Dallas’ Best Summer Drink Deals: Beat the Heat With Bargain Cocktails and Cool Scenes

Ah, summer. August is nearly over, but the heat is everlasting in Dallas. I wouldn’t be surprised if we barely see a winter – though I’m already yearning to wear over-the-knee boots and chunky sweaters.

Might as well live it up in the summer sun while we can, and the best way to do so is through a generous amount of cocktails and summer water (aka rosé).

We’ve already given you the 411 on Dallas’ hottest restaurants and margarita havens, but here’s a fresh roundup of Dallas’ best summer cocktail deals and steals. These are the Dallas bars and restaurants that do summer drinking right. Cheers!

Harlowe MXM

Harlowe’s rooftop bar offers spacious outdoor seating and sweet skyline views in the heart of Deep Ellum. It’s the ideal spot for a boozy afternoon treat. On Fridays, the bar offers $5 Happy Hour deals featuring whatever your heart desires – i.e. frozen cocktails, draught beers and house wines. Might as well bring your office pals here for some team bonding.

Additionally, Harlowe’s cocktail bar Trick Pony (downstairs) has rolled out its Endless Summer series of drinks inspired by the 1966 surfing doc. Try the Shaka Brah (gin, red bell pepper cordial, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, lime, and Topo Chico) or the What’s the Dill Yo (gin, strawberry, citrus, herbs, and pieces of habanero).

Waterproof

This is THE new hotspot, if you couldn’t already tell from the plethora of Instagram pics the bar has been featured in. Choose between chilling inside under the shining night sky motif, or lounge outside by the pool.

Pro tip: Hop from drinks to dinner in a matter of minutes at one of The Statler’s three restaurants. Fine China, Over Easy and Scout are all located on the lobby level.

Henry’s Majestic

This Dallas classic didn’t make the list for its legendary short-rib mac n’ cheese or meatball grinder – though both of those dishes are to die for. The lengthy happy hours – Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 am to 7 pm – make it worth a stop alone. (But you probably want get that mac ‘n cheese anyway.)

During happy hour, order the traditional craft beers or house wines, or try one of the restaurant’s eclectic cocktails like Watermelon Swizzle or Beach on the Streets for $5.

Feeling even more frisky? Head to their “Prescriptions” bar, the only place to get $7 medicinal inspired cocktails. Take the Paper Plane which mixes bourbon, amaro, Aperol, and citrus, or the Last Word, consisting of maraschino, citrus, and gin.

Midnight Rambler

Consider this bar the trendsetter of the cocktail community. Not only does Midnight Rambler pride itself on featuring nationally acclaimed DJs and artists, it also serves some of the most diverse beverages out there. The happy hour menu, cleverly named Twine Time, includes drinks that’ll leave you nostalgic. Think Sonic Bloom (Spaceman 3), and Los Saicos (the ’60s peruvian grunge band).

If your taste buds are up for something truly alluring, check out the Shark Fishing with Machine Guns or the Hogo-A-Go-Go Punch. Yes, the taste is one thing, but don’t forget to snap a pic for the gram (gotta feed your feed).

Atwater Alley

If you haven’t heard of this swanky bar, well, that’s a good thing, because it’s kind of a secret. Located behind Henry’s Majestic, Atwater Alley is one of the most intriguing locations in town. You’ll be lured in by the antique decor and seductively dark atmosphere, and the craft cocktails will convince you to stay.

Instead of providing a menu, the bar requests you strike up a conversation with the bartender. Tell them your likes, dislikes and they’ll craft a drink with your name written all over it.

Atwater Alley is currently open from 6pm to 2am Wednesdays to Fridays, but make sure to stop by between 6pm and 8pm, when $6 drink specials are on tap.

Tommy Bahama

Tropical drinks – and no Hawaiian shirt necessary.  Tommy Bahama is encouraging you to take a “taste of the island life” — and from the sound of its new frozen Mai Tai, you may find yourself marooned for an afternoon.

Simply put, the restaurant and bar has taken the classic drink and added a Tommy Bahama twist by making it frozen, topping it with a dark rum float, and garnished with a tropical orchid.