While some bars and music venues bought into the TABC’s mid-pandemic licensing scheme allowing the businesses to be open if they served food, others have been serving incredible food all along. So with live shows back on the bill, here are some places to catch dinner and a show this weekend.
1.) Known for hosting the best in tribute acts and a great poker night, Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits (781 W Debbie Ln, Mansfield, 817-453-0188) has competitive food and drink prices. Thru Sunday, try the new chicken-fried steak sliders served with housemade potato chips and FD’s “boom boom sauce.” For Thirsty Thursday this week, Rockaholics is doing a free show featuring all your favorite rock hits, $2 wells and domestic drafts, and $3 margaritas from 2pm to 7pm.
2.) At 7pm Wed, Lava Cantina (5805 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, 214-618-6893) hosts a free show by La Grange: The Tribute to ZZ Top. Arrive early and grab dinner from LC’s from-scratch food menu and try the hand-crafted cocktails and margaritas.
3.) Located at the corner of Foch and W 5th streets, Lola’s Trailer Park (2735 W 5th St, Fort Worth, 817-759-9100) is a pet-/family-friendly spot that hosts live music on a nightly basis. It’s also the home base for Dayne’s Craft BBQ. Keep an eye on Lola’s Facebook event page, and you’ll often see the phrase “during Dayne’s.” Yes. Daytime music is booked to coordinate with the BBQ hours. At noon Sun, catch Remy Reilly and stick around for the Rock N Roll Rummage Sale.
4.) Drunk musicians notwithstanding, you won’t hear live music at Ol’ South Pancake House (1509 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-336-0311). However, Ol’ South is the after-hours go-to for everyone you know. The Fort Worth location is back open 24/7, and Burleson is soon to follow. Come sober up. Have some pancakes.
5.) Christian Baird is no stranger to great music and gourmet food. As the owner of the Green Room in Dallas and a musician himself, he was excited to open up Oscar’s Bar & Grill (1581 SW Wilshire Blvd, Ste 101, Burleson, 817-447-7232) as a much-needed music venue/restaurant. Then the pandemic hit. Oscar’s is now back open with a full music schedule through June and a full gourmet food menu. One featured item is the pork wings: seasoned bone-in pork shanks tossed in your choice of buffalo, BBQ, honey-mustard, or honey-sriracha sauce and served on a bed of fries. When his original local band Lowside isn’t on the bill, Baird hosts tributes. On Saturday, Crued & Tattood, a popular Motley Crue tribute, will take the stage.
6.) With a slogan like “Where Soul Food Meets Barbecue,” you already know that local Southern-cooking restaurant Poppin’ Fresh (7709 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 682-707-4936) knows a thing or two about comfort food and old-school hospitality. What you may not know is that the joint is hopping most nights. From gospel groups to R&B acts and karaoke night, the customers are always in for a good time. The latest offering on the food menu is a new catfish platter. For food pictures and dancing-customer videos, find PF on Facebook.
7.) During the pandemic, The Post at River East (2925 Race St, Fort Worth, 817-945-8890) gave us Cocktails to Go (and, by extension, a reason to live). Now they are giving us great food, booze, and music on an ongoing basis. Every Tuesday thru the end of June, enjoy Texas Booze Tuesdays featuring live music by Adrian Hulet and $2 off Texas beer and spirits.
8.) The patio at Shaw’s Bar & Grill (1051 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-926-2116) is a great place to grab a burger and a $5 margarita — don’t forget the $2 flavor add-ons — but did you know they have a stage? At 8pm every Saturday, head to Shaw’s East Patio Stage for Live Music Saturdays. This Saturday, it’s Josh Irwin followed by Warmin Up on May 29 and Joseph Neville on Jun 5.
