Curator’s statement
Downtown Fort Worth is worth your consideration if you are looking for an overnight or weekend getaway. Sundance Square is an awesome neighborhood with so many gorgeous boutique hotels, phenomenal dining options, fantastic nightlife, and interesting and unique shops to frequent. Whatever you are looking for, downtown Fort Worth has it. If you don’t find it at Sundance Square, head on over to the Stockyards and spend some time over there. I have season tickets to Broadway at the Bass and enjoy coming to this area every time I come into town for a show. I hope you’ll join me!
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Where to stay in Downtown Fort Worth
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Things to do in Downtown Fort Worth
"Moulin Rouge" at the Bass Performance Hall
Sundance Square is the entertainment district in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Boutique hotels, upscale restaurants, art galleries, shops, and vibrant nightlife make Sundance Square a great destination for a romantic weekend, a girls’ trip, or a family outing.
Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall is a live performance venue in downtown Fort Worth. It is home to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
Thompson’s Library is a multi-story bar/speakeasy that you don’t want to miss. The main floor hosts a Prohibition-era bar, but if you know the password, you can enter the secret door in the bookcase and head downstairs to the speakeasy. One floor above the main level, you will find the cigar lounge and bar.
You can find the Scat Jazz Lounge in the basement of the Woolworth building in downtown Fort Worth. They host live jazz, blues, and swing music Thursday through Sunday in a speakeasy atmosphere. Make sure to make reservations, as they are a very popular nightlife spot.
Silverleaf Cigar Lounge is an upscale cigar lounge and bar just off Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. They offer a large humidor with premium cigars as well as a full bar. The atmosphere is comfortable and modern with comfortable seating options as well as a small outdoor patio.
If you have the time to leave the area around Sundance Square, catch the Orange Line to the Fort Worth Stockyards. You will be transported back to the Old West while enjoying the finer experiences of the modern day. Be sure you don’t miss one of the two cattle drives each day at 11:30 am and 4 pm.
Places to eat & drink in Downtown Fort Worth
Table at the Wicked Bar
Mi Cocina is an upscale Mexican restaurant just steps from Sundance Square. They are known for their modern take on Tex-Mex food and their frozen margaritas. The atmosphere is vibrant and energetic. Great place for dinner before catching a show.
Wicked Butcher is an upscale steakhouse inside The Sinclair in downtown Fort Worth. Known for its dry-aged steaks, it also sports a fantastic wine selection and a wonderfully romantic atmosphere perfect for a date night. Don’t hesitate to stop by the Wicked Bar on the main level before you head downstairs to the steakhouse.
Il Modo is located on the ground floor of the Kimpton Harper Hotel. Here, you will find handmade pasta, upscale Italian food, and delicious craft cocktails. If you are fortunate enough to get in, you can add a pasta cooking class to your activities while in town. The modern atmosphere makes it perfect for a romantic dinner with your sweetheart. If you are staying at The Sinclair (and even if you aren’t), don’t miss brunch at Il Modo—the mimosas and the steak and eggs are a great way to start your day.
Grace is another great option if you are in downtown Fort Worth. A modern, upscale atmosphere makes this a great place to share a drink at happy hour or stay for dinner and enjoy a great steak, fresh seafood, or a creamy risotto.
Del Frisco’s Grille is a more casual version of the full steakhouse, but no less impressive. Happy hour at the Grille is a great time to meet up with friends before heading to the Bass Performance Hall or just to enjoy the atmosphere of Sundance Square from the patio. If you stay for dinner, don’t miss the steak frites or the steak salad. Steak is what they are known for, after all.
Nikuya is a relatively new sushi bar on the rooftop of The Sinclair. With amazing views of downtown Fort Worth, the atmosphere is ultra-modern and upscale. Enjoy the show as your food is prepared right in front of you while you sit at the bar. Ask about their eight-course tasting menu with appropriate drink pairings.
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, founded by Chef Tim Love, is in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards. It is known for its “urban Western” cuisine, including exotic game as well as rabbit and rattlesnake. However, their steaks are just as impressive, especially paired with a smoked old-fashioned. If you are looking for something unique and inventive, this is the place.
Vickery Café is a little farther away from Sundance Square, but if you have the time to check it out on your way out of town, it is well worth the visit. Chef Curtis James has taken traditional diner food and brought it into the modern era. The retro vibe is just the icing on the cake. They are only open for brunch and lunch, so get there before 2 pm.
Need to know
If you are able, park your car and walk everywhere. If the weather is good, you will find so many secret places you will never see if you are driving and worrying about the traffic. You will not run out of things to do, items to buy, art to see, or food and drink to enjoy.
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Martha Garmon
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