Downtown Dallas speakeasy Bourbon & Banter has landed national recognition on Historic Hotels of America’s inaugural list of the Top 25 Most Historic Bars, Taverns and Speakeasies. The hidden cocktail lounge beneath The Statler is the only North Texas venue to make the cut, and it comes with a story worth telling.
A Speakeasy That Honors Dallas History
Bourbon & Banter isn’t just another trendy cocktail bar with a secret entrance. The subterranean space at The Statler was once the hotel’s barbershop, where guests and visiting celebrities stopped in for a trim before big performances or ballroom events in the 1950s and ’60s. When the landmark hotel underwent its major restoration and reopened in 2017, the former barbershop was transformed into a speakeasy-style lounge that nods to its midcentury roots.
To find the entrance, guests follow the tradition of speakeasy secrecy. A 1950s-era phone booth and shoeshine stand mark the spot, where visitors dial a secret code to gain entry. Inside, Bourbon & Banter is decked with Old Hollywood photos, historic news clippings and a photograph of The Statler as it stood in 1956, when it first opened.
Classic Cocktails, Jazz And Comedy
The drink menu is history-minded, too, with standouts like the Porto Old Fashioned, made with Basil Hayden Dark Rye, Sagamore Small Batch Rye, a port wine reduction and chocolate and orange bitters. There’s also a Barrel-Aged Manhattan, crafted with WhistlePig Piggyback Rye and a house vermouth blend.
The ambiance is set with live jazz every Thursday and comedy showcases on select Wednesdays. The speakeasy opens nightly at 7 p.m. and is available for private events — just don’t forget, reservations are required to receive the entry code.
A Midcentury Marvel
The Statler itself, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, has stood as a symbol of Dallas’ growth since its debut in 1956. Its induction into Historic Hotels of America in 2018 cemented its place as a site of cultural and architectural significance. The hotel’s renovation brought new life to the building while retaining the midcentury aesthetic that defined its original era.
Other Historic Bars Across the Country
Bourbon & Banter joins a mix of hidden gems and iconic bars on Historic Hotels of America’s Top 25 list. Among the more famous are the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, which has been spinning since 1886, and the Tonga Room at the Fairmont San Francisco, a legendary tiki bar dating back to 1907.
Some venues, like The Cave at Omni Mount Washington in New Hampshire, predate Prohibition entirely. The Cave opened in 1902 and managed to survive the dry years. While most bars on the list came after Prohibition ended in 1933, they occupy spaces rich with architectural and cultural history, offering guests a drink alongside a tangible connection to the past.
“These historic settings have been preserved or reinvented as fun and authentic destinations, where culture-minded travelers can relax and enjoy a night off,” said Lawrence Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “While it is a collection of very different venues with their own aesthetics, vibes and styles, each of the bars on the list celebrates the history of its city and its community, all united by impeccable hospitality, fascinating stories, unique surroundings and expertly crafted drinks.”
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