Fort Worth Weekly - News, Entertainment, Restaurants, Music

Click here to read more and see who won best Happy Hour, Wine Bar, Cheap Margarita, and more.

Biker Bar

Readers' choice: Iron Horse Bar and Grill, 1117 E Belknap St, FW

Critic's choice: 4 Horse Saloon, 9530 Camp Bowie Blvd W, FW

Despite its location in the nether regions of Camp Bowie West, despite its boxy, cherrywood exterior, despite the line of hogs parked outside and their leather-clad, tattooed riders, 4 Horse Saloon is actually an inviting and fun place to hang out sans bike. But there's a certain joy to pulling up to a place called 4 Horse with a lot of horsepower between your legs.

Cheap Beer

Readers' choice: Neon Moon Saloon, 2509 Rodeo Plaza, FW

Critic's choice: Eagle's Nest Sports Restaurant, 8455 Boat Club Rd, FW

You can't really argue with a place that basically gives away its beer. During happy hour (11 a.m. 'til 7 p.m. Monday through Friday), the spacious bar/restaurant in a strip mall by Eagle Mountain Lake will deliver unto you one crisp, cold, refreshing 8-ounce draft beer in return for one American dollar. The Nest's happy hour always comes in handy. Sometimes two-handy.

Bartender

Readers' choice: "Chopper" Donny, Neon Moon Saloon

Critic's choice: Dusty Smith, Rick O'Shea's Irish Pub, 904 Houston St, FW

Good service from a bartender has to walk a fine line between solicitous and hands-off. Smith is one of the friendliest, sharpest bartenders in town. He knows what you want even if you don't, and he knows instantaneously when you're ready for another. But don't blame him for any alcoholic tendencies. He's more of an old friend than a pusher.

Bouncer

Readers' choice: Joe Youngblood, Duke's Original Roadhouse, 2250 Airport Fwy, Bedford

Critic's choice: James Johnson, The Aardvark, 2905 W Berry St, FW

Working the door at any club takes a lot of patience. There is a lot of boredom, often broken up only by bad bands and dumb kids. Even when a band or DJ is good, you're still stuck checking for fake IDs and meatheads looking to pound someone. It really takes a level head and a resolute will to work a door, which is why we're tipping our beers to James Johnson, the Aardvark's longtime doorman. With an 18-and-up door policy and unenviable (or enviable, depending) location in the Fort's epicenter of clueless drinkers, the Aardvark's door is a challenge, but James works it with grave professionalism. He's never afraid to get knuckleheads out the door, and he's nice to the regulars.

Wine Bar

Readers' choice: Winslow's Wine Café, 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd, FW

Critic's choice: Brix Pizza and Wine Bar, 2747 S Hulen St, FW

Although the wine list is not comprehensive, it offers many delicious selections of Italian reds and California whites. Whether drinking the bold but smoky-smooth Donna Laura sangiovese or the citrusy, balanced Dry Creek Fume Blanc, you'll feel as cosmopolitan as the place itself. If only it stayed open past 10 p.m.

Gay Bar

Readers' choice: Rainbow Lounge, 651 S Jennings Av, FW

Critic's choice: Copa Cabana, 2001 S Main St, FW

This small Latino gay bar has continued to improve and redecorate over the past few years while avoiding much scrutiny from police -- at least for now.

Lesbian Bar

Readers' choice: Best Friends, 2620 E Lancaster Av, FW

Critic's choice: Best Friends

Best Friends is the perennial choice for lesbian bar since, although it's not technically a lesbian establishment, it's pretty much the only bar in the Fort where Sapphic sisters mingle. We're always tempted to shout, "Activate your grrl power and get a bona fide 'ladies only' clubhouse!" But damned if we don't love Best Friends' vibe, with female and male couples happily socializing. BFF!

Happy Hour

Readers' choice: 7th Haven, 2700 W 7th St, FW

Critic's choice: BoomerJack's Grill & Bar, Montgomery Plaza (2600 W 7th St, Ste 126), FW

The indoor-outdoor bar counter lends a casual, beach resort-ish charm to what has become a young professional's party oasis in the party-free wasteland that is Montgomery Plaza. The service is fast and friendly, the drafts are fresh and cheap, and there are usually complementary finger-foods on hand (though if you wanna dine properly rather than just ward off drunkenness, sink your teeth into BoomerJack's big-as-your-head, mouthwatering, peppery cheeseburger).

Bar-Bar

Readers' choice: 7th Haven

Critic's choice: Malone's Pub, 1303 Calhoun St, FW

Tucked away on the outskirts of downtown, Malone's is like a beacon for grown-ups who don't want to share bar space with fratboys or popped-collared hipsters. There's nothing flashy about the place: The jukebox isn't digital, and there are just a couple of pool tables and a big-screen television. But the bartenders know your name and remember your drink, and the prices are more than reasonable.

Cocktail Lounge

Readers' choice: Scat Jazz Lounge, 111 W 4th St, FW
Critic's choice: A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, FW

Ever have one of those days you can salvage only with a cocktail in a dimly lit dive? Or do you just like cocktails? Either way, you can't go wrong at A Great Notion. It's quiet, dignified, and generous with the gin in your tonic. The bartenders are as nice as the drinks are cheap. If you need a good idea for a dull afternoon, drop in and say hello. We've got a, um, notion you will.

Pub

Readers' choice: Dublin Square, 6651 Fossil Bluff Dr, FW

Critic's choice: (tie) Paddy Reds Irish Pub, 903 Throckmorton St, FW; The Mule Pub, 5731 Locke Av, FW

It's taken a while, but Paddy Reds no longer feels like just a nicer, cleaner version of the Black Dog, thanks mainly to the beautiful wood appointments, lack of urine smell, and crack staffers who serve you with a nearly undetectable grace. The absence of live music and loudmouths encourages mellowness. The other winner is a Fort Worth institution, and it's anything but quiet or mellow. The Mule has been around since the Paleolithic era and has the charming bar scars to prove it. Though full of regulars, the Westside haunt also attracts its share of new faces. Think of it as a citywide college bar but for adults.