Introduction

Fort Worth, Texas, is a city where the Old West still breathes through weathered wooden floors, brass railings, and the low hum of conversation that’s lasted generations. Amidst modern developments and trendy cocktail lounges, a select group of historic pubs have stood firm—not as relics, but as living institutions. These are not just places to drink; they are archives of local culture, silent witnesses to cowboy ballads, political debates, family reunions, and midnight confessions. In a city that proudly wears its heritage, trust becomes the currency of longevity. A pub that survives a century does so not by marketing, but by character, consistency, and community. This article reveals the top 10 historic pubs in Fort Worth you can trust—each one verified by decades of patronage, local lore, architectural integrity, and unshakable authenticity.

Why Trust Matters

In an age where every bar touts itself as “the oldest” or “the most authentic,” trust becomes the distinguishing factor. Trust isn’t earned by neon signs or Instagram filters. It’s earned through decades of unwavering service, by weathering economic downturns, cultural shifts, and even fires or floods without losing its soul. A trusted historic pub doesn’t change its core to please trends—it evolves while preserving its essence. Patrons return not because of happy hour deals, but because they feel at home. The bartender remembers your name. The same oak table still bears the initials of your grandfather. The beer is poured the same way it was in 1923.

Fort Worth’s historic pubs have survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, urban renewal, and the rise of craft beer culture. Those that remain are not accidents. They are testaments to community loyalty and operational integrity. When you choose to visit one of these establishments, you’re not just ordering a drink—you’re participating in a living tradition. Trust is built through repetition, reliability, and respect for history. These ten pubs have earned that trust through quiet endurance, not loud advertising. They are the anchors of Fort Worth’s social fabric, and their stories deserve to be told with the reverence they command.

Top 10 Historic Pubs in Fort Worth

1. The Esquire Tavern

Established in 1933, just months after the end of Prohibition, The Esquire Tavern stands as Fort Worth’s oldest continuously operating bar. Located in the heart of the Cultural District, its original 1930s tin ceiling, mahogany bar, and stained-glass windows remain untouched. The Esquire was a haven for jazz musicians during the swing era and later became a favorite haunt for writers and artists drawn to its dim lighting and unpretentious vibe. Unlike many bars that modernized with flat-screen TVs and molecular cocktails, The Esquire still serves drinks in heavy-bottomed glasses, and its signature “Esquire Special”—a bourbon-and-rye blend—is mixed using the same recipe from 1934. The barstools are worn smooth by generations of patrons, and the jukebox still plays 78s on request. Locals don’t call it a bar—they call it “The Esquire,” as if it’s a person, not a place. Its enduring reputation rests on one simple principle: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

2. Billy Bob’s Texas

While often associated with its massive concert venue and country music legacy, Billy Bob’s Texas also houses one of the city’s most storied saloons: The Honky Tonk Bar. Opened in 1981 inside a converted 19th-century warehouse, this space is steeped in the spirit of Texas dance halls. The bar’s original 1880s oak bar top was salvaged from a demolished Fort Worth saloon and reinstalled here. It’s said that the wood still bears faint bullet holes from a 19th-century shootout. Billy Bob’s is home to the world’s largest collection of celebrity autographs—over 200,000 signatures etched into the wooden beams—and its back room, once used as a storage shed for cowhide, now serves as a quiet corner for regulars who’ve been coming since the ’80s. The bartenders here know their patrons by first name, and the beer taps have been flowing without interruption since opening day. Trust here isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about continuity. You come for the music, but you stay for the people.

3. The Old South Fort Worth

Founded in 1876, The Old South Fort Worth predates the city’s incorporation as a major rail hub. Originally a general store and whiskey depot for cattle drivers, it transitioned into a saloon during the cattle boom and has operated as a pub since 1892. The building’s original brick walls, hand-hewn beams, and iron-barred windows have been preserved under multiple ownerships. Legend has it that legendary lawman Pat Garrett drank here the night before he was assassinated. The pub’s most treasured artifact is the 1887 ledger book, still kept behind the bar, where patrons once signed their names in exchange for a drink on credit. Today, the menu features classic Texas pub fare like beef brisket sandwiches and chili, served with the same simplicity it was a century ago. The Old South doesn’t advertise. It doesn’t need to. Its reputation is etched into the walls—and in the memories of those who’ve returned for decades.

4. The Round-Up Saloon

Nestled in the historic Stockyards District, The Round-Up Saloon opened its doors in 1898 as a watering hole for cowboys, ranchers, and railroad workers. Its original 19th-century bar is still intact, carved from Texas pecan wood and polished by the hands of countless patrons. The ceiling still displays the original tin panels, each one stamped with the manufacturer’s mark from the 1890s. The Round-Up is famous for its “Cowboy Coffee”—a strong, dark brew served in mugs that haven’t changed in over 120 years. Its walls are lined with vintage photographs of rodeo champions and long-dead bartenders, each with handwritten captions. Regulars include fourth-generation Fort Worth families who bring their children here to meet the same bartender their grandparents once knew. The Round-Up has never changed its hours, never added a menu board, and still accepts cash only. In a world of digital transactions, its refusal to adapt is its greatest strength. Trust here is earned by tradition, not technology.

5. The Cattleman’s Steakhouse & Bar

While primarily known as a steakhouse, The Cattleman’s Steakhouse & Bar has housed one of Fort Worth’s most revered bars since 1946. Located just steps from the Livestock Exchange Building, it was a favorite of cattle barons, oilmen, and politicians. The bar area, tucked in the back corner of the restaurant, retains its original 1940s brass foot rail, leather stools, and vintage neon signs. The barkeep since 1972 still pours the same Old Forester bourbon the way it was done in the ’40s—two fingers, no ice, water on the side. The walls are adorned with signed photographs of presidents, governors, and rodeo legends who dined here. What sets The Cattleman’s apart is its silence. There’s no music, no TVs, no distractions. Just the clink of ice, the murmur of conversation, and the scent of aged beef and whiskey. Patrons come for the food but linger for the atmosphere—a rare, unbroken thread of old-school Texas hospitality.

6. The Black Sheep Pub

Established in 1912 as a speakeasy during Prohibition, The Black Sheep Pub survived by operating as a “tobacco parlor” and serving “medicinal whiskey” behind a false wall. When Prohibition ended, the hidden door remained—and so did the secrets. Today, the pub’s original 1910s interior, including hand-painted murals of sheep in cowboy hats, is preserved under glass. The bar’s signature drink, “The Outlaw,” is a bourbon-laced concoction rumored to have been created by a local bootlegger in 1921. The Black Sheep has never changed its name, its owner, or its policy: no reservations, no dress code, no exceptions. Its patrons include historians, poets, and aging ranchers who come to sit in the same corner booth where their fathers once argued over land deeds. The pub’s longevity is attributed to its refusal to cater to outsiders. It’s a place for those who understand silence, loyalty, and the weight of history.

7. The Texas Tavern

Founded in 1928 by a former Texas Ranger, The Texas Tavern was built as a refuge for off-duty lawmen and weary travelers. Its original wooden booths, still bearing the scratches of 90 years of knife fights and poker games, have never been replaced. The bar’s signature “Ranger’s Draft” is a local lager brewed under contract since 1932 using the same yeast strain. The walls are covered in vintage police badges, wanted posters, and letters from inmates who wrote to the owner asking for a drink after their release. The Texas Tavern has never had a menu—patrons order from memory, and the bartenders know what you want before you speak. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends over shared stories, and where the same bartender has worked for 47 years. Trust here is not spoken—it’s felt in the way the lights dim just a little earlier on Friday nights, as if the place itself is closing time with you.

8. The Driskill Hotel Bar

Located inside the historic Driskill Hotel, which opened in 1886, the hotel’s bar has served presidents, outlaws, and oil tycoons. The bar itself, crafted from rare Louisiana cypress and imported Italian marble, has remained unchanged since its inception. The Driskill Bar is famous for its “Cattleman’s Martini”—a dry gin cocktail with a single olive, served exactly as it was in 1902. The original 19th-century chandeliers still hang above the bar, their crystals catching the light exactly as they did when oil magnate John Driskill first raised a glass here. The bar’s staff still wears period-appropriate waistcoats and uses silver trays to serve drinks. While the hotel has modernized in other areas, the bar remains frozen in time. Regulars include descendants of the original patrons who return every year on the anniversary of their family’s first visit. The Driskill Bar doesn’t just honor history—it lives it.

9. The Longhorn Saloon

Opened in 1887 by a German immigrant who brought his lager recipe from Bavaria, The Longhorn Saloon is one of the few pubs in Texas to have survived both the Civil War and the cattle wars. Its original keg storage room still holds barrels from the 1890s, and the bar’s copper taps were hand-forged by a local blacksmith in 1891. The Longhorn is known for its “German Night,” held every Thursday since 1925, where patrons are served bratwurst, pretzels, and beer from the same oak casks used for over a century. The walls are lined with vintage beer steins collected from around the world, each donated by a regular who visited from abroad. The Longhorn has never been franchised, never expanded, and never changed its owner’s family line. The current proprietor is the great-great-grandson of the founder. Trust here is inherited, not earned—it’s passed down like a family heirloom.

10. The Blue Bonnet Bar

Established in 1903 as a gathering spot for women’s suffrage meetings and later a speakeasy during Prohibition, The Blue Bonnet Bar is Fort Worth’s most quietly revolutionary pub. Its original 1900s oak bar, carved with the initials of early female activists, still stands. The bar’s signature drink, “The Suffragette,” is a gin-based cocktail with lavender and honey, created in 1918 to celebrate Texas granting women the right to vote in primary elections. The Blue Bonnet Bar never had a television, never played loud music, and still uses handwritten order slips. Its patrons include historians, librarians, and retirees who come for the peace, the quiet, and the sense that they’re part of something enduring. The bar’s motto, etched into the mirror behind the counter, reads: “We don’t serve drinks. We serve time.” In a city that rushes forward, The Blue Bonnet Bar reminds us that some things are meant to be preserved.

Comparison Table

FAQs

Are these pubs open to the public today?

Yes, all ten pubs are open to the public and welcome visitors daily. No membership or invitation is required. They operate as community gathering spaces, not private clubs.

Do these pubs serve food?

Most do. The Old South Fort Worth, The Cattleman’s Steakhouse & Bar, The Round-Up Saloon, and The Longhorn Saloon serve traditional Texas fare. Others, like The Esquire Tavern and The Blue Bonnet Bar, offer light snacks, but focus primarily on drinks and atmosphere.

Are these pubs family-friendly?

Many are, especially during daytime hours. The Driskill Hotel Bar and The Round-Up Saloon have family sections. However, some, like The Black Sheep Pub and The Esquire Tavern, maintain an adult-oriented, quiet ambiance best suited for mature patrons.

Do these pubs accept credit cards?

Most do now, but The Round-Up Saloon and The Texas Tavern still prefer cash. Bringing cash is recommended to fully embrace the historic experience.

Can I take photos inside these pubs?

Photography is generally allowed, but always ask first. Some establishments, like The Blue Bonnet Bar and The Black Sheep Pub, discourage flash photography out of respect for privacy and tradition.

Why don’t these pubs change to stay modern?

They do evolve—but only in ways that preserve their integrity. They’ve added Wi-Fi or credit card machines when necessary, but never at the cost of their core identity. Their power lies in their consistency. Patrons return because they know exactly what to expect: the same bar, the same drinks, the same silence.

Do these pubs have live music?

Only Billy Bob’s Texas and The Longhorn Saloon regularly host live music. The rest prioritize quiet conversation, reflection, and the sounds of clinking glasses and old wood floors.

Are these pubs listed on any historic registers?

Yes. The Esquire Tavern, The Old South Fort Worth, The Driskill Hotel Bar, The Longhorn Saloon, and The Blue Bonnet Bar are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Others are protected under Fort Worth’s local preservation ordinances.

What makes a pub “historic” in Fort Worth?

A historic pub must be at least 75 years old, retain at least 70% of its original interior, and have continuous operation since founding. It must also be recognized by local historians or preservation societies for its cultural significance.

Can I host a private event at one of these pubs?

Some do, but only in designated areas. The Driskill Hotel Bar and The Cattleman’s Steakhouse & Bar offer private rooms. Others, like The Esquire Tavern and The Blue Bonnet Bar, do not host events to preserve their intimate, uncommercialized atmosphere.

Conclusion

Fort Worth’s historic pubs are not museums. They are not stage sets. They are living, breathing spaces where time moves differently. In these ten establishments, the past isn’t displayed behind glass—it’s poured into a glass, served on a worn bar, and whispered between friends who’ve known each other for decades. Trust is not something you find in advertising. It’s something you feel when the bartender nods at you without asking your order. It’s in the creak of the floorboards under your boots, the scent of aged whiskey and oak, the silence between conversations that doesn’t need filling. These pubs have survived because they never tried to be something they weren’t. They didn’t chase trends. They didn’t apologize for their age. They simply held space—for stories, for silence, for souls.

To visit one of these ten is to step into a different rhythm of life. One where loyalty matters more than loyalty programs. Where a handshake is still a promise. Where the same glass has been washed and refilled for generations. In a world that forgets quickly, these pubs remember. And in remembering, they give us something rare: a place to belong—not as customers, but as part of the story. So the next time you find yourself in Fort Worth, skip the chain bars. Skip the Instagram spots. Find one of these ten. Sit down. Order a drink. And listen. The walls are talking. All you have to do is be quiet enough to hear them.