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The Wild Detectives
314 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208, United States
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The Wild Detectives
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Ty
Review №1

I absolutely love the cozy atmosphere and the great reads here! I especially love the accommodating staff. My favorite bartender is a short girl who wears pink glasses, she’s so nice and always makes the best drinks. You should definitely stop by!

jo
Review №2

💯 amazing cafe / bar 👍🪑 Cozy but surprising amount of seating in and outdoor 🌳.🚫 No decaf coffee 😟 but they have decaf tea 🍵📚 Caries many trendy non-fiction books.🍪 The cookies are top notch! Delicious, not too big (choc & macadamia).💰 Price is right. Coffee is not overpricedWill revisit!!

Do
Review №3

What a great find! I love to explore independently owned bookstores!! The space is cozy and full of wonderful reads!

Ce
Review №4

Great laid back spot with great wine...open mic night was pretty dope outside back patio/yard!

Jo
Review №5

Very cool place. The live show was awesome and the books on sale were very well curated.

An
Review №6

This is my favorite spot to hang out in Bishop Arts. They’ve got lots of awesome events and live music in their backyard. Great cocktails, tea, books, and more! They’re staff is super friendly and accommodating.

Ki
Review №7

The atmosphere was posh and bohemian. This book venue was short on books but long on class. I spoke with a regular patron who advised of the array of intellectual activities on offer pre COVID. They served alcohol which is a great addition for some. As I am not a purveyor of wine, spirits, or any alcoholic beverage it did not sway me. The interior was beautiful and the decor was swanky. The lack of space would cause a bottleneck.The patio area in the front and back was capacious and welcoming. I found one lovely book that I felt was written just for me! My plan is to visit again next summer to engage in the full expedience!

Ch
Review №8

This place has charm and warmth coming out the wazoo, and great products to complement. I love the space and enjoy their Irish coffee in fall or a Pimms cup in summer. Whether for a friend outing, solo chill time, or date spot, you wont be disappointed with the drinks or the ambiance.

He
Review №9

Have to agree with the other comments about the staff. Been here more than a few times and the ambiance, location and outdoor patio are tremendous. But its like you have to catch the staff on a good day or youre better off just leaving. Especially the tall brunette that works behind the bar and would much rather chat with her friends or text than to be bothered helping anyone... not to mention when she does come around shes extremely rude.

Jo
Review №10

Great atmosphere. Delicious coffee based drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Interesting collection of books and vinyl

Ke
Review №11

Everyone on the team here is excellent. The live music and late night events are great. Coffee is strong too!

sa
Review №12

Highly recommend! Great ambience.

Em
Review №13

This is such a nice place. I love that you can go to read, study or hang out with friends while sipping on a cocktail. The overall atmosphere was really inviting and cozy.

He
Review №14

WD is a staple destination for me and my partner when we get the time to visit Bishop Arts. The vibe is relaxed and chill, the book selection is top notch, and the drinks are some of the best youll have in all of Bishop Arts. Im not really sure what else is available in the area as far as drinks go, because this is where we always go.

Br
Review №15

To no fault of the store, trying to find a parking spot close by might as well be an Olympic sport. It was still in walking distance but still. That said... Super nice area, decent book selection. If we had more time, I think wed definitely come back.

Da
Review №16

Great place to just chill and vibe. Coffee, alcohol and books just might be one of the best trios

Te
Review №17

Indoor/Outdoor seating. Great menu, even better book selection. I bought a record and chai was free. Be prepared to wait a minute for service if it gets busy, but the line moves fast enough.

Ch
Review №18

Love this place more and more everytime I visit. Have been here for a relaxing evening and for a few concerts. The atmosphere is great and the staff is always nice.

Ju
Review №19

Coffee is decent, Spanish style Gin tonics sucks. Small plastic glass and super expensive.

al
Review №20

Great spot for books and great drinks. Great atmosphere with outdoor space. They often host events which range from book clubs, concerts, or hosting authors.

Ro
Review №21

Fantastic bar located in a beautiful historic house in Bishop Arts. The employees are super knowledgeable and make you feel right at home. The tall brunette at the counter has been an absolute delight every time I visit.

Jo
Review №22

Love the atmosphere of this place. Excellent drinks and always a great selection of books. Its a good place to pick up new reads or just enjoy whatever local event theyre hosting.

Da
Review №23

Lovely place, great books and small but good selection of drinks. Nice backyard though sometimes the neighborhood smells

Jo
Review №24

This place is a great spot to work/study/just chill at. It has a great atmosphere, good drinks and interesting books. It’s a book store/bar/coffee shop.The music is great, it has a cool patio area and the people who work there are great.My barista/bartender Katrina was amazing and gave me a great suggestion on what to drink, she suggested a delicious gin drink which I forget the name of. But it was goodOverall it’s a good vibe with good people and I highly recommend visiting and potentially making it your regular spot.

Ca
Review №25

Awesome place, but there was only one person working. I felt bad that she was doing all this work by herself

Ia
Review №26

Really unique place in the Bishop Arts area. Went for a Shakespeare in the Bar event and loved the outdoor space and the drink selection.

Al
Review №27

Concept is cool. Vibe is nice.Bartenders or owner are too cool to wear a mask.

Ar
Review №28

Nice ambiance and drinks. The bartender was very rude though, short brunette in sloppy space buns gave us unnecessary attitude and was eating and licking her fingers as she took our order 😬

Is
Review №29

But it would be nice to have coffee later than 10 p.m.

aa
Review №30

Cute chill atmosphere. Where else can you read a book and drink vodka ☺️. Definitely worth a peak inside.

RO
Review №31

Such an absolutely wonderful experience. An atmosphere like no other. Good books, good drinks and food friends. I will absolutely visit this store again. My name is Roger Browning. I am a writer from north Texas that has written hundreds of novels over the past forty nine years. I am a rancher born and raised a ranch just twenty or so miles from that of McMurtry and the same of writer Black. My latest one written is a story of a troubled inheritance, more ways than one. Its setting that of north Texas and the ranching lives it follows. It is titled, The Reckoning of Rance. My hope is that one day it sits the shelves right here. What a wonderful bookstore! Available right now though at Amazon.

Ma
Review №32

Didnt have coffee. What we were looking for. Cool place to sit and visit for a few, anyway.

An
Review №33

A fantastic place to swing by on a Monday, Tuesday, or any night!Kim is a killer bartender and a consumate professional. Cant recommend highly enough.

Ch
Review №34

Cool vibes and great coffee, this place had defined itself as a bookstore in defiance of the online apocalypse of convenience retail, and they have done so with spirit and poise. Part bookstore, part coffeehouse, part bar, part theater, The Wild Detectives is among my favorite places in the Dallas/Forth Worth area. They serve local brew (beer, wines, cocktails, and coffee) and tapas that are bold and delicious. Live performances of music and plays. Definitely a shortlist candidate if you are visiting and a certain staple if you live here.

El
Review №35

This is an amazing concept! The bookstore is curated and has a very comfortable feeling. When I walked in I felt at home even though I knew no one nor did I meet anyone. I went about 10pm on a Friday night and the place was lively. There was no place to sit but it wasnt over crowded either. Theres a bar and coffee. It is not the kind of place you settle in a seat and quietly read but it gave me the feeling of being at a friends house where a bunch of us met up to hang out, have a drink and enjoy each others company.

Ra
Review №36

I have been here a few times and have previously enjoyed it, but last night we were served by the rudest bartender. She went out of her way to be condescending and flat out rude to my husband when he asked questions about drinks. It ruined our night. There were some young gentlemen she was flirting with at the bar so I don’t know if she thought she was trying to impress them with that behavior but I know I wasn’t impressed and likely won’t be back. I didn’t catch her name, but it might be a good idea to talk to staff about treating all customers with kindness, not just the ones they’re flirting with.

Mi
Review №37

By far one of the greatest coffee shops in Dallas area! Amazing vibe, and attentive staff. Barista named Victor is a huge people’s person. They also have books for you to read while visiting.

Ol
Review №38

A really unique spot to enjoy a coffee or cocktail. The peaceful atmosphere is great for socializing, studying, or reading. They have a curated selection of fiction and non-fiction works that you wouldnt be likely to see on the shelves of larger chain stores. Their patio is also very dog friendly.

Ra
Review №39

We visited The Wild Detectives during the week for an afternoon refresher and a good book.It’s a cute little book store that has coffee drinks and bar drinks. It was the perfect chill afternoon. I only noticed one person working there but he was attentive to everyone’s needs.I noticed they have happy hour specials. We will definitely be back.

Te
Review №40

Great selection of books and very thoughtful layout. This is really a place to come if you want to study or read a book and look good while doing it. But wifi is only available till 6pm on week days and not at all on weekends so just for readers at those times ;)My favourite spot in the store is by the window at the front which looks great for book clubs. You can also host a club in the backyard where there is alot more space and even a stage for thespians

Me
Review №41

Ive been here a couple of times and Ive always enjoyed my time there, except for this last week. Usually baristas are pretty friendly, but one of the baristas, (taller brunette) was just rude and seemed annoyed at customers. I understand that places get busy, but no need to be condescending to customers.

Sh
Review №42

It’s a cute book store/ cafe

su
Review №43

I love this spot, what a gem in Bishop Arts! Can go here to do some work on the weekday, social events they host in the evenings, or cocktails on a Saturday night! They have an awesome book selection too.

Ke
Review №44

First off, I love their company policy to turn wifi off on weekends. People seriously need to befriend their neighbors and people in the community in real life rather than be addicted to the internet and social media. This is a house, converted into a book store in a residential neighborhood. More accurately, it is a hybrid of a coffee shop and wine bar. They serve breakfast tacos as well. The backyard is very nice and has plenty of seating. I think this is a cool interesting concept. It is definitely romantic. There is no parking lot so you have to park on the street.

Mu
Review №45

If youre here for a Play or to read a book or to have a cup of coffee, It will make your day, evening perfect. I loved the Place and how amazingly they treat and welcome you.Must go on your list.

Ja
Review №46

I’m a regular customer and this is probably my favorite place in Dallas! Relaxing and refreshing during the week and a fun night on the weekend. Moriah and Katrina are the most personable ladies, and remember my name and always make intentional conversation. It’s a no bs kinda place but I’ve met some of my best friends there.

Ch
Review №47

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything about this vibe. Might be because Im an ex Longhorns who lived 4.5 years in the Big Apple!! Adored the vibe, very unique vibe in Dallas!

Ti
Review №48

Cozy and unique, with books clearly curated with care. The bar looked quite nice and it seems to be a good place to meet up and chat with friends.

Ab
Review №49

This is a fantastic concept, very well executed. An unassuming home in a residential street that is a bookstore, case and serves booze. They have a nice outdoor space in the back for seating that was going to be used as a concert venue the night I went. I wish Chicago or DC had something similar! They also had great books, not just easy reads/bestsellers from the Times (pics attached).

hy
Review №50

I love this place more for its atmosphere and the people. If youre going here for the coffee or food, its a little more limited compared to other coffee shops. They dont have any flavored lattes or food (just cookies and some pastries).. but they do have a pretty good selection of cocktails, wine and beer if thats more of your thing!

Be
Review №51

It’s always a good time at The Wild Detectives ! This is a relaxed, low key, and laid back gem in the Bishop Arts District ! The main theme of the venue is to support local artists and authors in the DFW area which I love ! (Never forget where you come from !). The scene usually has live music to liven things up throughout the week, there’s also a full service bar available with craft cocktails that change with the season ! Or maybe a nice corner spot to enjoy your own company and decompress for the day is more your scene ? Bar maidens Kat and Moriah, are very knowledgeable about their craft and have even created most of the specialty cocktails offered on the menu this season ! They run busy Fridays here with an iron fist and make it look easy ! Definitely a recommended spot when visiting Bishop Arts !

Ch
Review №52

Excellent selection of books and great coffee!

Kr
Review №53

Cute cozy places. I have traveled and seen many book bars in California and in Phoenix. I love the concept and for the most part The Wild Detectives does a decent job at capturing the vibe with a few exceptions. They do capture the aesthetic and look. Its cozy and I just want to get cozy, read and drink a beer. The intitatives that Wild Detectives show on their website are a bit strange, I do like the progressive thoughts of hey we just want you to interact, read and get cozy, so no wi-fi. As a business model though, not very good in practice. The many book bars Ive seen have this combination, where if I want to drink and read I can, or if I want to drink and work on my laptop or write, I can. So beware of no wi-fi on weekends or after 5 PM, bring your phone to tether wi-fi. I like that there is an outdoor venu outside, as an avid show goer this is surprisingly nice. They could use some more friendly bartenders and maybe even have a used book section. Prices are a bit steep as well, more friendly happy hour selections or times would be nice. Other than then quite cute little place, but not the book bar I was really hoping when I heard about it. Will come back but not as frequent as I would like to. On a side note, there is also no to-go cups, maybe can promote a to-go jar method to save on plastic. Also I notice a lot of people ask for cold brews so maybe add that on the menu.

Ro
Review №54

Interesting name for a book bar. They offer a nice quiet place to study or catch up with friends over a Chai tea latte then take a new book home.

Da
Review №55

Great coffee and cocktails, awesome atmosphere and the employees are super nice!

Je
Review №56

Charming bookstore - Eclectic selection of novels, including, highlights of local writers and all time poets - Impressive vinyls - Cozy cafe with a nice wines, lovely nibbles, fun spirits, teas and coffees - Twinkling Lights - Enticing!

Ro
Review №57

Chill atmosphere unless you come for a special event and even then the vibe is relaxed. Love it. Drinks are cool and seasonally update. Order ahead feature is cool.

tr
Review №58

Great for studying. Very peaceful

Pa
Review №59

Nice place to grab a coffee or a bottle of wine. They have an out door area in the back and pretty reasonable prices for wine (very small mark up for a bar/ restaurant). They sell an interesting assortment of books. Overall a nice place to spend the day or evening.

Fl
Review №60

Went with a couple of friends after they recommended this place, so we decided to try it out. We go in and the atmosphere was nice, we were asked to sit anywhere and wait. We patiently waited & finally the male waiter came around & took our order, but the minute we hesitated on what to order (as it was our first time) he said he was on “a time crunch” so pretty much telling us to hurry the F up. I thought this was so rude, it just killed the vibe overall. Don’t ask us to wait and when you finally come around tell us to hurry up lol it was a split second that we questioned something, plus it was our first (and last) time there.

El
Review №61

Its the atmosphere that makes this place so special. That has made it one of my favorite coffee shops. The book selection is a little limited as well of the coffee, but I would for sure recommend going!!

Ja
Review №62

Best experience and most amazing irish coffee Ive ever had.

Me
Review №63

This is a very neat indie bookstore. Bar serves drinks, and specially curated books are around for sale. Ill definitely come back again.

pr
Review №64

Best place to grab a drink, relax and read a book... innovative, creative and best experience

Sa
Review №65

Great book selection.. wonderful drinks

We
Review №66

Neat place! There is a cozy seating area and some tables for meeting friends. Lots of world music and different authors sold here. Didnt get to try the coffee bar, but it looked great!

Mi
Review №67

Really chill place with kind baristas/bartenders. Patio is eclectic and book selection is probably the most unique in the area.

#B
Review №68

The BEST, best kept secret, of which Im sharing with THE WORLD! 🕺🏾WD!

lu
Review №69

Good coffee, great atmosphere, nice to see independent bookstores.

Da
Review №70

Great selection of hand picked books, craft beer, liquor and wine with lots of places to relax inside or out.

Ta
Review №71

I was visiting from out of town and we came across this cute coffee shop/book store at night. We were in the area eating at Lockhart. The coffee shop had a good vibe, trendy environment with outside seating and cute decor. Right smack in the middle of residential houses, glad we came across it I had the best chai latte as well. Great concept, worth stopping by and checking out.

Ca
Review №72

Ooooo it’s so good. If you’re in the bish you need to go to wild detectives! Their cocktails and coffee drinks are wonderful. The atmosphere is perfect for studying and it’s really a cool place to hang out! I recommend their Chai Latte or the hot toddy!

Te
Review №73

Good place for solitude and an erudite read while enjoying an aperol spritz.. .. friendly, accepting and attentive service from a very busy bar thank you ladies.... wander across the street to Boulevardier for excellent fare priced to the quality ... try the bone marrow appetizer.. as good as The Fort in Colorado.

Da
Review №74

For such a trendy place and aside from that one rude bartender this place needs solar panels installed!1st bar in business bishop arts to have solar panels would be a press worthy moment

Ke
Review №75

I was there a couple weekend ago with friends. We sat outside and received excellent service despite the fact that they were clearly very busy. Danielle and Olivia were speedy and very friendly. Thanks for the great experience ladies! My girlfriends and I had a great time.

Se
Review №76

Picked up a book that one of my favorite musical artists reads like a bible. This place is tucked away in bishop arts and I will definitely be making more stops here in the future.

P
Review №77

Beautiful venue and atmosphere, great tasty drinks made by the friendly knowledgeable female bartender. My first time here this past weekend was excellent!

Ni
Review №78

Super chill bookstore/bar that is perfect for any lovelorn poets, dabbling dreamers, or wayward students who want a place to possibly find adventure, but mostly need solid wifi. And maybe a drink

Li
Review №79

The bartender here could not have been more rude. We walked up to the bar to order a drink and she instructed us to “read the sign” which said seat yourselves, we then proceeded to do so and she scolded us for seating in the wrong area. Very unwelcoming and unhelpful for a new customer trying to experience the store.

vi
Review №80

Relaxing place with good costumer service

Bo
Review №81

Okay so this is by far the coolest book store coffee shop bar Ive been to the only thing make this any netter is if there was a shop dog just lounging in the corner waiting for pets. If you like white Russians this is the place to go and relax. Texas you surprised me with my two day trip to you

Ja
Review №82

Finally found something that suits my taste. Im coming here for latte many times a week and I will keep doing this for quite some time. Friendly atmosphere, and tasty beverages.

Ch
Review №83

Nice and cozy place with a cute outdoor sitting area. Good place to study!

Ma
Review №84

This was the coolest hidden gem in BishopArts - went day drinking with the fiance & we loved it. Irish Coffee was really tasty & we will be returning. Calm atmosphere, with readers & a bar - great combo.

Ra
Review №85

Wonderful to sit on the patio and catch up with friends. Good capuchino, Chai, and espresso. Great ambiance. Well go back another time to browse books.

Mi
Review №86

Looking for a calm, collected and soothing place! This is it, The Wild Detectives serve great Argentinian wine, pastries, have books and much more. It was my first time coming to such a relaxing atmosphere during the week, we all know those can be loud and busy but it was a different feel. I will most certainly be back!

Ke
Review №87

Love the vibe and the staff.

Cr
Review №88

Small, cozy, indie place. In this small wooden house you can sip your espresso while reading one of the books you find all around you. Staff is so nice and a sweet music gives a relaxing atmosphere. A bit overpriced, but still a cool place.

Mi
Review №89

A nice place to chill

mo
Review №90

Outstanding. Storytelling

Ma
Review №91

Coffee fans. Meeting fans. Come here.The atmosphere is very warm. The staff is very helpful. The books are very distinct as if they are only serving small and local book writers.Everything is of high quality here.Perfect for dates, meetings, events, and simply just to work.

Jo
Review №92

Ever made note of a place over a year ago, misplaced the note, then unintentionally end up at that place anyway per the recommendation of a bartender at another bar some blocks away? Only if I had better note-taking skills, wed have had experienced the sheer joy & calm of hanging out here many moons ago! .Its an ideal setting for getting work done, some laid back reading, or even having a soft-spoken convo amongst great company over excellent cocktails or coffee... or bothIf youre on IG, FB or YT, you can follow my journeys at JourneyingWithTab on all platforms as I roam around the world and write about stuff.

he
Review №93

Great place if you just cant get enough of hipster wannabes. Books are limited in narrative, and you neednt expend too much energy figuring out what that is. No, theyre not mysteries. Does this help?

Fe
Review №94

This place is cool for vibes but I wish they had more coffee options to offer. If you’re looking for a place to get some reading or work done this could service you well but I was a little disappointed with the few coffee options that they have available.

By
Review №95

Great music and customer service

Ja
Review №96

Great independent book store with a selection of beer, wine and cocktails to go along with it.

Du
Review №97

It wasnt open during regular business hours and whoever was working in there was incredibly rude about it. Wont be back.

AJ
Review №98

I adore this place but know myself well enough to only be sober in a bookstore. The staff was so sweet and had great book recommendations.

Em
Review №99

The book selection isnt super big, but the chai tea latte and general ambiance were great! The music is not something Id listen to on my own, but something about the music, lighting, and atmosphere created a really calming environment. Id definitely go back if I ever need to calm down after a long day!

Be
Review №100

Excellent selection of books. The owners of this shop did impressive work in choosing the books they carry.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:314 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208, United States
  • Site:http://thewilddetectives.com/
  • Phone:+1 214-942-0108
Categories
  • Book store
  • Bar
  • Event venue
Working hours
  • Monday:Closed
  • Tuesday:10AM–12AM
  • Wednesday:10AM–12AM
  • Thursday:10AM–12AM
  • Friday:10AM–12AM
  • Saturday:10AM–12AM
  • Sunday:10AM–12AM
Service options
  • In-store pickup:Yes
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