I had been wanting to try this place after seeing the library room all over my TikTok feed. The exterior is very concealed and really leans into the speakeasy vibe, which made arriving feel a bit more exciting. When we walked in, the hostesses greeted us and seated us at the table we had reserved in the Leopard Room. Initially, we were placed at a small half table along the wall. We asked if it was possible to move, and they happily accommodated us. That particular table felt a bit awkward for conversation since you can barely face the person across from you. It might work better for someone sitting alone and people watching rather than having a full conversation. Service throughout the night was great. The staff checked in regularly without being intrusive and made sure we always had what we needed. For drinks, I would say they were just okay. They were not bad, but they also were not particularly memorable. Given the speakeasy concept, I expected a bit more creativity in both flavor and presentation. We ordered the Melting Clock Elixir, Persistence of Berries, Cotton Candy Cloud, and the Surrealist 75. As the night went on, the space became much more crowded and louder once the DJ started playing. If you are hoping to have a relaxed conversation and catch up with friends, this might not be the best spot later in the evening. From what I saw, the Library Room seems to have a nicer atmosphere for that. The Leopard Room leans more toward a lounge or club-like environment as the night progresses. read more

See all

I'm not a big fan of this spot. It's probably better for the partying late night crowd but I prefer Isabelle's upstairs for a great cocktail experience. Nobody is probably great if you're looking for a late night party vibe but not so great if you're looking to have a conversation with close friends. The one thing I will also add is that the smell here is a little off. I'm not sure why but maybe it has something to do the carpet floors? It reminds me of a low end bar that hasn't been cleaned up yet -- that is it the case here, it is clean, just smells a little off! read more

Make reservations it's worth it, staff is friendly and food was pretty good. Very chill vibe and drinks were good as well read more

Babou's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Dynamite Babou's is so trendy and everything you need in a speakeasy! First off, the street entrance makes you feel as if you're stepping into a luxe dinner club...and then the door opens to greet you with a beautiful library. Once through the library, you enter the club where there are intimate seating areas and a DJ curating a great playlist! The cocktails were very tasty, and the bartenders gave beautiful service times to our group of 6. Honestly, never waited more than 10 minutes in a packed club on a Saturday night (kudos to the bartenders)! I've bookmarked this location to take my visiting friends! read more

See all

A spectacular speakeasy in Dallas that should be on your bucket list is Babou's. This bar is tucked inside of a decorative library with comfortable seats, stunning decorations, and wonderful drinks. Babou's has special entertainers and DJ's certain days of the week. We sipped on specially crafted cocktails while listening to a live DJ! The vibes at Babou's are fun yet sophisticated. Wear something nice and check out this hidden bar in a "quaint library". read more

See all

Stopped in on a Friday evening after having dinner in the area. We arrived at the Hotel Swexan via Uber and we were whisked into the hotel, escorted to the elevator and arrived at the lower level where Babou's is located in what seemed like a matter of seconds. It felt like security was high with no chance to mingle in the lobby here! After the formality of checking IDs at the lounge entrance, we entered the posh, darkly lit bar and we were warmly greeted and told that we could sit anywhere we liked. It was on the early side of late night, probably just after 9 pm. The couches in front of the bar were already taken. We wandered to the back "Library" room which had brighter lighting and didn't really feel clubby. So, we went back to the main room and planted ourselves on a cozy couch in the reserved VIP area. A server quickly waited on us. My husband ordered a bottle of Stella and I tried the Persistence of Berries cocktail. It was quite tasty and I enjoyed another while the DJ started playing tunes, some 90s tracks and pop from today. It felt like the crowd in the main room was older and the younger patrons made their way to the Library to hang out. Overall, a very beautiful space with creative drinks and a chic vibe. We already made plans with friends to return! read more

See all

Amazing service Katie and Kelsie have been great hosts! Drinks are great the vibes are immaculate. Highly recommend coming here for good music and food and drinks. The Salvador Dali is a great cocktail, and the Lobster roll is very solid. They have Jazz nights on Thursdays, perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or a first date. read more

Super cute spot! The club/lounge is in the basement. Super lowlight lowkey spot! Great vibe here! Valet parking available. Great female DJ GIRLBOT! read more

Best kept secret... Babou's has desert! Just ask Mimi about some of the sweet treats in addition to some mind blowing cocktails. read more

Babou's - Dali's Ice Cream Sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dallas, Texas

We made our way to Babou's on a Friday night, and it was definitely an experience! The place has this exclusive vibe, but what I loved is that the lounges had open seating for everyone, which made it super laid-back. We got a spot by the front room, but there was also a cozy library room in the back with plenty of space that is more of a quieter vibe. The staff was friendly and accommodating, making sure we had a great time throughout the night. The crowd can get rowdy as the night goes on and at one point a group accidentally knocked our table, spilling our drinks, but the staff was quick to take care of it. They kindly replaced our drinks, which really showed how much they care about the experience. The music, however, was a bit of a mixed bag. They played a lot of house music, which wasn't really my thing, but I still made the best of it and had a fun time. I heard they do Jazz nights on Thursdays, and that sounds amazing! Definitely something to check out just maybe find out the music scene before you go. read more

See all

The service and ambiance were exactly what I look for in a speakeasy. Once you tell the staff where you're headed, they take you to the floor and guide you to the entrance. They offer a drink menu but are happy to accommodate any specific drink requests. When we first arrived the music and lights were dim, but as the night went on the DJ set list changed to a more upbeat vibe. read more

My gf and I decided to try Babou's Thursday night jazz and it was incredible! We arrived around 6:45 which was perfect timing as there were just a few people there. I would suggest getting there no later than 7 because as the night goes on it gets pretty packed. We were able to grab a seat behind the band which was also a nice treat. The decor is impeccable and really adds to the speakeasy vibe. The bartenders and waitresses were all very friendly and attentive. We ordered an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Prosecco and Lychee Martini. All the drinks were well balanced and flavorful. The band MBP Trio was also outstanding. We'll definitely be back! read more

Babou's - Entrance - The image shows the entrance to Babou's nightclub, illuminated by a blue neon sign displaying the name 'Babou.' The doorway has a library-themed design, with a dark wall and decorative elements. The floor is covered with a leopard print carpet, and a velvet rope barrier is positioned in front of the entrance, suggesting a controlled entry. The ceiling has a patterned metallic design, contributing to the club's stylish ambiance. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dallas, Texas

See all

Grabbed a nightcap here after dinner! Highly recommend getting there early if you want to take pictures! Got there about 7:30 on a Saturday, and it was completely empty! We were told to grab any seat, we decided on a couch in the library ofc. And our waitress came to give us menus to order off of. People slowly did start rolling in as the night went on. Overall, great place to get a drink for a girl's night out or a nightcap after dinner. Super unique decor and vibey! read more

See all

First time here, and I'll definitely be back. The vibe is incredibly laid-back and relaxed, making it the perfect spot for a first date. The ambiance has this cool, calm, jazz-inspired feel that really sets the tone. Now, let's talk drinks. They're decent, but nothing to write home about--about 2/5 on flavor. The cocktails are small, with a hefty price tag of $20 each. You can tell they're not packing much alcohol, which might be intentional to keep the vibe chill and avoid a rowdy crowd. As for the food, it's a solid 4/5. I tried the truffle fries, sliders, and lobster roll--all delicious, and priced around $20 each. Everything tends to average out around that $20 mark, so it's easy to rack up a tab if you're enjoying the atmosphere and getting caught up in conversation. read more

See all

Extremely and unnecessarily ice cold AC, which I suspect they have so frigid to speed up how long you stay. Very below average cocktails verging on made incorrectly. With so many other spectacular bars close by I wouldn't recommend this to any of my friends. read more

Stinks..... literally! Vibe is cool but, why am I paying $25 for a vodka soda. rude and very slow bartenders! (Please fix the stench).

Boring. Racist. Poor service. Rude management. Let girls in half naked. I thought there was a dress code? Will NEVER return.

Came for Thursday jazz session and stayed for the cocktails. The Salvador Dalí inspired decor made the intimate vibe of this evening a fun experience. I sat near the band, but there is a back area that looks like a private library for you to enjoy if you're looking for a spot to have a conversation. Happy hour lasted until 7 so I had time to try Dalí inspired cocktails without breaking the bank. I was thoroughly impressed with my drink selections. The small bites from the menu were a nice addition too! Sliders were delicious which we got after indulging in dessert first! Service was great too. We always had people coming to check on us and make sure we had what we needed. I will say when the live jazz ended I wish they would have had the dj playing more jazz songs than radio hits. My only complaint for the night. I would recommend this neat place to check out with friends or a fun date night. read more

See all

Love this place !! Perfect for a girls night or a date night. The DJ is normally really good and so are the drink. I will definitely be back soon. read more

Well it's been a minute of the speakeasy tour but we've made it to the new one downtown. When you first walk in you are greeted by the library. It is an amazing space to be in. As you walk through the doors you transition to next space where the bar sits. My friends and I Sat on the couches towards the back and took up space. I ordered the wagyu sliders with fries and the XYZ drink. The sliders were very good. Love a good solid slider and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to try any of the fries as they were gone by the time I looked up from eating the sliders. We were told that as the DJ changed it would start getting really busy and crowded. Literally at the time she said it was like an influx of people that came in. The music changed and then I saw myself in my 20s and how I was out enjoying the vibes and people. I would suggest you come through and enjoy yourself and just vibe out. I will say that early arrival is highly recommended to at least gain a seat in the library. Also note that there is a dress code and it is posted online so don't get shocked. read more

Horrible customer service from Kelsie, the event coordinator. We'd been emailing her for over a month about reserving tables for 10 for my friend's birthday. Day of, they close the establishment and didn't bother to let us know. They took down the phone number incorrectly and gave up after a phone call, instead of the method of email we'd been using with her from the beginning. Things happen, we get that. But the worst part was that we had them grab Kelsie to figure out what happened, and she was very indifferent to the situation. No apology and only offered up their hotel lobby for us to sit in. The entire situation was infuriating and completely ruined our friend's birthday!!! read more

My friends went here for a birthday celebration and everything was great! Drinks were amazing, and London was so helpful to get all of our party sat! It was the perfect vibe for an after cap! read more

Awesome place. London took great care of us! Drinks and vibe are a 10/10 and the prices aren't bad

We got an uber all the way here, we're all dressed very nice but my friend has a unique design on his jeans so they didn't let us in. Waste of time for us. read more

Tried this hotel bar after dinner and a couple of drinks at nearby Parliament. It was pretty empty on a Saturday, but we did get there nearing last call. I probably wouldn't consider this a destination bar, but if you're staying at the hotel or nearby it's worth a visit for the speakeasy vibe and DJ-provided music. read more

Omg the best cocktails in Dallas, I swear. Their dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives is to die for. Always great service too!

Service was not very friendly. Went into Babou's Library and when opening the door a few of the books fell off due to loose glue was told it was my fault and to pick up the book backs off the ground. read more

We came here on opening night and it was packed! This is a smaller club and definitely not a place to come and dance. The vibes were funky groovy (the DJ was great) and the cheetah print floor and disco ball matched. Unfortunately, most of the seating in the small room you had to pay for (table service $1000 min, which isn't a super bad price). After waiting 45 minutes at the bar, we ordered the Aqua Fresca. The drink was very refreshing and light, not too sweet. Note - Buying 2 cocktails will cost you $50. Throughout the night it cleared out and became more manageable to get a drink at the bar and actually move around the room. I give this place 3 stars - Given it was the first night and there are always a few kinks to be worked out, excited to see this place again in the future. I do wish they would limit the amount of people that could enter at a time, or have the ability to make reservations for specific times. Having more space to move around instead of cramming people in a room would make the experience much more enjoyable! I'd recommend coming to this place if you have a smaller party of people (purchase a table), or specifically for a pregame. read more

A must visit if you're in Dallas! One of the coolest speakeasies I've been to. The entrance is behind the valet stand on the side of hotel swexan. You enter into a cozy library themed room with dim lights and books stacked along the wall. Go further in and you enter another room where the bar is located. Loved both the drinks we got. It wasn't packed when we went on a Saturday around 8pm, but it was filling in when we left at 10pm. read more

Babou's - a library filled with books - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I'm not sure why everybody who works here is super angry. I was a part of a wedding party at The Swexen over the course of two days. Friday night we came to have drinks after the rehearsal dinner. I called it an early night, we left at about 10pm after a long day. After the wedding on Saturday, we had a large group attend the bar for a second night. The "security guards" or bouncers immediately came up to me to shame me for being over-served the night before. He did it in a very condescending and entitled tone, like he was looking down on me. I was grossly embarrassed and it put a damper on the rest of the evening. It wasn't like he was coming to me out of a place of concern or kindness. He was basically flexing his muscle to let me know my place- he would be watching me. His tone was uncalled for. I made sure to let him know I didn't appreciate how he was approaching the subject, but he just continued on and on. It didn't feel nice. As the rest of the night continued, the 2 security guys were all over us- eyes on us at all times- it felt like they were just waiting to pounce when they saw something they didn't like. We were being watched all night. It felt so uptight and gross to me. One of the females in our group leaned backwards onto a couch and he came running from the other side of the room to say "do not lean or touch the furniture". Huh?! At one point our favorite song came on (Azizam by Ed Sheeran, a Persian song) and we all got very excited and started singing and dancing. We were all wearing tuxes and suits. In Persian culture, we are all very touchy- I went to grab one of my male friends (in a kind, polite manner) behind him by the shoulders to dance to the song. Unfortunately I grabbed one of the bouncers by accident (he was wearing the same color suit.. again, as he was harboring all around us, he was basically a part of our group at this point) and he just about wanted to murder me. He was completely aggressive and rude. I apologized profusely - I was so embarrassed - but he was ready to have my head for it. It really scared me. I know some of the other people in my group had issues too- I'll let them come on here and tell their own stories. But I could certainly go on and on. We stayed at the hotel and had a beautiful time at the wedding but I don't understand where this aggression comes from. We will not be back and I'll be sure to tell anybody who will listen. read more

If you come here, don't plan on having more than 4 drinks during your stay, stopped serving us after 4 drinks in 3 hours. Food is below average, much better places to go that are close by. read more

A great place to unwind after traveling for 5 weeks...didn't stay till they turned into a club of course read more

See all

Foggy, still the fabulous shines through! Babou's is a tale of complexity; Are we a lounge? Or are we trying to be a club? Are we striving for elegant, or settling for casual. The initial impression entering is one of early American, and European opulence; from the hardwood Parquet flooring, assorted upholstered seating, hand woven tapestry rugs & Helical stairs; The Library is elegantly practical, right down to the silver tray service, the smartly dressed staff, and diverse clientele. The adjoining room however is where the functionality of the design doesn't rise to the occasion. The kindest word I can use to prepare any visitor, is compact. Based on the desired marketing plan, I love the idea, of a DJ, with table, and bottle service, however presentation, and execution are paramount. The VIP staff I experienced, (Victoria, Aarin, and Nai) along with other staff members are the gems of Babou's, but they can only do so much. The well stocked standup up bar, minimalistic in both size, and customer flow area, offers little space to order or stand. The furnishings, although nice, sit much to low, not to feel your personal space invaded, while enjoying your cocktails. I wouldn't consider any area in Babou's a dance floor, but for those with deep pockets, and a reservation they offer true VIP seating. Always a plus for me, valet is offered, However an important FYI it's North Harwood, their website makes no distinction, and for those of us not from the area, I learned, there's definitely a difference between North, and South Harwood. I hope to enjoy Babou's with you soon; you already know where you'll find me. Xoxo Lorenzo! read more

See all

Intimate speakeasy style with great music! The bar is a little small but they were doing a great job. I enjoyed the library area with open seating. The speakeasy part had a disco ball that kept spinning with velvet chairs. Be mindful of the dress code to get in. read more

Babou's - a view of a city street at night - The image shows a tall building in an urban setting at night, with a vertical illuminated sign displaying the word "SWEXAN" in large, glowing letters. The sign is attached to the side of the building, which has a modern architectural style. The street below is lit by streetlights and vehicle headlights, with a few cars visible. In the background, other high-rise buildings with illuminated windows and signage can be seen, contributing to the cityscape atmosphere. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I loved the vibe and coziness of this spot! When I came it was not very busy but the waitress still kept coming around d checking on us. My date didn't drink alcohol and a lot of times they will diminish us as customers because we spend less because one of us doesn't drink alcohol but he ordered his cokes and the waitress kept coming around to take care of us. read more

I've been seeing this place on TikTok and decided to give it a try. This was one of the best speakeasy's I've been to honestly. If you're a book nerd like I am you would definitely appreciate it. The moment you walk through the door you're being helped and shown where to sit. We went at 8:30 on a Saturday and it was not crowded at all, the dj does come on at 9 so it was starting to get packed but consisted of a lot of couples. I'd say this is the perfect night cap spot for after a date night. The drinks were a little on the pricey side, I got casamigos on ice and it was $23. I'll definitely be back. read more

I will not go there again starting with the bad experience at the entrance. Security did not make me feel welcomed. I planned on bringing my wife to the hotel but that will not happen now. read more

Ambiance was so welcoming, you go from the library lounge which is like a starter to the funky night into the back room. The staff was so attentive, professional, and swaggy. They had big personalities and kept checking in. Check them out! Ask for Sierra she was awesome! read more

Underwhelming. The library entrance is nice, but the back/main room is horrible. It's small and there doesn't seem to be any dress code. The music was not great and staff was rude to our group. I think this place will fizzle out. I wouldn't go back. read more

Amazing spot. Great drinks and a very cool laid back vibe. The library is a chill spot with the secret nightclub behind the bookshelf.