Address: 2 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561/274-8001
The lowdown: Pretension may fly at some of the more haute spots in Delray, but the well-heeled routine doesn’t play here at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton. Once patrons pass the bullhead dolphin adorning the front entrance, and through a cloud of smoke, they enter an unwritten, unspoken contract.
Don’t bother asking for frilly craft cocktails and gastropub appetizers. In return, you’ll be greeted with smiles; your dollar will stretch farther than at any other bar on The Ave; and your clothes will smell like cigarettes when you leave.
The trade off, for most people, is worth it. With only a dozen barstools and about nine small tables, Bull Bar is a throwback. It’s a classic neighborhood bar that, no matter the night of the week, is buzzing with tangible energy. On the night I went, a private investigator clanked “cheers” with his buddy after a long day on the job. A young couple cut loose on the crowded dance floor following their shift at one of the white-tablecloth restaurants down the street. In the corner, a group of co-eds were throwing back a few after a day of classes.
If you’re under 30, be prepared for a thorough cross-examination. I faced an easier time crossing the border at customs than I did getting Matt, my friendly bartender with a Kiwi accent, to finally accept my ID. Once proven legit, choose from a no-frills drink menu: beer, call drinks, and wine.
Three beers are on tap. Goose Island Honker’s Ale is kept as a mainstay, and the Stella and Red Hook Long Hammer will be rotated out seasonally. Matt was kind enough to offer me a sample of the newest IPA. A good variety of bottled domestic, import and craft beer is available, as well.
The full bar features everything from low-end house brands to top-shelf Grey Goose and Johnnie Walker. Recently, Bull Bar ditched its bottled wines in favor of wines on tap—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet—kept at a perfect temperature.
Even if you’ve never been inside, there’s something familiar about Bull Bar. The walls are covered in photos of loyal customers, and the owner even celebrates a few “good locals” by posting their names on plaques over the bar.
Everybody inside may not know your name, but it feels like they do. And that’s what keeps them coming back.
The intangibles: Live music is one of the draws here; local bands rock out on a small stage in the corner nearly every night of the week. On Mondays, Delray musicians Jorge Zarruk and Schuyler Busby host their weekly “Bru-ja-ja” from 9 p.m. to midnight. They call it a “not-quite-open-mic” jam, where they invite professional musicians in the area to collaborate on stage. Every Tuesday, singer-songwriter Andre Alderman plays a solo acoustic set. From Wednesday to Saturday, Bull Bar calls in guest artists to take the stage. Acts booked during the weekdays usually play softer more relaxing music, while on the weekends the bar invites bands known to “party like rockstars.”
On Sundays the amps are turned down, and the surround sound is turned up during football season. The games are shown on four flat-screen TVs; if there is a large enough crowd, the bartender will usually order pizza for everyone. Although the bar pulled its dartboards a few months ago during a redesign of the stage, it still brings out Cornhole and ring-toss games on some of its slower nights.
No matter the night, there is always something going on—including two-for-one happy hour specials every day on beer, wine and well cocktails.
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Website: facebook.com/bullbarincdelray
