Waco has much it is now famous for. Where do you go to get Waco’s best cocktails? If you are visiting our small urban town, a new Wacoan or a long-time resident, you may need some pointers on where to go in Waco if you are thirsty for a specific drink. Particularly thirsty for something cold and refreshing, a fine wine, a brunchy-beverage, an artsy concoction, or perhaps a limey-spirit to accompany your tacos.
Waco, like most cities, has restaurants and bars that are known for one particular beverage. It’s where you go if you have a certain thirst that needs quenched. It’s where you go for Waco’s best cocktails.
You will find a list below, of local spots that are famous for that one spirit, that one potion.
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, LLC
Everyone in Waco knows that Dichotomy serves up a mean cup of coffee. Waco is lucky to have this coffee bar. But at 3:00 p.m., the coffee bar also becomes a bar-bar.
This is where you go in Waco to experience a crafted cocktail. It s one of the places to find one of Waco’s best cocktails.
At Dichotomy, like the coffee drinks served, the spirits are served the old-fashioned way. Slow. Watching the bartender create your drink is entertaining and it is highly recommended. It is true craftsmanship. Using only fresh and local ingredients, Dichotomy takes detail a step further–detail in the time and accuracy of every concoction made. Using locally sourced ingredients–fresh cream, fruit, eggs and mint from farmers here in the area.
Even the whiskey is created down the road; Dichotomy proudly serves a flight of Balcones, the international award-winning distillery in Waco. Everything Dichotomy does lends a feeling of nostalgia to the speakeasy era. The atmosphere is one of the main characters in the experience Dichotomy offers.
The building is also full of charm and history, using a mix of modern and vintage, leading to an industrial vibe. Dichotomy renovated the historic downtown building and kept details like exposed brick but added new flooring, one-inch hexagon floor tiles used in shops of the past. The floor is a piece of art, in and of itself. And, Dichotomy, itself, is an art gallery, with artwork for sale by local artists.
This sometimes bar, all-the-time coffee bar offers an outside patio, upstairs, that once again lends itself to being Instagram-able. The view of the courthouse and the famous Alico Building are the stars out there. Dichotomy used local goods from local creatives, including the tables, both inside and out.
Whether you are enjoying coffee or a mixed drink, Dichotomy is highly recommended in Waco. Open Sunday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The bar opens daily at 3:00 p.m.
La Fiesta
If you are from Waco, or if you have been here longer than a minute, you know La Fiesta is the place to go if you are thirsty for one of Waco’s best cocktails–specifically a margarita.
Located at 3815 Franklin Avenue, in Waco, La Fiesta serves a good margarita whether you want frozen, on the rocks or one of the many other varieties the Tex-Mex restaurant is famous for.
The tequila concoctions are legendary and they come with a limit of only two per guest. Firewater.
The Famous Purple Margarita is described on the menu as a high-octane margarita made with Chambord and several other secret ingredients. And yes, it is purple.
You can have it served with fruit added, a beer, sangria, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or made with one of their many tasty tequilas, including Don Julio, Jose Cuervo Gold, Blue Agave tequilas. You can even have it served up with two straws and share it with your significant other. You can also order a muddled avocado margarita, mixed with pineapple and lime juice.
La Fiesta even has a “build your own” margarita allowing you to choose your tequila and mix. You can also, if you so choose, order a flight of tequilas from Mexico’s Lowlands and Highlands, or both.
Nowhere in Waco will you find a bar that is more passionate about tequila.
While you are enjoying your Mexican potion, be sure to try out La Fiesta’s food; Wacoans love it and you will, too.
Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with late-night hours on Friday and Saturday until 11:00 p.m.
Wine Shoppe
If relaxing and enjoying a fine wine is what you have in mind after a day of work or shopping, the Wine Shoppe, in Waco, is a lovely place to do just that.
Located at 1800 Austin Avenue, the Wine Shoppe is a quaint, little tasting room that offers imported wines directly from Spain, Uruguay and Italy, from small, family-owned vineyards.
This shoppe offers two to three bottles open for you to taste, of their choice. Full bottles are always available for purchase, as it is also a shoppe. They carry several varieties of wine from many countries and regions, but you won’t find labels here like you would find at your local grocery store or box stores.
Waco’s Wine Shoppe is only open Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to -7:00 p.m. David Mayfield opened the shoppe and tasting room in 2012 after years of selling the specially chosen wines to restaurants and shops.
The Wine Shoppe is at the end of the section of Austin Avenue that has the gorgeous, historical homes and sits across the street from one of Waco’s historical houses called The Cooper House. When sitting on the patio, the house provides a lovely view.
On most weekends, they offer an impressive apertivo and wine pairings. Enjoying wine at the Wine Shoppe is more of an experience than just a great place to get a fine wine.
George’s Restaurant & Bar
Simply known as George’s, this well-known stop on Highway I35 is the place to go in Waco if you are wanting a cold beer.
Home of the famous “Big O™” and popular Waco hangout, Wacoans and visitors alike come to George’s for the famous Big O™. The Big O™ is so famous it has its own trademark.
What is a Big O™? If you don’t know you either aren’t from around here, don’t like sports or you simply don’t drink beer.
The Big O™ is a big ‘ole mug of beer. The mugs are kept in a freezer so what you are served is a big ‘ole cold beer.
A waitress named the large, heavy beer glasses, Big Oranges and the rest of the staff shortened the name to “Big O™.” As they say, “the rest is history”. The bar, located at 1925 Speight, first opened in 1930 and was re-named George’s in 1966. The original building has now been added onto several times over the years because of popularity. The food itself is worth the stop, with a full menu of Texas favorites that have been recognized by governors, senators and congressmen. George’s Bar is included in two of Texas songwriter Pat Green’s songs. Baylor students frequent the place as well as sports fans who enjoy the laid-back feel. And of course, George’s is the home of the famous “Big O™”.
Barnett’s Public House
Barnett’s is a wonderful place to frequent, if you like a pub. They serve a nice selection of Irish and American pub favorite’s, some of which are among Waco’s best cocktails.
If brunch is what you are thirsty for, Barnett’s is the place to come for a delicious vodka-soaked nutritional breakfast drink—a Bloody Mary.
Served all the time but accompanies brunch well.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday’s with a menu that includes homemade biscuits and sausage gravy, breakfast tacos, pancakes, homemade, artesian cinnamon rolls, and much more, including traditional Irish favorites. And, don’t forget the bloody Mary.
The Bloody Mary’s are served with a gracious garnish that often includes a piece of bacon. The famous tomato drink is perfect for brunch, made spicy or perhaps not.
Located in downtown Waco, at 420 Franklin Avenue, this pub is full of atmosphere and Irish charm, with all the and pubby-feels. The bar has an extensive liquor choice, craft beer on tap and wine, as well.
This is a neighborhood bar that feels friendly when you walk in. Barnett’s has games available to take to your table and enjoy. Jenga, Connect 4, Operation, and other board games. They even have trivia night.
Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
So, whether you are looking for a cold beer, a fine wine or perhaps a spicy Bloody Mary, this is your list for where to find Waco’s best cocktails. Remember to drink responsively and I advice you to only try these establishments one day at a time.
