Rowlett is not exactly known for its bar scene. But if you know where to go, there are a few spots where you can get a good drink after work without driving to Rockwall or Garland.
1. Gloria's Latin Cuisine (Lakeview Pkwy) Happy hour: Mon-Fri, 3-7 PM
- $5 house margaritas
- $4 domestic drafts
- Half-price appetizers including the black bean dip and plantains
- The patio is the move if the weather is reasonable. Lakeview Pkwy views are not exactly lakefront but the vibe works.
- This is the best happy hour deal in Rowlett. The margaritas are strong and the food is legitimately good.
2. Fish City Grill (Lakeview Pkwy at Dalrock) Happy hour: Mon-Fri, 3-6 PM
- $3 off cocktails
- $5 house wine
- Discounted appetizers — the ceviche for $7 is a steal
- Quieter atmosphere than Gloria's. Good for an after-work drink where you can actually have a conversation.
3. Chili's (Lakeview Pkwy) Happy hour: Daily
- $5 Presidente margaritas (always)
- $6 bar bites menu is the real deal — the crispy cheddar bites and the skillet queso
- Look, it is a Chili's. I am not pretending otherwise. But the $5 Presidente margarita is one of the best values in casual dining and the Rowlett location has a decent bar area.
4. Cotton Patch Cafe (Lakeview Pkwy)
- They have a bar. It is small. The beer selection is domestic-heavy. But if you want a cold Shiner Bock after work in a quiet booth, Cotton Patch gets the job done.
What is missing: A proper brewery or taproom in Rowlett. Rockwall has multiple. Garland has a growing brewery scene near downtown. Rowlett has zero. A brewery on Main Street or in the Sapphire Bay development would be instantly successful.
Also missing: a cocktail bar. Not a restaurant with a bar. An actual bar where the cocktails are the focus. Rowlett's nightlife is basically "restaurant patios that serve drinks" and that is it.
My routine: Fridays after work I alternate between Gloria's happy hour (when I want food too) and Fish City (when I just want a drink and quiet). Both are on Lakeview so I am home in 5 minutes.
A brewery on Main Street in Rowlett would print money. The foot traffic from the DART station, the community events, the local pride — it would be a community anchor. Someone please do this.