I ended up walking over to Hickory Street after receiving bad (no) service at a nearby bar.  What a good move.  I'd been told about the bartenders here, I didnt really pay much attention.  I should have!  I usually drink a simple drink, but tonight was in the mood for a salty dog.  I've never had a bar make fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, it was a completely different drink!  It was delicious, I don't think I can go back to premade juice again! Great bartenders make great drinks.  What a lucky thing for me that the other bar  gave such bad service.
Review Source:Definitely the best martinis in town. My favorite still has to be the chocolate martini! They really strive in making excellent drinks. My friends and I, just asked the bartender to make us whatever he felt like making. I just knew I'd love anything he made. Every drink has been great, wouldn't change anything.
Review Source:This place is my new favorite bar in Denton. If you like the Fry Street scene, it's probably not for you. But if you enjoy a REAL cocktail, not being suffocated by cigarette smoke, and being able to have a conversation without going hoarse from yelling, this is it.
The best part about HSL is the ingredients. They always have a selection of fresh produce, and they keep a juicer right on the bar. How about some fresh squeezed grapefruit juice with your vodka? Yes please! Now that it's summer the watermelon margaritas are back, and they are to DIE for.
It's not all fruity stuff either- I once had a $7 manhattan that rivaled one that I paid $19 for at Del Frisco's. Not a liquor person? A beer will be cheaper than just about any restaurant around.
They don't have food anymore, but you can bring your own in. With great options like Weinbergers and Mellow Mushroom right across the street, no complaints here.
Next time you're around the square you should definitely check it out.
When I want a well-made cocktail, I go to the HSL.
Great location.
Nonsmoking.
Quality bar tending.
Adam is THE BEST bartender in Denton; he makes bar tending an art-form and is a really friendly guy.
HSL has an older crowd, but that's novel for Denton bars.
it's not even fair to call this place a bar as you won't see many people taking shots or drinking PBR (not that there's anything wrong with that, different places for different drinking). I have found their prices to be very reasonable and downright cheap if you get the daily special.
Tips:
- House wine is $3 and great for the money.
- They make an awesome Manhattan (garnished with a bourbon soaked cherry). $5 and worth it.
- Watch out for the bar tender who works on Wednesday nights, I don't know his name (wears bowling shirts and has some facial hair) but he's always creepy, unfriendly, and makes really weak drinks.
No offense to the other reviewers, but as someone who gets dragged out in Uptown by her "yuppie" friend to hanging out in Denton (my first DFW home), I do NOT think that this place is "Dallas over-priced". Â From my experience, a martini in Dallas puts you back at least $12...at HSL, you'll pay literally half that. Â Plus I think you get a better drink. Â They use natural juices and quality liquors and prepare it exactly as you want or will surprise you with something you may never have dreamed up.
In terms of food, any of the tapas 'Big Fatty' or Gail whips up will BLOW. YOUR. MIND. Â They are made from high-quality, whole ingredients and pair amazingly well with any liquid concoction the bartender can conjure up. My favorite are actually a "garnish" of bacon-wrapped, blue cheese stuffed dates. (Don't let the date part fool you, a majority of the table were a little off-put by it but as Frank the Tank says, "Once it hits your lips...!!!")
All in all, if you want an experience outside of 18-22 year olds rubbing their genitals on each other and drinking on a $10 budget, including tip, HSL is definitely worth your time.
I really have to give credit to this place for not being another typical denton bar. Â This place is laid back, music isn't blasting and there is NO smoking!!!!! Â Just those three things already made this place cool in my book. Â
Older crowd and not very busy made this a very relaxed bar. Â Bartenders were very nice and helpful. Â The watermelon margrita, which is made with real watermelon, was outstanding! Â I really think this is the place to go if you don't want the typical denton experience, but still want to keep laid back and the prices help make this happen.
Tip: for those who love pinball machines they do have an idiana jones.
This has been my favorite place to get away from the hip-hop blasting smoke-filled bars in Denton. The bartender who seems to always be there is quick and good at his job, it is smoke-free but there is seating outside for smokers, the decorations are... interesting (including a taxidermy squirrel couple sitting in lawn chairs on the piano). The music is never loud, and their two TVs are usually on sports but low volume.
This is a very long, narrow bar with ample tables. They provide free pretzels for bar snacks. The bar is definitely fully stocked.
I would say overall this is an awesome little classy hole in the wall, but they are more pricey than the surrounding bars. They also definitely draw an older crowd, which has its ups and downs. Overall, it's worth a visit. It would be a good place to catch up on conversations over drinks or happy hour with coworkers. If you don't like the jibe, there's plenty of places around to escape to instead!
Cheap drinks, an older laid back crowd and no smoking.
The drinks were strong and cheap, but I had to take off two points because there were a couple of bugs (bound to happen in any restaurant) which was just really gross. They had just varnished the bar or something, so someone said that there were bugs from that. I will definitely go back, but not sit at the bar.
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