Upstairs Circus DFW

"This is a completely different take on a regular bar, where you complete craft projects while drinking craft cocktails. It's a lot of fun, with people of all ages chatting and laughing while completing creations ranging from jewelry and leather wallets to homeware. 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.)" - Priya Krishna, Jonathan Thompson

"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

"Deep Ellum drinkers can let their creative juices flow at a new DIY workshop-meets-bar opening this week called Upstairs Circus. The chain’s fifth location (2810 Main Street), scheduled to open on Wednesday, December 4, follows other openings in Denver, Minneapolis, and Austin. A “project menu” features over 30 customizable and crafty projects patrons can tackle over cocktails, wine, and local brews, like leatherworking, woodworking, jewelry making, and design projects. Creations include flasks, wallets, leather koozies, concrete coasters, and beaded bracelets. Themed cocktails include a vodka-infused “Trapeze Tea,” a “Circus Donkey” spin on a Moscow mule, a colorful sangria “Strongman’s Punch,” and a spicy “Mexican Firebreather” margarita. There’s also (free) self-serve truffle popcorn, and Upstairs Circus allows patrons to bring in food from local restaurants. Weekday “project socials” include happy hours from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($29, discounted by $10) with $7 cocktails. On weekends, Upstairs Circus hosts a bottomless “Making ‘n Mimosas” party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($44). “We strive to inspire ingenuity and creative experimentation and we do it in a way that is a bit gritty, messy and a whole-lot-of fun,” said “ringmaster” and co-founder Kelly Johannsen. Prices are discounted during its first opening days on Wednesday and Thursday. To incentivize patrons during its first weekend of business, there’s prize giveaways and free champagne." - Tierney Plumb