Swing into the Windmill

Rex C. Curry / Special to DMN A neon windmill adorns the roof of the lounge on Maple Avenue.

The Windmill Lounge is a dive of distinction about two miles past anywhere you'd want to be on Maple Avenue. Here are some early impressions.

• Urban pioneering: The exterior is, to put it mildly, unprepossessing. The kitschy neon windmill on the roof cheers up the front a bit and steers visitors to the gravel parking lot in the rear.

• Hidden charms: Comfortable in a settled, worn way inside, with black banquettes along one wall, the bar along another, French postcards decorating a third. A cellphone booth is in the back.

• Learning annex: They're serious about mixing drinks here – try the margarita – and serve quality wells and a smart selection of whiskeys and tequilas. The "classic cocktails" menu features annotations for some higher education while you imbibe.

• Tunes: Four hundred discs of background music provide everything from groove lounge to Texana to Sinatra. Ask for the omnibus list and make a request.

It's open daily at 4 p.m. No cover.

Windmill Lounge
5320 Maple Ave. at Hudnall Street, 214-443-7818

In 10 words or less: Out-of-the-way and unpretentious good times.

How happening: Spotty.

Who's there: Neighborhood hipsters and friends of the owners.

Prime real estate: Belly up to the bar.

Mr. Dallas chronicles night life for the over-30 set on the Web. He is not a positive role model.

Published in The Dallas Morning News 04.28.06