Where to drink at the 2018 State Fair of Texas
Get to your beer break quickly with our guide to the fair's best drinking holes.
The State Fair of Texas is one of our favorite fall activities and there's so much ground (literally) to cover every time you visit. From the Texas Auto Show to the Midway, it's easy to work up a craving for a cold cocktail or brew. We've made it easy – here's where to go for a cold one.
Magnolia Beer Garden
The beer garden is often referred to as a hidden gem at the fair, but we found it pretty easily coming in from Gate 5 near the African American Museum. The patio has plenty of seating, and there's several bars to order from. Twinkling lights give it a backyard vibe, and it's a great spot to end your day at the fair. Prices range from 14 coupons for a glass of wine or a craft beer to 10 coupons for domestic beers. Waters and sodas come with a cheaper price tag (seven and eight coupons, respectively).
The Beer Barn
This no-frills stop offers some of the cheapest beer options at the fair, with a pint priced at just six coupons (that's $3 in real money). Find the barn in the Cotton Bowl Plaza and close to the Bud Light music stage – you can grab a beer before the next act takes the stage.
State Fair of Texas Wine Garden
Take a beer break at the Wine Garden, a State Fair favorite. There are 36 local beers on tap, wine is available by the glass or bottle, and beer flights and wine tastings as well. If you get hungry while you're there, buy a slice of pizza or grab a cheese tray. The wine garden is located next to the Go Texan Pavilion.
BlueBonnet RoadHouse & Garden
You don't have to miss out on football just because you're at the fair! Bluebonnet offers a laidback set up with plenty of TVs, tables and chairs (with umbrellas to take a break from the sun) in their spacious patio. They offer the usuals – beers, cocktails, and a full food menu – as well as frosty-cold Texas Mules and wine-infused ice pops to help stay cool. Find them close to the Chevrolet Main Stage.
Trio on the Green
Trio on the Green serves almost everything in threes – think beer, wine and Mason jar cocktails in flights of three – all under a shady section of oak trees. The food menu offers tasty dishes like the Deep Fried El Paso, three mini poblano peppers stuffed with pork, bacon and jalapeño cheese. Trio on the Green is located across from the Texas Lottery tent, near Gate 12.
Fernie's Skyway Porch
Get a good view of Big Tex from Fernie's Skyway Porch, where you can kick back on rocking chairs and enjoy a refreshing cocktail after a long day at the fair. They also offer light bites, cold beer and tapped wine-based cocktails. Find Fernie's in between the Tower Building Food Court and Grand Place.
Beer Haven
The folks at Beer Haven claim it to be the largest bar on wheels – and we believe it. The 53-foot-long mobile brewery features 60 different local beers, including some special brews themed after State Fair favorites, such as the cotton candy ale. Live music is on their schedule each weekend and they hold beer-making demos every Saturday. Beer Haven may be on wheels, but it's actually not moving around – find it near the Texas Star along MLK Jr. Blvd.
