Deep Ellum

I was initially drawn to Deep Ellum because I was looking for a hip more interesting crowd than I had been finding at the sports bars my friends kept dragging me to. When I got there the staff completely lived up to my expectations, but I noticed the crowd was way more diverse than I was expecting. I came to reliaze this was the type of place that could transcend its hipster stereotype because it had the both the food and the drink list to back it up. As a beer enthusiast, I was elated to see that the drink menu, which was twice as long as the food menu. Despite it being clearly aimed towards beer drinkers they maintain a very impressive cocktail list and have hands down the best Pimm's Cup I've ever had. They seem to favor German beers which are both delicious and impossible to pronounce so don't be embarrassed if you find yourself simplly pointing to your beer of choice. Deep Ellum takes traditional bar food and puts a unique twist on them. Their take on cheese fries means drenching their house cut fries in truffled gorgonzola and they serve their homemade pretzels with a delicious beer cheese. They also have an affordable brunch selection that includes duck confit hash and a salmon sandwich thats freshness rivals any specialty seafood restaurant. The bar itself is small, but the deep dark wood used throughout the restauraunt is warm and inviting. They have an awesome back deck area that is perfect on a summer or fall day and also helps with crowd management at night during the warmer months. If you're looking for a laid back bar environment with fine-dining inspired bar eats than you're about to become very familiar with Deep Ellum.

Deep Ellum, named after the Deep Elm area of Dallas, TX, is a cool little bar near Union Square in Allston. In a neighborhood rife with high quality dives, Deep Ellum's owners were wise to take a different course with their establishment. The bar serves an eclectic mix of beers and cocktails and quality comfort food. While these drinks are pricier than the PBR down the street, they are worth an extra few bucks, especially the Vanilla Flip, a cocktail made with vodka and eggs, or the wide variety of rye based Manhattans and Old Fashioneds. The bar also makes the best of its limited space by extending it back to small deck in the rear that makes for a pleasantly intimate setting for a group of friends on a summer night. There is no dance floor, but this isn't a place one comes to dance either. It is a place one comes to enjoy a meal and drinks to start their night. Just because it is pricier than many of the other bars in the area, that shouldn't be confused with pretentious, as Deep Ellum has done a good job of understanding its neighborhood and thriving with a classier setting that welcomes everyone, something other local experiments have failed at. My friends and I have used Deep Ellum as a base to begin an evening that starts with Chimay and Mac and Cheese, but ends with darts and popcorn at the Silhouette Lounge. Missing out on this place would be an oversight for anyone who frequents Allston.

Deep Ellum is one of my favorite bars in the neighborhood. Tucked away in Allston's Union Square, Deep Ellum boasts a great selection of rotating craft beers as well as the best whiskey cocktails around; you can go there and never get the same drink twice. The food that comes out of the kitchen is always top-notch. From the stellar truffled Gorgonzola fries and the delectable meatloaf sandwich for dinner to the chimichanga or felafel roll-up for brunch, I've never left unsatisfied. The low lights, dark wood paneling and small size of Deep Ellum give it an intimate feel--the perfect place to impress a date or meet up with friends. The staff is as courteous as they are knowledgeable. From the owners to the wait staff, everyone at Deep Ellum will take time to explain any item on the menu to you. Word to the wise: Get there early; Deep Ellum fills up fast. Luckily, if the wait is too long at Deep Ellum, you can always head next door to Lone Star Taco Bar. It's run by the same owners and presents an equally impressive beer/cocktail list and dinner menu.

When I lived in the Allston area, Deep Ellum was the place that I'd always turn to.This dark, secretive bar is by all means the finest, most exclusive drink spot in Allston. Being tucked away from the overly crowded sports bars that run up and down Harvard Ave, I always thought of it as an escape spot, where I could transcend the usual loud festivites of a Friday night, and make my way into a calmer, more professional atmosphere. I encourage you to dress-up a bit and check it out with someone special. -lo