A new cocktail-forward neighborhood bar with a neo-Gothic sanctuary aesthetic is coming to Fort Worth’s South Main corridor. According to public filings, Mea Culpa plans to open at 309 W. Daggett Ave.
What Now Dallas spoke with co-founders Konrad Hartman and Ethan Goettsch, who confirmed that a soft opening is targeted for late September, with a public opening expected in early October 2026.
The name Mea Culpa sets the tone for the concept, a bar built around elegance without pretension, confession without consequence, and cocktails worth repenting for. The concept draws on the visual language of sacred spaces, incorporating antique pendant lighting, pew seating, and Renaissance art to create what the founders describe as a neo-Gothic sanctuary.
“We are a cocktail-forward neighborhood bar with a neo-Gothic sanctuary theme, utilizing antique pendant lighting, pew seating, and Renaissance art to capture the elegance of a sanctuary, without pretension,” the co-founders told What Now Dallas.
The result is a space designed to feel transportive without taking itself too seriously, somewhere between a dimly lit European cathedral and a bar where you can shoot pool with a stranger. The cocktail menu blends classics with original creations, complemented by cold beer, a combination designed to appeal to both cocktail enthusiasts and neighborhood regulars.
Beyond the bar, guests can expect pool tables and darts, grounding the sanctuary aesthetic in something fun and accessible. South Main was chosen with intention. The neighborhood’s density of residential space, active nightlife, and walkability made it the right home for a concept that wants to be more than a destination.
“We believe that South Main is ideal for many reasons. We feel we can be an important addition, providing a space for people to unwind with pool, darts, and lively conversation in a unique setting,” Hartman and Goettsch told What Now Dallas.
The bar also has a clear message for the community it hopes to serve. “We are committed to creating a space that is safe for all,” the founders said. “We welcome people from all walks of life to enjoy cocktails, cold beer, and clemency with us, because after all, y’all means all.”
