There is a new establishment south on Cooper where customers can indulge themselves in a selection of beer that could possibly exceed any enthusiast’s dream. Sixty draft beers are set up along the walls, and 500 bottle selections fill the bar’s refrigerated cases.

World of Beer, which got its start in Tampa, Fl., opened its Arlington location in November.

Sitting on a plush wicker couch on the bar’s patio at slightly past midnight, new resident Annie Strozier and her companion Stephen Cornick said they particularly enjoyed the bar’s vibe. The couple currently lives near campus.

Strozier, who used to live in California, said the bar reminded her of something she would find back home.

“There isn’t really anything else like it in Arlington,” she said.

Along with its selection of brews, 31 flat-screen televisions are spread out across the bar, featuring all the major sports packages. A well-lit patio adorned with a rock-lined fire pit hosts several seating areas. A live musician performs from the venue’s balcony 9 p.m. to 1 a.m Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Drinks range in price based off of selection and current specials and are slightly higher than other places closer to campus. However, they do offer a selection of specialized beers that are not readily available elsewhere, along with the expertise to help patrons choose.

Employees go through two weeks of training and have to pass an exam with a score of 90 percent or higher before they can work at the bar, said Ryan Macina, World of Beer associate.

While the entire outdoor patio is available to those who smoke, the bar there is no smoking inside.

Macina said the enforcement has been met with more praise than resentment.

“I don’t mind you doing whatever you want to as long as it doesn’t bother your neighbor,” he said.

It’s nice to be able to walk out of a bar and not smell like smoke, he said.

Regulars did not seem to mind, either.

Alumnus Keith Lomas said he and his friends visit World of Beer all of the time. The group said they actually prefer the outside patio. But above it all, they come for the beer.

“I love coming to World of Beer because they have the top-notch craft beers,” Lomas said.

Among its regular guests and new-timers, the bar is said to have an eclectic environment that caters to all age groups.

“I come for the variety, the atmosphere and the people,” Cornick said. “It’s a great [sic] place. It’s totally worth the gas.”

Gas or Pass

The Good:

• Selection: World of Beer has a selection thar includes 60 drafts and 500 bottled beers.
• Atmosphere: There is a laid-back approach to the venue where guests can choose to sit either at the bar, booth, small table inside or at the large outdoor patio on a couch or table.
• College friendly: University night is 9 p.m. until close on Wednesdays, and college students get half-price on selected drafts with their ID card.

The Bad:

• Prices: It’s going to cost you more than the local bars around campus.
• Noise level: The open-seating area inside can get cluttered with noise if the bar is full, making it difficult to hold a conversation.
• Location: The bar is not as accessible to the college as venues such as J.R. Bentley’s, Mavericks or J. Gilligan’s Bar and Grill

The Verdict: World of Beer is unlike any other bar in Arlington. It brings a Dallas vibe to the area with a massive selection of beer that would expand anyone’s palette, such as the slightly bitter Banana-nut bread.

The venue also hosts live music, which adds to the ambiance.

Although it is not as close as many of the bars nearing campus, from the friendly staff to the abundance of colorful regulars, it is worth the gas based off of the experience alone.