Upstairs Circus — Bar Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"First impression? This is a completely different take on a regular bar, where DIY meets drinks. People sign up to come down to Upstairs Circus and complete craft projects while drinking craft cocktails. It's a lot of fun, with Dallas people of all ages chatting and laughing while completing two to three hour creations ranging from jewelry to leather wallets and homeware. How's the crowd? Most people are either on dates (this is a genius date idea) or in bigger groups of friends. The location is great, the drinks are affordable, AND you get to head home with a cool item you created yourself. It's a win-win-win. Because of the set-up, it's more about the creative projects than the creative juices on the menu, but the cocktails are genuinely tasty. The trick is not to drink too many so you don't mess up what you're working on! How are the drinks? The cocktails are front and center here, with stand-outs including “firebreather”—a spicy margarita—and a tasty house twist on the moscow mule dubbed "circus donkey" (don't miss "bubbles the champagnzee" either). There's also an excellent selection of local beers available, from award-winning Dallas breweries including Revolver and Deep Ellum Brewing. Plus a short but well-formed wine list with around a dozen options. For non-drinkers (or those who are deadly serious about their crafting) there's also a solid mocktail list, including a fiery virgin margarita. If there’s food, is it worth ordering something to eat? Food doesn't tend to go well with crafting, so it is not on the menu here. However, the bar's location is right in the buzzing heart of Deep Ellum, with multiple restaurant options within a stone's throw, for eating before or after your session. Did the staff do you right? The bar staff also double as "creative assistants" and are extremely attentive and helpful, giving you time, supplies, tutorials and inspiration to help make your masterpiece. You get the impression this is a fun place to work, because all of the guests ("circus-ers") have made a conscious decision to book a session in advance and are into the idea—they haven't just staggered in drunkenly from the street." - Jonathan Thompson