Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.

Frank Sinatra

Blue Goose

Since I first moved to Dallas, I heard rumors of the Blue Goose margarita … and they are all true.  Sunday brunch at Blue Goose was sprinkled with families and hungover “adults” enojoying their hair of the dog.  My personal hair of the dog on this particular day was none other than my favorite drink: the bloody mary.  The boys partook in the margaritas (and numerous ones at that!).

This was no ordinary bloody mary … no sir.  This was a bloody mary crafted by hands that know my every wish and desire for the drink:  thick and spicy with a hint of lime.  Wondering who the master mixologist was?  I’ll let you in on a secret:  Blue Goose let’s you make your own.  The bloody mary spread is complete with five kinds of bases and even offers olives and shrimp (which I don’t recommend!).

The food came in huge, delicious portions and I definitely recommend the queso con todo – I’m a sucker for a taco shell.  My only complaint was that our waiter wasn’t Johnny on the spot; though the rest of the morning was delightful.

Blue Goose Cantina
www.bluegoosecantina.com
2905 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206-6240
(214) 823-6786

Specials:
Monday | 2:30 p.m. – close | happy hour
Tuesday | 2:30-6:30 p.m. | $2 Tecate, happy hour
Wednesday | 2:30-6:30 p.m. | happy hour
Thursday | 2:30-6:30 p.m. | $3 queso, house margaritas, and all beers
Friday | 2:30-6:30 p.m. | happy hour
Sunday | all day | $2 Miller Lite

sambuca

Sambuca Logo

On a cool, Fall night there is nothing better than live music and a good drink, and Sambuca is one of Dallas’s prime locations for good live music any given night.  Featuring bands from soul to “hi-nrg”, the restaurant, bar, and outside lounges are flooded with covers of “Use Me” and “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” and put you at ease after a long day at work.  Just make sure you sit outside if you want to have a conversation because the music is a bit loud inside.

Lounge on the patio in front of the fireplace or in the canopied “beds”, sip on your strong drinks and nosh on the half price appetizers.  The clientele in the restaurant and on the patios is a bit older; but you can find the younger crowd by the bar.  The girls here are dressed in their best trying to coax drinks out of the lounge lizards … which is always funny to observe.

Make this place a destination on a night you aren’t planning on going out; the chill mood and a full stomach from the great food don’t really evoke enough energy to make a night of it.

Sambuca
www.sambucarestaurant.com
2120 McKinney
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 744-0820

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-6:30 p.m. | 1/2 off appetizers and pizzas, wine by the glass, cocktails, and wells

Yes, madam, I am drunk. But in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.

Winston Churchill

the fish

After another happy hour, I was coaxed into visiting The Fish for reverse happy hour.  Though reticent to stay out late on a Wednesday, it was SO worth it.

We ordered a few rolls and some sashimi and all of it was incredible.  I wish I had been hungry so I could have eaten more.  The Fish has made drink specials a snap:  just have them all day everyday!

The sake bombs made this last stop a blast.  We played my favorite sake bomb game:  someone gives the group a topic and each person tells their story about it (i.e. first kiss, most awkward moment, etc.), and then SAKE SAKE SAKE BOMB BOMB BOMB.  Makes for a fun night.

The outside seating at The Fish is either on a quiet street across from the driving range or in the breezeway and the seats are comfortable.  Inside, the light was low and the plush booths were welcoming.  The crowd, though sparse because we were there on a Wednesday, seemed an interesting bunch.

Make sure you try this place, and make sure you’re hungry (sake bombs fill you up quickly)!

The Fish
www.fishhouston.com/dallas
3636 McKinney Ave., Suite 150 
Dallas, TX 75204
(214)522-0071

Specials:
EVERYDAY | ALL DAY! | $3 wells, drafts, and sake & selected food discounts

Thanks again to my two most reliable happy hour buddies, Matt and Brandon!

Alcoholism is the only disease that you can get yelled at for having.

Mitch Hedberg

The Patio Grill

Every now and then a new bar opens that you just know will become one of your frequented locales.  I drove by last week and saw construction on McKinney which piqued my interest, and after seeing The Patio Grill on Daily Candy, I decided I needed to try it.

When I walked into The Patio Grill there was construction all around as the owners prepared for the grand opening which will be in two weeks.  I spoke with no fewer than three people at length before sitting down; quite a friendly bunch.

The workers outside were … wait for it, men … mounting a large screen for football games.  As if strong drinks and sporting events aren’t enough, the waitresses and bartenders aren’t terrible to look at and are incredibly personable.

For the ladies:  great people watching (it’s right on McKinney) and giant Jenga.  I spoke with the “powers that be” and encouraged them to keep a Sharpie outside to break in the set – my block is pictured below!  It’ll happen before too long anyway, ya?

While the menu is abbreviated until the official opening, we had the Portobello fries and they were delectable.  They gave us a peek at the full menu and everything sounds incredible.  The menu offers buffalo wings with DAMN sauce (among many others) – if you can eat all 10 wings with DAMN on them, your next drink is on the house; we tried some of the sauce … good luck.

Overall, a great night.  I think everyone should make this porch a destination for the fall – and make sure you try one of their Three Olives Berry and Red Bull shots!

The Patio Grill
thepatiogrilldallas.com | @patiogrill
3403 McKinney Avenue 
(214)720-3838

Specials:
Monday | $3 wells $5 you call its
Tuesday | 8-11 p.m. | $1 off all drinks & 1/2 off starters
Wednesday – Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $1 off all drinks 
Sunday | 8-11 p.m. | $1 off all drinks & 1/2 off starters