Are You Ready for It? The Swifties Guide to Eating and Drinking in Dallas

Taylor Swift is spending a long weekend in Dallas — and so are her fans. Okay Swifties, welcome to town! We’ll be happy to see you at her March 31, April 1, and April 2 shows at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. And we’re more than happy to tell you where you should eat and drink around Dallas, in complete Midnights-style.

Let us take your hands and wreck your plans — or, you know, help you make them.

Dallas’s Most Taylor “Swiftie” Midnights Era Bars and Restaurants

“Lavender Haze”

Besides the obvious comparison to Swifties, who love to track down the easter eggs and hidden meanings in all her songs, Wild Detectives, a bookshop and cocktail bar in Bishop Arts makes a lot of drinks with Empress Gin. And gin lovers know it's famously lavender colored. Get lost in an alcohol-fueled lavender haze in a book-lovers paradise.

“Maroon”

This track is all about a boozy night of drinking screw-top rosé and spilling your wine. Leela’s Wine Bar on Lowest Greenville specializes in on-tap wine rather than screw-top bottles, but it fits the bill for a night of clinking wine glasses. Plus, its decor changes seasonally and each makeover is an Instagram-friendly dream.

“Anti-Hero”

Did someone say tea time? While the city has a ton of places to enjoy fancy tea services, the one Swifties need to check out is the French Room in the Adolphus Hotel. It's designed in the style of French Regency with crystal chandeliers and is a gorgeous escape from the everyday. It’s hard to imagine a better place to reflect on if you’re the problem — over tea cakes. Reservations are highly recommended.

“Snow on the Beach”

This sad, slow song is best lived out at the gorgeous Snowbird Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen in Frisco, for the obvious name connection, but also because the place is a scene like one you’d see on a screen. Its glamor erected in a suburban strip mall — weird, but fucking beautiful, just like Swift and Lana Del Rey’s collaboration.

“You’re on Your Own, Kid”

So look, this is a hard song to match because it’s about feeling alone. That’s just not what you’re here for. Instead, how about a place that recaptures the feeling of youthfulness? Head to Punch Bowl Social in Deep Ellum. Games, games, games galore are available, but these games come with pretty cocktails and light bites.

“Midnight Rain”

There’s a bar called Midnight Rambler in the Joule Hotel in Downtown Dallas. While it doesn’t rain there, it does ramble. The art deco bar is known for its ever-changing cocktail menu and late nights. Reservations are also strongly recommended because this spot doesn’t believe in lines.

“Question...?”

What this song demands is a place to be comfortable and talk and talk and talk. So maybe spend an afternoon at one of Ascension Coffee’s locations around the Metroplex sipping on cortado shots, trying the extensive menu of lattes, and ordering a cold brew. Switch to wine if the mood strikes. It also serves excellent breakfast all day, as well as a lovely array of sandwiches and salads. The staff is used to visitors who stay awhile.

“Vigilante Shit”

Chef John Tesar, who is known in our city for his messy social media presence (some might even call it vigilante shit) and big opinions, has a steakhouse called Knife that all the Swiftie vigilantes should visit. It’s a delicious place to sharpen one’s cat eye and exercise any apex predator instincts — on the steaks.

“Bejeweled”

So, you’re looking for the penthouse that has Dallas’s heart? Nice. Book a dinner reservation at Saint Rocco’s New York Italian down in Trinity Groves and head up to the rooftop lounge for an unbeatable view of the Dallas skyline. Want more options? There’s a whole map of restaurants in Dallas with amazing views.

“Labyrinth”

We love speakeasies in DFW, which is what comes to mind while listening to this song — those hard-to-find spots that are so tempting to go in search of. Apothecary is one of those places that’s hidden in plain sight on Lowest Greenville. The real labyrinth is inside — it’s the ingredients in the cocktails, which are so complex and strange that they may not make sense at first. Just like your most mysterious crush. Reservations are recommended.

“Karma”

Karma is sweet like honey, we’re told, so here’s a sweet tip for Swifties. Hit up Pure Milk and Honey, an ice cream shop in the Park Cities, for a springtime scoop that’s sweetened with honey and made with local Texas milk.

“Sweet Nothing”

It would be easy to take this at face value and recommend another sweet spot, but instead, we’re leaning into the feeling of home this song evokes. To find that in Dallas, make a reservation at Written by the Seasons in Bishop Arts. The warm interiors loaded with family photos are designed to make diners feel right at home, and the food is a lot of family recipes — including the seasonal focaccia.

“Mastermind”

Looking for a mastermind on the Dallas food scene? Look no further than Tiffany Derry (whose Insta is @masterchefTD) and her Roots Southern Table. Sure, she’s been on MasterChef, Top Chef, and a slew of Food Network and PBS shows, but she’s also a dynamo in the kitchen. This place sells out fast, so reservations are recommended. Are you ready for it?