Outdoor dining has a Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears quality to it: you’re always trying to achieve a level of comfort that’s not too hot, not too cold, but just right. On my recent visit to Falfurrias, I hit the Goldilocks zone. On an unseasonably warm late October evening, the rooftop bar and restaurant at the AC Hotel was the perfect spot to catch up with a friend over appetizers and drinks while taking in a sweeping view of Bentonville and the Walmart global campus.
At the corner of 8th and J Streets just across from the big yellow Smiley, the AC Hotel is a hub of activity for corporate visitors, tourists, and locals alike. To get to Falfurrias, make your way through the hotel lobby, bypassing the check-in desk and ground floor lounge to get to the elevators at the far end of the building, where you’ll head all the way to the top. Upstairs, you’ll find a beautiful and spacious indoor lounge and bar. Just beyond the bar is the large outdoor patio, which is spacious enough for groups of all sizes. The marriage of outdoor space and indoor design elements like family photos and Sam Walton’s hunting jacket nod to the local legend’s favorite Texas hunting destination, Falfurrias, after which the lounge is named.
My friend and I made our way to the north end of the patio to soak up the sun, take in the view of downtown Bentonville, and order some cocktails. We started with the “New-groni,” a riff on a white negroni with strawberry-infused Campari, and the “Spiced Orchard Soda,” a slightly sweet and autumnal rum and cider concoction–both perfect on a slightly crispy day. The food menu features mostly shared plates, so to get a sense of the menu we tried the black bean hummus, queso blanco (when in Arkansas, you must order the cheese dip), brisket quesadilla, and “3 Little Pigs” flatbread. All were satisfying sharables, with a special shoutout for the flatbread, which was salty, crunchy, and a touch sweet. If we had more room in our bellies, we definitely would’ve ordered the $26 8oz. flat iron steak–a great value on a menu of moderately priced shared plates.
Falfurrias is a great spot for everything from after-work get-togethers to after-dinner drinks. It’s much more than a hotel bar–it’s a beautiful destination and holds its own in a growing landscape of similar concepts around town. The patio will be open as long as our balmy Arkansas weather permits, but there are plans to expand indoor seating during cold snaps. Be sure to check out their live music every Thursday through Saturday. Night owls take notice–this is one of the few spots in town serving until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.
Falfurrias
Perched atop the AC Marriott, Falfurrias is named for one of Sam Walton’s favorite escapes in South Texas — It was a place where Sam went to reconnect— with nature, with friends and with himself. That…
