Where to see Fort Worth fireworks with dinner July 4, from the ground to the rooftop

Five restaurants promise a fireworks view on the Fourth of July in Fort Worth, but don’t plan on a window table.

Restaurants in the Stockyards, downtown and near TCU offer views of different fireworks shows, mostly from standing-room-only bars or parking-lot hillsides:

Cooper’s Bar-B-Que

▪ Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, 301 Stockyards Blvd., is the best place to gather for family dinner followed by a view of the Fort Worth’s Fourth fireworks show downtown.

But bring your own chairs and beverages, along with a big bag of patience.

Cooper’s closes at 8 p.m. The fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

Once the restaurant doors are locked, you can stay in the parking lot above Billy Bob’s Texas for the show.

Cooper’s was Texas Monthly’s original No. 1 “best barbecue” winner at its Hill Country flagship location in Llano. Today, it’s known mainly for serving 16 meats from its giant open-pit smoker.

The menu includes mammoth-sized beef ribs, the “big chop” pork chop and features such as smoked sirloin and smoked prime rib.

It’s open for lunch and dinner daily; 817-626-6464, coopersbbqfortworth.com.

Theoretically, you also might be able to watch from the south drive-in bays nearby at Sonic Drive-In, 2660 N. Main St., or from the Whataburger, Jack in the Box or McDonald’s, all at North Main and Northeast 28th Streets.

If you go to one of the fast-food restaurants, download the smartphone app for discounts to help save money.

(I can see the appeal of 2-for-99-cent Jack Tacos via the app, cold drinks and air conditioning.)

Lot 12 Rooftop Bar

▪ Lot 12 Rooftop Bar, 2512 W. Berry St., offers a sixth-floor view of the Texas Christian University campus and the south side, including fireworks from Colonial Country Club.

Lot 12 is more of a hotel bar than a restaurant, but serves a few basic items such as hummus dip, a salad, guacamole and a couple of sandwiches and desserts,

If you’ve never gone to Lot 12. go up any weeknight or all day weekends and take in the view. There are chairs and sofas, but the July 4 crowd may mostly be standing.

The angle probably doesn’t offer a view of the downtown fireworks. But there might be others; 817-353-2344, lot12tcu.com

Ático

▪ Ático, 2315 N. Main St., offers a wraparound skyline view of downtown Fort Worth from atop the SpringHill Suites in the Stockyards.

The porch tables are reserved by section at $400 to $1,000, or about $100 per person.

But there’s no charge to stand at the bar, which still offers a view.

It’s pricey bar food. Customers like the oysters, the Iberico ham, the ham-and-caviar tacos and the fried potatoes, or one of the Catalan flatbreads.

Ático is open weeknights and for lunch and dinner weekends; 682-255-5112, aticoftworth.com.

RTB Roof Top Bar

▪ RTB Roof Top Bar, 512 Main St., offers the best view in the city from the rooftop of The Sinclair, Autograph Collection hotel.

But only hotel guests can go up July 4 for the fireworks.

Rooms for up to four people were renting for $159 at midweek but may be sold out by now.

There’s a bar and a light appetizer menu.

RTB is usually open Friday and Saturday nights only; 682-231-8214, thesinclairhotel.com.

Refinery 714

▪ Refinery 714, 714 Main St. in the Kimpton Harper hotel, has a seventh-floor penthouse perch facing east and south.

Unfortunately, only one small window on the north side to watch the downtown fireworks.

One very big plus: It’s indoors and air-conditioned.

If you want to give it a try, it’s open nightly with happy hour prices on weeknights and a light snack menu. The il Modo restaurant downstairs also has a new Italian menu; 817-332-7200, theharperfortworth.com.