The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

ballewblake

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

I'm more a regular at the Addison saucer than Ft. Worth only because of distance. This one has by far a better vibe and atmosphere than the sports bar feel Addison is in. The wait staff seems a bit more fun (in what they wear and how they act) and into their jobs, not something I get in Addison. The building is way cooler too. The brews are slightly different, and what you'd expect with the area's staple draught house[s], having a stock of Rahr's every time I've been (though I wouldn't rush here for that.) I love hitting up this place when I'm on this end of town. Gets busy quick and on the few times I've been here seems to be pretty similar to the counterparts on when they get busy, get here early afternoon to avoid the crowds is my advice.

03-03-2008 22:22:14 | More by ballewblake

sprucetip

Alaska

4.16/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

I'm told that the old building was much homier and beloved by all, but they had to move to make room for a parking garage, or something like that. But the atmosphere is quite pleasant at the current location, even if it falls short of the old one. On the first of two recent visits it was quite busy, and we had to poke around a bit to find a place to sit. On a follow up visit I got there earlier in the day and had no problem getting a front row seat at the bar.

On the first (busier) visit the young female waiter did a good job checking in with us at regular intervals, and had a hand written cheat-sheat, addressing the many inaccuracies on the menu that is only printed once every 3 months, that she shared with us. She knew some things about the beers, and did a good job. On the second visit I asked the bartender if there were any resources for knowing what they actually had on tap and he said "me." Because they weren't busy then that worked fine, but as people got off work and it got busy, the staff were not able to be as attentive and it was difficult to ask questions and gain information.

I really, really don't understand why a bar with 80 taps, many of which rotate, only prints its menu quarterly. From a purely business perspective, as management, don't you want customers to spend as much money per unit of time spent on the stool? They are screwing themselves by not having an up to date menu available. If it takes me 10-20 minutes to figure out what you have and what you don't and then make a decision and then get it to a busy server, that's time I am not spending money, though I am taking up space. Help me help you by letting me know what you have. On the second visit I got a manager and mentioned to him how other bars were using the BeerMenus site and how I had seen it work effectively for other bars, and describing how myself and a bunch of friends had all gone to a bar, unplanned, because we saw that they had tapped St. Bernies Christmas. Four dudes went there and spent money on a night we had not planned to because we knew they had something special on. The manager did not seem remotely open to what I was saying, and said it "takes time" to update a list. Really? It's takes the time equivalent of a facebook post. I've seen other places that use video screens or chalkboards that they update in real time when a keg blows or is tapped, and others print a fresh menu daily. They sell more beer when they do this, it's a no brainer. Anyway, that's my rant on that issue. The staff were good and knowledgeable, but their hands are tied by the corporate policy.

Quality is good, selection is good. Not amazing, but solid. A lot of Texas beers, and I haven't had too many yet that have impressed me, but sellers and drinkers need to support the local and regional breweries, in my view, even if it means there are a few less tried and true hits on the list.

I haven't eaten there but my brother and wife like to eat there. It's a bit pricey, but they have specials like $3 pint night on Mondays, and $3 Texas pints on Sundays.

12-30-2012 04:52:33 | More by sprucetip

bigolbeerbelly

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Atmosphere is great. Mostly beer drinkers who know their beers. Although I did prefer their historic location across the street, their new place has room for more people.

Quality of beer can't be beat, food is good, and
girls are...very good looking in those skirts.

If you go on a weekend night it is crowded and service if you can get any.. is poor. Any other time it is OK. Althought the new location with more space has alleviated this some.

Selection... the only way it could be better is if they brewed their own.

I like the food. Not a huge selection but they have great brats and the pretzels are fantastic. Try the bratzel. Its a pretzel with sliced brats and cheese melted on top.

Average normal prices but they have great daily specials such as $3 pint night.

I love this place. The best time to go is on week nights after work. On the weekends it fills up with a lot of Miller light drinkers just looking for the normal bar scene trying to get laid.

07-31-2012 00:01:27 | More by bigolbeerbelly

cfergusn

Texas

4.25/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Made one visit here with family, good food, not for the closed minded or overly offended. Great selection of beers, I find they are different from place to place. Food is of the bar fare, with some german influences. I usually get the pizza with pepperoni, bacon, and bratwurst. Service was nice, the young lady we had was attentive, despite the issues with the systems. Being apart of the UFO club, it forces me to try different beers every time I go, some of which I have loved, some not so much. I like going as it has a good outdoor patio upstairs. Night life in the Fort Worth area is getting bigger, so you need to get there early. If you are not a big outdoors person, the bar is well suited, or grab a couch and have seat.

12-26-2011 22:54:13 | More by cfergusn

nach0king

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

Superb branch of the mini-national chain. Sit at the bar, on the couches, in the covered patio area, or upstairs on the large balcony - there's an option no matter the weather or the group (or solo drinker.) The beer list is huge and while it doesn't have much by way of detail the friendly staff are happy to answer questions, and on the rare occasion that they don't know the answer they will immediately bring you someone who does.

I went for "reasonable" for the value because it is extremely possible to get in and out of here after a good session having spent quite a low amount. But be warned: it's easily as possible - in fact more likely - that you will get sucked into the various obscure bottled options and end up spending a fortune.

Would be A+ if not for the food, which varies wildly in quality. Best to stick to the stuff they don't cook, like the salmon plate.

Edited to add: I see someone else says the waitresses (who do wear skimpy skirts, it's true) are flirty and angling for tips. I've been here many, many times - alone, as a couple, in small groups and in large groups - and literally never encountered that.

10-22-2011 02:28:12 | More by nach0king

gtermi

Texas

3.96/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

The Flying Saucer is one of the best places in Fort Worth to grab a pint of craft or import beers. They have one of the greatest selections I have ever seen in my life. The beers are always fresh and never taste funky. I have not had any of the food here, so I can not quote on that. The only thing I hate is the little skimpy girls as our waitress. I just feel they are too flirty and all they want is just a bigger tip. Other than that, it is by far the best place in Downtown Fort Worth to grab a beer.

09-30-2011 04:48:55 | More by gtermi

shoky01

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

The Original Saucer. Wow. You walk in a feel the history. To see the old school gold plates on the wall was a little moving. Like any Saucer the beer selection was impressive. I my "not had" list was longer than a bar stool is tall, and i was already over 160 beers. I need to spend about a week at this one Saucer just trying what we don't get at home. Sitting at an old wobbley tall table right by the window, 10 feet from the bar i was comfortable. Had the 512 Cascabel cream stout there, what an amazing beer and an amazing place to drink it. Will go again, in fact im thinking of a membership at this one as well just to say i have a plate on the wall in Ft Worth.

08-08-2011 20:49:19 | More by shoky01

coldriver

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Our usual go-to place in Fort Worth. Really like the historic building in the Sundance Square area. Great selection of taps and frequently rotated. Always seem to have new beers coming out of Austin which aren't bottled and can't be found elsewhere in Ft Worth. Patrons are typically beer savvy (but not snobs) although you still see guys ordering vortex-bottled super-cold swill. Curtis, the manager, always seems to make the rounds and is happy to talk beer. Monday pint nights are a real bargain at $3. Can get quite crowded at times inside but the overflow seating on the outdoor deck overlooking Sundance Square is great as long as temps are under 100. Only real problem I have is the beer menu - updated once a quarter. Seems like I spend about 20 minutes a visit back and forth with the waitress trying to establish what is actually available. How hard would it be to print a daily (or at least weekly) beer menu?

08-01-2011 01:55:36 | More by coldriver

raffy313

Texas

4.06/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

This downtown Ft. Worth bar is my second favorite bar to frequent. And that's only because every single time I've been here, it's always been packed with patrons. I've never found a place that me and a friend could sit and have a decent conversation. What a terrible burden for a bar to have to deal with, right?

Well, dispite the lack of seating... we've found the atmosphere and all around vibe quite enjoyable. Service is usually abit slow, but understandably, due to the amount of customers they get. One of these days I'll have to go in during lunch time, or early afternoon just to get a better judgement of the service... not to mention kick back and actually have a seat.

Prices are abit on the higher end compared to the other local bar I frequent. But the beer selection is quite extensive. The main nights I attend are Weds., for their Pint Nights(buy the beer, get the glass for free), and on Fridays for their Rare Tappings.

I would, and have recommended this place to many others, and like I said, one day I'll have to go for lunch and try out their food menu.

05-05-2011 01:57:19 | More by raffy313

dizknee24

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

First things first. when you walk in your notice some awesome atmoshphere. big comfy couches and such fill one side of the room. a decent sized bar, not sure if they sold liquor or wine for that matter. the beer menu is superb. but the problem i had was that some of the Rare beers they serve are not on the menu. so unless you know they have it you wont get it. I knew they had brooklyn black ops and since i am from NJ i didnt get any down here this year. So i asked and they priced the bottle at 45 bucks. Priceyy. But they cask beers on premise i assume since i had a few beers that i definitely dont think they ever were.

All in all great place except, i went to a different bar later that night and saw my waitress. she said ohh you should have ordered the abyss! i said well next time you should mention it! oh well ill go back this weekend hopefully they will still have some. I love this place, but bring your wallet.

03-14-2011 12:34:01 | More by dizknee24