Babou's

This place is a 10/10 highly recommend! I came on jazz night on Thursday and that’s honestly the best night to go ! My service Brittney did an amazing job hosting us! Wasn’t hard to find , I valet so no parking issue. Drinks were good a little sweet for my liking I need something stronger 😂😂😂 but over all loved this place would definitely come back and make a reservation so you can get a good seat ! I spent about $100 two cocktails two entires and dessert!

A spectacular speakeasy in Dallas that should be on your bucket list is Babou's. This bar is tucked inside of a decorative library with comfortable seats, stunning decorations, and wonderful drinks. Babou's has special entertainers and DJ's certain days of the week. We sipped on specially crafted cocktails while listening to a live DJ! The vibes at Babou's are fun yet sophisticated. Wear something nice and check out this hidden bar in a "quaint library".

Jan2026: 5⭐: I would and have recommended this location to my family and friends. Nov,2024: 5⭐: I would recommend this location and this work crew. This location was a bit difficult to locate but it was worth it. We found a parking spot on the street quickly as someone pulled out of a parking spot. There is garage parking but we didn't use it. We entered via the library door. We absolutely loved everything we came across after that inside the club. The personnel were great and helpful. The drinks were not cheap but accurately prepared to order and my taste.

For a place that advertises itself as a selective quaint place with a unique story and atmosphere, it felt like every other mediocre bar in Dallas with the same loud music and overpriced ill-made drinks. The setting of babou’s make it appear as a place for a good drink and nice conversation, but it’s over crowded, loud with 2010 club music that doesn’t fit its interior and bad hostess service. If I wanted to go to a club to dance to this music I would’ve gone to deep Ellum. I couldn’t even hear myself think. More so, I tried to distract myself with some of the books from their library. I was immediately surrounded by the bouncers and told the books were not for reading. At this point I’m baffled by what babou’s is trying to market itself. Honestly, I think they lost their own message or never had an identity. I’ve been to smaller, less “fancy” bars in smaller town that had more class than this place. Would not recommend at all. Don’t be fooled by the pictures. It’s not worth it.

Came here on a weekday and had a blast! Love the library (with real books🤤) and the bar area is quite intimate - perfect for a date night. It wasn’t crowded and we had plenty of space for our little own dance party!

I came in today just for a drink after work on a friday. I bit hard to find. I met Julian at the front door randomly. Babous was not open yet and I expected to just be run off.... except, to my surprise, he gave me a tour of the bars and restaurants. Everyone was welcoming and said hello. 5 star service for a random walk in. Btw, the Old Fashioned there is on point. Good job guys - Carlos

I loved this place! It had been on my bucket list for a while, and I finally got to go. At first, I felt a bit lost because I wasn’t sure where it was located, but when I saw a door on N Hardwood St, I took a chance—and as soon as I opened it, it was pure magic. Wow. Even though I’d seen photos beforehand, I was blown away by the beautiful details of the library and the contrast between what’s outside and what’s inside that door. As I walked toward the bar, I was enchanted by all the carefully thought-out details, from the lit fireplace to the great music. I went for happy hour and to catch the jazz band (which was an absolute 10/10). The cocktails were decent, though they didn’t quite blow me away—I think they could improve the cocktail selection and maybe add some wine options for happy hour. But even so, this spot is perfect for unwinding after work or for a weekend night when you want to feel transported. I’m honestly surprised at the low rating it has; it feels undeserved. Some people complain about the size, but I think it adds to the charm and intimacy. Later at night, it does turn into more of a dance club, but if you’re looking for a chill vibe, going earlier is definitely the way to go. All in all, I think I’ve found my new favorite place to enjoy jazz and feel like I’m stepping into another era.

Quaint with elegant atmosphere. The food choices were really good, just expect something light, not dinner. Grown and upscale ambience. Naiyah was the bartender, and outstanding!

Dynamite Babou's is so trendy and everything you need in a speakeasy! First off, the street entrance makes you feel as if you're stepping into a luxe dinner club...and then the door opens to greet you with a beautiful library. Once through the library, you enter the club where there are intimate seating areas and a DJ curating a great playlist! The cocktails were very tasty, and the bartenders gave beautiful service times to our group of 6. Honestly, never waited more than 10 minutes in a packed club on a Saturday night (kudos to the bartenders)! I've bookmarked this location to take my visiting friends!

Stopped in on a Friday evening after having dinner in the area. We arrived at the Hotel Swexan via Uber and we were whisked into the hotel, escorted to the elevator and arrived at the lower level where Babou's is located in what seemed like a matter of seconds. It felt like security was high with no chance to mingle in the lobby here! After the formality of checking IDs at the lounge entrance, we entered the posh, darkly lit bar and we were warmly greeted and told that we could sit anywhere we liked. It was on the early side of late night, probably just after 9 pm. The couches in front of the bar were already taken. We wandered to the back "Library" room which had brighter lighting and didn't really feel clubby. So, we went back to the main room and planted ourselves on a cozy couch in the reserved VIP area. A server quickly waited on us. My husband ordered a bottle of Stella and I tried the Persistence of Berries cocktail. It was quite tasty and I enjoyed another while the DJ started playing tunes, some 90s tracks and pop from today. It felt like the crowd in the main room was older and the younger patrons made their way to the Library to hang out. Overall, a very beautiful space with creative drinks and a chic vibe. We already made plans with friends to return!

Amazing service Katie and Kelsie have been great hosts! Drinks are great the vibes are immaculate. Highly recommend coming here for good music and food and drinks. The Salvador Dali is a great cocktail, and the Lobster roll is very solid. They have Jazz nights on Thursdays, perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or a first date.

The service and ambiance were exactly what I look for in a speakeasy. Once you tell the staff where you're headed, they take you to the floor and guide you to the entrance. They offer a drink menu but are happy to accommodate any specific drink requests. When we first arrived the music and lights were dim, but as the night went on the DJ set list changed to a more upbeat vibe.

Grabbed a nightcap here after dinner! Highly recommend getting there early if you want to take pictures! Got there about 7:30 on a Saturday, and it was completely empty! We were told to grab any seat, we decided on a couch in the library ofc. And our waitress came to give us menus to order off of. People slowly did start rolling in as the night went on. Overall, great place to get a drink for a girl's night out or a nightcap after dinner. Super unique decor and vibey!

Super cute spot! The club/lounge is in the basement. Super lowlight lowkey spot! Great vibe here! Valet parking available. Great female DJ GIRLBOT!

Love this place !! Perfect for a girls night or a date night. The DJ is normally really good and so are the drink. I will definitely be back soon.

My gf and I decided to try Babou's Thursday night jazz and it was incredible! We arrived around 6:45 which was perfect timing as there were just a few people there. I would suggest getting there no later than 7 because as the night goes on it gets pretty packed. We were able to grab a seat behind the band which was also a nice treat. The decor is impeccable and really adds to the speakeasy vibe. The bartenders and waitresses were all very friendly and attentive. We ordered an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Prosecco and Lychee Martini. All the drinks were well balanced and flavorful. The band MBP Trio was also outstanding. We'll definitely be back!

Service was not very friendly. Went into Babou's Library and when opening the door a few of the books fell off due to loose glue was told it was my fault and to pick up the book backs off the ground.

Well it's been a minute of the speakeasy tour but we've made it to the new one downtown. When you first walk in you are greeted by the library. It is an amazing space to be in. As you walk through the doors you transition to next space where the bar sits. My friends and I Sat on the couches towards the back and took up space. I ordered the wagyu sliders with fries and the XYZ drink. The sliders were very good. Love a good solid slider and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to try any of the fries as they were gone by the time I looked up from eating the sliders. We were told that as the DJ changed it would start getting really busy and crowded. Literally at the time she said it was like an influx of people that came in. The music changed and then I saw myself in my 20s and how I was out enjoying the vibes and people. I would suggest you come through and enjoy yourself and just vibe out. I will say that early arrival is highly recommended to at least gain a seat in the library. Also note that there is a dress code and it is posted online so don't get shocked.

A must visit if you're in Dallas! One of the coolest speakeasies I've been to. The entrance is behind the valet stand on the side of hotel swexan. You enter into a cozy library themed room with dim lights and books stacked along the wall. Go further in and you enter another room where the bar is located. Loved both the drinks we got. It wasn't packed when we went on a Saturday around 8pm, but it was filling in when we left at 10pm.

Tried this hotel bar after dinner and a couple of drinks at nearby Parliament. It was pretty empty on a Saturday, but we did get there nearing last call. I probably wouldn't consider this a destination bar, but if you're staying at the hotel or nearby it's worth a visit for the speakeasy vibe and DJ-provided music.

Intimate speakeasy style with great music! The bar is a little small but they were doing a great job. I enjoyed the library area with open seating. The speakeasy part had a disco ball that kept spinning with velvet chairs. Be mindful of the dress code to get in.

A great place to unwind after traveling for 5 weeks...didn't stay till they turned into a club of course

I loved the vibe and coziness of this spot! When I came it was not very busy but the waitress still kept coming around d checking on us. My date didn't drink alcohol and a lot of times they will diminish us as customers because we spend less because one of us doesn't drink alcohol but he ordered his cokes and the waitress kept coming around to take care of us.

We came here on opening night and it was packed! This is a smaller club and definitely not a place to come and dance. The vibes were funky groovy (the DJ was great) and the cheetah print floor and disco ball matched. Unfortunately, most of the seating in the small room you had to pay for (table service $1000 min, which isn't a super bad price). After waiting 45 minutes at the bar, we ordered the Aqua Fresca. The drink was very refreshing and light, not too sweet. Note - Buying 2 cocktails will cost you $50. Throughout the night it cleared out and became more manageable to get a drink at the bar and actually move around the room. I give this place 3 stars - Given it was the first night and there are always a few kinks to be worked out, excited to see this place again in the future. I do wish they would limit the amount of people that could enter at a time, or have the ability to make reservations for specific times. Having more space to move around instead of cramming people in a room would make the experience much more enjoyable! I'd recommend coming to this place if you have a smaller party of people (purchase a table), or specifically for a pregame.

I will not go there again starting with the bad experience at the entrance. Security did not make me feel welcomed. I planned on bringing my wife to the hotel but that will not happen now.

Foggy, still the fabulous shines through! Babou's is a tale of complexity; Are we a lounge? Or are we trying to be a club? Are we striving for elegant, or settling for casual. The initial impression entering is one of early American, and European opulence; from the hardwood Parquet flooring, assorted upholstered seating, hand woven tapestry rugs & Helical stairs; The Library is elegantly practical, right down to the silver tray service, the smartly dressed staff, and diverse clientele. The adjoining room however is where the functionality of the design doesn't rise to the occasion. The kindest word I can use to prepare any visitor, is compact. Based on the desired marketing plan, I love the idea, of a DJ, with table, and bottle service, however presentation, and execution are paramount. The VIP staff I experienced, (Victoria, Aarin, and Nai) along with other staff members are the gems of Babou's, but they can only do so much. The well stocked standup up bar, minimalistic in both size, and customer flow area, offers little space to order or stand. The furnishings, although nice, sit much to low, not to feel your personal space invaded, while enjoying your cocktails. I wouldn't consider any area in Babou's a dance floor, but for those with deep pockets, and a reservation they offer true VIP seating. Always a plus for me, valet is offered, However an important FYI it's North Harwood, their website makes no distinction, and for those of us not from the area, I learned, there's definitely a difference between North, and South Harwood. I hope to enjoy Babou's with you soon; you already know where you'll find me. Xoxo Lorenzo!

Ambiance was so welcoming, you go from the library lounge which is like a starter to the funky night into the back room. The staff was so attentive, professional, and swaggy. They had big personalities and kept checking in. Check them out! Ask for Sierra she was awesome!

I've been seeing this place on TikTok and decided to give it a try. This was one of the best speakeasy's I've been to honestly. If you're a book nerd like I am you would definitely appreciate it. The moment you walk through the door you're being helped and shown where to sit. We went at 8:30 on a Saturday and it was not crowded at all, the dj does come on at 9 so it was starting to get packed but consisted of a lot of couples. I'd say this is the perfect night cap spot for after a date night. The drinks were a little on the pricey side, I got casamigos on ice and it was $23. I'll definitely be back.

Amazing spot. Great drinks and a very cool laid back vibe. The library is a chill spot with the secret nightclub behind the bookshelf.

My fiancé and I decided to go in for a night cap after dinner at Stillwell. The place was nice, a little too small due to the amount of people in the place. We really enjoyed the music. The problem with the place is that they take it upon themselves to overcharge your card. We order our first drinks at the bar and closed the tab. After reviewing our bank statement days later, they not only charged our credit card for our drinks, but they as well charged it for another $240. I have called numerous times, spoke to numerous people in charge and everyone told me the same thing. They will rectify the situation. As of February, they have not reach out to me nor refunded our money. Least to say we will never return nor recommend this place to anyone. It is a shame that the Hotel Swexan has partnered with such a place.

Underwhelming. The library entrance is nice, but the back/main room is horrible. It's small and there doesn't seem to be any dress code. The music was not great and staff was rude to our group. I think this place will fizzle out. I wouldn't go back.