January 2012 Bar of the Month: City Tavern

The first featured bar of the month could only be my home away from home: City Tavern. If you know me, you know City Tavern. BUT do you REALLY, KNOW the Tavern? City Tav? For me, it’s the YMCA of bars.

Where is it?

City Tavern is located on Main Street, on the west end of the street a few blocks before the grassy knoll which really is the end of the downtown area. Farther east you will find newer apartments, restaurants, and other buildings comprising the central business district before you get to Deep Ellum. City Tavern is surrounded by apartments and hotels, so it’s not the typical happy hour spot for local business establishments although you will find them there from time to time. The bar’s clientele is mostly residents of downtown and travelling business people. Okay fine, travelling business men. I’ve never seen a travelling business lady there but that doesn’t mean it’s never happened. I like to believe there are also business ladies that enjoy a drink while they’re working in a different city. City Tavern is the ideal place for that.

What is it like?

When you enter the Tavern you are immediately greeted…. by Johnny Cash giving you the finger! There is a larger than life black and white photo of him at the opposite end of the bar.  The bartenders are dressed like the clientele so for a newcomer it could be difficult to tell who’s running the show. After a few minutes it becomes apparent. Most of City Tavern’s bartenders have been there for years and they’re all pros. Like any establishment in the service industry there are bartenders that come and go. But City Tavern has a solid tenured staff. When Koch left to go to school, he came back, because he realized he needed to go to school again and get a different degree. Courtney, who served me the biggest vodka soda of my life, has a great job at an advertising agency. I used to work in the same building with her and it was the twilight zone every time I ran into her. Brandon is in charge will never make you drink alone, Madison is a talented singer/songwriter and Jen kicks ass.  Neil, well he only works daytimes on the weekends and there’s a reason for that. Also happens to be the only staff member I’ve ever seen get cut off at the bar he works for. You will often find Josh, the owner, in the bar. Dusty coordinates events and is there on the weekends. Juan, he’s excellent.

Ted and Bill enjoy a beverage before the golf tournament.

The walls of the bar are reddish brown brick and the ceiling is some type of appliqué that is old fashioned, a bit dingy and painted brown. To the left is a wooden stairway leading to the second level that is open on the weekends for live music and sometimes during the week for other events. There is a pool table upstairs, some old arcade games, and downstairs you can play golden T or one of those strange games on the touchscreen monitor on the bar. The décor is western funky and divey. There are copies of the Observer and sometimes the Dallas Morning News floating around. The walls feature a prominent picture of James Dean and a taxidermy deer head, among beer and street signs collected over the years. Christmas lights adorn the windows on the inside (during all seasons). A little something for everyone!

…who’s going?

The crowd is generally eclectic at the Tavern and it changes During the week its locals and travelers relaxing with drinks, weekends are for the music scene and the place is packed. Weekend days are for the real drunks and Neil doesn’t tolerate any shenanigans. He will do a shot with you and then cut you off because that last shot was one too many (I’ve seen it happen). When I asked Jen what’s the difference between daytime and night time City Tavern she replied “well, we don’t play any Tool, or System of a Down or anything like that during the day”. And I guess that’s about it. The Tavern has a decent lunch crowd. M and I went during the week once when I was unemployed and it was good to see the place with an active lunch crowd.

 ,but I really came for the drinks.

The drinks are not skimpy, overpriced, or fancy. You can get whatever you want there. My fave is the vodka soda. I also like the Vegas bombs, the Hanna Montana, and tic tacs. I’ve also had a few jager bombs there in my day. All well done! Their “signature” drink combo is the Dirty Dusty, which features a shot of Jack Daniel’s and a PBR for $5 (I remember when it was $4, but the inflationary environment and commodities prices forced them to increase the price).

Sevana, Ciarra, Kara and Nathan enjoy a round of Dirty Dusty's on Thursday night.

Let’s have a snack.

The food is delicious, considering that it’s bar food. Judging by the names on the Christmas stockings in the bar, the Tavern has about 8 people on its kitchen staff. I recommend the Tex-Mex selections such as the Taco Salad and Tostada Nachos. There is also a Southwestern wrap that is pretty good. The burgers are okay and chicken fingers too. On Sunday evenings after 7pm entrees are buy one get one free. With an average price point of $7, you can’t go wrong with that deal! The only other special at the Tavern is $3 wells, $3 domestics which is their standard pricing. Their facebook page promotes this special like its new each time. But nothing ever changes. Those are the real prices, there aren’t any gimmicks.

Left to Right: Vodka Soda, Chicken Tortilla Soup, City Tavern Menu

Can you excuse me for a minute?

The bathrooms at City Tavern are acceptable, but not ideal. There is only one stall for the ladies and it leaks a bit. You can tell the facilities are cleaned regularly, but one restroom in a bar that can get crowded is not enough. Here’s an insider secret for my lovely readers: if you go up the stairs next to the restrooms, there are more restrooms! The facilities on the second level are even better!

I also like music…

While I consider the Tavern to be a watering hole, it is also a popular venue for local music. The music is much like the décor, ranging from western to funky to modern… I’m not sure if that is intentional. Usually, you can get whatever you want played on the Juke Box. Sometimes you have to remind the bartenders to turn it on, because otherwise they will be playing their own mix. Koch is my favorite bartender DJ, but Brandon is okay (as dj, he’s the best bartender).  The juke box has a super search feature so you can find what you’re looking for. In general, you will get your songs played. Unless you’re obnoxious and want to hear the Black Eyed Peas when Brandon isn’t in the mood to hear it for the 10^th time that night… and he will veto your selection.

Let’s call it a night.

If you get a chance to check out the Tavern I’m sure you will be pleased by its toned down awesomeness. It’s a dive, not a fake trying to look like a dive. People like to drink and eat with friends and neighbors there. It’s warm, inviting, and I just totally love it.

Who wants to go to City Tavern?