We love a good story of survival. Better yet, we love a good survival story that comes with amazing beer and pizza. Vector Brewing almost didn't open thanks to the 2019 federal government shutdown, but then in March 2020, of all months, it started slinging pints and pies. And boy has the Lake Highlands brewery been on a roll since. In 2023, Vector was named Brewery of the Year by the Texas Craft Brewers Association, and this year, the same group awarded Vector a bronze medal for its Rubus Rex barrel-aged saison-style ale. We think their Fine Swine pizza, packed with pig meat, is also award-worthy.

Harwood Arms in the Harwood District has a happy hour that runs 4–7 p.m., Monday – Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. During that time you can get five plates all priced at $6 and $7 that are smaller versions of items from the regular menu like Reuben Fries topped with corned beef, Swiss and Mornay sauce. The white bean dip is fresh and light. The Guinness braised short rib sliders have heft. Drinks, you ask? You better watch out on those $7 rosemary cucumber gimlet martinis; they go down way too easily. Four other drinks for $7 include an Irish mule, a whiskey sour, a spicy margarita and an old fashioned.

Dot's should be the start and finish in any conversation about sampling a pint of suds. Let's start with the famed 99 taps; sure four of them are dedicated to wine and kombucha, but that still leaves 95 options to fill your beer cravings, from a hoppy IPA to sturdy nitros and stouts and everything in between. The dog-friendly beer garden at Dot's is one of our favorite places to post up in the city, with lively music and friendly waitstaff. Don't forget to order a burger and some duck-fat cheese fries with your beer.

Located at Mockingbird Station, Perrault is a chic specialty wine and spirits store with a focus on superior quality and consumer education. The boutique wine selection was curated by Perrault's in-house sommelier, Christina Chilcoat, and the liquor was selected by owner Fausto Vallejo. Everything on Perrault's shelves is personally tasted and approved. It also offers immersive wine classes, tasting events, private cellar management, custom gift baskets, Reidel glassware, local chocolates from Kate Weisser and CocoAndre, educational wine and spirit books, cocktail and wine accessories, and an artisan cheese and charcuterie program. Did we miss anything? Yeah, Perrault is the ultimate liquor store.

This sultry mezcaleria, pulqueria and tequila lounge recently made Esquire's exclusive list of Best Bars in America, the only Dallas spot on the list. Every bottle behind the bar is from Mexico (even the gin and wine), all of which, along with dishes, showcase Mexico's rich heritage. Esquire suggests a flight of sotol, but don't ignore the humble clarified margarita topped with a light frothy foam with a hint of flavor that changes seasonally. It's one of the smoothest margaritas in a city with literally thousands. Ayahuasca is located behind Xaman Cafe. There's no sign pointing the way so just walk through the cafe to the door in the back. Reservations are recommended.

If your restaurant has micheladas in the name, you better be good at them, and La Toxica Mariscos Y Micheladas is. This Mexican seafood destination is in the heart of Deep Ellum, and here, they make micheladas from scratch, beginning with a house michelada mix made daily. Choose your beer (a Mexican beer; anything else would be uncivilized), and then let the bartenders at La Toxica work their magic, merging your lager with tomato juice, freshly squeezed limes and a symphony of assorted sauces and spices. When done right, a good michelada can beat the pants off a bloody mary. Go for the Michelada Preparada, which comes rimmed with jumbo shrimp alongside Takis and seasoned sliced cucumbers.

Bodega Wine Bar is the place you go when you tell all your friends, "I know a spot". This Lakewood wine bar is unassuming from the outside, but one step inside and you're transported to an Old World wine cellar with high-quality pours to match. The staff is passionate and knowledgeable about their wines sourced from all over the world. The best way to navigate the menu is by ordering a flight first, and then from there, you can order your favorite by the glass. The cheese and charcuterie on the food menu are an obvious addition to the wine. You come for a glass but will most likely leave with a bottle.

The house-made bloody mary on The Old Monk's brunch menu is your cue to kickstart a boozy weekend. For $7, they're practically handing them out here. They're made with original or spicy house mix, Tito's vodka and the classic garnishes: a green olive (maybe one too few) and a stick of celery, plus a lemon and lime wedge. With a generous squeeze of the citrus, it's the perfect compliment to a savory brunch.

PopStroke is a Tiger Woods-partnered luxury mini-golf affair with two state-of-the-art 18-hole courses, a full-service restaurant with dishes made from scratch, an ice cream parlor, a playground and a lively sports bar that serves craft beers, premium spirits and meticulously crafted cocktails. Need a margarita to get your head right as you come down the back nine? No problem, just order from the PopStroke app and they'll bring it to you as you play. As for food, it skews toward high-end here, as you'll find seared ahi tuna, tuna tartare, hummus platters and citrus-marinated chimichurri steaks. We've come a long way since the Putt-Putt days (sorry, Putt-Putt).

Bar stools can be butt-hurting situations. Metal wobbly numbers with shaky legs from one too many benders. Vice-like armrests trap you at the bar and make climbing down awkward as you try to squeeze around them. But not at Ginger's. Here are the La-Z-Boys of bar stools. A large extra-cush leather seat for your tush is super comfortable, with half arms and a padded back for a bit of reclining. Oh! And the footstool at the bottom to rest your tired dogs, instead of dangling awkwardly. It might be dangerous to be this comfortable at a bar.