop with full bar and dining that hosts free music most nights; and patios that also host live music.
1311 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.926.0968, theliveoak.com
Staff Pick: Shipping & Receiving
This rustic Southside bar just off of the South Main Street regularly hosts bands. Can't find a seat inside the jammed bar? Sit outside on the covered patio. You can still hear the music.
201 S. Calhoun St., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.887.9313, shippingandreceivingbar.com
LOUNGE
Reader Pick: Scat Jazz Lounge
111 W. 4th, Suite 11, Fort Worth, 76102, 817.870.9100, scatjazzlounge.com
Staff Pick: The Wine Thief
This is a great under-the-radar spot for a quiet date, gathering of friends, or a glass before dinner at Bob's Steak & Chop House next door. Connected to Bob's, you can enjoy the ample Bob's wine list and strong appetizer menu.
1300 Houston St., Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, 76102, 817.535.6664, omnihotels.com
NEW BAR
Reader Pick: Thompson’s
Most recently a bookstore, this old space now houses Thompson's, a throw-back lounge offering craft cocktails and music.
900 Houston St., Fort Worth, 76102, 817.882.8003
Staff Pick: Pouring Glory Growler Fill Station & Grill
This new offering from Kevin von Ehrenfried, who launched the Humperdinks brewpub in Arlington in 1995, is housed in a historic building rehabbed by the Near Southside developer Dak Hatfield. You can fill up your growler from Pouring Glory's immense lineup of craft beers. Want to try a sample before filling up? Pouring Glory offers small tasters for $3. To absorb the beer, Pouring Glory also offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, tacos, and shareables including the popular Brisket Home Slice Nacho, fresh-cut fries covered with melted cheddar jack cheese, chopped brisket, green onions, roasted jalapenos, and smoked bacon, with porter barbecue and sour cream sauce.
1001 Bryan Ave., Fort Worth, 76104, 682.707.5441, pouringglory.com
OUTDOOR VENUE
Reader Pick: Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Fort Worth's big outdoor venue in the Clearfork development abuts the Trinity Trail and is next door to the Trailhead at Clearfork, home to Press Café, Mellow Johnny's bike shop, and Pedal Hard training center.
5000 Clearfork Main St., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.999.9791, heartoftheranch1848.com
Staff Pick: Japanese Gardens at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.392.5510, fwbg.org
PATIO
Reader Pick: Joe T. Garcia’s
2201 N. Commerce St., Fort Worth, 76164, 817.626.4356, joets.com
Staff Pick: Bar Louie
2973 W. 7th St., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.566.9933, barlouie.com
PLACE TO DANCE
Reader Pick: Billy Bob’s Texas
2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, 76164, 817.624.7117, billybobstexas.com
Staff Pick: Pearl’s Dancehall & Saloon
302 W. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, 76164, 817.624.2800, pearlsdancehall.com
PLACE TO WATCH A GAME
Reader Pick: Whiskey & Rye
1300 Houston St., Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, 76102, 817.350.4068, whiskeyandryefw.com
Staff Pick: Fred’s Texas TCU
3509 Blue Bonnet Circle, Fort Worth, 76109, 817.916.4650, fredstexascafe.com
TRIVIA NIGHT
Reader Pick: Gingerman
3716 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.886.2327, thegingerman.com
Staff Pick: Baker Street Pub & Grill
6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 76116, 817.377.9772, bakerstreetpub.com
BEST VIEW
Reader Pick: Reata Restaurant rooftop bar
Rooftop dining and bar service, and nighttime views overlooking Sundance Square made Reata's rooftop bar an obvious choice among the magazine's readers for Best View in the city.
310 Houston St., Fort Worth, 76102, 817.336.1009, reata.net
Staff Pick: The Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge
1311 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.926.0968, theliveoak.com
WEDDING VENUE
Reader Pick: The Marquis on Magnolia
The Marquis' second-floor, wooden-floored ballroom and old-style spiral staircase offering ample opportunities for grand entry make this a popular site in Fort Worth for wedding receptions.
1227 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, 76104, 817.926.9300, marquisonmagnolia.com
Staff Pick: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Another popular wedding reception pick, the Modern transforms its cavernous foyer into a grand ballroom flooded with natural light and overlooking Tadao Ando's magnificent reflecting pond. And then there are the food services provided by the acclaimed Café Modern.
3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth, 76107, 817.738.9215, themodern.org