The wall of bottles at Haywire's Whiskey Lounge. PHOTO: GENSLER GARETT ROWLAND
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly the case at Haywire, a bar and restaurant in Plano that holds 600 people, with several distinct indoor and outdoor spaces across three levels. On the open-air rooftop alone, there’s a bar with high-back stools, outdoor dining tables, a classic Airstream camper cut open and filled with couches, firepits surrounded by Adirondack chairs, and three six-person climate-controlled canvas A-frame tents, for a Wild West vibe.
The second floor is conventional full-service table seating for the upscale restaurant, which specializes in high-end steaks and refined comfort food with Texas-sourced ingredients including locally farm-raised beef. There’s also a bar where guests look into the open kitchen, and all of the food and drinks are available anywhere within the complex, including the three bars. Plano is an affluent Dallas suburb, and Haywire sits in a pedestrian mixed-used development, across the street from fashion boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. It’s extremely popular with locals and tourists alike.
For spirits lovers, the main event is the ground floor Whiskey Lounge, and the first thing you see upon entering is the wall of bottles behind the bar, soaring almost 20 feet high. Two rolling metal ladders attached to the shelving help the bartenders reach the higher sections. This is a lively space with leather high-backed bar stools. While some people grab a cocktail here before heading up to dinner, others spend the evening. The whiskey list can be viewed on your smartphone via a QR code, with more than 400 global selections, from countries including India (Amrut), France (Bastille, Brenne), Taiwan (Kavalan), Australia (Starwood), Japan (Hibiki, Yamazaki, Mars, Akashi, Nikka) and Canada, Ireland, and Scotland. But it’s American whiskeys that dominate— with an emphasis on Texas.
Haywire has 65 labels from the Lone Star state alone, from Devil’s River rye or bourbon ($12/2 oz.) to Garrison Brothers Cowboy bourbon ($80). The rest of the country is lumped under “American,” including the full Pappy Van Winkle line, from 10 year old to rare 23 ($425). Oddities include the Remus Gatsby Reserve 15 year ($92), Sazerac 18 year old rye ($125), William Larue Weller Barrel Proof ($130), and Jefferson’s Maria McLain ($100). There’s a slew of value propositions in the $12-20 range, while the most affordable tipples start at $10, such as Rittenhouse rye and Redemption bourbon. Haywire also has a private barrel bottling of Balcones single malt and a Haywire Signature Whiskey blend from Bendt Distilling Co., both in Texas, with more Balcones, Eagle Rare, and Woodford Reserve casks coming soon.
But the huge library is just the start, as Haywire is well known for its wines and extensive craft cocktail list, ranging from adult desserts in a glass, such as a Pecan Pie cocktail ($13) with Balcones Texas whiskey, pecans, caramel sauce, and ice cream, to the signature Haywire Old Fashioned made with a blend of Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Rittenhouse rye ($14). The beverage program is overseen by Judd Fruia, and has earned a Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence for its list. Fruia’s personal cocktail contribution is The Judd, using his hand-selected barrel of Balcones single malt, simple syrup, peach bitters, and spiced pecans, smoked tableside inside a custom glass box ($29).
The rooftop bar also allows guests to smoke cigars while enjoying their whiskey, and that’s a big draw, with over 30 selections in the humidor. In 2021, Haywire opened a second, slightly smaller location in Uptown Dallas. At both spots, there are several annual special multi-course whiskey pairing dinners, with themes such as the Weller library, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and a double-blind Texas vs. the rest of America tasting.
