Callisto

Sure, it's easy to discount this place based on its exterior. I'm guessing it will never be more than the strip club that once inhabited it. I say this based off the stripper poles and stages on the sides of the dance floor. However, Callisto's succeeds more than it fails, making for a hidden away neighborhood bar that is dimly lit with a decent DJ and huge dance floor. The DJ played a mixture of beats but was open to any requests.

A small group of us girls spent our Saturday night surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic 1st timers and easygoing neighborhood regulars. I'm guessing most people don't know about this place and if they do, they're immediately intimidated by the way it looks and/or the emptiness of the place. I'm not sure how long Callisto's has been around but if given a little more TLC and advertising, I think this place could really be a hot spot. The people hanging out seem to be pretty laid back and the bartenders are helpful. The bar has a decent liquor and beer selection and the pricing is pretty spot on.

Give it a shot and bring a crowd so you won't be the only one on the dance floor (ha ha). All in all, it's relaxed and casual. I could see the energy going from low-key to an 11 at any given time and I mean that in a very good way.

Don't be shy and give it a try. Richardson could use some local flare!

I'd say no. It's not really worth it. It wasn't worth the $5 for me to get in. The DJ was HORRIBLE! I swear, I've never heard worse. The place was decorated with what looked like toilet paper. Like someone had TP'd the bar. I was confused by this very bad decoration.

What a strange place.  It's inspired me to make a list of dive bars in Richardson.

Ambience:  I think it must have been a Tex-Mex joint at some point.  Seedy, but in an honest, almost endearing way.  It's really quite large, and the doors were open which helped keep the smoke down.  I saw at least two pool tables, some video games, 5 dartboards, a DJ booth and an honest-to-god dance floor.  He was spinning some cool 80s crap like Cars, Rush, etc, while I was there.  

Clientele:  Bizarre mix of parolees (judging from the prison tattoos), Harley-looking bearded types, white boyz who wear they hat sidewayz, couples of diverse backgrounds.  Sounds like a fistfight about to happen (and RPD has had problems there before) but everybody just kinda got along.  Weird, and kinda cool in a dysfunctional way.  Like a Christmas dinner where all the wild-acting black sheep were invited but they manage to hold it together for a few hours.

Food:  didn't have any, and didn't see a barfood menu.

Drink:  I got a Dos XX (green bottle instead of amber, unfortunately).  I think it was $4 normally and $3 during HH.

Staff:  Trailer park girlz that try real hard, and I mean that in a good way.  Seemed genuinely friendly and had that honest "I like boys with pickup trucks" sloppy/sexy vibe that blue collar grrrls can rock sometimes.  Like a "townie" in that little podunk place you went to state college.

wifi:  not tested.  

bathroom:  divey.   Your girlfriend will definitel "hover" at a place like this.  BUT.... had one of those old pull-knob cigarette machines.  Those things rock.  I don't even smoke and I want to put my money in the danged thing and hear it go "ker-chunk" and hear the smokes drop into the hopper.  Groove.

Value:  Good;  it's a real dirtbag but is worth checking out, even if you are just being ironic.  But if you are, don't laugh or point at the locals or they will beat your ass with a pool cue.

Neighborhood sketch factor:  sketchy-looking place in one of the run-down parts of Richardson.   It's the kind of joint where you can't tell if it's open, condemned, or what.  It's open.  

30.06 status:   it's a real 51% bar.  No carry.