Hit some new places (new for me, anyway) this weekend. (I talk about the food in a little more detail on SideDish, where I also ask for comments on your favorite bar food.) The rundown:
- Blue Collar Bar — The Location: catty-corner to Louie’s, so it has stiff competition. The Vibe: upscale dive. The Folks: bikers, East Dallas hipsters, hot girls with dark nails. The Good: Hawaiian chicken sandwich. The Better: $2 cans of PBR, Miller High Life, and Pearl Light. The One Gripe: wish it had news or sports on the TVs.
- NSL (National Sports Lounge) — The Location: Former Red Jacket Spot, next to Snuffer’s. The Vibe: Fox Sports Grill + Hooters. The Folks: dudes. The Good: tasty chicken salad, $3 domestic draft, free wifi, four million flat-screen TVs. The Better: the skimpy referee/stripper waitress unis. The One Gripe: A skosh too loud.
- Central 214 — The Location: in the Hotel Palomar, next to Exhale. The Vibe: low-key sophisticated. The Folks: middle-age couples, middle-aged singles, and biz travelers. The Good: the “Central Manhattan” cocktail, made with Woodford Reserve, and the mac and cheese, made with rigatoni. The Better: the bartender (forgot name; spikey hair guy) was fantastic: attentive but not overbearing, great suggestions, funny, and fast. The One Gripe: realizing I’m middle-aged.
- PM Lounge — The Location: at (really next to) the Joule Hotel. The Vibe: [insert thumping dance beat here]. The Folks: rhymes with cartouches. The Good: that red couch was kind of fun to look at. The Better: leaving. The One Gripe: arriving.
14 comments
I do want to mention I was at PM Lounge for a party, and the partygoers were fabulous. And first-timers themselves to the establishment. I heart you, Jeff Duffey.
On this list, I’ve only been to the Blue Collar Bar. The plus for me was the fried pickle chips. The negative was the excessive Nickleback.
100% agree with the PM review. Suuuuuuuucks.
Attended PM Lounge after a holiday party at the Joule. Wanted to kill self during entire duration of visit.
Agreed on 214, once I got over the middle aged thing as well.
If you can’t make it to McKinney Ave to watch games, NSL is good spot. Flat screens in bathroom is a plus.
Central 214 bartender–spiky hair and beard? Ryan. One of the best in Dallas, according to your mag in September.
Will never eat at BlueCollar bar after i saw the cook in the back licking his fingers while he was cooking…and the $2 beers do not apply on Friday or Saturday nights..they charged $4 for a PBR…you can get a case for $4
..other than that..liked the place..
Celeste, what are your friends at the Fraternity House, Cross Bar, and Zippers going to think? I wonder if they are jealous of your bar infidelity…
Jenny: Agreed. Forgot to mention the screens in the bathrooms.
CJ: Yes, Ryan. Of course. I’m an idiot. Thanks for using your memory head.
Barfly: ERRONEOUS! Had the $2 beers on Friday night and liked em so much I had two again on Saturday night. Unless it’s a late-night thing. I’m done with my drankin’ by 8.
Glenn: Funny, but never was in a frat. More a Monk, Landing, Bolsa, Lakewood Tavern guy. I can be gay at all those.
And now, we know you’re a mighty fine dancer too. (I would post a link but I couldn’t find)
Lucky, lucky, lucky.
The bathrooms at PM are nice.
MY BAD! it was the Lonestar that was $4.
Most inconsistent editorial policy EVER!
Spotlight – Eric does not deserve that comment. Now, Tim….