United Nations of Beer

Gezellig Bar, Dallas

by Kate McKeon
(Beer Delegate, TX, USA)

Gezellig Bar
Dallas, TX, USA

"Gezellig" (geh-ZELL-ik) is a Dutch word that can't be directly translated to English.

It is used by Amsterdam locals to describe somewhere cozy and dark, lively and convivial, with a "Stay as long as you want, there's no rush" attitude.

Those clever Dutch! This concept is so important in Dutch culture that "Gezellig" can describe anything: a nightclub or even a person!

So how does the concept of Gezellig Bar in Dallas stack up on a bitterly cold Tuesday night, when most of the city was sleeping? Just fine, thank you!

My barkeep, Nicholas, started by talking smack as he thought I had an imaginary friend. Two hours later he was doing Patron shots on my tummy...

As has been said before, "You bring the shots, I've got the body." Body shots on a Tuesday night, you ask? Yes, indeed! All-in-all a successful Tuesday evening.

(Why don't Beer Delegates always carry a digital camera? Think of the pay-per-view revenues on this scene alone! Ed.)

The menu looked tasty, but I've given up eating paper, so I leaned for the potato chips when the time came.

Nothing crazy about the chips, good chips, in a baggie, cooked elsewhere. Had a hankering for the Knockwurst, however the kitchen had closed (11pm) and well, I wasn't going to be too greedy. Besides, the owner was regaling us with his adventures in a half sunken boat. All I could think was... treasure!

The music picked up several notches when the local Jazz Jam started at 9PM. Good stuff. The crowd in Gezellig Bar Dallas was a mix of hipsters who looked employed and other people I quite frankly could not see. When the description mentions dark, they ain't kiddin'! It IS dark.

Not the place to have a contact pop out -- you won't be finding it. Fortunately your drinker has perfect, if occasionally blurred, vision.

Folks began pouring in the door sometime after 9.30pm. Naturally I'd arrived at 7.30pm to get my drink on before the masses. At 7.30pm, the bar has a lingering happy hour crowd and a few other stragglers such as myself. Happy Hour runs nightly from 4-7pm.

Oh, I should perhaps mention, if it comes up in conversation that folks have said, "You've got the body for body shots?" (What? That doesn't come up in your conversations? Pity.), count on good ol' St. Nick the barman to take you up on the offer.

No, they don't mind that my boots were up on the bar. Bring your wet wipes if that concerns you.

Signing out. Hugs and drinks, Kate