Hannah Steiner
Belly Up To The Wine Bar.
Welcome to Perfect Date Night, a new weekly feature that acts as your spirit guide for going on a perfect date in what is objectively Texas' best city, Dallas. Each week, we'll give you a night's worth of suggestions for a date night in a specific neighborhood, complete with recommendations for bars, restaurants, concerts, art shows, sporting events or, well, anything, really. Just make sure you include an emoji or two when you text your crush to invite them out.
Date Details.
• When: Friday or Saturday night.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Number of Stops: 2.
• Modest Estimated Budget For Two: $150.
• Ballin' Estimated Budget For Two: $200.
• Ideal Partner: That dancing machine you know.
• Romance Scale: 3 out of 5 hearts.
Dancing has been on my mind a lot lately — mainly because my friends are really good at it while your girl here looks like a spastic puppet whenever she tries. This is why I tend to I prefer bars where you aren't crammed onto a dance floor like sardines — y'know, where your drink can make it to your mouth without it being spilled everywhere thanks to the 10 or more people invading your personal bubble.
Still, I get that other people enjoy this ritual. So, with that in mind here's a dance-centric weekend plan for both your dancing fiends and beginners like me alike.
Stop 1 : Stratos Taverna (2907 West Northwest Highway, Dallas). You may have heard of Stratos Taverna, the Greek restaurant? On Friday and Saturday nights, it transforms into CLUB STRATOS. Known for delicious gyros and sweet desserts, Stratos has been around forever. And while they usually book their own entertainment — like belly dancing! — they also offer up a chance for you to join in on the fun and learn the art for yourself. If anything, these Greek dances will keep you moving, laughing and having an all-around good time with your partner. It's all about indulgence at Stratos, too. So order up a bottle of wine and some good food before you hit the dance floor.
Stop 2: The Alcove (2907 State Street, Dallas). Now that you're all danced-out and fed to your heart's content, it's time to wine down. Get it? Because we're going to a wine bar? Alrighty then. So The Alcove is a very different atmosphere than our first stop, but that's not a bad thing. In the club-like atmosphere of Stratos you probably had a blast but didn't get much time to talk to your date. Here's your opportunity to get cozy together while gathering your strength for the night ahead (if all goes well, which it will) by getting a bottle or two and keeping the wine flowing. While I don't understand the feeling, I know some people get tired of wine. No worries! Alcove's craft beer selection is rotated weekly and it's easy to find something for even the pickiest drinker.
