KnowYard Community

Best bars in DFW by neighborhood: The definitive drinking guide

I've been bartending in DFW for 6 years and drinking in DFW for longer. Here's the real guide.

• The Free Man — Cajun food + jazz + cocktails. The only bar in DFW where you'll hear live jazz while eating gumbo. Source: freemandallas.com
• Dot's Hop House — 75+ taps. Beer nerd paradise. Source: dotshophouse.com
• Midnight Rambler (The Joule Hotel) — speakeasy basement bar. Best cocktails in Dallas. $15-18 drinks. Worth it. Source: midnightrambler.com

DFW hidden gems: Places that have been here forever but most people don't know about

DFW is full of spots that aren't on any tourist list but are beloved by locals. Share yours.

DFW power outage/storm preparation: Lessons from 2021 and beyond

February 2021 taught DFW a brutal lesson. Don't get caught unprepared again.

• 1 gallon per person per day, minimum 5-day supply
• Fill bathtub before expected storms (for flushing if pipes burst)
• Keep extra water for pets

Honest pros and cons of every DFW neighborhood: Where to live

Apartment hunting? House hunting? Here's the real talk on DFW neighborhoods.

What's your DFW hot take that you'll defend to the death?

No wrong answers (but some answers are more wrong than others).

DFW bucket list: 25 experiences every resident should have

How many have you done?

Unpopular DFW opinions: Drop yours

I'll go first. These are my unpopular DFW opinions. Bring the heat.

What does DFW do better than anywhere else?

We talk a lot about what DFW lacks (mountains, beaches, public transit). What does DFW genuinely do BETTER than other major metros?

DFW vs Houston vs Austin: The Texas triangle debate

I've lived in all three. Here's the honest comparison.

• Pros: Best job market, most diverse economy, affordable suburbs, huge food scene, family-friendly
• Cons: Sprawl, car-dependent, toll roads everywhere, no natural beauty, traffic
• Best for: Careers, families, people who want space and opportunity

10 things I wish someone told me before I moved to DFW

Lived here 3 years now. Here's what I wish I knew on day one.

I just moved to DFW: What do I need to know? (The honest version)

Just got here from Portland. My company relocated me. I know literally nothing about this place except that it's big and hot.

• What should I know that the "moving to Dallas" articles don't tell you?
• What mistakes do newcomers make?
• What's the culture actually like?

Things DFW transplants say vs what DFW natives hear

A translation guide for the recently relocated.

DFW construction: A love letter to the cone that will outlive us all

Dear orange traffic cone on I-35,

NorthPark Mall: The final boss of DFW parking

NorthPark Mall parking structure was designed by someone who wanted to watch the world burn.

POV: You just told someone from Fort Worth that Fort Worth is "basically Dallas"

I have made a terrible mistake.

• Cutting someone off on 635
• Telling a Texan you prefer Kansas City BBQ
• Wearing an Eagles jersey to AT&T Stadium

"You know you're from DFW when..." — the definitive thread

Add yours. I'll start.

• You measure distance in minutes, never miles. "It's about 25 minutes from here."
• You've sat in the Buc-ee's parking lot and questioned all your life choices
• You have strong opinions about which Whataburger location is the best one

DFW traffic complaints: A support group for the daily commuter

This is a safe space. Share your traffic trauma.

• Learn a new language
• Read 50 books
• Build a small house

Texas summer survival guide: It's not the heat, it's the everything

June through September in DFW, ranked by awfulness:

• Sunshade for your windshield (this is not optional)
• Steering wheel cover or towel
• Water bottle in the car at all times

Dallas weather in one week: All four seasons speed run

Monday: 82 degrees and sunny. Wore shorts and flip flops.

Whataburger vs In-N-Out in DFW: This is our generational conflict

In-N-Out finally came to DFW and the battle lines have been drawn.

• Open 24/7. In-N-Out closes at 1 AM like cowards.
• Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. In-N-Out doesn't even serve breakfast.
• Spicy ketchup. Enough said.

The 635/75 interchange is proof that God has abandoned DFW drivers

Every day, thousands of DFW residents stare into the abyss at the High Five interchange and the abyss stares back.

Financial aid and FAFSA guide for DFW students: Don't leave money on the table

Every DFW student — at any school — should be filing FAFSA. Here's the step-by-step.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Determines your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study.
• It's FREE to file. Source: studentaid.gov
• Even if you think you won't qualify, FILE IT. Many DFW schools require it for ALL financial aid, including merit scholarships.

DFW library systems: More than just books

DFW libraries are criminally underused. Here's everything they offer.

• 29 locations across Dallas. Source: dallaslibrary.org
• Free: Books, ebooks (Libby app), audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, newspapers
• Free: WiFi, computer access, printing (limited pages)

Adult education and continuing learning in DFW

Education doesn't stop at 22. Here's what DFW offers for adult learners.

• Dallas College adult education — free GED prep, ESL classes, citizenship prep. Source: dallascollege.edu/cd/ce
• Tarrant Literacy Coalition — free tutoring for adults. Source: tarrantliteracy.org
• Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT) — free ESL and literacy. Source: lift-texas.org

Community college guide: Dallas College (DCCCD) and Tarrant County College

Community college is the smartest financial decision for many DFW students. Here's the guide.

• 7 campuses across Dallas County: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, Richland
• In-district tuition: ~$59/credit hour (~$1,600/year full-time). Source: dallascollege.edu
• Programs: 100+ degree and certificate programs