Given the number of incredible musicians in North Texas, we’ve come to know some of them a little. We reached out to our homies and asked if they were playing anywhere with great food and drinks in April and May. Our pals came shining through.
The Bearded Lady
Pop singer-songwriter Court Hoang says the next foodie spot he’s playing is The Bearded Lady (300 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9832) on Sat, Apr 12. “You can’t go wrong with any food or drink on their menu, but my favorite has to be the bacon-wrapped jalapeños.” Stuffed with pulled pork, wrapped in bacon, then topped with pineapple chutney and cilantro, they’re served with a side of dill ranch for $12.50.
Courtesy The Bearded Lady
The Boiled Owl • Rubber Gloves
The guys in proto-punks LABELS are excited to play The Boiled Owl Tavern (909 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616) on Sat, Apr 26, and imbibe some hard cider. Earlier that month (Thu, Apr 10), the band’s at Rubber Gloves (411 E Sycamore St, Denton, 940-514-0675). Both venues “have the amazing Crackberry Cider,” the band says. This semi-sweet and tart beverage from Dallas-based Bishop Cider is made with blackberries and cranberries and is apparently a big hit.
Regional punks the Wee-Beasties will also be at Rubber Gloves, on Mon, May 19, with Murphy’s Law and Total Chaos. Wee-Beasties frontperson Richard Haskins tells us that the Denton venue has a rad food truck. Oh, and they carry Lone Star for those interested in “shot-gunning beers in the parking lot.”
Central Market’s Fort Yard
Along with winning readers’ choice in our Best Of multiple times over the years, Central Market (4651 W Fwy, Fort Worth, 817-989-4700) is fast becoming a go-to spot for live music. Upcoming shows on CM’s Fort Yard patio include Corder King & Co. 6pm-9pm Fri, Mar 28; Suzy & The Sissies 1pm-4:30pm Sun, Apr 13; The Vintage Yell and Jesse Spradlin 5:30pm-9pm Sat, Apr 26; and more. For schedule updates, visit CentralMarket.com/posts/fort-worth-events.
Division Brewing Pizza Kitchen • Growl
Me-Thinks frontman Ray Liberio let us know they’re playing their annual birthday bash at Growl at Division Brewing Pizza Kitchen (513 E Abram St, Arlington, 682-259-7011) on Sat, Apr 5, with The Dangits and Knock ’Em Back. It’s also a record release show of a split of the Me-Thinks and Dangits covering each other’s songs. (!) Ray says Division’s food is fantastic. “Hell, we’d play for free pizza!”
For doom rockers Stone Machine Electric, it must be something playing a brewery that’s crafted a beer after you. Division’s Stone Machine Electric is a New England double IPA (8% ABV, 42 IBU) made with a variety of hops, including Cascade, Citra, Idaho 7, Mosaic, and Strata. Enjoy it with the thin-crust pizzas the guys in the band love so much. SME plays Growl on Sat, Apr 19, with Bull Nettle Jacket and Graveyard Machine.
While Henry the Archer isn’t playing Division until Sat, Jun 7, frontman Henry O has great things to say about the beer/pizza joint, namely that it churns out superb burgers, too. Along with Division’s tavern-style pepperoni pizza “complemented with onions and a little bit of Hot Honey,” Hennessy loves the cheeseburger, er, cheeseburgers.
“I got their cheeseburger and ended up ordering a second on taste alone,” he said. “I was already full after the first one.”
He thinks the well-seasoned all-beef patty, the homemade sauce, and the texture of the bun all work together in “perfect collaboration.”
Toxic Madness is also playing Growl on Thu, Jul 7 — read more about that in our Summer Issue in late May.
Courtesy Division Brewing Pizza Kitchen
Lost Oak Winery
Playing Lost Oak Winery (8101 County Rd 802, Burleson, 817-426-6625) on Mon, May 26, guitar virtuoso Darrin Kobetich recommends the red wine. As for food, Lost Oak serves charcuterie, flatbreads, panini, and a Caprese salad. This family winery has picnic areas, a tasting room, and paths for strolling along nearby Village Creek. Aurora Bleu also has a gig there on Fri, Apr 3.
Courtesy Lost Oak Winery
Magnolia Motor Lounge
Steve from The Troumatics says they’re doing a single-release show for “I Am a River” at Magnolia Motor Lounge (3803 Southwest Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-3344) with Good Latimer and The Infamists on Sat, Apr 5. MML, Steve says, has “a great, underrated Bloody Mary.”
The Post • Birdie’s Social Club
Marfa Lights, self-proclaimed “spacemen playing indie Americana,” will be at The Post (2736 W 6th St, Fort Worth, 817-945-8890) at 8pm Sat, Apr 5, with Jessi England opening. (The Bikini Whales let us know they have a gig there, too, on Sat, Apr 19.)
Marfa Lights vocalist/guitarist Daniel Hines thinks The Post’s drinks are amazing. Along with a list of daily specials, classic drinks, and wine, there’s also a signature cocktail menu that includes the Man Your Post. This rich, smoky whiskey with hints of chocolate and vanilla is a spin on an Old-Fashioned. Try one for $15 while there’s still a chill in the air and you can enjoy the warming effect.
David Tribble, who’s playing The Post at 8pm Sat, Apr 26, says to go next door and visit Birdie’s Social Club (2735 W 5th St, Fort Worth, 817-886-9028). “The Birdie’s Tacos and Dirty Bird Nachos are great,” he says.
Truck Yard Alliance
The Matthew Show is playing as a quartet at Truck Yard Alliance (3101 Prairie Vista Dr, Fort Worth, 877-221-3936) on Sat, Apr 12, which is like playing five restaurants at once. It’s food trucks that put the “truck” in the yard. There’s barbecue, Indian, tacos, and more, plus the bar serves a wide array of beverages.
Finally, someone from the Shiny Around the Edges camp contacted us. While they aren’t playing Fred’s Texas Cafe anytime soon, frontman/guitarist Michael Seman is a big fan, proclaiming, “I have cried tears of joy while eating a Fred’s Serrano Burger in the past.”
The Tarrant Area Food Bank and Taste Project gear up to fight the potential increase in hunger brought about by massive cuts to the nation’s food safety net. Read about it in Good Trouble in Eats & Drinks.
