Dallas
Young professionals try their best to look perfectly carefree on the multi-level bustling patio; a great beer selection helps them (almost) succeed.
Must-see nightlife in Texas
Panhandle Plains
A slightly more upscale college joint near the entrance to Texas Tech. It has a huge selection of draft beer and all sorts of fried treats.
Dallas
Curl up with a book or your laptop in this old cottage. Good smoothies, teas and coffees for adults; highchairs and cookies for the kids.
Dallas & the Panhandle Plains
A cavernous beer hall and garden with fine pizzas, lots of craft beers on tap and tons of games, including darts, pool and shuffleboard.
Houston
Shake it at this popular place out west. Hidden away in a small strip mall, this is where you'll find Houston's hottest salsa.
Dallas & the Panhandle Plains
Divey bar with cheap beer and a gritty vibe. Books live music at least a couple nights a week, usually with no cover.
Houston
A 'boutique nightclub,' has a slightly more mature crowd – plus award-winning DJs. Also, lots of karaoke.
Houston
Right in Midtown, the Eagle dance club aims to attract the manliest of men. Theme nights are many.
Hill Country
A prime choice for early-morning coffee and tea, this cute little spot is right on the main strip.
Houston
The high-tech sound and dance floor lights help Montrose's South Beach stay true to its namesake.
Fort Worth
Low-key gay bar in a non-descript building. Country is usually playing on the jukebox.
East Texas
For a late-night (or early-morning) caffeine buzz, locals love this local non-chain.
Hideout Coffee House & Theatre
Austin
Despite its downtown location, it has a near-campus vibe and damn fine brews.
Gulf Coast & South Texas
The cheap, tasty Cajun dishes – and beer – are hugely popular (if not an entirely authentic flavor) with gregarious refinery workers getting off shift…
Dallas
Are these rednecks pretending to be hipsters or hipsters pretending to be rednecks? Live music (Friday and Saturday nights) keeps the irony from killing…
West Texas
For a civilized drink, step into the cool confines of this new cocktail bar that's part of the revamped Thunderbird motel complex, where you'll find the…
Gulf Coast & South Texas
Clayton's bills itself as the biggest beach bar in Texas, and while we haven't seen them all, it's certainly the largest we can recall. There's live music…
Dallas
Enlivening an otherwise desultory patch of downtown next to the convention center and attached to the Omni Hotel is this beer garden aimed at visiting…
Fort Worth
At this old-fashioned Western bar in the heart of the Stockyards, you can straddle a saddle at the bar, while sipping house-made Buffalo Butt beer and…
Dallas
Boot-scoot around the floor or ride the mechanical bull from the movie Urban Cowboy at this longtime country-and-western fave. It's a huge complex of four…
Galveston
Built around an original 1880s antique bar from the Paris Opera House that was rediscovered in New York in the 30s. Don't be put off by the Irish Pub vibe…
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Fort Worth
Although it's a chain, it's hard not to like the Flying Saucer. With 80 beers on tap and a delightful tree-shaded patio, it has a convenient location just…
Fort Worth
This Fort Worth branch of the north Texas chain is four miles south-west of Downtown, near Texas Christian University. The popular cakes are as good here…
Galveston
A long-time local bar featuring lots of live music and an easy-going crowd. There are open-mic nights on Wednesday and Thursday.
West Austin
Out on Lake Austin, you'll find a great waterfront view and a sinful dessert case.
