Black Swan Saloon; the Birth of Cool
Honeycrisp Apple is full of fall. It’s kind of magic.

Gabe is a cool guy. He moves around his bar, Black Swan Saloon with visible wisdom. No perceived cockiness, but you know that he knows what he’s doing. The shelves of the saloon are lined with bottles I’ve never heard of. Every bottle has a story, and Gabe knows them. Whistle Pig Straight Rye Whiskey, Highland Park Scotch Whiskey, but it’s the Templeton Rye Whiskey that carries his favorite tale. Originally made during prohibition in the little town of Templeton, Iowa Gabe proclaims, it as the “good stuff.” “The only people that drank it was like, Al Capone” he said. Somewhere around the early 2000’s, two guys found the recipe and revived it. Unlike most ryes the Templeton Rye Whiskey isn’t considered as peppery making it smoother.

Though there are cocktails here to bring out your inner Gatsby, the saloon is not about catering to a certain crowd. Maybe you want to try something a little whimsical, or maybe you just want to pop open a Miller and shoot the sugar. For Gabe this really doesn’t matter. “As long as you’re cool I don’t care, but soon as you’re not, it’s a wrap. Like you got to get the fuck out, fast,” Gabe said simplistically. Smirking and wiping the counter space he continued, “People like that. For the most part people work their asses off and they want to enjoy themselves and try something new, and have a chat with their girlfriend or boyfriend or whatever.”


Black Swan Saloon makes it effortless to relax. The jazzy music is low enough to giggle at all the sweet nothings your date relays to you. Almost 4-years-old this place feels like a celebration in cool. It’s in the hardwood floors, the massive mirrors, and the giant drawing of two black pistols crossed behind a vintage microphone with script reading, Deep Ellum Texas. But,the coolest thing of all might be Gabe’s
decision to have a nameless building. But he isn’t keeping this jewel away from thirsty patrons. The door is open. “I didn’t want to put a sign up. You know, this whole business grew organically, but I wanted it to be more about what happens inside, then for someone seeing a really cool sign walking by. If you do the core things right, you don’t need that,” he said.

In a few hours the saloon will fill up. Regulars and newbies will make their way inside. Stories of nights past and nights to come are shared over curious concoctions. The clink of glasses, and laughter consume the room. Tonight, the good times roll. txMB
Black Swan Saloon
2708 Elm St, Dallas, TX. 75226