Leesl: We saw the ad for the Denton Arts & Auto Show quite by accident on Friday afternoon and decided on a whim to check it out Saturday. We had never been to Denton before, but we were totally on board with pairing crafts with classic horsepower! The square was busy but not so crowded you felt overwhelmed – folks were just strolling along, chatting with car owners relaxing in their lawn chairs. It had this really easygoing energy.

Andy: To be honest, when Leesl suggested going to the Denton “Art & Auto Show,” I only heard “Auto.”

But, right inside the gate we saw two young artists hustle in the heat with zero shade working on this tiger. I can’t even draw a decent stick figure, so seeing them turn bare concrete into a full-blown tiger right in front of us was pretty amazing!

Leesl: Now, I said I was there for the art, but let’s be totally real for a second. My current ride is a red Mustang convertible, but what does every modern Mustang owner secretly dream about? The classic pony! So, the second we turned onto West Oak Street, and I saw this little beauty—cherry red paint gleaming in the Texas sun, pristine red leather interior, and that gorgeous wood-grain steering wheel—it was absolute head-over-heels love at first sight.

Andy: Leesl, I saw that look in your eyes and knew if I didn’t get you away from that car and into the shade fast, we were going to end up standing there till sunset. Luckily, a spot right off the square called The Loophole was calling our name.

Leesl: Stepping through the doors of The Loophole Funky Fresh Food & Booze was like entering a cool, shadowy oasis. It’s dark, casual, and like its name…wonderfully funky! I loved the exposed brick walls, eclectic art, and those low-lit industrial fixtures casting a warm glow over the wood bar. It’s totally unpretentious and full of local personality, making it the perfect spot to cool down and unwind.

We asked the bartender for a local craft recommendation, he pointed us straight toward Gold Crash, a crisp blonde ale from Denton County Brewing Company.

Andy: When the bartender hands you a Gold Crash—a local honey blonde ale brewed right down the street—you don’t just drink it and move on. You go straight to the source! So, we took the short walk over to Denton County Brewing Co. But the minute we walked in, we thought we were crashing someone’s party!

Leesl: The whole taproom was packed with the Denton Spurs—a local Tottenham Hotspur supporter group—having a full-blown Premier League watch party. They were loud, they knew every single chant, and the host was even running live prize giveaways between plays. The energy in the building was completely contagious!

Andy: We managed to snag a table right in the middle of the action and decided to order a flight of four to sample while soaking in the match.

🍻 The Flight Lineup:

• Get Lucky – Missed the mark. We didn’t love this one, but hey—that’s the beauty of ordering a flight!
• Grown Man with a Backpack – Points for style. Honestly, I think we both loved the clever name more than the actual beer.
• Pitch Perfect Porter – The Cool-Weather Champ. Absolutely wonderful, rich, and smooth. Not quite what you want on a hot Texas summer afternoon, but one I’ll definitely be ordering again when the temperature drops!
• That’s Wit She Said (Witbier) – The Undisputed Winner! Bright, insanely refreshing, and absolutely perfect for cooling down on a warm afternoon.

Andy: For a completely unplanned Saturday trip, it made for a really fun afternoon. Great classic cars, impressive street art, a cool local pub, and a brewery with fantastic energy. We came for the horsepower, but ending the day with a couple of solid craft beers made the drive totally worth it.

Leesl: It’s always fun to get out of our usual routine, explore a new square, and just take things as they come. Denton delivered a great vibe for a relaxed weekend stroll.

Have you checked out the Denton Arts & Autos Show or grabbed a pint at Denton County Brewing Co.? What’s your favorite local spot for a weekend craft beer? Let us know in the comments below! 👇