Paupiette of black bass, leeks, potatoes, and Rocca di Frassinello sauce.

Friday was an unusual evening at The Tower Club in downtown Dallas. The clubby dining room was turned into legendary New York restaurant Le Cirque for one evening. Guests dined on a five-course prix-fixe menu with choices from the original Le Cirque restaurant in New York City. Wines were selected by Marchesi Antinori and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte. Dallas was one of just one of the ten cities ClubCorp chose to stage a pop-up Le Cirque.

Jump for photos, video, and a recap of the night.

Le Cirque Director, Marco Maccioni (son of founder Sirio Maccioni) chatted with guests

In order to ensure the authenticity of the evening, dining room manager Lisa Neel explained that Le Cirque’s executive chef, Olivier Reginensi, had arrived earlier in the week and spent two days preparing the meal. Le Cirque director Marco Maccioni was also in attendance and oversaw the whole production. Le Cirque also shipped their signature plates and vases down from New York City (the orange orchids were locally sourced). I had a chance to speak to Maccioni before service started. We chatted about such things as preparing classic French food in a restaurant with an Italian owner (legendary Sirio Maccioni) and expanding locations of Le Cirque as far afield as New Delhi, India.

Regulars at Le Cirque will recognize many of the dishes below as menu favorites there.

Authentic Le Cirque vase and plate.

Lobster Salad "Le Cirque"

Soft Poached Egg & Morels, Asparagus and Chervil

Signature sugar served with coffee

Julian Pagan of the Cedars Social. The hair stylist room. Photography by Jason Acton.

I dropped in to get a quick look at Hid In 2612, Michael Martensen’s newest pop-up bar in Deep Ellum. It’s gorgeous and fun and full of groovy people. The space is divided into four or five differently decorated spaces and some of Dallas’ finest bartenders are taking shifts at the bar. Food is available from Cane Rosso next door. I didn’t have time for a drink but I plan to get back before their last night which is Saturday Friday, February 10. They open at 8PM.

Go. Drink. Report.

Jump for photos.

The indoor outdoor room. The frame room. Photography by Jason Acton.

A wall; the ceiling. Photography by Jason Acton.

A drink; another wall. Photography by Jason Acton.

Look for the sign in the window. Photography by Jason Acton.

Super Bowl XLV Watch Party at The Nodding Donkey (photography by Sergio Garza)

Does it really matter if you’re rooting for New England or New York? A Super Bowl watch party is just about having more fun than you’re supposed to on a Sunday. (And winning any bets you may have placed.) Here are 10 hot spots that guarantee a good time whether or not the Giants wipe the field with the Patriots.

Super Bowl XLV Watch Party at Frankie's (photography by Jerry McClure)

Where: Nodding Donkey
Why It Makes the List: We like watching games here for the whole package (hootin’ and hollerin’ with fellow fans, beer and bar food, and people watching).
Enjoy: A spot no one can steal, drinks, trips to the lunch buffet, chips and salsa at every table, a free Nodding Donkey tee, games (like thumb wrestling and flick football), dinner, and possibly prizes with your $100 (plus tax) ticket ($10 of which goes to Make-a-Wish Foundation).

Where: Frankie’s
Why It Makes the List: Festive foods, lots of TVs, and people watching in Uptown sounds like the perfect Super Bowl Sunday.
Enjoy: Themed foods and drinks (like New Englad clam chowder and Boston Tea Party cocktails and New York hot dogs with Manhattans), hometown beers (UFO Hefe and Brooklyn Lager), and a trivia contest for cash prizes from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Where: Granada Theater
Why It Makes the List: The bigger the screen, the better, right?
Enjoy: Three huge HD screens to watch the big game along with drink specials, including $3 domestics, fajita plates for sale, and an appropriately festive atmosphere. You can “walk up and walk in” or call 214-824-9933 or e-mail management@granadatheater.com to reserve a table for a group. No cost!

Super Bowl XLV Watch Party at The Nodding Donkey (photography by Sergio Garza)

Where: Texas Station Sports Bar & Grill at the Gaylord Texan
Why It Makes the List: As usual, we can’t resist the 52-foot HD screen and front-row lazy boys. Oh yeah, and um, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Rhythm & Blue Dancers will make appearances. That doesn’t hurt, either.
Enjoy: A $99-per-ticket package of delights includes a front row view, one bucket of beer (or one 100-oz. Beer Tower), VIP platter with brisket, ribs, chicken, and sweet potato fries, complimentary Bud Light Platinum sample, and admission ticket to Gaylord’s nightlife spot, Glass Cactus. If you’re not mad at the Cowboys, you  might be interested in taking a free tour of the team’s mobile hall of fame. For reservations, call 817-778-1000.

Where: Primebar
Why It Makes the List: We’re not personally Primebar fans, but any bar rolling out a tent in their parking lot gets our vote of top places to be for big games.
Enjoy: A huge HD projector screen, live entertainment pre- and post-game, and drink specials.

Where: Highland Park Village Theater
Why It Makes the List: It just makes sense to watch a VIP game on a VIP shopping center’s newly renovated theater screen.
Enjoy: Traditional game day fare and a movie theater-size football game. Tickets cost just $35 for adults and $25 for kids.

Where: The Texas Theatre
Why It Makes the List: Can’t you see we heart big screens?
Enjoy: Drink specials all night long. Oh yeah, and no  trash to pick up or dishes to do after either the Giants or the Patriot take home the prize. Entrance is free.

Where: Urban Taco
Why It Makes the List: Ten words for you. Roasted corn con crema lime and mango-sangria Urban Swirl.
Enjoy: Buckets of beer for $20, $5 sangrias, $5 mojitos, $5 margaritas, and $3 XX lager.

Super Bowl XLV Watch Party at Frankie's (photography by Jerry McClure)

Where: The Social House
Why It Makes the List: A bar that can accommodate our barely-interested-in-the-game selves and our diehard Giants fan friends is a perfect spot for us all.
Enjoy: Half-priced appetizers, $7 burgers, $5 Crown and down, $3 domestics, and $9 specialty cocktails: Maker’s Mark First Down with whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Razzmatazz, and Blueberry Blitz with blueberries, Smirnoff blueberry vodka, Effen cucumber vodka, and simple syrup.

Where: Draft Picks
Why It Makes the List: We like being entertained when our team is winning so much it’s boring/losing so bad we can’t watch, so promises of a bean bag toss, quarterback challenge, and paper football tournament reeled us in.
Enjoy: A live DJ, the release of Bud Light Platinum, and wing specials.

Where: The Owner’s Box
Why It Makes the List: The Omni is so cool that not only are they skipping drink specials at their sports bar, The Owner’s Bar, they’re charging you $25 just to enter. It makes our list because we’ve been dying to test out the stainless-steel strip at the bar that keeps your brewski cold.
Enjoy: A bazillion HD screens, including a 16-footer, and cozy seating that you don’t have to share with drunk 20-somethings all in up your space. Make reservations by calling 214-652-4805.

Bars and restaurants, feel free to leave your game day plans in the comments section.

Pull up a chair at Sundown's cozy bar. (photography by Jason Acton)

Sundown Tea (photography by Jason Acton)

The Concept: Sundown at Granada is the Granada Theater’s neighboring restaurant and bar with a long list of draft beers and hand-crafted cocktails. Although I’m sure you can grab a bite pre-show, I would be filled with panic watching a line get longer next door while shoveling down the last forkfulls of food and chugging the rest of a beer. This is a perfect spot, however, to discuss your favorite act post-performance and perhaps mingle with band members, who are sure to wander over for a bite.

Who’s There: Thirty-somethings interested in enjoying some quality time together. (Rather than 20-somethings hollering over their third round of Jager bombs.)

When You Enter, Make a Beeline For: A cozy spot. Long gone are the dramatic reds and blacks that made up M Street Bar. Now you’ll find warm, dark woods and earthy accessories that inspire visions of a lakefront cabin or old library (or both, mixed together). Head to the lounge area, which features vintage-looking chairs and rugs. All that’s missing is a fireplace. I would like to recommend the patio with its long tables befitting groups, but the stinky smoke from the chiminea left us smelling like we’d returned from a camping trip.

photography by Jason Acton

What We Drank: A few cocktails, a few beers. (Food starts this Friday.) We did what I think one should do at fancy cocktail joints: ask the waiter to have the bartender to make his favorite drink. Our server didn’t look thrilled when we asked for “something spicy, whatever the bartender likes.” Either way, he brought us a Sundown Tea, a housemade tea concoction spiced with jalapeno, and a Cucumber Cilantro ‘Tini. Both were tasty, if a little on the sweet side. The beer menu boasts 60 options. Our beer snob buddy is calling it a list of “good” options, “not stellar.” Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Wild, Samuel Smith’s seasonal Winter Warmer, and the Left Hand Milk Stout got us excited, but we wouldn’t mind seeing a few one-of-a-kind rotating drafts. Although the kitchen wasn’t open yet, a few samples of soon-to-be-served Mexican Pizza was passed around. It was spicy and delicious.

A peaceful nook for cocktails and conversation. (photography by Jason Acton)

What They’re Wearing: Casual stuff. Jeans will do, but if you head over gussied up, don’t fret. You’ll still fit right in.

When the Crowd Arrives: We settled in on a Friday after work, and the bar had plenty of patrons but also plenty of elbow room.

Bottom Line: Sundown is in its beginning stages. Happy hours aren’t yet in place, and food isn’t being served until this Friday, January 13. All in all, though, we’ll call it a decent bar experience that left us feeling like we were hanging out in a friend’s living room. But we’re excited to go back for food and a post-show nightcap.

Check out our Party Pics gallery from Sundown.

Tate's bartender makes a "Quila Smash," right. (photography by Jason Acton)

The Concept: Another place for bartenders to have love affairs with their carefully crafted cocktails. Classics inspire the menu. (A gimlet, the Aviation, and a “Beautiful Cigar Girl” grace the drink lineup.)

Who’s There: What appeared to be young business professionals (early 30s) packed the place to let loose on the bar’s second night of business (last Thursday). It was a relief to rub elbows with the grownup versions of the typical McKinney Avenue weekend crowd. Surprisingly, even though the mixologist’s concoctions were the obvious choice when ordering, we saw the usual suspects lined the bar. (Red wine, vodka soda, etc.) But once one person ordered something fancy, it spurred his neighbors to make more inspired selections.

When You Enter, Make a Beeline For: The big table by the door, if you’re bringing a crowd, or a seat at the bar. When specialty cocktails are the name of the game, always buddy up with a bartender. The space is small (like, Nonna small) so be prepared to stand.

Don’t Miss: Sampling the cocktails. I ordered “something-fruity-with-champagne-but-not-too-sweet” and got a Southern Belle, which isn’t on the menu. I was pleasantly surprised by the champagne, bitters, vodka, and apricot combo. My drinking partner mentioned he liked whiskey and got a Tate’s Sazerac with cognac, rye, agave nectar, bitters, and absinthe. I liked watching the barman light it on fire first, but my friend was disappointed by the “girly” taste. We were both happy with the Blackbird Julep with Chambord, citron vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a decorative pile of berries on top. It tasted like fresh fruit and sugar toned down by the fresh lemon. Drinks are made on the spot, and the bartenders are careful but fairly quick. (Talking to you, Cedars Social.)

What They’re Wearing: The customers matched the wait staff, in stylish business casual with loosened ties, sans jackets. You could get away with anything, but I’d stick to jeans and blouses for ladies and jeans and sweaters or button-downs for guys.

Cocktails are carefully crafted, but you won't be waiting long. (photography by Jason Acton)

When the Crowd Arrives: It was hoppin’ at 11 pm. The hostess danced by the doorway, large groups were laughing and ordering Tate’s versions of Irish car bombs, and the bar was full. Be patient. A spot for you will open up.

What You’ll Hear: The jams of choice were rap and hip-hop.

Overheard: “This is my jam!” as our neighbor threw his fists up to Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa.”

Bottom Line: I felt right at home at the cozy wood bar, romantically lit by candlelight. I’ll be back with a group for a table, another Blackbird Julep, and taste of their small plate menu served before 10 pm. (caramel corn and peanuts with chili spices, jalapeno-spiced two-step meatballs, and mini chili cheese dogs are calling my name.)

Check out our Party Pics gallery from Tate’s.

Autumn Leaves at Victor Tangos (photography by Matthew Shelley)

I spent the last week researching bars serving up holiday cocktails in Big D. Then photographer Matthew Shelley and I made our way around town to give them a look and a taste. Here’s our toast to our new favorite holiday-inspired cocktails. Cheers.

Black Swan Saloon's Pecan Pie Flip

VICTOR TANGOS
Order: Autumn Leaves
What is it?: A whiskey drink with orange and mint notes
Ingredients:
Rye Whiskey
Allspice Dram
Green Chartreuse
Simple Syrup
Angostura and Peychaud Bitters
Flamed orange disk
Mint sprig
Tastes like: Our favorite new drink. The caramelized orange and crushed mint that top the drink create an olfactory experience as delightful as drinking the spiced whiskey mix.

BLACK SWAN SALOON
Order: Pecan Pie Flip
What is it?: Pecan-infused bourbon martini
Ingredients:
Pecan, vanilla bean, and chamomile-infused bourbon
Drizzle of maple syrup
Heavy whipping cream
Whole egg
Tastes like: What pecan pie should be: creamy, sweet, nutty, and buzz-producing. It also happens to be the cocktail that inspired the creation of this list.

Mulled Wine and Homemade Eggnog available at BlackFriar Pub, Idle Rich Pub, and The Old Monk in Dallas (photography by Matthew Shelley)

BLACKFRIAR PUB, IDLE RICH PUB, and THE OLD MONK
Order: Mulled Wine
What is it?: Spiced wine, served warm
Ingredients:
Red wine
Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, orange flavors
Carmelized sugar
Tastes like: You should be in front of a fireplace on a bearskin rug. It soothed away all our cares. (Including work, sorry boss.)

BLACKFRIAR PUB, IDLE RICH PUB, and THE OLD MONK
Order: Eggnog, available starting December 10
What is it?: Eggnog made from scratch
Ingredients:
Secret eggnog recipe
House-spiced rum made at sister bar Renfield’s Corner
Tastes like: Heaven. The consistency is spot-on: not too thin, not too thick. The rum complements the eggnog without destroying the creamy flavor.

The Boston Warmer and Dutch Leaf cocktails at The People's Last Stand (photography by Matthew Shelley)

THE PEOPLE’S LAST STAND
Order: Boston Warmer
What is it?: Warm, rum-spiked drink
Ingredients:
Courvoisier
Rum
Hibiscus tea syrup
Lemon juice
Hot water
Tastes like: Tea for grown-ups with discerning palettes.

Order: Dutch Leaf
What is it?: Spiced gin martini
Ingredients:
Gin
Ginger liquor
Allspice Dram
Simple syrup
Coffee beans
Nutmeg
Tastes like: Christmas in a martini glass.

Things That Make You Go Hum and the Holiday Dark and Stormy at Private Social (photography by Matthew Shelley)

PRIVATE SOCIAL
Order: Things That Make You Go Hum
What is it?: A botanical-flavored concoction with absinthe
Ingredients:
Hum Liqueur
Strega Liqueur
Absinthe
Demerara simply syrup
Lemon juice
Tastes like: We’ll try to explain the flavor—sweet, floral, spicy, citrusy, exotic—but you’re better off just trying it yourself. Bartender Rocco Milano describes it best as a “culinary experience in a glass.”

Order: Holiday Dark and Stormy
What is it?: A festive twist on the classic rum and ginger beer drink
Ingredients:
Rum
House-made ginger beer
Vanilla simple syrup
All Spice Dram
Tastes like: The original, but better, richer, warmer, and with a manly kick.

Rum Diary and Rum Cocoa at Pyramid Bar (photography by Matthew Shelley)

PYRAMID BAR
Order: Rum Diary
What is it?: Twist on the Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
Dark rum
Spicy orange bitters
Sugar
Steamed pineapple juice
Star anise pod
Tastes like: Fall. The orange bitters, pineapple, and aromatic experience of the star anise, all warmed, are cozy.

Order: Rompope Hot Cocoa
What is it?: A fusion of eggnog and hot chocolate, spiked
Ingredients:
Santa Clara Rompope Mexican eggnog
10 Cane Rum
Hot cocoa
Tastes like: Eggnog and hot chocolate. But better because it’ll get you buzzed.

Peppermint Crush from J. Black's and Candy Cane Martini at Primebar in Dallas (photography by Matthew Shelley)

J. BLACK’S
Order: Peppermint Crush
What is it?: Grown-up hot chocolate
Ingredients:
Hot cocoa
Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur
Rumple Minze
Whipped cream
Crushed peppermint
Tastes like: A drink made in adult Candy Land. It’s the perfect balance of alcohol and dessert flavor.

PRIMEBAR
Order up the: Candy Cane Martini
What is it?: Peppermint martini
Ingredients:
Vanilla vodka
Godiva white chocolate liqueur
Rumple Minze
Candy cane
Tastes like: Minty milk

Smoke Forbids from Cedars Social and the Cajun Christmas Shot at Hotel ZaZa's Dragonfly (photography by Matthew Shelley)

CEDARS SOCIAL
Order: Smoke Forbids
What is it?: Tequila concoction atop a house-smoked ice cube
Ingredients:
Blanco tequila
Vermouth
Agave nectar
Spicy bitters
Applewood-cured ice cubes
Lemon zest
Tastes like: A tequila drink to start but melts into a smoky medley.

DRAGONFLY AT HOTEL ZAZA
Order: Cajun Christmas Shot
What is it?: Sweet-but-peppery shooter
Ingredients:
Southern Comfort Firey Pepper
Cherry Heering liqueur
Lime juice
House-made almond simple syrup
Tastes like: Cherry limeade with a peppery kick.

Mochatini from Eddie V's and It's a Wonderful Life from Charlie Palmer at the Joule (photography by Matthew Shelley)

EDDIE V’S
Order: Mochatini
What is it?: Chocolate coffee-flavored martini
Ingredients:
Stoli vanilla
Godiva chocolate liqueur
Espresso
Tastes like: Alcoholic Starbucks without the cavity-inducing sugar rush.

CHARLIE PALMER AT THE JOULE
Order: Forbidden Fruit
What is it?: A pomegranate and acaí “wellness” martini
Ingredients:
Veev Acaí
Pomegranate juice
Aperitivo Americano
Cranberry juice
Simple Syrup
Tastes like: Juice. We could chug this fruity confection all day long. (But that would be dangerous.)

Update: Pyramid Bar’s chocolate drink is called Rompope Hot Cocoa, not Rum Cocoa.

photography by Sergio Garza

It seems every bar in town has tricks and treats up its sleeves for Halloween, so we’re providing you with a list of everything we know. First take a look at our top picks and then scroll through the full list. Check back often for updates.

Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party 2011
Saturday, October 29, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Fans of this annual block party wait all year to hit the 3900 block of Cedar Springs to eat, drink, be merry, and check out all the outrageous costumes you can handle. The Mining Company, JR’s, Sue Ellen’s, and S4 are all participants, so you can pop in any of the bars and head back outside in time to catch the costume parade and live music.
Cost: Free

The Palladium Ballroom
Saturday, October 29, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Ghostland Observatory seems to be making its Dallas Halloween concert an annual gig. Droves of costumed people show up for this light show and dance party, and we’re big fans. (Of both the weird music self-described as sounding like a “robot making love to a tree” and weird dressed-up fans.)
Cost: $31.75 on Ticketmaster

PM at the Joule
Saturday, October 29, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
We could take or leave the high society bit (Heidi Dillon stars as the evening’s celebrity DJ), but we love this Belvedere-sponsored party’s theme: 1970s Playboy Club. Cocktail waitresses will be dressed as bunnies, and bartenders will be pouring in smoking jackets. Find game tables for winning prizes in the center of the room for entertainment. Reserve your spot by emailing reservations@pmnightlifelounge.com.
Cost: Free.

Zouk
Saturday, October 29, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“Maxim’s Masquerade Ball” is one of 15 Maxim-sponsored events around the country. As you can imagine, the ladies will likely be scantily clad as “sexy” everything (cheerleaders, cats, and carpenters), plus check out Maxim models, tunes by various DJs, and earn cash for costumes. (Money—$10,000 to be exact—for the sexiest, group, and most creative costumes is up for grabs.)
Cost: $20-$40

Black Swan Saloon
Sunday, October 30, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This “Rock Idols” party requests you come dressed as your favorite rocker. (Always wanted to play dress up as Motley Crue, didn’t you?) Best getup wins some cash. Don’t feel like sporting big hair and tattoos? Don’t worry. All costumes are welcome. Either way, we’re going for the wonderful mixed drinks owner Gabe Sanchez whips up behind the bar. Rock on.
Cost: Free

Eddie Deen’s Ranch
Saturday, October 29, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
“The Wake” party is happening at Eddie Deen’s Ranch in downtown Dallas this year. Find all the entertainment you need: live bands, 10 DJs, burlesque, cirque, and sideshow performers, fortune tellers, a mechanical bull, three themed rooms, and a $1,000 costume contest.
Cost: $25

photography by Sergio Garza

The Pads at the Aloft Hotel Basement Downtown Dallas
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“A Dallas Candyland Halloween” features Glenn Pakulak from Most Eligible Dallas, tunes by DJ Flip Millionz and DJ Jecho, costume contest for cash and prizes
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Candleroom
9 p.m.
Cointreau Halloween drinks
Cost: Free

Holy Grail Pub
6 p.m.
“Angels and Demons” highlights “devilish” beers: Maudite, Dubel, and Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Snack on deviled eggs, too.
Cost: Free

La Grange
8:30 p.m.
This 80s-themed Friday features a lineup of cover bands: Geezer (Weezer), The Ramonahs (Ramones) and Regatta Da Faux (covering Police songs)
Cost: Free

Manhattan Lounge
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This party, hosted by The Bachelor Pad’s Erica Rose, features Halloween shots specials and $1 drinks for ladies until midnight.
Cost: Free

Plush
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“Go Gos and Goblins” awards prizes to the best go-go costumes and best overall Halloween costume. There will be first-, second-, and third-place winners. Ladies, drink free champagne until midnight.
Cost: Free

photography by Sergio Garza

The Social House
10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“The Social House of Horrors Halloween Party” features tunes by DJ Onyx and a costume contest.
Cost: Free

Sunset Lounge
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Enjoy Tekneek tunes, Espolon tequila drink specials, models, and a costume contest.
Cost: Free

Zouk
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This “Monsters Ball” features
a costume contest (prizes for best, worst, sexiest, most creative, and best couple), a ticket giveaway to the following evening’s Maxim Halloween party at Zouk, and free admission to those in costume until 11 p.m.
Cost: Free

Blackfriar Pub
9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Hear tunes from a live DJ, earn cash if you’re in the “best costume,” and see scary movies playing all night.
Cost: Free

Cameo
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
A costume contest will award a $1,000 gift package. Hear sounds by DJ D-Roz.
Cost: Free

Club Dada
8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“The Greatest Halloween Show on Earth” features music, live art, “circus freaks,” prizes for scariest, funniest, and best overall costumes, and performances by The Hanna Barbarians, Dovetail, A.Dd+, Goodnight Ned. Drink free beer from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $10

Double Wide
9 p.m.
The best costumes of the night will earn bar tabs. Listen to the bands: Nightmare On E Street Band (Bruce Springsteen cover), Oliver’s Army (Elvis Costello cover), Muzak (Muse cover), and DJ Bad Holly.
Cost: Free

Elm Street Bar
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Costume contest for cash and prizes, DJ Tony Ologny, $2 wells until 11 pm. $3 draft pints and $3 margaritas all night. $15 fishbowls
Cost: $5 for guys

Escapade at eM for The Family Place
7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Get prizes for costumes judged by Todd Fiscus, music from Time Machine, and Halloween-themed food and drinks.
Cost: Tickets cost $325 and up.

The Fillmore Pub
9:30 p.m.
Check out local band The Room Sounds, $2 PBRs, shot specials, and costume contest with cash prizes.
Cost: Free

Ginger Man
8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Earn cash for best costumes and listen to Drop Top Rockets playing live.
Cost: Free

Glass Cactus
5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$1,000 costume contest, China Town, sponsored by 106.1
Cost: Free before 8 p.m.; $10 after 8 p.m.

Granada Theater
7 p.m.
A costume contest and drink specials accompany music from Manzarek Rogers band (members of The Doors), Whiskey Folk Ramblers, and RTB2.
Cost: Free

The Grapevine Bar
7 p.m.
Drink up. Happy hour prices run all night, along with a costume contest.
Cost: Free

Idle Rich
9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Find tunes by a live DJ and cash for the best costumes.
Cost: Free

Knox Street Pub
10 p.m.
The annual “Black Cat Ball” features drink specials with Espolon tequila, $3 wells, $3 jello shots, and tunes by  DJ Humble.
Cost: Free

photography by Sergio Garza

La Grange
10 p.m.
The 80s weekend continues with “80s Bandsquerade” night. Musical acts include Jackleg as old U2, Bigelow Station as Kenny Loggins, Andrew Delaney as Depeche Mode, and Young & Brave as Bruce Springsteen.
Cost: Free

Lee Harvey’s
8 p.m.
A costume contest will earn prizes for the best dressed. Listen to live music. The Voodoo Organist starts at 8 p.m. and Graceland Ninjaz begin at 10 p.m.
Cost: Free

Lizard Lounge
9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
$1,000 costume contest for male and female
Cost: $15

Manhattan Lounge
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Enjoy a costume contest and Halloween shot specials.
Cost: Free

The Nodding Donkey
6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Enjoy The Edge camped out on site from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., a DJ at 10 pm, drink specials—$3 ‘Blood (Bud) Light’, Jagermeister from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Partida To-Kill-Ya margaritas—and a costume contest. (First prize is a trip to Vegas.)
Cost: Free

NYLO, Plano
7 p.m.
The sexiest costume contest ensures lots of eye candy.
Cost: $10 for guys; ladies get in free

The Old Monk
9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Enjoy a DJ, cash for costumes, and a pumpkin-carving contest that runs until Halloween. Proceeds benefit the North Texas Food Bank, and Old Monk matches each dollar.
Cost: Free

Plush
9 p.m. to 2 p.m.
This “Dragon’s Halloween Ball” features four levels of Halloween fun. Check out six DJs rotating the decks and people dressed to the nines in costume.
Cost: $25 for tickets

photography by Jason Acton

Poor David’s Pub
7:30 p.m.
Melissa Ferrick headlines this Halloween event with a costume contest and prizes for scariest, original, and weirdest getups.
Cost: $16

Renfield’s Corner
9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Cash for best costume
Cost: Free

Strangeways
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Barneys New York concierge Gary Jackson plays host to this fete with tunes by JT Donaldson and Ge-Ology and prizes for the best costume.
Cost: Free

Sunset Lounge
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This is night no. 2 for Sunset’s Halloween weekend. Listen to Tekneck tunes, drink Espolon tequila, check out models, and participate in the costume contest.
Cost: Free

Sullivan’s Steakhouse
8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The “Fang-tastic Halloween Bash” is happening inside the restaurant’s Ringside bar. Order vampire-themed cocktails, the “Vampire’s Kiss” shooter, and Avion tequila from the bar, listen to Domino Effect playing live, and be judged in the costume contest for a shot at a $100 Sullivan’s gift certificate.
Cost: Free

Swig & Gin Mill
8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Enjoy this disco-themed Halloween party at both bars with $1 PBRs all night and cash for the most risqué costume and group costumes.
Cost: Free

TABC
7 pm
Cash is awarded to the best costumes, and drink specials ($4 Patron XO and $3 Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale) are available all night.
Cost: Free

Ten Sports Grill
8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Head to Ten’s All Hallow’s Eve bash to earn some cash for your costume, drink $5 Malibu Black shots, play Halloween games, and get your tarot cards read.
Cost: $5

Vernon’s Grill
7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Check out the DJ on deck, playing Halloween tunes, and drink up on domestic pitchers for $8, and a costume contest with prizes. Order appetizers are 11 pm and get them half-priced.
Cost: Free

Windmill Lounge
9 p.m.
Find a costume contest with prizes, “ghoulish grog” (which means Halloween themed drinks) and “spooky struttin’ (meaning dancing) to tunes by a live DJ.
Cost: Free

Double Wide
9 p.m.
This event, co-sponsored by Elm Street Tattoo and Sierra Bravo, presents to you cash and bar tabs for best costumes, $3 you-call-its before 10 p.m., and this music lineup: Riverboat Gamblers, White Mountain, Missile, and Good Luck Karaoke.
Cost: Free

Margarita Massacre, Fort Worth
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Two blocks of 7th Street are being roped off for this tented margarita taste test party. Hacienda San Miguel, Bailey’s Prime Plus, Tillman’s Roadhouse, Cantina Laredo, and Blue Mesa Grill are just a few of the 20 restaurants participating in this block party competition. Grab a wristband, sample the ‘ritas, and vote for your favorite. Winner gets bragging rights in Cowtown. A portion of the proceeds benefit local nonprofit Voice of the Elderly.
Cost: $20 for a wristband

photography by Jerry McClure

The Church
“Halloween on Halloween” features a costume contest with $1,000 in cash and prizes for winners and music by DJ Joe Virus playing electro industry and “electronic body music” and Bill Stanley with 80s tunes.
Cost: $5

Double Wide
9 p.m.
Enjoy this “singles night” record party at Double Wide with music from Mr Rid. Bring your best and worst vinyls to hear and share, and win prizes from Good Records for scariest, single, and creepiest costume. Sip on $2 wells and domestics all night.
Cost: Free

J. Black’s
“Sundown” (7 p.m.-ish)
Decorate your own drink with the “spooky martini bar,” win prizes for best costumes, and step into the photo booth to capture the memory.
Cost: Free

The Palladium Ballroom
9 pm
Bassnectar chose Dallas for the Halloween performance during his tour. Techno music + light show + costumes = a big party.
Cost: $27.50 on Ticketmaster

Terilli’s
7 p.m. to midnight
This 25th anniversary Halloween party  touts “Witches Brew and Barbecue” and a costume contest as its highlights.
Cost: Tickets $50

photography by Jason Acton

Some people watch the World Series to celebrate (or, sadly, mourn) their team’s success (or lack of) in seeking Major League Baseball glory. Others find the World Series to be a convenient excuse to drink. Whichever you are, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 great bets for watching the Rangers take down the Cardinals beginning with Game 1 at 7:05 p.m. today. (Full schedule of games here.)

photography by Jerry McClure

Where: Old Monk
Why It Makes the List: No, it’s not what one normally thinks of as a sports bar, but it feels like home.  A long list of beers, comfort foods, and two new TVs on the patio seal the deal for us.
Enjoy: Discounted drinks: $1 off drafts, wells, and calls from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Where: Texas Station Sports Bar and Grill at the Gaylord Texan
Why It Makes the List: This bar’s 30-by-52 foot TV will always earn itself a spot on our watch party list.  We’re suckers for a giant screen. It doesn’t hurt that a trip to the Gaylord Texan feels like a mini-vacation, either.
Enjoy: Buckets of domestics for $20, 100-ounce Modelo Especials for $25, and “Triple Play” platters of appetizers for $19.

Where: Brackets
Why It Makes the List: We like Brackets for both its devotion to sports (20 high-definition TVs) and its endless distractions (hello, ping-pong, billiards, Wii, and darts). Its menu keeps us occupied, too, with gourmet sliders and pizzas. Good food takes the burn out of a slow inning. (Arrive early for $2 pints, $2 wells, and half-priced pizzas up until first pitch.)
Enjoy: $12 domestic pitchers, $15 import pitchers, $18 domestic buckets, $22 import buckets, and complimentary valet.

Where: McKinney Avenue Tavern
Why It Makes the List: The MAT is a hot spot for any kind of game. It’s the perfect spot for sports enthusiasts and their I-drink-for-any-occasion friends.
Enjoy: A wall of 25 TVs, $1 Ranger Jell-O shots, $2 beer specials, and $4 Cruz-aritas

Where: The Nodding Donkey
Why It Makes the List: This sports saloon is a sports lover’s paradise. We head here for fresh air (garage door walls), a neighborhood vibe (tucked away in the State-Thomas neighborhood), and, most importantly, to watch the game with likeminded people all decked out in Ranger colors.
Enjoy: Firestarter Vodka drinks for $3 during Game 1.

The Nodding Donkey (photography by Jerry McClure)

Where: Ten Sports Grill
Why It Makes the List: Ten is arguably the best sports bar in downtown Dallas, and no, it’s not because it’s one of the few. It’s a frill-less watering hole for serious sports aficionados (and celeb athletes) that serves up cheap beer and delicious bar food. Just like a good sports bar should.
Enjoy: $2.50 domestics, frozen drinks, and wells, $15 beer buckets, and 2 for $10 food specials.

Where: J. Gilligan’s, Arlington
Why It Makes the List: Unsurprisingly, Arlington’s J. Gilligan’s does it big for Rangers game days. For the Series, find giant white tents sprawled out in the parking lot, an outdoor GoVision Jumbo HD TV (in addition to plenty of other TVs), and a DJ post-game.
Enjoy: $2.75 Coors Lite drafts

Where: Lakewood’s 1st and 10
Why It Makes the List: Our Best of Big D pick as best sports bar for 2010 still delivers good food, good service, and dedication to the game. You won’t find drunken frat guys hollering over the announcers, but loyal Rangers fans watching each play in anticipation.
Enjoy: $15 Miller Lite buckets and their self-proclaimed “stoutest drinks in town.”

Where: BlackFinn, Arlington
Why It Makes the List: They have a ridiculous number of TVs (and some massive screens) plus the entire bar has “game sound.” You want to feel like you’re actually in the ballpark? Sit in traffic on the way to Arlington, fight for parking, and hear the game loud and clear at BlackFinn.
Enjoy: $13 Miller Lite or Coors Lite beer towers (about eight beers) and $2.50 Bud Lite drafts.

Where: Social 121, Plano
Why It Makes the List: They told us “complimentary queso bar until the 4th inning,” and we had no further questions.
Enjoy: Cheese, lots of cheese, and a break from bar food, with an upscale menu boasting fancy flatbread, fish, and more.

–research by Bailey Powell and Meg Jones

Where to set up shop at Katy Trail Ice House

Katy Trail Ice House

Table 105 has the ideal mix of shade and access to the water-spraying mister at the Best Bar Patio in Dallas. It’s also about a step and a half away from the outdoor bar (which does accept cards) and three steps or so from the entrance. From this table, you’re close enough to see the runners on the trail without being so close that you have to hear their agony. People are easily drawn to nearby table 104, but that would be be a mistake, due to its fan/sprayer proximity. After five minutes at that table, my hair is seriously dampened (and it does this weird wavy thing when it gets wet, and I can’t stand it). The Ice House believes in communal seating, so if table 105 (its number is painted on the corner) has been claimed, just smile. Though with this 100+ degree weather, people are steering clear of the patio during the day. I think that’s ridiculous. If you can’t stand the heat, order another cold beer. And speaking of beer, KTIH charges the same price for a bottle (12 oz.), glass (16 oz.), or scooner (18 oz.), so go for the goblet. You’ll feel less guilty watching runners on the trail if you see how huge your biceps are getting with every sip.

The long table at the Loon.

The Loon
You’re going to have a decent view of the TV anywhere in D’s Best Sports Bar, but the prime seating is the long table directly to your right when you walk in. It faces the corner TV and is big enough for a party. You’ll need to be there about 45 minutes before the game to snag it, though if we’re talking about a game of Mavs’ NBA Finals proportions, a few hours will be required. Standing isn’t a viable option in the Loon because the square-shaped bar, rows of booths, and single-stall female bathroom (hello, epic line all throughout my walking space) create insane pedestrian issues. You’ve also got to keep in mind that the Loon is dark and operates with the motto that “every patron is a friend, and every friend deserves a double,” which means two things for you: 1. It’s not going to take many rounds before someone spills a little of their Whiskey Coke on you, and 2. People are likely to pair up and make use of the dark, cool atmosphere, creating additional issues if you’re standing.

Moral: Sit down, avoid trying to use the bathroom, and only order mixed drinks.

The Windmill

Any great dive bar should be home to a true character. D’s Best Dive Bar is home to about three. If you go to The Windmill, you’ll want to sit next to one of them. I’ve spent several hours, weekends and weekdays, inside the cold, dark bar in search of one man: Greg. There are a lot of reasons why Greg is a favorite character at The Windmill, but his recent invention of the Panini Taco (a panini filled with taco fixings, of course) might be one of the best. If he’s got a sweater on, he looks a hell of a lot like Jeff Bridges in the Big Lebowski. You’ll never know where Greg will choose to sit or what he’s going to feel like talking about. He’s unpredictable. He’s also a little upset that the Dallas Observer never mentioned him in their profile of his favorite bar.

Then there’s Clint, who one day decided to drink his way through the alphabet. Thanks to an old-time cocktail recipe book that dates back to the 1920s, and a willingness to try new things, Clint had cocktails from “A” to “Z,” (which was the Zombie and one of his favorites).  He’s also a big fan of Corpse Reviver 2, though the recipe warns four taken in quick succession will undo the corpse-reviving effect. Any cocktail Clint drank at The Windmill has Charlie and Louise’s passion for fresh ingredients in it. They make their own grenadine and maraschino cherries the way they were originally made (soaked in alcohol).

The plaque says "Tom's Chair."

The last character you’ll want to see is Tom. At 6-foot-2-inches tall, Mr. Hale is the runt of the family. He’s been coming to The Windmill pretty much since Charlie and Louise opened the place. Mr. Hale can only be described as a true Texan, and if you speak to him you’ll hear he’s got the accent to prove it. He’ll be dressed in Western attire, and he’ll be the first person to help tidy up the place at the end of the night. There’s one thing you need to know out of the gate about Tom Hale, and that’s if you’re sitting in his seat, you’re going to have to move. For his 60^th birthday, a gold plaque was put on the back of his favorite chair. If you happen to make the rookie mistake (as I did my first time in The Windmill) of sitting in his chair, Louise is going to ask you to move. Tom won’t walk into the bar until you do.

Due to bad timing on my part — and recent employment changes, family illnesses, and odd sleeping patterns on theirs — I have yet to meet any of these characters. Greg’s got my cell number waiting for him on a cocktail napkin at the bar, and I’m anticipating a call. Until then, my time searching for these men has taught me that the owners of the bar are just as great of characters as the patrons that they serve, and any seat next to one of them is going to suit you just fine. Order The Louise if you go (and you’re a woman or a very secure man). The vodka, homemade strawberry puree, fresh orange juice, freshly squeezed ginger juice, champagne, and homemade mint simple syrup will make your visit memorable—even if you happen to miss Greg, Clint, and Tom.

photography by Matthew Shelley

Yep, it’s that time of year again: time to celebrate the Mexican army’s glorious victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862.

Now, how about a margarita? Here are your best bets for making the day a grand fiesta.

Brackets
Booze: $2 Dos XX, Coronas, margaritas, tequila shots
Food: $2 street tacos, Mexican pizzas, and nachos
Tunes: Live DJ music
When: 7 pm to 2 am

El Ranchito
Booze: $5 El Jimado tequila shots, $3.50 regular margaritas, $4.50 large margaritas, $2 drafts, $2.50 domestic bottles, $3.50 imports
Food: $5 choriqueso, cheese enchilada dinner, or half orders of nachos
Tunes: Mariachi music starts at 7:30 pm
Extras: all day happy hour
When: 11 am to 10 pm

La Calle Doce
Booze: $3 margaritas and draft beers, $5 El Jimador tequila shots
Food: $5 food specials like shrimp cocktail, cheese enchilada platters, and half orders of nachos
When: 11 am to 10 pm

Urban Taco
Booze: $5 house margaritas, Sangria, Bloody Maria, Limonada Corrupta, Tequila Slammer, and Silver Azul Blanco tequila shots and half-priced drafts
Extras: all day happy hour
When: 10 am to 11 pm

Mattito’s
Tunes: Salsa and Mariachi band
Extras: The famous Bob Armstrong queso-eating contest
When: 5 pm

photography by Jerry McClure

Rock ’n’ Taco
Booze: $4 well margaritas from 2 pm to 6 pm, $5 house tequila, and $7 top shelf margaritas
Tunes: DJ Joe Vega
When: 11 am to 2 am

Blue Goose
Booze: $2 Tecate and Dos XX all day and $4 house margaritas from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
When: 11 am to 11 pm

Richard Avila’s Mextopia
Booze: $5 Tequila Sunrise and $3 tequila shots and frozen margaritas
Food: $2 tacos and $2 tamales
Tunes: Live music from 7 pm to 10 pm
When: 11 am to 11 pm

Café San Miguel
Booze: $5 margaritas
Tunes: Mariachi band from 7 pm to 9 pm
When: 11 am to 2:30 pm and 4 pm to 10 pm

Chuy’s
Booze: $3.75 sangrias and $3 Coronas
Food: Free nacho cart during happy hour
Extras: Happy hour from 4 pm to 7 pm includes $3.75 margaritas and $7.25 Texas martinis
When: 11 am to 10 pm

Iron Cactus
Booze: $3 Dos XX and $5 Patron margaritas
Food: Half-priced appetizers from 4 pm to 7 pm
Tunes: Mariachi band at 5 pm and live music at 6 pm
When: 11 am to 10 pm

Lochranna’s Irish Pub & Eatery
Booze: $2 margaritas
When: all day

The Loft Bar at NYLO
Booze:$5 frozen margaritas, $9 popcorn candy martini, and $3 theater candy and popcorn
Food: $10 Mexican flatbread, chicken flautas, and beef fajitas, $8 beef tacos, and $5 cinnamon sopapilla
Extras: Featuring “Desperado” movie at 8:15 pm
When: 4:30 pm to midnight

The Quarter Bar
Booze:$3 Dos XX, Pacifico, Corona, Corona Light, and frozen margaritas
Food: Free Mexican-themed buffet at 4 pm
When: all day

On Discovery Channel's new show Brew Masters, Dogfish Head Brewery's Sam Calagione and archaeologist Alexei Vranich meet with a traditional chicha maker in Cusco, Peru who carries generations of knowledge about brewing up all the variations of the drink. (photo courtesy of Discovery Channel)

When the Discovery channel announced the development of Brew Masters, a new shadow-style reality show following the men behind the malt, specifically the brew-ventures of Dogfish Head Brewery’s brewer-founder Sam Calagione, we jumped for joy (or would have if we hadn’t had so much beer last night).

We thought we couldn’t be happier as we marked our calendars for the Nov. 21 premier.

Flash forward to last Saturday morning when I received an email from my buddy Jeff Fryman, in-house cicerone at The Common Table, who told me that, starting with the premier episode at 9pm on the 21st, The Common Table will be throwing Sunday evening viewing parties.

Happiness officially compounded.

“Hey,” says Jeff, “if people can have Sex in the City parties we damn sure can have one for our favorite beverage, right?”

Be sure to call ahead if you want them to save you a seat. But beware if you’re seated next to one of us; we SideDishers can get a little mouthy, I mean handsy, I mean excitable when we drink.

Consider yourself forewarned.

Frozen Ghost Vodka ice sculpture cooling a bottle of Frozen Ghost Vodka.

As hordes of jersey-clad Dallasites headed into the American Airlines Center to watch the Stars’ (eventual) 4-1 victory over the Red Wings, I, along with a dozen or so of the city’s restaurant workforce, made my way up to Ghostbar to celebrate an exclusive launch party for Frozen Ghost Vodka. Once my crowded elevator ride ascended to the 33^rd floor of the posh W Dallas-Victory, I found myself facing an empty, albeit, swanky club, the blaring beat of Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen,” and an ice sculpture that both mimicked and held a bottle of the signature vodka. Following the crowd’s lead, I made my way over to the bar, passing several monitors that displayed the drink’s eerie, eye-catching logo (a ghost pressing up against the opaque/icy tint as if he’s trapped within the bottle), which seems to channel the Let The Right One In advertisements.

Keeping up with the theme, the suggested cocktails all possessed a supernatural vibe. Whether it was the Chillopolitan (a martini made with Frozen Ghost, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice), Ectoplasm (Frozen Ghost, pineapple juice, and melon liqueur), or my personal favorite, Icy Dead People (The Sixth Sense, anyone?) made from Frozen Ghost, peach Schnapps, and cranberry juice, these tasty concoctions, created by mixologist Cat Miltenberger, added an element of campy fun to the event.

As the party started to fill up, I made my way through the clusters of people scattered throughout the haunt to find bartenders, PR execs, and Glazer’s representatives (the company that distributes the super-premium) to provide more information about the product itself. The bartenders knew little about the product, but one took a straight shot and divulged that although Ketle One was his vodka go-to, Frozen Ghost was smooth and easy on the palate; an opinion shared by several partygoers. The PR and Glazer’s reps all knew that the five-times distilled spirit (an equal mix of Canadian wheat and rye) that’s prepared in Western Canada had launched on October 1, would be sold in 10 states across the U.S., and that Tobias was the inspiration behind the drink.

But who is Tobias? It’s said that decades ago a Canadian farmer named Tobias began to outsell his fellow farmers, despite the small size of his farm. It was eventually discovered that “the spring that watered Tobias’ land was the sweetest and purest in the area.”  Then one fateful and chilly night, a neighbor decided to take matters into his own hands and redirect the spring to his own farm. Caught in the act, the greedy neighbor panicked and attacked Tobias, who fell unconscious into the spring, which froze during the night. The murder would have gone unsolved if it weren’t for the neighbor’s ultimate confession due to haunting from none other than Tobias himself.  Today, the spring’s location is kept secret for “our own protection” but is the very source used to manufacture Frozen Ghost. And despite the massive loophole in the story (apparently we can’t trespass on the ghost-guarded spring, but the Glazer’s team can?), I think it’s a very creative idea to construct a ghost story to promote the paranormal product. So kudos, Levenson & Brinker, the PR team behind Frozen Ghost, for the ghost story and the party.

Comfy Chair with Ice Chest at Bella 32

Earlier this week the location was a complete in most respects, so we could see the dance floor, gold-decorated pillars and seating furniture. However, crews still worked on the bar fittings. Williams promises a big experience for the crowd, expected to be mainly 25-45 age young professionals.

Question 1: What is that in the picture?

Question 2: Where is it?