On Garland Road in East Dallas, Rising Tides has quietly taken over a familiar neighborhood bar and spun it into what the owners call a "cocktail dive" - a spot where cheap beers and karaoke share space with craft cocktails and a rotating lineup of dressed-up bar snacks. The bones of the old haunt are still there: a backroom pool table, arcade machines and Bob Ross playing on a TV behind the bar. The menu, though, shoots higher, with globally inspired takes on sandwiches, pretzels and other staples that mostly land in the $8–$13 range.
Cocktails And Kitchen Share The Spotlight
The drink list aims for clever but not fussy, with options like an IPA-reduction old-fashioned, a salted-agave espresso martini and a house dirty martini that is fat-washed with pimento cheese. From the kitchen, an umami pretzel, a banh mi and a ramyum that flips noodle-soup expectations into bar fare help fill out the menu. Many dishes sit around $8–$13, with fried olives at $7 and espresso martinis at $12, according to the Dallas Observer. Desserts rotate, with offerings like a weekly pie and a dessert empanada keeping things loose and playful.
Industry Vets Steer The Ship
Owner Alex Fletcher, long known for shaping drink programs at The Quarter Bar, Bread Winners, Victor Tangos and the original Henry's Majestic, teamed up with culinary director Wadell Hodges to bring the idea to life. "I've kind of been pigeonholed as 'the cocktail guy' and I do love craft cocktails, but my true love is dive bars," Fletcher told the Dallas Observer. That line neatly captures Rising Tides' goal of serving quality drinks without the side of attitude.
Slow Rebrand, Same Neighborhood Soul
The space previously operated as the Royal Pour. Fletcher reportedly took over in mid August and opted for a gradual rebrand so regulars would not lose their hangout during the transition, CultureMap Dallas notes. The Dallas Morning News lists Rising Tides among area openings and says it opened in September 2025 at 9909 Garland Road. That slower rollout let the team test the menu while keeping karaoke nights and the familiar late-night rhythm in place for longtime barflies.
When To Go
According to the Rising Tides website, karaoke kicks off at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Weekend brunch runs on Saturdays and Sundays, and live music shows pop up regularly on the calendar. The bar's site and social channels also promote themed parties and special events, so checking the events page is the safest bet before you head out.
With $12 cocktails sitting next to cheap drafts and a menu that borrows flavors from around the globe, Rising Tides is aiming for the sweet spot: a neighborhood dive that keeps its comforts while nudging the food and drinks up a notch. For now, it is an affordable option for a late night or a slightly chaotic brunch, and a reminder that a few smart tweaks can make a well-worn bar feel new again.
