At first glance, fraternities and sororities at SMU may seem to have a monopoly on student nightlife, planning out summer and fall’s exclusive “list” parties and gathering familiar crowds at all the predictable local hot spots. However, all is not lost for the non-Greeks also attending SMU.
Nightlife in Dallas isn’t restricted to the Mockingbird and 75 nexus of Greenville Avenue, McKinney Avenue, Yale and Knox/Henderson. Dallas has a lot more to offer than the usual Greek hang-outs and boasts several hidden gems for evenings of drinks and fellowship. New Amsterdam Coffee Haüs and Bar of Soap are just two of these unique establishments located in Exposition Park, across from the front gates of Fair Park at Exposition and Parry Avenue.
New Amsterdam Coffee Haüs is distinguished by its cozy, well-contemplated and unapologetic beer selection. Around 40 colored lamps and neon beer signs provide a well-lit ambiance, and booths, tables and barstools provide plenty of seating. Over a dozen foreign beers are on tap, such as Maredsous 8 and Guinness, and the coolers hold many other brands as well. Decent red and white wines are available, and coffee/espresso drinks provide something for those who drink sparingly, or not at all. Live jazz on Mondays, courtesy of the Shelly Caroll Jazz Group, entertains crowds with their ever changing rotation of hip virtuosos. Although prices are already reasonable, Tuesday’s “half price pints” easily squeeze into tight student budgets.
“Any day is a good day to come. We open at noon and close at 2:00 a.m. and it’s a relaxed place to hang out during the day or night,” owner Mike Scheel said. With a maximum occupancy of 72, New Amsterdam typically receives a casually dressed crowd, mostly in the range of 20 to 30 years of age. A laid back atmosphere, reasonable prices and incredible entertainment make New Amsterdam a great nighttime destination.
Around the corner from New Amsterdam is Bar of Soap, a pun on the fact that it is actually a bar and a “washeteria.” Not only can one drink, socialize and get the laundry done, but this establishment boasts free pool all day, frequent drink specials, old-school video games, air-hockey and stand-up comedy on Thursdays. Full-time bartender Jim Arnold warns, “I’m a great bartender with a sweet round ass, and a heavy hand on the pour.”
Besides the interesting people that work at this bar and well broken-in décor of graffiti art on the walls, is the full Laundromat in the back, accompanied by snack machines. A backyard area/patio with picnic tables holds a stage for local small-time bands.
“There is no pretension here. You meet black, white, Mexican, Chinese people all day. You can also find artists, professional skaters, business people, rock stars and even people who beat up rock stars if they suck,” customer James Rawlinson said.
This bar also gives young and talented artists a good opportunity to promote their work. “If there are any artists that need a place to promote their artwork, all I want is a new décor, and they get all the sales,” owner Steve Asbeck said.
Prices, original settings and very interesting bartenders make these two bars definite “musts” on the party list. For most students at SMU, nightlife is an important part of the week. Sociable evenings out help students unwind and relax from stressful test-taking days, or grueling homework-filled nights. New Amsterdam Coffee Haüs and Bar of Soap can help break the monotony of the school routine and the “typical” SMU bars.
