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    Babou's

    3.6 (42 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    DiAndra H.

    Make reservations it's worth it, staff is friendly and food was pretty good. Very chill vibe and drinks were good as well

    Becca B.

    A spectacular speakeasy in Dallas that should be on your bucket list is Babou's. This bar is tucked inside of a decorative library with comfortable seats, stunning decorations, and wonderful drinks. Babou's has special entertainers and DJ's certain days of the week. We sipped on specially crafted cocktails while listening to a live DJ! The vibes at Babou's are fun yet sophisticated. Wear something nice and check out this hidden bar in a "quaint library".

    Enjoying an evening at Babou's
    Laura H.

    Stopped in on a Friday evening after having dinner in the area. We arrived at the Hotel Swexan via Uber and we were whisked into the hotel, escorted to the elevator and arrived at the lower level where Babou's is located in what seemed like a matter of seconds. It felt like security was high with no chance to mingle in the lobby here! After the formality of checking IDs at the lounge entrance, we entered the posh, darkly lit bar and we were warmly greeted and told that we could sit anywhere we liked. It was on the early side of late night, probably just after 9 pm. The couches in front of the bar were already taken. We wandered to the back "Library" room which had brighter lighting and didn't really feel clubby. So, we went back to the main room and planted ourselves on a cozy couch in the reserved VIP area. A server quickly waited on us. My husband ordered a bottle of Stella and I tried the Persistence of Berries cocktail. It was quite tasty and I enjoyed another while the DJ started playing tunes, some 90s tracks and pop from today. It felt like the crowd in the main room was older and the younger patrons made their way to the Library to hang out. Overall, a very beautiful space with creative drinks and a chic vibe. We already made plans with friends to return!

    Dali's Ice Cream Sandwich
    Rebecca M.

    Best kept secret... Babou's has desert! Just ask Mimi about some of the sweet treats in addition to some mind blowing cocktails.

    Bar
    Elellta T.

    We made our way to Babou's on a Friday night, and it was definitely an experience! The place has this exclusive vibe, but what I loved is that the lounges had open seating for everyone, which made it super laid-back. We got a spot by the front room, but there was also a cozy library room in the back with plenty of space that is more of a quieter vibe. The staff was friendly and accommodating, making sure we had a great time throughout the night. The crowd can get rowdy as the night goes on and at one point a group accidentally knocked our table, spilling our drinks, but the staff was quick to take care of it. They kindly replaced our drinks, which really showed how much they care about the experience. The music, however, was a bit of a mixed bag. They played a lot of house music, which wasn't really my thing, but I still made the best of it and had a fun time. I heard they do Jazz nights on Thursdays, and that sounds amazing! Definitely something to check out just maybe find out the music scene before you go.

    Entrance
    Teyah S.

    My gf and I decided to try Babou's Thursday night jazz and it was incredible! We arrived around 6:45 which was perfect timing as there were just a few people there. I would suggest getting there no later than 7 because as the night goes on it gets pretty packed. We were able to grab a seat behind the band which was also a nice treat. The decor is impeccable and really adds to the speakeasy vibe. The bartenders and waitresses were all very friendly and attentive. We ordered an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Prosecco and Lychee Martini. All the drinks were well balanced and flavorful. The band MBP Trio was also outstanding. We'll definitely be back!

    Tiffany H.

    Grabbed a nightcap here after dinner! Highly recommend getting there early if you want to take pictures! Got there about 7:30 on a Saturday, and it was completely empty! We were told to grab any seat, we decided on a couch in the library ofc. And our waitress came to give us menus to order off of. People slowly did start rolling in as the night went on. Overall, great place to get a drink for a girl's night out or a nightcap after dinner. Super unique decor and vibey!

    Lobster Roll
    Jessica J.

    First time here, and I'll definitely be back. The vibe is incredibly laid-back and relaxed, making it the perfect spot for a first date. The ambiance has this cool, calm, jazz-inspired feel that really sets the tone. Now, let's talk drinks. They're decent, but nothing to write home about--about 2/5 on flavor. The cocktails are small, with a hefty price tag of $20 each. You can tell they're not packing much alcohol, which might be intentional to keep the vibe chill and avoid a rowdy crowd. As for the food, it's a solid 4/5. I tried the truffle fries, sliders, and lobster roll--all delicious, and priced around $20 each. Everything tends to average out around that $20 mark, so it's easy to rack up a tab if you're enjoying the atmosphere and getting caught up in conversation.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing spot. Great drinks and a very cool laid back vibe. The library is a chill spot with the secret nightclub behind the bookshelf.

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    Parliament

    Parliament

    4.4
    (764 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Came here on a Monday at 5:15 - it was happy hour…read more Mitch the bartender was super personable, educated me on several gins and took me on a mini tasting tour of some unique gins - really nice guy. Had two martinis here and left with a smile Highly recommend

    Overall: 2.6/5 [dine in]…read more The place is nice, but smaller than expected. They had bubble guns too, which was a fun surprise. We came in near closing time, but Emilia provided us great service and stayed attentive even though they were clearly packed. We were seated at a table near the door, and unfortunately it had a vomit smell. Whatever it was, my friend could not stand it and had to get up and step away from the table. We first thought the culprit was the paper drink coasters, but then the staff removed the door mat near us later on, so maybe someone puked on it and the smell lingered, even after it was cleaned up. Clear Mizu ($16): This has Sakura vermouth and bitters, so we ordered it. It tasted like straight up gin and was not good. It was actually one of the rare times my husband could not finish his drink. Kyoto Sunset ($15): This one wasn't bad and tasted like honeydew. The ingredients include honeydew Calpico, so that makes sense. Johnny Walker Black ($16): This was our friend's drink, which I think was just coke and Johnny Walker. Nothing special about the taste either. Given the smell and so-so/terrible cocktails, we will not be coming back or taking our friends here.

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    Apothecary

    Apothecary

    4.5
    (222 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    The decor, ambiance and the presentation of everything here was 10/10…read more We literally felt like we got transported to Alice in wonderland. The flavor however for most items felt like it lacked flavor . Everything felt like it could have used more depth and flavor. I do give them props for the beauty they have created though

    Our experience was far below expectations. Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, which I…read moreunderstand during a busy service, but things only went downhill from there. The service felt distant and rushed. Our server seemed unfamiliar with the menu, gave us conflicting information about drink availability, and rarely checked on us. We specifically asked not to be rushed, yet our entrées arrived while we were only a quarter of the way through our appetizer. At one point, our food was delivered while we were outside getting fresh air. The food was also disappointing. The scallops and chicken were extremely salty and lacked flavor, and the chicken was overcooked. When we brought it up, the server did little to address it. To top it off, we saw two large cockroaches around our table, which was especially noticeable in the dark dining room. The cocktails were the highlight, but overall, the service, food, pacing, and cleanliness did not meet expectations. One star. Very disappointing, and I'm not sure I'll be back.

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    Bowen House

    Bowen House

    4.4
    (509 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Great experience, my friends and I made a reservation and were seated right away when we arrived…read more It's a small place but the decor and staff were great. The staff provided us with recommendations as well as they were accommodating to my food allergy. The drinks and food were delicious, I recommend coming to their happy hour, where some drinks and food specials are from 4-6 everyday. The cheeseburger, fries and Caesar salad were delicious. I will definitely be back soon!

    The Bowen House I…read moreabsolutely loved the historic feel of The Bowen House. It's not a very large bar, but I think the intimate size adds to its warmth and charm. The staff was very welcoming, and the other guests I encountered were friendly and sociable. The drinks were excellent. On my first visit, I had the Hugo Spritz, which was mixed to perfection. During my second visit, I tried the Bitter Lemon Soda, which was also very good--simple, refreshing, and without any overpowering flavors. I actually enjoyed The Bowen House so much that I went twice during my weekend trip to Dallas. It has an almost speakeasy-like atmosphere, with low lighting and a cozy, historic feel. It's also in a very walkable area, which made it easy to visit on foot. There is some parking available, although I would say it's somewhat limited. I don't think it would be the best spot for a very large group, but it would be perfect for a few friends getting together. I also appreciated that you can order a drink while waiting for a table or bar seating, which made the wait feel much more enjoyable. Overall, The Bowen House was one of my favorite places I visited while in Dallas. Between the atmosphere, welcoming service, and well-crafted drinks, it's definitely a place I would return to the next time I'm in town.

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    The Mansion Bar

    The Mansion Bar

    4.1
    (80 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$$

    Oh, HELL YEAH!!!! 5 Stars and Beyond!!! Came in, this evening. Very Sexy Bar! A very chill vibe! A…read morebooklet featuring an extensive collection of cocktails, small bites, mocktails, from classics to imported beers. Huge selection. I tried this refreshing cocktail called Grand Tour. A must try! A little sweet and less bitter. Ruel, the fabulous mixologist, does drinks right! My drink tasted like a NOT overly sweet cocktail, fruity and slightly bubbly. My kind of superb cocktail! The munchies they offer you are toasted Texas Pecans, and Corn Nuts! Delicious to the core! Thanks to our bartender, Ruel! I assume EVERYTHING on their cocktail Bible is a hit, just mine was. Pricey, yes. I had 2, and they were worth it! This effortlessly chic bar, located inside the Mansion on Turtle Creek Hotel, is a real hit with guests, tourists, and locals! Excellent service! A must stop! And it's really busy during happy hour and peak hours! You'll thank me later..... Cheers, Yelpers!

    Used to be 5+ star. This *was* a Dallas crown jewel of an upscale bar with fantastic service and…read moremusic, but it's flipped upside down. The hotel property is like four legs under the table - a great location, a great hotel experience, a great restaurant experience, and a entertainment experience (The Mansion Bar). At least one leg has been kicked out, one is suffering. The Mansion Bar used to have a great recipe for success - proven by how busy and regular the customers were and loyal (or was), and the top tier talent that was routine for 10+ years. Me and my friends have a relationship with the long time staff as customers as well as the excellent music talent. The cause? Not precisely sure but I think it's new ownership, at the very least a new Food & Bev manager. I also know the staff is very upset about these changes and the relationships with the repeat music talent is now a mess. I wouldn't be surprise if the staff start leaving. I'm hoping whomever is making these decisions can revert back to what was working. Dallas has a lot of great venues that will fill this void.

    Photos
    Toasted Texas Pecans and Corn nuts for the best munchies! November 2025.
    Toasted Texas Pecans and Corn nuts for the best munchies! November 2025.
    A page of their drink menu. Amazing selections! November 2025.
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    Hide

    4.2
    (562 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    HIDE Christmas Pop-Up Edition From the outside, HIDE was…read moresuper festive and eye-catching. Inside, there are two themed rooms: a toy-themed main bar and a Grinch-inspired second room, which I loved . There's also a rooftop, which I didn't make it up to see but adds to the overall appeal. The drinks were cute and very Christmas-inspired, which is perfect for the holiday vibe. Food-wise was a little less exciting. I had the Nashville hot dry-rub wings (waiter recommended). They were just okay. Definitely not the flavor I expected. I should've gone with the honey hot. The dirty fries, loaded with cheese, bacon, and peppers were really good, especially with ranch and ketchup . If you're looking for a cute holiday pop-up with festive décor and fun drinks, HIDE is worth checking out. Food and drinks start around $15 and up, so you're definitely paying for the experience

    I visited here with a group of friends recently. I say "visited" and not "dined" because the food…read moreand service was awful. (I rarely post Yelp reviews so that's how bad it was) I ordered the steak frites medium-well (thinking it would probably come out well-done, as most non-steakhouses tend to do). After a long wait for our food (the restaurant didn't look that busy, but maybe a lot of to-go orders?) I received the pictured steak: I'm pretty sure I can still hear it mooing. How anyone could look at this and think this is medium-well is beyond me. I tried taking a bite, but it was so raw it was inedible to eat - I would've been chewing for ages. I brought this up to my waiter, who said he would take it back and speak to the kitchen. My group needed to leave for another event (didn't anticipate waiting nearly an hour for our food) so we simultaneously asked for our checks. The kicker? My waiter did not follow up with me on how raw the steak was and did not comp my meal/provide any kind of remedy. I wasn't looking for a free meal, but the lack of follow-through to remedy the situation was the icing on the cake (or insert some kind of raw steak pun). My cocktail (which all arrived AFTER our meals were delivered) was pretty good, thus the 2 stars. But I question why/how my steak was so raw despite me waiting 45-55 minutes for it. Overall, only come here for drinks - so long as you're okay with waiting forever & a day for them.

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    Babou's - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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