Smyth

this is hands down my favourite bar in Dallas. It’s a speakeasy where you have to call ahead to make reservations. Once you’re past that, it’s smooth sailing. Getting a reservation came be extremely difficult only because sometimes they don’t pick up the phone or it’s hard to tell what the correct phone number is. A good work around is OpenTable, though. Sometimes this doesn’t work though, so just play around with both.
Once you get to this place and get past the buzzer and the nondescript glass door (it’s right next to the establishment – it’s sister restaurant), you see this living room style bar with round table booths and another real living room room all decorated very swank 70s. It’s a really great atmosphere. The servers and bartenders here are really top notch. Very attentive and super nice. They also make the best bespoke cocktails very and have a great selection of tequilas.
Not sure if you’re supposed to do this but I like to tell the bartender a story or a memory or a phrase and ask them to make a drink that represents that. It just makes the experience more fun and like a game!
They have decent bathrooms, though it’s dark in the hallway leading to the bathroom and in the bathroom itself.
Come here on a Thursday because then you can also go to the Basement afterwards for some 90s hip hop night!

Good to excellent drinks, and you pay for it, service is better than good, The concept is unique for Dallas and atmosphere/​design style is very well-​done contemporary. A great place for an intimate encounter or a good entertainment venue for that out of towner or or someone who’s looking for something a little different.

bad service.
my drink was good, but this place left a bad taste in my mouth.

We came into the stupid reservation only table. The waitress encouraged us not to stay. It was going to take a long time. We walked passed the bartender and he was completely drunk. This place is completely an amateur experience. Management is non existent. That means dip shizers rule your world.

I went here not knowing what to expect, and I had such a great experience! Great ambiance, quiet and warm on a busy Friday night, excellent service.
And then the bartender! Prepare to be amazed, the drinks are intuitive and dynamic, keep an open mind and don’t expect a menu!

We found this quaint speakeasy style establishment through a recommendation from the hotel we were staying at.
We were not told it is by reservation only, but luckily I called about 15 mins prior to arrival and they were able to squeeze 2 on the list.
The place is definitely one of a kind! You have to be buzzed in and it’s really nice and cozy inside. There is no cocktail menu so you just tell the bartender what you like and they’ll whip something absolutely delicious tailor to your taste.
The only small complaint I have is you have to wait a long time for drinks. Maybe if they staffed one more person they could avoid the long waits for a drink.

Came here with a friend who was showing me around Dallas.
Very poor service experience.
We sat for 10 – 12 minutes before anyone came by or brought water.
My drink was ok, but my girlfriends drink was terrible. All 4 of us tried it and we all agreed. Sent it back, but the 2^nd drink didn’t arrive for 10+ minutes. So by then, the rest of us had finished.
And wouldn’t you believe, the updated drink was equally terrible. Pickled ginger was no good. We left the 2^nd drink full.
The problem is you can’t allow so much bartender interpretation. Perhaps have a list of 10 qualities of drinks, and you have to choose 3 qualities. That would help provide some guidance.

Outstanding experience every time.
Reservations are a must-​book thru open table app. DO NOT BE LATE. It’s busy and they will cancel your reservation.
Robert and Kristina are my favorite mixologists thus far. Both made me an excellent tequila concoction with ginger and blueberry.

Dallas’s version of a speakeasy. Make a reservation and buzz yourself into the unmarked grey door (it may be hard to find at first, but that’s part of the experience). Have patience. Sometimes it takes a while for someone to answer and let you in. Once inside, enjoy the dimly lit room with odd furniture, take a seat, and wait for your mixologist/​waiter. You can’t order off the menu because there isn’t one. Instead, your waiter will interview you and ask you for your drink preferences to figure out what you’re in the mood for. He will then disappear and come back with his creation. It may take some time to get your drinks, but know that your custom crafted cocktail is being made just for you. For a place with a pseudo-​exclusive vibe based on its entry process, it’s pretty laid back and relaxed inside. Our waiter was very friendly and made sure we enjoyed each of our drinks. And if you’re trying to impress your plus one at Smyth, make sure you know your alcohol — your waiters sure do.
I can’t say I would make this my regular spot (I’m no cocktail connoisseur) but it’s definitely worth the experience. The drinks are amazing, and I would guess around $ 8-​$ 15 each. The noise level isn’t too loud, so it’s a nice change not having to scream to have a conversation on a night out. There’s no food, so eat before your reservation.

Smyth/​the establishment are closed temporarily! Wish I had known before wasting my time going there.
Why the one star review? Even though they are closed (because of a labor dispute) they were **still** accepting reservations through open table. That’s really unacceptable. Out of town visitors like me may not know that you’re closed!
FYI I showed up early as their rules ask. I buzzed the door and called – twice – with no answer. So I cancelled my open table reservation (don’t want to be a no show). I tried again later in the evening and Snagged a second reservation. But when I showed up the second time, there was a note on the door. See my posted pic. (Thank you. But a little late)
All this is really disappointing. Looking at the rules Smyth sends when you make a reservation and looking at the reviews here, the management is not shy about chiding customers who don’t show up for a reservation or who show up late. It would have been nice for them to call those who had a reservation or post a note (they did, but did so late) or answer the phone!
I hope they figure out their management issues. This looks like it could be a nice place to visit. I just wish they treated and respected their customers the same way they want their customers to treat and respect them.

I pronounce it (smah-​eyeth) one of the most inviting playful bars Dallas has to offer. Appealing to a broad-​based clientele short on reservations but long on fun. Yes it’s a reservations establishment. They want to make your experience full throttle.
Perfect place to sip libations, if you want to really focus on your night out or celebrate, cocktails are the perfect package.
tell them what you like (I said something very inappropriate) and they build a cocktail to suit you.
PROS Craft of hand cocktail’s
CONS-​One thing missing… a pianist & jazz trio– nothing obnoxious just soft instrumentals
(Think about it & make it happen)
Shazam worthy… Carry On

Talk about swanky! This place reminds you of your parent’s basement, but with a modern twist. First off, you can’t get in without reservations. Once you arrive, you must get buzzed in. We were seated in a cozy U shaped booth and the background music was chill/​folk/​indie. The host explained how the drink ordering process works at Smyth. You have one of the mixologists come to your table and ask what kind of drinks you like and what you would like to taste in your drink. No two drinks will ever be the same. The drinks don’t have specific names because each drink is uniquely created for you. The prices are average like any bar and the service was great from the moment we walked in. This place is small and perfect to come and have great conversation and enjoy some drinks. I can’t wait to come back again.

This was my first speakeasy experience — so I’m a newbie at judging what makes a speakeasy so great. I will say, I was nervous that our group wasn’t properly dressed or that I wouldn’t use the correct lingo, but they were super welcoming. The owner actually introduced himself upon our arrival and served our first drink.
Prepare your evening by designating a driver, use Über or get a cab, cause the drinks are strong and you’re gonna want more than one — trust me. Also have in mind your favorite liquors and flavors. Last word of advice? There’s a club of some sort next door so many drunks will be roaming around afterwards — don’t feel the need to give anyone a ride like we did… Hey! He was actually a really nice guy.

I was super excited to try out the new «speakeasy» in Dallas. This place is completely unmarked on the Travis walk across from Villa O. It is a small grey building between Sur La Table and the old Trece restaurant. It was reservation only, so be sure to get on Open Table and look for The Establishment and book your spot. Keep in mind they will turn you away w/​o one, I saw w/​my own eyes. Anyway, I took off one star because they need to do a better job at keeping their reservations. We arrived at 10pm and didn’t get seated until 11. My recommendation would be to only allow people there for a max of an hour or so. (This was a rule at a speakeasy I went to in SF).
Other than that, the entire experience was really cool! They do not have a menu and all you do is tell your waiter what you like (liquor, flavors, textures, etc) — it was really fun hearing what each person in our group liked. No drinks are ever the same and for a mixology concept, the drinks didn’t take as long as I had expected. And… they were AMAZING! The average cost of a drink probably goes for about $ 8 – 12, which is fair for Dallas. The ambience was really cool and wasn’t too loud either, which is good for people who like to have a conversation w/​o having to scream. I liked it!

Oh this space is my ideal bar.
Super chill, the space is like someone stylish with money to spend on décor made a comfy, minimal living room.
Great drinks at really fair prices.
Low music so I don’t have to yell. Low light.
But…no one was there at 8:45 on a Tuesday eve.
Really. Just one other table in the whole place.
Which makes me so sad about Dallas.
Same owner as Cedars Social.
This place should have been built in Oak Cliff or Lakewood. Instead it is situated at the intersection of Highland Park, Knox Henderson and Uptown. Bummer.

If you want an assured successful date night, bring your special guest here. I’m not sure if there is a more «special», intimate bar in town.
Steps for success:
1) Make reservation*
2) Find glass door with intercom (to the left of Sur La Table) and identify yourself
3) Escorted from front door to table
4) Describe personal drink preferences to assigned mixologists
5) Enjoy an memorable concoction
*key step
Omar is the man but I am sure all the ‘mixologists’ here are the legit. Drinks price are reasonable ($ 8 – 12) for the service and creativeness provided.

This review was originally published under «The Establishment.» It’s the same place and same bar, just seems to have had two totally different names for a while?
So this place is definitely a fun Dallas spot. In all honesty, I can’t say it said «speakeasy» to me, but it does say «dark, private club.» Which was certainly just as fun.
Great atmosphere, but the cocktails are what it’s all about. The bartender came over (we were in the library, which has sexy chairs and a wall of vinyl) and found out what kind of drink you typically enjoy, working from there to make something unique for you. They were stout and they were creative. I’ll be back!
I don’t know if this place is reservation only, but I wouldn’t show up without one. Seems very unlikely you’d be able to get buzzed in or able to get seated. And really, I made my reservation a day ahead, it wasn’t a problem! It does seem to be a swank place to bring a date, but there was a big group next to us, and I’d think of this place as a spot to bring a (small) group of friends, too.

WOW! What a fun place.
Too often the watering holes in Dallas seem to me versions of themselves, drawing the same crowd, serving up the same specials but thanks to Smyth, there is finally something different!
Although you have to make reservations to go, it is well worth the planning. Smyth is nestled in between Sur La Table and the old Trece space. There is no sign but you will notice it by looking for the grey painted exterior wall piece on Travis.
Upon arriving you have to be «buzzed in» and then you are whisked into a darkly lit bar area with booths, a gorgeous background filled with bottles as well as «the library» which is a bit more intimate.
There is no menu at Smyth, rather, the bartender comes over and asks your preference on liquor and some adjectives you would like your drink to be like, for example: fruity, herbaceous, spicy, etc.
The drinks are right around $ 10 each and so it is extremely reasonable for the neat setting.
Definitely a must try!

We visited Smythe a few weeks ago, when they literally had just opened. So fun! For any Chicagoans reading, Smythe will immediately remind you of Violet Hour. For those reading that are heading to Chicago, go to Violet Hour!
Anyway.
Located behind an unassuming/​un-​signaged door is a very cool, 60’s bar. After walking down a long, fairly dark hallway, you’ll find yourself in a small-​ish room with a beautiful bar and shag rugs everywhere. We snagged one of their comfy booths to the right, but it looked like there was additional seating past the bar.
I could see how this window-​less room could feel claustrophobic if crowded, but in true «don’t worry, we know what we’re doing» style, these guys are supposedly going to limit the space to 40-​ish people at a time, and perhaps even do reservations? May sound uppetty to some, but I appreciate not having to wait hours for a drink or feel like I’m in an over-​crowded space.
Speaking of these smarties… for those of you familiar with The Cedars Social, the same guys are involved here with Smythe, and it shows in the space. I heard that the same interior designer from Oak was used for Smythe-​whoever it is sure knows how to create a vibe.
Now onto the drinks-​Our server was very friendly and knowledgable-​asked what I typically like and they make a drink to those specifications… love it!
Drinks were very reasonable for this type of scene-​If I recall correctly, I would say $ 11-​$ 14/​each.
Excited to go here again… great place to grab pre/​post dinner drinks.

Pssssst what’s the password.
Prohibition brought to America many things, gangsters, cocktails, and the speakeasy. Hidden next to Sur La Table behind a grey door with no sign is a modern day speakeasy, Smyth Bar. Walk in through a labyrinth of zebra striped walls and into a dark swanky bar that James Bond would easily feel right at home at. Choose either one of the five half moon sofa booths with shag carpet floors or the back room full of sofa chairs and side tables.
We sat at the corner booth and a cocktail sommelier genius of sorts named Omar came to our table. With just a few questions he was able to suggest some wonderful concoctions of preprohibition deliciousness. Our favorites were The Old Fashion, Sazerac, The Dick Francis Special, Westside and the Vesper Martini. Good God in heaven they were delicious! After three (of each, just kidding) we were all undone, but sadly could not get a bite as they have not opened the restaurant portion. We had to go to grab a bite, but we will return very soon!
To be enjoyed shaken not stired.