Written By: Nicole Crites
On a perfect sunny day, some like to jog along the Trinity Trails, work in their garden or, perhaps, go out for an icy snow cone. I strongly believe the best outdoor activity, for really anytime of the year, is drinking. Fortunately, Fort Worth is abundant in outdoor patios, rooftops and activities ideal for drinking a daytime cocktail.
Martin House Brewing Company
Location: 220 S. Slyvania #209
Fort Worth is home to a couple of brewing companies that craft great, local beers and host tours for the public every week. Martin House Brewing Company opens their brewery up every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for tours and tasting, but it’s more like an open house for customers to relax and hang out. Admission is $10 per person, which includes a pint glass and three free refills. The outdoor area is completely dog friendly (because who doesn’t want to get drunk with their dog?), offers games like cornhole, washers and ladder golf, and also features live music every Saturday.
Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Location: 701 Galveston Ave.
Rahr & Sons Brewing Company offers a very similar weekend tour and tasting deal: $10 admission including a pint glass that customers get to take home as well as three free refills. Rahr pours out their delicious local craft on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Woodshed Smokehouse
Location: 3201 Riverfront Dr.
When it comes to outdoor day drinking, it is hard to beat Tim Love's Woodshed Smokehouse that sits overlooking the Trinity River. Its patio and outdoor seating are ideal for a sunny day, with plenty of shade provided by umbrellas, canopies and trees. The patio is dog friendly and the menu even offers items for your lovable pup including organic peanut butter bones and water bowls. Woodshed also features a stage with occasional live music, outdoor games and a great summer drink menu; the “Summer in a Cup” cocktail made with coconut rum, sprite, lemonade and mint literally tastes like summertime in your mouth.
T&P Tavern
Location: 221 W. Lancaster Ave.
T&P Tavern, located on the southern edge of downtown, is another hot spot with a dog-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant and bar is on the ground floor in the southeast corner of the historic Texas and Pacific Railway Station and its 5,000 square-foot, pet-friendly patio is the largest covered patio in Fort Worth. The bar is known for having an eclectic rotating beer tap wall and, according to their website, the T&P owners take their beer selection very seriously: They expect that customers will find something new and interesting during each visit.
Joe T. Garcia's
Location: 2201 N. Commerce St
Of course, it would be a crime to talk about Fort Worth patios and day drinking without mentioning Joe T. Garcia's. The historic restaurant that just celebrated its 85th anniversary boasts a massive, gorgeous outdoor patio filled with greenery and blooming flowers. Plus, Joe T.’s is not only known for its beautiful patio but also its infamously strong margaritas as well.
The Ginger Man
Location: 3716 Camp Bowie Blvd
Obviously, the key to a good day drinking spot is a patio to sit, relax, drink and soak up the sun. Other bars with exceptional patios include The Ginger Man, which, despite the busy street location, offers a nice, secluded patio area and an impressive beer menu.
Whiskey Garden
Location: 2800 Bledsoe St. Unit 150
Whiskey Garden, which opened in the 7th Street Corridor in early May, is a new day drinking gem in Fort Worth. It has a modern style and lush greeneries that cover the interior, and it also features a swimming pool with a swim-up bar.
Bar Louie
Location: 2973 W. 7th St.
Outdoor patios are the go-to for most day-drinkers, but sometimes it is good to switch it up and get high – and go to a rooftop. Bar Louie, located off of 7th street in the corridor, has a large rooftop area complete with a bar, tables, lounge couches and fire pits.
Kona Grill
Location: 3028 Crockett St.
Also in the 7th Street area, is a rooftop bar that overlooks University Drive, giving customers a scenic view of the museum district. Kona Grill is primarily a restaurant serving up steaks and sushi, but their rooftop bar could give any of the 7th Street drinking spots a run for its money.
To sum it up, if you are craving a midday cocktail, it is always more fun to take the party outdoors. Whether it is dog-friendly patios, rooftop bars, local breweries or even your own backyard, the best way to quench your boozy daytime thirst is to spend your afternoon in the summer sun.
