Unwind in Style: The Best Dallas-Fort Worth Patios for Golden-Hour Happy Hour

As the day comes to a close and the sun sets on the Dallas or Fort Worth skyline, depending on your current whereabouts, there's no better way to unwind than with a refreshing drink and delicious food on a picturesque patio. Golden Hour Happy Hour in the early evening is the perfect time to enjoy the company of your favorite folks while basking in the warm glow of the setting sun. Whether you're a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor in search of the best patios in town, we've got you covered. Follow along as we highlight the top bars and restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth for Golden Hour Happy Hour out on the patio, so you can make the most of your evenings in the city.

Dallas Area

1. chelsea Corner

This is a big 'ole patio — 2,500 square feet of "backyard" style patio, to be exact. The warm, neighborhood vibes at Chelsea Corner in Uptown, combined with the amazing space, its focus on Dallas' rich heritage and an eclectic menu that manages to nail such a diverse range of offerings, make it the perfect Happy Hour spot to wind down the day. Starting at 4 p.m., enjoy $8.50 Margaritas and aperol apritz, $6.50 Tito’s glasses of house wine, $6.00 draft beer and $12 pizzas. Fun fact: did you know the original Chelsea Corner opened in the same location in 1974, and that the building dates to 1926? It was extensively remodeled in 2016, but it still brims with that Old Dallas warmth.

2. Tequila social

Every day is the perfect day for a margarita, in our opinion! And, a meal at Tequila Social on the Katy Trail is the perfect way to treat yourself after a great workout, a stroll with your friends, or just because! This 10,000-square-foot space is the perfect place to kick back and relax, whether you enjoy the A/C on the inside or chill on the dog-friendly patio outside!

3. saint ann

The Harwood District's Saint Ann features a garden-inspired atmosphere, patio dining, crisp cocktails, impressive wines, and modern New American fare made with fresh ingredients from local purveyors. Sip, dine and stay awhile at this beautiful spot. Happy Hour here is Wednesday-Saturday from 3-5 p.m., with rotating specials, so stay tuned to their Insta!

4. las palmas

With rotating Happy Hour deals weekdays from 2-6 p.m., Las Palmas in Uptown is one of our favorite Tex-Mex haunts of all time. We love the Fiero Spritz, which you can get for $8.50 at Happy Hour, along with a host of other specialty cocktails. The patio is one of the most inviting and vibey spots in Uptown as well — you can probably find a Love Lister or two posted up here on the weekly.

5. The Yard

If you're up McKinney way, you cannot find a more massive, more dog-friendly patio situation than the one we recently found on our visit to The Yard. It's tucked away in the heart of Downtown McKinney, and it is super cute. Bring your pup along for an afternoon of frozen cocktails, beer, eats, and fun, especially during Happy Hour. From 3-6 p.m. on weekdays, you and the crew can enjoy $1 off all drafts, $2 off all Ffrozen and tap cocktails, $5 wells, $6 house wine, a half-order of Smothered Waffle Fries for $6, and $7 Firepit Queso!

6. Birdie's Eastside

We all know a great atmosphere, good company, and an awesome menu is the recipe for a killer evening out, and that's why Birdie's should be at the top of your list of the best places to hang! It's a neighborhood bar-and-grill tucked away in East Dallas, and it is super cute! The outdoor patio is 7,000 square feet and is the perfect hangout spot for large groups! We love the birria sliders and the hidden cocktail lounge onsite!

7. spider murphy's

The specials at Spider Murphy's in the Knox-Henderson neighborhood are INSANE. On Martini Thursdays, all Martinis are just $6. They've got a selection of 11 different cocktails, including their Mezcal Old Fashioned, their Ranch Water and Habanero Margarita, that are half price all day Wednesday. And from 4-7 p.m.Wednesday - Friday, their Happy Hour, all appetizers are half off. Don't miss their weekend brunch, served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, either.

8. truck yard

With location in Dallas proper, The Colony and the newest location in North Fort Worth, an evening filled with cold drinks and delicious food truck bites at The Truck Yard has never been more accessible. They've got live music every day of the week at this celebrated, come-as-you-are beer garden/adult playground. All three locations are super dog-friendly, so bring your furry pals with you!

9. Ellie's

Ellie's is one of our favorite joints in town. It's so classy and beautiful, and their Happy Hour deals are amazing as well. Weekdays from 4-6 p.m., you can get half-price glasses select glasses of wine, beer, and highball cocktails, and rotating discounts on shareable apps. The views here are stunning no matter what time of day you're visiting, but at Golden Hour in particular, the vibes at Ellie's are just perfect.

10. loro

Happy Hour at Loro in Old East Dallas is a thrifty little thing of beauty. Weekdays from 2-6 p.m. you can nibble on brisket tostadas for just $8, smoked salmon dip for just $6, or something more substantial like their crispy smoked chicken sandwich for $8. Get a yuzu spritz or a boozy slush for just $5, too!

11. HenRy's Majestic

Henry's Majestic has long been one of our favorite brunch spots, but it is also an ENTIRE vibe when the sun goes down. This spot is HUGE and is such a great place to chill on the weekends and listen to some live music with friends! We couldn’t stop eating the food, everything we ordered was delicious but our favorite dish was the Chicken & Waffles! Plus, their famous Sparkle Bar is BACK on weekends!

12. Escondido

The beautiful flower-laden patio at Escondido is perfect for an Instagram backdrop and features a covered and heated section when that's necessary. Safe to say, we are obsessed. The mouthwatering menu features must-try queso and guac, as well as a cilantro ranch dip to go along with whatever you order, which is bound to be unforgettable at Escondido.

13. happiest hour

This might be the only place on this list that does bottle service inside but at the same time is a friend to the good dog outside. But such is Dallas. The patio space at Happiest Hour in the Harwood District is absolutely MASSIVE, and they've got space heaters for cool nights as well as cooling fans for the warmer months. And just get a load of those views, too. We love it here.

14. bowen house

Looking for a classy night on the town, but want to bask in the glow of Golden Hour? Bowen House is the place to go! Put on your best outfit, bring a date, and relax on the patio with a few of Bowen House's uniquely named cocktails and shareable bites. The sounds of the city are the perfect way to soak up the vibes.

15. The Porch

This place is our second porch when we're chillin' in the Knox-Henderson area. The Porch is a beer garden and lovely scratch kitchen with a patio space to match. It's the perfect place to enjoy their bright and delicious crudite plate while sipping on something strong and waiting your turn for cornhole.

16. Wriggly Tin

Wriggly Tin in Fair Park is SUCH a vibe. It's a gorgeous space, and it doesn’t close until midnight so it’s the perfect place for hangouts or date night! The true star of the show here is the pizza and draft beers! The crust was so crispy, and the sauce + cheese combo is to die for! The outdoor space here is huge so it’s great for big parties, work gatherings, and more!

17. the skellig

The Skellig in the Knox-Henderson neighborhood is one of the area's best hangs. The relaxed atmosphere and the friendly staff make it a favorite for the locals, but the big draw a this Irish-style pub is the drink specials. Weekdays from 4-7 p.m., all house cocktails are $7, which is about a 30% discount, depending on the drink. But the real deals happen all day Thursdays, when select house cocktails are half off.

fort worth area

1. maggies r-n-r

This bar, restaurant and live music venue has an amazing and expansive outdoor space and extended Happy Hours all week long. Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., enjoy $1 off all beers and $6 patio punch! On Taco Tuesdays, combine that with $10 taco plates and Margaritas for just $6, too!

2. rogers roundhouse

Slide into one of the picnic tables or pull up an Adirondack and enjoy the sunset over Fort Worth at Rogers Roundhouse! With yard games and pool tables inside, it's going to be a super-fun Happy Hour get together. Every weekday from 2-6 p.m., Rogers gives you a Happy Hour break on their extensive craft beer menu ($1 off), domestics, wells and wine by the glass ($5), as well as wine carafes ($25).

3. HOPFUSION Ale Works

We love posting up out front at one of the shaded picnic tables on the HopFusion patio and enjoying one of the best beers in Fort Worth on a breezy afternoon. And we especially love doing it from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, when full pours of the at least 19 locally crafted brews are $2 off for Happy Hour! They also host Karaoke on Wednesday nights, Trivia on Thursday nights, and have live music every Saturday night.

4. branch & Bird

Branch & Bird, perched high above Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth, might be the nicest place in DFW where you can still get a $3 beer at Happy Hour. It's up on the Sky Lobby Level of the Frost Tower, and the views are just immaculate. But the Happy Hour deals are not to be trifled with, either. Tuesday through Friday from 4-6 p.m., enjoy $3 domestic beers, $5 craft beers, Margaritas, featured cocktails and wine by the glass, PLUS food deals as low as $6, too. It's so picturesque, and at Happy Hour, it's a steal of a deal, high in the sky.

5. birdie's social club

Birdie's has a great stage for live music, their outdoor seating is plentiful, and the Happy Hour deals are pretty legit, too. Wednesday through Friday from 3-7 p.m., grab $3 domestic brews and wells while listening to some local live music and enjoying the springtime breeze in the air.

6. lot 12

This rooftop bar is nuzzled up close to the TCU campus, so it's the perfect place to hang for your purple pregame or postgame function. It's also got one of the most slept-on amazing view in town, overlooking the tree-lined campus, football stadium and surrounding neighborhood. They have Happy Hour seven days a week from 4-7 p.m., and the deals are different every day. On Wine and Whiskey Wednesdays, they serve up half-price bottles of wine and well whiskey, as well as $7 pretzels to soak it all up. On Fridays, it's half-price nachos and $5 L12 cocktails, which feature blueberry Red Bull and Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka (yum!).

7. The Holly

Female-owned and operated, The Holly is a vibey space for wine lovers to enjoy a changing collection of responsibly sourced wines from small, independent makers! Hang out on the patio, or chill inside and meet neighbors from the community! They also do tasting events and classes if you're looking to increase your knowledge on wine and winemaking.

8. Joe T. Garcias

Experience the timeless charm and rich history of Fort Worth at Joe T Garcia's, an iconic Tex-Mex restaurant nestled in the heart of the Stockyards. With its lush outdoor gardens and legendary family recipes, Joe T Garcia's has been delighting locals and visitors alike for over eight decades. Indulge in their sizzling fajitas, mouthwatering enchiladas, and refreshing margaritas, and savor the flavors that have made this beloved institution a must-visit destination. Because it can't not be on the list...

9. Gemelle

Everything is fresh and fun at Gemelle, an incredibly fun Euro-American pizza and pasta spot near the Trinity River. It's quirky and contemporary, they've got bocce ball courts, and their garden-inspired patio is so cute! Take photos in front of the LOVE sign and make sure you get a couple of orders of their fried baby artichokes to accompany your meal — they're so addictive!

10. Little Woodrow's

Little Woodrow's has a MASSIVE 400-INCH SCREEN + 36 other TVs onsite so you're set, no matter what season it is. This new sports bar recently opened in the 7th Street district and has a HUGE OUTDOOR PATIO perfect for watching your favorite team and day drinking with your besties.

Add them all to The Love List✨🍷