Today in the Magnolia Avenue Restaurant Series we look at the newest bar to hit Magnolia, The Usual. Though not a restaurant The Usual is a much anticipated addition to Magnolia. I see The Usual as the grown up version of the other bar on Magnolia, The Chat Room. The Usual reflects the same eclectic, easygoing vibe you’ll find at The Chat only in less smoky, more posh surroundings.
The interior of The Usual is unique and not something Fort Worth has seen before. Clean lined woods give a rustically modern look that are complemented by hints of silver and white for a slightly mod look. The uniqueness extends to the bar menu as well, with specialized drinks that focus on Prohibition Era cocktails.
My husband, some friends, and I recently tried several of the cocktails. The Sazerac, though small, packs quite the punch and is best sipped and savored. The Martinez, a predecessor to the Martini, was also a crowd-pleaser with it’s strong flavors. The Sidecar turned out to be my favorite cocktail of the evening with it’s sugar rim and slightly sweeter, tangy notes.
I must mention the cocktails are priced from $11 – $15. I don’t mind the price because the drinks are meant to be appreciated and enjoyed. The interior design and the concept of the Usual give Magnolia Avenue and Fort Worth some cool cache so a few extra dollars for a cocktail is a small price to pay. And never fear the beer prices are much cheaper.
I couldn’t resist taking a photo of these fine gentlemen enjoying their drinks. If you’re going to grab a drink in a tux, The Usual would be the perfect spot.
The Usual
1408 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
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We would definitely consider being your regulars considering we work next door and share the parking lot together however you will have to consider lowering the drink prices for our Tuesday Thursday happy hours….what do say??
$11-$15 for cocktails this isnt Dallas or NYC
Sarah Harper, one of the owners, indicated that they will be getting more liquor (pending delivery), adding more drinks and that the prices should come down soon. I think they’re taking into consideration the feedback about the prices. Either way this is a fledgling business, that deserves our support-so at the very least stop in for 1 drink and check the place out, the beer prices are more reasonable.
First of all the chat room is a dump so I don’t even know why you would want to use that as a comparison. Also, who on that side of town wants to spend that much on a drink? I don’t see how this bar is any different than the nicer bars in downtown, yet Fort Worth has never seen a bar like this? You should leave the hospital district every now and then. It looks like a nice place but lets not act like its original. What a ridiculous article.
great post! our little trio should grab drinks there soon!
Callie, absolutely.
@Austin: I think the comparison to The Chat is in reference to the vibe. As in having a friendly clientele/staff, lacking pretension, yet being hip enough to draw people from all over the metroplex (the Chat has done this by getting bands at the tipping point, before SXSW). People on that side of town have long appreciated and supported quality ( Spiral Diner, Nona Tata). I’m pretty sure people from all over FW venture a few minutes down 30 every now and again to some of the many restaurants, music venues, shops, art spaces, and community events in the hospital district. I could name a dozen places in FW with these price points. And like those places, you get what you pay for: quality, atmosphere, a thoughtfully made product, and an experience. What you don’t get about this place is exactly why you should stick to those “nicer” bars downtown. (Pete’s Piano Bar? *gag*) PS: Josie has made it out of the Hospital District enough to trek around the world several times, having visited over a dozen countries. And believe me, she hit up a cool bar or two.
What a ridiculous comment
@Ariella: I prefer cocktails from the Gilded Age rather than from the prohibition era.
P.S. Prohibition era cocktails were heavy on sweet mixers and because the bathtub gin they had tasted like shit. The ludicrous nature of charging $10-$15 for drinks made with good alcohol that is now being masked by those same flavors is retarded.
The 2 cocktails I had (Cosmo and Moscow Mule) were superb and worth the price. It was nice to sit around for 2 hours and enjoy two drinks, not feeling like I had to slam beer or weak cocktail, one after another, to feel anything.
The design is spectacular and the staff is a joy, but that was to be expected. Only disappointed that it’s too cold to really enjoy the cute patio, for now. So glad The Usual finally opened… it was worth the wait!
I’m impressed to find a place bold enough to offer The Sazerac outside NOLA.
Anything non-alcoholic on the menu for us caffeine fiends? I’d be willing to pay a premium for a decent non-automated espresso closer to home.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback and for taking the time to check out The Usual. In response to those that might not totally understand what it is exactly that I’m trying to do I want to say a few things to clear the air. First, as we are establishing this business all feedback and criticism will be taken very seriuosly into consideration. On a personal level I appreciate what people have to say and understand that I have developed a format for a bar that most people around town are not used to. It has always been my intention to get the business off the ground and then begin to tailor it to the needs and desires of the patrons. Please know that it is an impossible task to know how people are going to interact with and feel about a business until it’s open. Now that we are beginning to receive feedback we can start making adjustments to be able to accomodate as many peoples’ preferences as possible.
As far as the pricing is concerned, I want to say that If you come in and drink strictly from the cocktail menu all night then it probably will be an expensive evening for you. That being said I do want to note that the drinks on the menu are ragingly potent with some items containing two, three, and four times as much alcohol than your average mixed drink. From what I’ve seen by serving patrons personally, the average customer is “well on their way” by the second or third cocktail. Also, these coktails are made with fresh squeezed and organic juices, herbs, and spices which add both to the quality and price. If you’re not comfortable with the pricing of the menu then please feel free to enjoy whatever it is that you normally drink. At happy hour we take $2 off the price of cocktails and $1 off all beer, wine, and mixed drinks. That means that a Bud Light drinker can come in and enjoy a cold one in a nice environment for $2.50. If you enjoy a vodka tonic you’ll only be paying $3.50. That’s not bad is it? Keep in mind that we don’t use any rotgut liquor. Our wells are Monopolowa, Jim Beam, New Amsterdam, Cruzan, and Sauza Silver.
To those that are concerned that the flavor of the drinks is not going to be up to par I want it to be known that every drink comes with a guarantee. If you don’t like it, I’ll drink it and find you something you do like at no additional cost to.
Thanks again to everyone for the feedback whether it be positive or negative. All comments are viewed as constructive criticism and will be used to help us work out the kinks over the next couple of months.
@Brad, we appreciate the thoughtful and sober response. Most nightclub owners would have just lashed out. But as a lifelong FW resident (and resident drinker), I must say that I agree with the majority of the writers here – your drinks are a little overpriced. The nice thing about Magnolia is that it has become a healthy mix of cheap-to-expensive places to eat and drink. But I fear it’s becoming a little too posh, a little too new-7th-St., a little too downtownish, which makes it out of reach for some of us. We all deserve a nice place to hang out and drink – but I don’t necessarily think that we should have to pay high prices to enjoy good drinks in a clean, cool environment. It’s just not fair to many of us. And if I wanted a plain ol’ beer, I’d go to 7-11.
@Brad… I live in Dallas and visit my friends in Ft Worth often. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the usual. It’s a very friendly and comfortable place to get together and visit with friends. I enjoyed the fact that it is a non-smoking establishment, and It was refreshing not to have to yell over loud music to try and carry on a conversation. I was there for happy hour prices and thought that $3.50 was a great price for my usual vodka soda! Not to mention I thought my drinks were plenty potent. I plan to be visiting again soon!
Brian
As Brad stated, you don’t have to order off of the drink menu if you don’t want to. I am one of those gentlemen photographed above and if you’ll notice in the pic, we are both drinking Cape Cods and they were only $5.50 and not during happy hour. This is a great bar located in a happening area and I will drive the 20 minutes from the Westside to experience it. Thank you Brad for this concept.
Lovvveeee ya brad nice bar:)
for those that complain about the prices – have you actually gone out lately (besides Chilis/Olive Garden/TGI Fridays, etc.)?? Nicer bars have these price points for PREMIUM drinks. Like the article and owner said, there are lower prices for the old standards. Do you struggle with reading comprehension or are you just dumb?
First of all great job! Its nice to step into a relaxed laid back melting pot of people without being over run with a bunch of TCU frat kids trying to get snot hanging drunk. We all tried several of the the fantastic drinks and dont mind paying more for a cocktail of this calibre. The use of Nona T’s next door was perfect. We enjoyed a great plater of antipasto with our drinks and were well taken care of by Rambo. (not rainbow)
I visited last night for the first time and thought this place was great! will now be encourage n all my friends to try this place out would love to help promote !
I visited the Usual about a week ago and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed myself along with my friends. I love that is was blaring with music, or it was too crowded, the aesthetics of the place were gorgeous. I wanted to point your place to other people but I can’t find a website, do you have one?