![\"Stewarts](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/938211f9babf46e99001a9464694f584.jpeg\"\/)
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Stewarts serves up a spot for cocktails and croquet. | Stewart’s Croquet Club & Cocktails \/ Facebook<\/p>\n
Of the 10 nominees for Bar of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards<\/a>, more than half are concepts that make new use of previous establishments.<\/p>\n For example, a Texas beer garden opened in a century-old bungalow, a rooftop cocktail bar refreshed a dated downtown sports bar, and a croquet lounge made use of a vacant longtime Greek cafe. Others range from tenured watering holes to newer wine and cocktail bars.<\/p>\n One will take home the trophy on April 30 at Social Space<\/a> during our annual foodie extravaganza and awards ceremony, featuring bites and sips from participating nominees.<\/p>\n Find all of the 2026 Tastemaker Awards nominees here<\/a> and read about them in our special editorial series<\/a>. And don’t forget to snag tickets<\/a> for either general admission or VIP entry to the event. The latter includes early access to the party, valet parking, and a dedicated bar.<\/p>\n Now, let’s toast the 10 nominees for Fort Worth Bar of the Year:<\/p>\n The Archibald<\/a>Taking over the former longtime Houston Street Bar space (902 Houston St.) in 2023, The Archibald provided for an upgraded menu of craft cocktails; a refreshed interior with new seating nooks; and a rooftop bar overhaul with cozy patio furniture, string lights, and sweeping views. It\u2019s where bar hoppers and convention visitors alike convene for nightcaps and club vibes, along with great pizza, too.<\/p>\n Crystal Springs HIdeaway | The outdoor patio at Crystal Springs Hideaway. | Crystal Springs Hideaway\/Facebook<\/p>\n Crystal Springs Hideaway<\/a>This laid-back Texas beer garden located in a century-old bungalow in the River District (113 Roberts Cut Off Rd.) has built a loyal following for its great patio and friendly service. Most of the seating is outside, where a water tower overlooks trees strung with lights, a stone carriage house doubles as a second bar, and a stage stays busy with live music and watch parties. The Texas beer garden theme is evident in the list of more than a dozen Texas beers on tap. Signature cocktails include the Soggy Peso Margarita, a tribute to Isla Mujeres, a favorite getaway of the owners.<\/p>\n The Magnolia<\/a>Since rebranding in 2019, The Magnolia (formerly Kent & Co. Wines, 1101 W. Magnolia Ave.) has established itself as a vibrant spot for gatherings and good wine. Named for the street on which it\u2019s located \u2014 and for the mural of magnolia flowers painted along its red brick exterior \u2014 the bar offers indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for sipping with friends or cozying up with a date. The wine list is one of the lengthiest in town, with options by the glass and tons more by the bottle. Many think of The Magnolia as strictly a wine bar, but there\u2019s also a full bar with signature cocktails, including the golfer favorite Transfusion made with vodka, grape juice, lime, and club soda.<\/p>\n Morton\u2019s Tavern<\/a>Reviving the old Twilite Lounge space (212 Lipscomb St.) is this neighborhood sports bar that\u2019s popular for game watching, beers on tap, a stellar lineup of craft cocktails and mocktails, and happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-7 pm. The ownership is husband-and-wife duo Jimmy and Monika Morton, who were involved in Twilite Lounge and say they couldn\u2019t let the space go after it closed in 2023. They refreshed the space and partnered with former food truck JesCrave to serve burgers, wings, and quesadillas along with surprises like tortas, birria tacos, and elote.<\/p>\n Oscar’s Pub<\/a>Longtime Fort Worthians will recall the Mule Pub as a Camp Bowie go-to for its jolly, home-away-from-home atmosphere that delighted patrons for 17 years. Oscar\u2019s Pub (6323 Camp Bowie Blvd.) is from the same owner, and it\u2019s where a lot of those Mule regulars ended up, along with a new clientele of patrons looking for friendly service, live music, and even Sunday brunch.<\/p>\n River\u2019s Cocktail & Wine Bar<\/a>The continually developing River District got its first cocktail bar last summer with the opening of River\u2019s (4850 White Settlement Rd.), the latest from bar veteran Brian Torres, who also owns The Local in West 7th. With a shotgun-style layout offering bar seating on one wall and cocktail seating on the other, the spot is popular for game watching; all-day happy hour; and a menu from the highly praised Son of a Baker Pizzeria, which operates a satellite location on site. Highlights from the happy hour menu include $8 espresso martinis and Old Fashioneds.<\/p>\n Sarah\u2019s Place<\/a>The epitome of a casual dive bar, Sarah\u2019s Place (5223 Camp Bowie Blvd.) has a wide-ranging clientele that includes local business leaders, blue collar workers, and bachelorette parties. Its no frills, non-intimidating atmosphere offers vinyl high-back barstools, TVs, and one of Fort Worth\u2019s most popular karaoke scenes after dark. For drinks, think classics like gin and tonic, vodka soda, whiskey and water, or a cold longneck. Meeting at Sarah\u2019s is easy, which is why it\u2019s so loved.<\/p>\n Soma Winery<\/a>Named for its location (201 S. Main St.), the urban wine bar opened in 2022 fulfilling a niche for the area by providing a spacious, elegant spot to gather for wine flights, charcuterie, flatbread, and even coffee beverages. The space is also popular for private events, such as bridal and baby showers and even small weddings. The wine list has an international focus, with boutique batches from Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal dominating selections.<\/p>\n Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails<\/a>Exactly as the name implies, Stewart\u2019s is a cocktail bar and croquet destination in one (4424 White Settlement Rd.), with a shaded green space for the outdoor lawn game. The concept was the first of its kind for Fort Worth when Tim Love opened it last summer. He added his signature ultra-luxe touches in the 28-seat country club-inspired bar, where guests can order caviar bumps and lobster rolls to pair with custom gin or vodka martinis.<\/p>\n![\"Crystal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a8446fdcc3203eec38540a7948f33512.jpeg\"\/)
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