Noted local chef and entrepreneur Tim Love has announced that his latest venture, Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails—a “refined cocktail bar and croquet club” slated for Fort Worth’s River District along the Trinity Trail—will open this spring.

Love said he seeks to redefine leisure a entertainment in Dallas-Fort Worth by creating an environment evoking “the timeless charm of an English country club without the exclusivity of private membership.” The ambiance and design of Stewart’s interior bar was inspired by vintage mid-century modern aesthetics, blending sleek lines with rich wood accents and plush seating for a refined yet welcoming feel, while the outdoor space will pay homage to the rich history of croquet and Love’s personal family legacy.

The new venture is named after his father, Stewart Love, who was born in 1930. Love said the venue evokes cherished memories of family gatherings in Cookeville, Tennessee, where he first played croquet on his father’s farm.

“I’m thrilled to honor my dad with this special spot. Stewart’s is more than a cocktail bar with good food—it’s a full experience,” Love said. “This is the place I want to be at 3 p.m., having a cocktail and a light bite before dinner, unwinding from the day. It’s a country club for the people—a place where anyone can come together and enjoy life’s simple pleasures without the usual barriers. In a world where dining is always evolving, Stewart’s offers something more: an oasis where you can relax, have fun, and share great times with friends in a setting that’s both sophisticated and laid back.”

Menu and venue

Located at 4424 White Settlement Road, the 1,100-square-foot building will undergo a full renovation, offering 28 indoor seats designed for intimate gatherings over cocktails and “elevated” small plates. The menu will highlight “sophisticated takes on country club classics,” including gulf shrimp cocktail, a lobster roll, croque monsieur, steak frites, Texas blue crab cake, and a “Croquet Club sandwich.”

Love said Stewart’s is designed as a destination for “social play, exquisite cocktails, and sophisticated bites”—not a traditional dinner venue. He said the cocktail program will elevate the experience further, offering “interactive drink presentations, bespoke libations, and signature beverages that not only are visually stunning but flavorful.”

Stewart’s will offer two distinct yet cohesive experiences: indoors, an intimate setting with 28 seats, including a private dining room for up to eight; and outdoors, a 15,000-square-foot lawn designed for socializing, croquet, and special events. Inside, an atmosphere of “understated luxury” aims to provide the ideal space for “leisurely afternoon cocktails, after-work apéritifs, and weekend gatherings.”

Outdoors, Love said the ambiance will be livelier, with room for two concurrent croquet games and plenty of space for guests to relax, even if seating is full inside.

Full service will be available on the lawn, where branded crystal tumblers will allow patrons to sip and play. A removable cover will provide shade, and in keeping with croquet tradition, crisp “Croquet Whites” jackets or sweaters are encouraged. Stewart’s will offer these classic attire items to any guest who needs them, reinforcing its ethos as “a country club for the people.” An outdoor stage eventually will host live entertainment, ensuring the venue becomes a go-to destination for stylish social gatherings.

Love trifecta with ‘eatertainment’

The location is no coincidence.

This new venture is situated next to two other concepts developed by Love—Hotel Otto, Fort Worth’s first micro-resort hotel, and Gemelle, his Italian-inspired restaurant known for its fresh pasta, pizzas, and outdoor garden. Gemelle also features a large green space with an entertainment stage and a pool.

With the opening of Stewart’s, the three properties will provide DFW residents and visitors with an experience “where refined dining meets social play in a vibrant yet relaxing setting,” Love said.

Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails aims to be a timely move amid a bustling “eatertainment” market, where dining and entertainment intersect continues to see massive growth, reaching $2.83 trillion in 2023, according to Statista.

This concept will be among the first public croquet clubs in Texas without a membership requirement, Love noted.

Love Management’s concepts include Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (Fort Worth, Austin, Knoxville), Woodshed Smokehouse (Fort Worth), Love Shack (Fort Worth and DFW Airport), Queenie’s Steakhouse (Denton), White Elephant Saloon (Fort Worth), Gemelle, named after his twin daughters Ella and Anna (Fort Worth), and Atico (Fort Worth), Hotel Otto (Fort Worth), Paloma Suerte (Fort Worth), Caterina’s (Fort Worth), and Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall (Fort Worth), a 1,000-person venue with three, 20-person VIP suites plus a dedicated bar and full-service restaurant, in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

This year, Love will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lonesome Dove in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

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