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The 8 Best Secret Bars in Dallas Even Most Locals Haven’t Discovered Yet
Finding a secret bar in Dallas is like playing hide-and-seek, but with drinks—and no one’s hiding behind the couch.
Instead, you’re trying to figure out if that bookshelf is actually a door or if the “hidden” entrance is really just a cleverly disguised janitor’s closet. But that’s part of the thrill, right?
For those craving something beyond the usual, lucky for you, I’ve got the lowdown on some of our city’s best secret spots. Buckle up—these places are so off-the-radar, even the locals are still playing catch-up!
1. Dirty Laundry
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Location: 1005 Foch St, Fort Worth
Website: https://dirtylaundryfw.com/
Phone: +1 817 420 6181
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 4 pm – 2 am
- Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm – 2 am
From the outside, Dirty Laundry looks like, well, a pretty basic laundromat. You’d probably walk right past it without a second thought—just a place for washing clothes, right?
But here’s where things get exciting: hidden behind one of those washing machines is the entrance to a secret bar.
I know it sounds straight out of a spy movie, and honestly, it kind of feels like one when you’re standing there trying to figure out which machine leads to the good stuff.
Don’t worry, though, I’m not giving away the answer—you’ll just have to channel your inner 007 and figure it out!
Once you make it inside, the vibe totally shifts. It’s a cozy, dimly lit lounge with a vintage-industrial style that feels effortlessly cool.
The place has this charm that just pulls you in, and the cocktails are all cleverly laundry-themed, like the Fluff ‘N Fold (an Old Fashioned with maple cotton candy) and the Hot Iron, a mango-habanero Margarita with a Tajin rim.
2. The Wilfred
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Location: 4017 Preston Rd #530, Plano
Website: https://seabreezefish.com/thewilfredplano/
Operating hours:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 4 pm – 10:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday: 4 pm – 11:30 pm
The Wilfred is tucked inside the Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill in Plano, so you might not even notice it at first. The trick? You’ve got to ask the Sea Breeze staff for the password!
The atmosphere here is amazing. Think dim lighting, super cozy seating, and this curated collection of spirits that will have you feeling fancy even if you show up in jeans.
As per the cocktail menu, it’s absolutely gold! They’ve got these inventive drinks that play off the classics but with a modern twist that’ll have you savoring every sip.
3. Red Phone Booth – The Colony
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Location: 5774 Grandscape Blvd Suite 100, The Colony
Website: https://redphonebooth.com/
Phone: +1 972 410 0065
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Thursday to Saturday: 4 pm – 1 am
- Sunday: 3 pm – 11 pm
Red Phone Booth is a super cool 1920s-style speakeasy, but the kicker is you can’t just walk in. You either need to be a member, know someone who is, or get your hands on the secret code.
If you’re feeling bold, you can try asking one of the nearby businesses for the number. Some might give you a wink and a nudge, others might leave you hanging—it’s all part of the charm, honestly.
Once you make it past the red phone booth door (I mean, literally a phone booth), the aura is pure magic. The exposed brick walls, shiny leather couches, and warm lighting just scream sophistication.
You can settle in with a smokey cocktail—they do some fun stuff with their drinks—or grab one of their Neapolitan pizzas, which are just the right kind of indulgent.
And for those cigar aficionados, you’re going to feel right at home too. They’ve got a walk-in humidor for your cigars, and the air purification system keeps things fresh, so even if you’re not a smoker, it’s comfortable.
4. Thompson’s Bookstore Speakeasy
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Location: 900 Houston St, Fort Worth
Website: https://thompsons-bookstore.com/
Phone: +1 817 882 8003
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 3 pm – 12 am
- Friday: 3 pm – 2 am
Thompson’s Bookstore in Fort Worth is more than just a bookstore. It’s this cool, tucked-away spot with a secret speakeasy hidden right behind a bookshelf. Yep, you heard me—a bookshelf!
Picture a Prohibition-era vibe, complete with dim lighting, vintage decor, and cocktails crafted with the precision of a master alchemist—fascinating, right?
Now, here’s the fun part: getting into the speakeasy is like solving a riddle. You either need to know the password or figure out which book to “knock” on.
Once you crack the code, you step into a cozy, intimate space that feels tailor-made for a romantic date or a night out with friends.
But wait, it gets better. The building has four floors, and each one has its own story to tell.
The top-to-bottom renovation has turned it into this amazing hub where you can explore a legit bookstore, sip cocktails in the speakeasy, check out an event space, and even chill in a premium cigar lounge.
Oh, and the bars on each level have their own specialty drinks, so there’s always something new to try!
5. CURFEW
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Location: 350 W 5th St, Fort Worth
Website: http://curfewbar.com/
Phone: +1 817 886 0242
Operating hours:
- Monday: 10 pm – 2 am
- Tuesday to Sunday: 6 pm – 2 am
CURFEW is located in a basement, which already makes it feel like a hidden gem. They’ve got local artwork on the walls, so you get a little taste of Fort Worth’s culture while you sip on some of the most creative cocktails you’ll find in town.
The bartenders here are absolute pros—they know how to whip up drinks that are as fun as they are delicious.
And if you’re up for some quirky fun, there’s an animatronic Zoltar that can tell your fortune. How cool is that?
6. Rare Books Bar
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Location: 6959 Lebanon Rd Suite 110, Frisco
Website: http://www.rarebooksbar.com/
Phone: +1 214 705 7775
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday: 5 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 5 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 5 pm – 12 am
This speakeasy-style lounge is as mysterious as it is charming. Want the secret to getting in? Okay, lean in close—check out their Instagram captions for the latest password.
Once you’ve got it, dial up the “librarian” from the phone booth and cross your fingers for entry. But heads up: this place is first-come, first-served, so don’t wait too long to make your move!
As you step inside, the time slows down. The cozy, dimly lit ambiance wraps around you, setting the stage for a night of rare whiskeys and impeccably crafted cocktails.
Their whiskey collection is a dream come true for enthusiasts, with an incredible lineup of bourbons, scotches, ryes, Japanese, and Irish whiskies. Don’t skip the small plates too—they’re the perfect pairing for the drinks!
7. Bourbon & Banter
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Location: 1914 Commerce St
Website: http://bourbonandbanterdallas.com/
Phone: +1 469 776 3700
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6 pm – 2 am
Bourbon & Banter is located just below the lobby of the iconic Statler Hotel. It’s got that timeless Prohibition-era speakeasy vibe, but with a touch of 1950s and 60s romance thrown in—back when The Statler was the go-to hangout for visiting film stars.
Fun fact: it’s actually housed in what used to be the hotel’s barbershop, and the hidden entrance is pretty chic. You’ve got to find the phone booth, punch in a secret code, and voilà, a hidden door opens up for you!
Here, the couches are cozy, the bourbon collection is impressive, and the drinks range from simple classics like a Barrel-Aged Manhattan to the more adventurous ones.
If you’re feeling extra, try the Pompadour—it’s an Old Fashioned twist with Bourbon, Venezuelan rum, bitters, and a vanilla tincture, topped off with a creme brûlée candy that you get to break open with a tiny hammer.
8. Atlas Bishop Arts
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Location: 408 N Bishop Ave #101
Website: http://atlasbishoparts.com/
Phone: +1 972 970 9663
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 4 pm – 2 am
- Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm – 2 am
At first, Atlas might seem like your typical cocktail bar—dim lighting, cool aura, and solid drinks—but believe me, there’s more than meets the eye.
The global food menu is a great touch; you can switch it up with bratwurst one minute and beef pho the next, all while sipping something from their Well Traveled or Local Stops cocktail menus.
But the real highlight is the secret bookshelf door. On certain nights, those bookshelves in the back actually swing open to reveal a hidden gem called the Library.
It’s a smaller, cozier bar where the bartenders get extra creative with their themes. You might walk in on a Tiki night or get a cocktail journey through Japan—it’s always a surprise and definitely worth checking out!
And if you’re worried about going hungry, don’t be. Alongside the signature drinks, they’ve got all the classics—burgers, fries, you name it.
