Three new venues have opened in the West 7th area of Fort Worth. The first, Varsity Tavern, boasts 8,000 square feet on 2-stories on the corner of Norwood and Morton and will host a soft opening on New Year’s eve, the biggest night for bars in DFW. The building, formerly an auto body shop, sat vacant for approximately 5 years before partners Josh Reagan, James Hoffman and Micah McDonald began construction in April of this year.
The vision for the $2 million redo is part sports bar, part rooftop tavern, allowing for a variety of events and musical acts to utilize the unique space. The bottom floor, 5,000 square feet, incorporates a jumbotron with 90’’ flat screens, DJ booth and stage and its own set of sideline bleachers for the ultimate game night or an afternoon of people-watching.
The outdoor space, adjacent to the dance floor, is accessible through 13 feet tall garage doors and will play host to bar games including giant jenga, corn hole, ping pong and ladder golf.
The sports bar also includes its very own cafeteria-style fast Philly line from Chef Brian Franzman of J. Blacks and Eddy V’s fame, and will be open for lunch and dinner, from 11am-2am, 7 days a week. The menu will include traditional Philly cheesesteaks, as well as concession favorites like popcorn (made from a traditional popcorn machine), candy bars, chips and ballpark nachos.
The upstairs portion of the venue, known as “The Tavern,” has a more upscale atmosphere, and includes a giant pagoda bar that can host over 250 people and a private fire pit and lounge that can be reserved for parties of 50, complete with its own entrance for discreet VIP or celebrity access, perfect for corporate happy hours, alumni gatherings or private events.
Next door to The Varsity Tavern sits Funky Sound, an 1,800 square foot bar and lounge that will play “old-school hip-hop” all the time. Graffiti artist Jarod Davies has created murals for the interiors featuring artists like Willy Nelson, The Notorious B-I-G, Missy Elliot and Kid Rock that will glow once the sun goes down.
Two blocks down, at the corner of Bledsoe and Foch, sits The American Pub (or T.A.P.), a true pizza concept, with a full bar open until 2am and pizza served until 4am Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting early January. The restaurant will include street-facing windows for pizza by the slice, and tables inside and out for patrons who want to dine-in from 11am-2am, 7 days a week.
