By John Lugo Denton Live: July-Dec 2014
Smiling college students, visitors, long-time Dentonites and musicians fill the Denton scene. No matter the type of nightlife fun you aim for, the welcoming lights and atmosphere of restaurants, bars and venues open their doors to all. The Austin St. Food Truck Park is the endpoint of many hungry adventurers looking for the best local food within walking distance of Denton bars. The vibe of local musicians strumming away to eclectic indie creations flows out from venues in the surrounding areas.
The largest selection of beers to choose from can be found at East Side and Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor. East Side (117 E. Oak St.) touts its 89 beers on tap (about 60 Texas beers) to be enjoyed on its patio facing the food truck park. Oak St. Drafthouse (308 E. Oak St.) offers more than 70 draught beers (about 35 Texas beers) in its homely environment—appropriately established in the third oldest house in Denton at 128 years old—with no loud music or televisions. It offers board games, cards and a giant backyard.
On the other spectrum of volume, The Labb (218 W. Oak St.) is the place to go for a crowd to root (or yell) with while watching the big game. Drink specials on nights of Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers games are tough to beat. If your eyes aren’t set on the televisions, there are also pool tables, dart boards and occasional live music.
Other top-notch bars that deliver great tunes for audiences from both ends of the musical spectrum are Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios (409 E. Sycamore St.) and Dan’s Silver Leaf (103 Industrial St.). Dallas-Fort Worth music icons such as Paul Slavens and Denton-native band Seryn tend to head to these venues. Bands of various genres find these places to be great opportunities to get their music out and have fun, while listeners see them as the best spots for music and drinks.
Cool Beans Bar and Grill (1210 W. Hickory St.) continually satisfies with its delicious and perfectly seasoned burgers you wouldn’t expect from a bar. The bar also has Tuesday trivia nights and posts daily specials via social media for all to enjoy inside or out on the patio and roof area.
Riprock’s Bar and Grill (1211 W. Hickory St.) has an open patio in front of the bar, which inclines its customers to bring their dogs for a day out. With a menu ranging from pulled pork sandwiches to chicken tenders, Riprock’s makes for a great introduction to the night life of Denton for anyone looking for a fun night on the town.
