Lounging Around Big D

Like any major city, Dallas has hundreds of bars, clubs, live-music venues, and the like. So what does a 40-something white guy bring to the table? What can I do to help you navigate the nightlife maze? I suppose your guess is as good as mine, but with this journal I've elected to highlight a few of my favorite nightspots in the city.

Vibe, atmosphere, character. If you're looking for a common thread among these picks, I suppose this is the one thing that ties together the entries that follow. Most of the establisments listed here have been around for years, if not decades--which if nothing else says something: they have withstood the test of time. Times may change, tastes and fads may come and go, but some things are best left alone. And a couple of these places almost seem to have a personality of their own, as if the furniture and fixtures within their walls combine and form some sort of living, breathing entity.

Hands down, my favorite bar in all of Dallas is The Lounge. When I was doing the dating thing, my friends used to kid me because if I was taking a girl out for a first date, chances were good that The Lounge would come into play at some point during the evening.

Quick Tips:

Increasingly, restaurants and bars in Dallas are offering "valet only" parking, taking over every conceivable parking space they can that's within close proximity of their establishment, presumably to separate you from a few more of your hard-earned dollars. In some neighborhoods, such as the popular Lower Greenville area, parking on the side streets adjacent to the main drag is strictly verboten, limiting your options. And the Deep Ellum entertainment district presents even more of a "commitment," with parking-lot attendants siphoning off seven bucks before an olive has plunged to the bottom of your first martini. Best to park once and walk.

I've tried to cover a variety of establishments, from neighborhood pubs to martini bars and wine bars. However, if for some reason nothing listed here seems to trip your trigger, GuideLive.com is a well-designed, informative website offering an events calendar for Dallas, movie listings, and bar, restaurant, and nightclub reviews, including map links.

If I had to classify my own personal tastes regarding the subject at hand, I would call it "anti-scene." If you're looking for a scene, go to West Village. If you want something else, read on, my friend!

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is a must in Dallas. However, if you focus on one of the main entertainment areas (Lower Greenville, Deep Ellum, Knox-Henderson, or Uptown, for example), you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants in close proximity. Find a parking space and let your feet take over for the night.

Gino's Vino Wine Emporium is a tiny wine bar nestled just off McKinney Avenue in Dallas's Uptown area. While it lies within one of the major bar/restaurant drags in the city, Gino's somehow manages to exude an off-the-beaten-path atmosphere. With the Hard Rock Cafe directly across the street, I suppose the masses have their sights set elsewhere. All the better for the rest of us. Gino Catenacci, a restaurant veteran of more than 30 years and the former wine buyer for Lawry's the Prime Rib in Dallas, opened Gino's about 5 years ago.

Did I mention that Gino's is tiny? Fewer than 10 tables occupy a room scantly larger than some living rooms. The setting is dark and cozy. Red tablecloths are draped over round, bar-height tables that seat up to four patrons each. A few tasteful pieces of art adorn the red-brick walls, and there are also a few pieces of art for sale on display. A couple of wooden wine racks filled to the brim combine to give you the feeling as if you're in a basement cellar.

There's no wine list at Gino's. The selections change frequently, so your server will start by asking you which varietals you like best and make suggestions from there. There's also a small menu with antipasti, cheese, and salads to accompany the 20 or so wines offered by the glass. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, and have a way of making you feel as if you're chatting with a friend rather than dealing with a stuffy sommelier. On our most recent visit, we enjoyed a nice sauvignon blanc from Napa Valley ($7/glass). We also ordered a cheese antipasto appetizer, which included three cheeses, three types of olives, artichoke hearts, and hot peppers, served with flat garlic bread ($11). It was the perfect accompaniment to the wine, and enough to tide us over until a late dinner.

As small as Gino's is, it still offers live music. A small space just inside the front door serves as a stage, where local musicians perform on acoustic (or minimally amplified) insturments. The music only adds to the vibe, and the close quarters make you feel like you're sitting around the house with a couple of your musician friends.

Gino's is great for spending a relaxed evening out, and fits the bill equally well if you're looking for a warm-up spot before the main event of the evening. It's a great place to take a date or your significant other. It is small and intimate, neither subdued nor loud, and allows for easy conversation. Two thumbs up!

Atmosphere: wine bar, live music (acoustic)

Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-12am; Sat 12pm-1am; Sun 5pm-10pm

Phone: 214.303.1616

Website: n/a

Poor David's Pub has been a mainstay in Dallas's Lower Greenville Avenue entertainment district for more than 26 years. In an age where bars and nightclubs seem to come and go as often as the seasons, Poor David's has better than a quarter century under its belt and has somehow managed to cultivate a following sufficient enough to sustain itself over the long haul. What's more amazing is that Poor David's has done so without catering or caving to the demands of pop culture du jour.

Sort of a quintessential Texas juke joint, Poor David's is a small venue probably capable of holding a couple hundred patrons. It hosts regional (read: Texas) acts and other lesser-known artists. The Dixie Chicks performed here in their formative stages, and Janis Ian has been a frequent visitor over the years.

You'll find no glizty neon signage out front nor any hip advertising in the local entertainment weeklies. What you will find are rows of small round tables, an assortment of vinyl-covered chairs, exposed ceiling joists, and what looks to be the same carpeting that was here more than a decade ago when I first experienced this venue to see 6-time W.C. Handy Award winner Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets. The walls are filled with dozens if not hundreds of photos of musicians that have performed here, nary a one that probably hangs straight, having been vibrated from level by the sound waves emanating from the cozy stage. The place is so small that it makes for an intimate setting regardless of the performance.

If you're visiting Dallas for the first time and are in the mood to experience some live music Texas style, Poor David's is probably as good a place to start as any.

Atmosphere: pub, live music (rock, country, pop, blues)

Hours: Tues-Sun 7pm-2am

Phone: 214.821.9891

Website: http://www.poordavidspub.com

First of all, I should probably fess up and confess right from the start that I probably go out to a bar fewer than a dozen times a year. That being said, The Lounge is my favorite bar in all of Dallas. Why? For starters, it's in the lobby of the Inwood Theatre, an art deco movie house built in 1947 that today features independent and foreign films. I've seen movies such as Amelie, Like Water for Chocolate, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and the re-release of Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rear Window at the Inwood over the years.

So the flicks are cool; what about the bar? The uninitiated might unknowingly walk right by the entrance, since it's under the marquee of the movie house but inconspicuously off to the left, opposite the ticket window. A small neon sign with the single word "Lounge" in pink script over a portholed door tells you you've found the right place. Once inside, The Lounge doesn't disappoint. Walk in and you'll find a dark lounge that harks back to earlier, simpler times. The bar itself has kind of a subtle curve to it, there are murals overhead in the theater lobby, and you might pick up the scent of buttered popcorn wafting over the partial wall that is also a waterfall, which serves to separate moviegoers from bar patrons.

Towards the back you'll find another surprise. There's a small room with booths and a few tables, and if you're lucky enough to sit in just the right spot, you can look through a large picture window and watch the projectionist do his thing, and also catch a reasonably good view of the main screen on the lower level. This is your father's movie house. I remember going to see Palookaville with a couple of friends several years ago. Afterward, we bought our beers and found some seats in the back of The Lounge and watched some of the hilarious scenes in that movie a second time.

The crowd, or lack thereof, tends to ebb and flow as the movies approach start time and then again when they're over, especially if a really popular movie is playing. The Lounge might be packed one minute, virtually empty the next, and then packed again after the movie is over or as the next start time approaches.

One of the things I like best about The Lounge is the clientele. It tends to draw a very eclectic crowd, from Gen-Xers to well-to-do residents of nearby Highland Park and University Park, and most things in between, which usually translates into some good people-watching. I suppose since the theater shows what some might call "artsy" movies, you can guess as to the type of patrons who find their way into The Lounge. So check it out, and enjoy the movie!

Atmosphere: lounge, martini bar

Hours: Mon 5pm-2am; Tues-Thurs 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 5pm-1am

Phone: 214.350.7834

Website: n/a

The Old Monk is a Euro-styled pub that places an emphasis on all things Belgian. It has an impressive selection of Belgian brews on tap and in bottles, including Affligen, Chimay, Corsendonk, De Koninck, Duvel, Hoegaarden, Lucifer, Mannekin Pis, and Maredsous (which, in this writer's opinion, just might be the best beer on the planet). There's also a small but respectable selection of beers from Germany, Britain, Holland, and the United States, and there's always a few seasonal and new offerings listed on the specials board.

Inside, you'll find lots of dark wood and exposed brick. It's sort of a whimsical mix of old beer signs (most of which represent brands you've never heard of) and old relics from a Pennsylvania monastery (hence the bar's name), including a large metal chandelier that hangs from the middle of the room. The back bar is from an English chemist's shop. While other Euro-themed American pubs fail because they look like they're trying too hard to look old world, The Old Monk succeeds in its whimsical simplicity. Patio seating on picnic-style tables offers a good view of the vibrant nightlife along Henderson Avenue.

Unlike most of the other establishments in this journal, The Old Monk serves food. For starters, it offers a few items such as calamari ($6) and Guinness beef stew ($6/bowl). The rest of the menu is limited to maybe a dozen and a half plates and sandwiches, and features typical pub fare such as fish-and-chips ($8) and German sausages ($8), along with a few interesting offerings such as an Irish smoked salmon sandwich served on toasted marble rye ($8). The important thing to remember is that the food quality here far exceeds what one might expect from your run-of-the-mill pub. The signature item is moules frites (mussels and french fries, $9). The mussels are steamed in Hoegaarden, a Belgian white ale, with shallots, celery, garlic, and herbs, accompanied by skinny fries and seasoned mayo.

On a recent visit, I ordered the fish-and-chips, which, quite frankly, were the best I've ever had. Atlantic cod fillets are dipped in a Bass Ale batter and served with thick steak fries and tartar sauce. The fish was fried to perfection, not greasy, and had a wonderful, spicy zip. Along with my glass of Maredsous, I was in Belgian beer heaven.

About the only drawback I can think of is that The Old Monk can get quite crowded. If avoiding large crowds ranks high on your list, try stopping by on a weekend afternoon. The Old Monk is a great place to relax, enjoy an ice-cold beer, and snack on some great food. And it's dog-friendly: your pooch is welcome as long as you sit at one of the outdoor tables.

The Old Monk was named Best Pub in the Dallas Observer's Best Of awards in 1999.

Atmosphere: pub

Hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 12pm-2am

Phone: 214/821-1880

Website: n/a

From its perch adjacent to the marquee of the Lakewood Theatre next door, the Balcony Club has long been a popular hangout with residents of Dallas's Lakewood neighborhood. Part neighborhood bar, part piano/jazz bar, the Balcony Club draws an eclectic, sometimes offbeat mix of patrons. You'll find everything from SMU students to everyday power drinkers to young homeowners from the surrounding Lakewood and Hollywood Heights neighborhoods here.

Do you detect a movie-house theme in this journal? Like the Balcony Club's crosstown brethren the Inwood Lounge, it's hard to speak of the drinking establishment without mentioning the theater next door. The Lakewood Theatre is a single-screen Art Deco movie house constructed in 1938. Unlike its counterpart, however, the Lakewood no longer shows first-run movies. These days, it features the occasional retro flick, but more often than not hosts corporate events or the odd live performance here and there.

Nonetheless, the Balcony Club has some merits of its own. It features live music every night, with jazz the order of the day Thursday through Saturday. Ascend the staircase to the right of the theater's marquee and you'll find a tiny patio with just enough room for a couple of umbrella-covered tables. Step inside and it's dark, relaxed, and sometimes a bit smoke-filled, with a row of booths running the length of the wall on the right, the bar on the left. The booths are definitely the prime seats, providing the best view of the musicians who take up shop just inside the front door. There are more tables toward the back, although these fall into the "cheap seats" category if you have your heart set on watching the band.

It's a pretty good guess that the Balcony Club gets its name because it shares the same floor space as the balcony level of the theater. In fact, if you need to use the facilities, you'll have to walk out the door that's tucked away in a small area behind the bar and use the restrooms in the theater's second-floor lobby.

The Balcony Club can be romantic or a tad raucous, depending on the vibe du jour. Or, more importantly perhaps, who's sitting next to you. The booths definitely provide a bit of privacy and have a way of encouraging cozy moments with your honey. If you're looking for some music that's live but not loud, or if you're tired of the usual scene and want something slightly different, the Balcony Club is a pretty good option.

Atmosphere: neighborhood bar, live music (blues, jazz)

Hours: Mon-Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 7pm-2am

Phone: 214.826.8104

Located in the trendy and popular West Village, Cr? is a wine bar offering a large stable of wines and some tasty food to accompany them. They offer wines by the bottle, glass and in flights (sample-size pours of three related wines). Flights, priced from about $15 to the low to mid $20s, are a good option for the wine thrillseeker looking to taste around.

Appetizers such as grilled BBQ spiced Texas quail and fried calamari start off the menu and range from $7 to $14. A half-dozen specialties, including pan seared striped bass, range from $11 to $17. The menu offers a suggested wine pairing with each item, a nice touch. Cheese flights of four world, American, Italian, or French cheeses are available for $13, or you can mix and match to create your own for $3.75 each. Cheese flights are accompanied by warm French bread, grapes, and sliced apple and pear.

When we arrived for our most recent visit, the only open table was a four-top in the middle of the room, and the staff seemed decidedly disinclined to seat my girlfriend and I there until their double-take revealed there really were no tables for two available. We felt a little slighted at first, but once this service faux pas was behind us, our waiter proved to be efficient and friendly.

We ordered the mussels steamed in white wine, lemongrass, shallot, parsley, and garlic and we created our own cheese flight of manchego, maytag blu, fontina and bucheron cheeses to accompany a modestly priced bottle of Italian wine. The mussels, attractively presented in an earthenware bowl, were steamed to perfection, and dipping the warm bread in the extra sauce proved to be nearly as addictive as crack. The cheeses were spectacular, especially the fontina and bucheron.

Cr? tries very hard to be hip and trendy, and to its credit I suppose, it succeeds. Floor-to-ceiling wine racks of dark wood completely cover the back wall, and the bar on the right side of the cozy room is backed by a mirrored wall containing a few geometrically shaped openings displaying more wine. Lively flames from the kitchen's pizza oven are visible through a large arched opening at the back wall. The maple yellow wall opposite the bar is attractively accented by a mural of poster-sized wine labels. Pools of light from candles and small lamps attractively complement the other design elements. Outdoor seating is provided by a few tables on the small sidewalk patio just outside the front door.

Parking in West Village is a nightmare. Expect to spend ten minutes navigating the poorly designed parking garage; valet park ($4) to avoid the hassle.

Cr? caters to what one might call the "beautiful people" crowd, and even though I typically avoid West Village, there's alot to like about Cr?.

Atmosphere: wine bar

Hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-12am; Sat 5pm-1am; Sun 5pm-10pm

Phone: 214/526-9463

Website: http://www.crudallas.com