Sand volleyball, spiked sno-cones and sensational paninis? If that combination is your recipe for an evening (or afternoon) of bliss, then you'll certainly find your happy place at The Grove, a wonderfully secluded urban oasis wedged between the Oak Lawn and Uptown 'hoods. Though, this alfresco only supping spot, kitted out with picnic tables, hammocks, sand volleyball courts and a bocce ball pit-- isn't exactly a secret, it certainly feels like one. Not only because the place is hidden away behind a renovated 1940s era cottage (that serves as the kitchen), but also because it's only open spring through fall. Along with a super line-up of games, you'll find a menu of small bites, cocktails, beer, wine and adult frozen concoctions, including those spiked sno-cones in flavors like strawberry whipped cream vodka and orange with champagne. Oh, and best of all, you can being along your kiddos, (even your four-legged ones) to join in all the fun. Make sure you follow on Facebook to find out about drink specials and ongoing events like "yappy hours," volleyball tournaments and live music.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: If your idea of a night on the town includes sand volleyball and sensational libations, then The Grove is the place for you.
Ilene's expert tip: The Grove offers alfresco supping on the cheap; $3 drafts, $4 domestic cans and $5 Bonn Óir Vodka on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-10 p.m. and Wednesdays through Fridays from 4-7 p.m.
If burgers, booze and bowling are more up your alley, then you'll want to roll on down to this retro-cool bowling alley, tucked away in a converted Design District warehouse. And when we say retro, we're not talking about a replica, this one's the real deal. The guys behind Bowlounge actually took apart an old 60s era bowling center in East Texas, shipped it to Dallas and reassembled it into a 12-lane hipster haven complete with vintage electronic scoring, Brunswick pin-setters and a 75 foot bar repurposed out of old bowling lanes. Speaking of the bar, while you're knocking 'em down you can knock a few back--with Lebowski style cocktails like the Nihilist, Donnie's Element and The Dude. They also crank out a terrific selection of brew, along with grub options that range from burgers to chicken with all the fixings. Not into bowling? No problem. You can shoot billiards, play a round of golden tee or just cozy up with your neighbors in front of the big screens in the lounge.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: For booze and bowling at its best, Bowlounge certainly keeps the good times rolling.
Ilene's expert tip: Bowling is by the game (starting at $4.75 per game), they don't take reservations and lanes fill up quickly. Also it's age 21 and up after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The recently opened Taboo Lounge isn't the kind of place you'd expect to find inside of an old building in the Dallas Design District. In fact, don't be surprised if you drive past the bar without even noticing it's there, as there's not much to look at on the outside. But that's certainly not the case once you step through the doors. Inside, you'll find a seductive, candlelit cocktail sanctuary-- think prohibition chic meets twenty-first-century cool: with exposed pipes, cinder block walls, reclaimed shiplap floors, antique objets d'art and a gorgeous lime green back-lit bar. And the cozy, secluded seating areas, each with their own distinctive personality-- offer an extremely pleasant place to hang out. But it doesn't stop there. Cocktails are the focus here, with classic mixes such as margaritas, martinis and mojitos alongside unique drink innovations made with unusual flavor combinations. There's also craft draft beer by local brewers as well as a range of tequila on tap. Expect to find a party vibe on weekends when live bands and guest DJs rock the house.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: When you're in the mood for cocktails and music in seductive, sophisticated surrounds.
Ilene's expert tip: Pop in for happy hour offered Tuesday through Saturday from 5-8p.m. when you can score complimentary bites and terrific deals on domestic, import and craft beer as well as classic cocktails.
This sprawling multi-level oasis resting at the gay crossroads of the city-- is a terrific place to drink and an even better place to party. Going strong for over three decades, JR's draws in an eclectic crew of gay, lesbian, straight folk and the like for its friendly atmosphere and packed party calendar of events, covering everything from DJ nights and drag shows to costume contests, pool tournaments and album release parties. All this fun is lubricated by a slew of drink specials ($2 schnapps tooters, jello shots & cherry bombs to name a few) on offer every night of the week. And the upstairs terrace provides some of the best people watching entertainment on the street. No wonder this place always packs a crowd.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: Jr's is Dallas' most iconic gay bar that attracts both gay and straight alike.
Ilene's expert tip: Check the website's calendar to keep abreast on all its ongoing events.
Easily one of the city's best and biggest gay dance clubs, Station 4 (or S4 as locals call it) boasts late-night house and hip hop madness Thursday through Sunday, plus awesome drag shows and pageants in the Rose Room upstairs. Spread across 24,000 square feet, this cavernous, multilevel nightspot offers numerous bars, a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting powered by dancers on a motion-sensing, stainless steel dance floor. When you're ready for a breather, you can chill out in a VIP Lounge to watch the party action from above or take in some fresh air from a lofty two-story balcony. Cutting-edge DJs and a host of regular events, from gay bingo to costume contests--make this a hot spot for a mostly gay (and young) crowd, but it's just as welcoming to anyone who's looking for a good time.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: Station 4 is one of Dallas' hottest and grandest dance clubs, welcoming gay, straight and everything in between.
Ilene's expert tip: Check the website for daily drink specials and Twitter for upcoming events, plus there's no cover on Thursdays before 10 p.m.
One of Dallas' secret gems, this ultra-laid back neighborhood haunt attracts a following as diverse as its hodgepodge of mismatched furnishings. Voted best straight bar by Dallas' leading gay publication and best gay bar by one of Dallas' straight magazines, The Grapevine Bar is everything you'd want a cozy watering hole/dive to be and more: The booze is ridiculously cheap (the specialty is frozen beverages made with Everclear); the crowd is refreshingly friendly, and the bar throws some of the best happy hours in town. There's also a spiffy rooftop deck where you can sip and scope out the skyline. And any place that boasts ping pong, billiards and a basketball court definitely rates in A+ in our books. Keep an eye out for events like their annual crawfish boil, better known as "Suck Fest."
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: The Grapevine Bar is the ultimate place to kick back with a diverse collection of friendly folks.
Ilene's expert tip: Can't beat The Grapevine Bar's all day happy hours, from open to close Sundays through Tuesdays. There's also cheap drink specials offered from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
While some places strive to be a dive, this quirky booze filled oasis, hidden down a sketchy stretch of Maple Avenue-- is the epitome of one. And as such, it's one of the most beloved cocktail havens in town, and perhaps, even in the country. But don't take our word for it, take Esquire magazine's-- which ranked it among the Best Bars in America in 2013. Sporting a neon windmill on the roof and a decidedly no-frills decor, complete with the requisite jukebox banging out Iggy Pop and Sinatra, the Windmill Lounge is a veritable outpost of cool. It's also the kind of place where everyone is friends, the drinks are sensational and the bartenders are having as good a time as the guests. Another reason to head here? The place puts on the best karaoke nights (held on Thursdays) in town.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: If you're looking for a low-keyed bar where everyone knows (or will know) your name, this is the place for you.
Ilene's expert tip: Not to be missed are daily happy hours and DJ nights every Saturday. Be sure to check out the Facebook page for more upcoming events.
Live music? Check. Giant Jenga? Check. Craft beer? Check. Behold the Ivy Tavern, a wildly popular, wood-clad watering hole that's hidden behind a wall of ivy along a busy shopping strip. And it's a handsome fellow too-- with all the trappings of an old-style pub: think wainscoted walls, taxidermy animal heads, vintage looking decor, and-- most notably-- a huge tree-lined beer garden at the back where games of Jenga and cornhole are always on the agenda. Add in a solid range of brews, wickedly good (and cheap) cocktails, plus delicious "damn good bar food" and you've got the makings for a night load of fun. Make sure to keep an eye out for special events, which include everything from weekly DJs and trivia nights to game watching parties and outdoor concerts.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: The Ivy Tavern is the best place to go for a lively, unpretentiously welcoming, night of fun.
Ilene's expert tip: Along with awesome daily drink specials, The Ivy Tavern rocks a terrific happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day of the week.
If you are looking for a mind-blowing delicious cocktail in surroundings perfect for a romantic rendezvous or catch-up with friends, you've come to the right place. Tucked inside the lobby of the Warwick Melrose Hotel (a historic Dallas landmark dating back to 1924)-- this suave, shelf-lined drinking den is quite possibly the coziest place to sip a drink in the city. Named one of the "30 Iconic American Bars" by Business Insider, the dimly-lit space, fitted out with leather chairs, intimate seating nooks and a flickering fireplace, is also one of Dallas' top spots for live piano entertainment (jazz and pop) six nights a week. Though you probably won't be reading any of the books in the shelves, you'll want to explore the drinks menu: it's quite extensive (as well as expensive) and includes everything from phenomenally crafted tipples at $16 a pop to 27 wines by the glass, priced from $9 to $28. For something a little lighter on the wallet, the Library Bar offers happy hour Sunday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 11a.m. to 6 p.m.--plus, the entertainment is always free. Don't miss the bar bites, they're good too.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: The Library Bar was named one of the "30 Iconic American Bars" by Business Insider.
Ilene's expert tip: Be sure to get your valet ticket validated at the bar.
Nestled inside the iconic four-star Rosewood Mansion Hotel on Turtle Creek, the Mansion Bar is the ultimate debonair drinking den-- blending a wow-factor interior (think: wood paneled walls with cognac-colored leather inlays, leather seating and a hand-carved stone fireplace) with excellent service and top-quality (albeit pricey) tipples. Having a drink here will make you feel as though you're hanging out in the stately home of a Texas cotton baron. And you are. The stunning circa-1925 estate was originally the private residence for oil and cotton magnate Sheppard W. King. In fact, the bar was originally King's dining room. It's a see-and-be-seen place that not only attracts Dallas' movers and shakers, but also visiting dignitaries and even A-list celebrities. However, you don't need to be a V.I.P. to come as the staff treats all-comers like royalty. A weekly lineup of live entertainment ( jazz, R&B and pop) plus a menu of seriously delicious cocktails and bar snacks-- makes this place one of the most enticing bars to hole up in with a date.
Recommended for Oak Lawn's Best Nightlife because: When you're in the mood to spend a swanky evening sipping cocktails, The Mansion Bar should be at the top of your list.
Ilene's expert tip: Enjoy half-price wine and beer by the glass during happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.