h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Very useful, but people should be warned that they won't always be able to get a drink in Dallas. I went over a year or three ago to visit some friends and we all went out for a meal. I ordered a beer and was asked for my membership card.
"Membership? I'm just a visitor"
"Then I'm sorry, I can't serve you alcohol"
My two so-called friends sheepishly produced their cards and got their drinks, and I was left drinking diet coke all night.

Apparently, some counties there (and maybe in the rest of the US - anyone know?) have voted for a localised form of prohibition, wherein you can get a drink only if you're a member of a "drinking club" - as my friends had sensibly become. However, as a tourist you're out of luck - no card, no booze.

Bummer.

Not all of Dallas is dry, there are just certain parts that are like that. Places like Deep Ellum in downtown and larger spots are "wet". There are other dry counties like Lubbock, Texas where you can drink in a bar but there are no package sales. In other words, you have to go outside the city limits to buy a six pack. "The Strip" as the cluster of liquor stores outside of Lubbock is called looks like our own little piece of Las Vegas. (Lots of neon) A must see for any visitor to the area. Drive thru liquor stores are something of a novelty to most people.

Your friends, and the waitress, both should have told you that all you have to do is fill out a membership card and then
you can drink all the liquor you like. This works in Denton, but in places like Richardson you not only have to fill out the
registration you have to pay a $5 membership fee at certain restaurants.