The video above is a walking tour of downtown Fort Worth, starting at Sundance Square and heading south through the heart of the city. It's a great look at what this part of town actually feels like on foot — the wide sidewalks, the red brick-lined streets, and the art deco and rustic architecture that gives the area its character. Fort Worth originated as an army outpost in 1849, positioned near the Trinity River, and served as a center of the cattle trade and a stop along the Chisholm Trail. Today it's the 13th largest city in the U.S. by population, but downtown Fort Worth has a quieter, more relaxed feel than you might expect from a city of nearly a million people. The downtown area leans more toward business during the week, with things picking up on weekends.
Walking From Sundance Square to the Water Gardens
The walk starts at Sundance Square, which is considered the heart of downtown — a big open gathering place surrounded by restaurants and retail. Heading south from there, you pass tall buildings with interesting architecture before reaching the JFK Memorial. Most people associate the Kennedy assassination with Dallas, but JFK actually spent the night before in Fort Worth, where he gave a speech in which he said "there are no faint hearts in Fort Worth." The statue and wall displays commemorating that visit are worth a stop. Just past the nearby convention center, you'll find the Fort Worth Water Gardens, and the whole route together makes for a solid, self-contained walk with plenty to see.
What Live Music Venues Are in Downtown Fort Worth?
Downtown Fort Worth has a handful of solid spots for live music, most of them within easy walking distance of Sundance Square. Here's what the video covers:
- Flying Saucer Draught Emporium — A beer-focused spot on Sundance Square that hosts live jazz on weekends, typically from seven to ten. The Gregory Newman Jazz Quartet was playing on the night of this visit.
- Scat Jazz Lounge — Tucked down an alley just off Sundance Square, this is a more upscale, ticketed jazz venue. Plan ahead and check their schedule before showing up.
- The Library Bar — A popular downtown bar known for regular live music bookings.
- Pete's Dueling Piano Bar — A lively spot right next to The Library Bar where dueling pianists take requests and get the crowd involved.
- Whiskey and Rye — A bar further south in the downtown area where David Bridwell caught pianist Steve Barkus performing. They also make a solid old-fashioned.
- Branch and Bird — Located inside a building and accessed by elevator, this rooftop-style bar offers great views of the city along with cocktails and occasional live music.
A Side Trip to Weatherford
Earlier in the day, David Bridwell played a gig at Northside Remedy in Weatherford, a small town about 30 minutes west of Fort Worth. The video includes some of that performance, complete with family stories and original music. It's a nice glimpse at the kind of smaller Texas venues where you can catch live, original singer-songwriter sets in an intimate setting.