“When every night the set that’s smart is intruding in nudist parties in studios. Anything goes.” Cole Porter may have never been to the Grapevine Bar. But he understood.
The Grapevine Bar on Maple Avenue, one block north of Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas, is one-of-a-kind. Situated in a very transitional area of Dallas, where Hispanic meets Gay meets Yuppie, anything goes at the Grapevine.
Housed in the old Herrera’s Cafe adobe style building ” the restaurant has moved into a very non-descript space across the street – the Grapevine is an amusement park ride of fantasy and debauchery.
A recent visit touted Suckfest #9 – drinks from 1 PM and 2 AM offered at one dollar and all of the Crawfish one could eat for free. It may not have been what one would think given the dynamics of the place.
On any given day, walk into a very small bar with couches flanking the standing area. The shots flow and a great group of bottled beer fly over the bar or from the wait station.
The middle room is devoted to a pool table almost too big for the room. Couches are squeezed in there as well. Continue back and a covered patio waits that suddenly is uncovered to reveal – I will give you three guesses a regulation basketball court.
Hence, that encapsulates the oddity of the place and the crowd. A bevy of beautiful women may mingle, straight couples are making a final public stop, two guys may be making out, lipstick lesbians may be romancing, and an office party of attorneys and associates may be sitting at a folding table. And anybody may be shooting hoops.
The Grapevine normally opens in the late afternoon and remains open until whenever. It is a fun and intriguing late night spot. The parking lot is normally full early so street parking or scamming a place in the office building across Shelby Avenue is necessary.
The juke box and the place – for that matter – are right out of Pulp Fiction. It is a classic final evening destination. One is usually too spent to go somewhere else after the Grapevine, usually because one doesn’t want to leave but has to.
The sign on the bathroom door states “one person at a time.” That is evidence that at the Grapevine Bar, anything goes.” D.M.