A Hole-in-One — Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge Salutes Founders’ Fathers

Sometimes it is not about the destination. It could simply be popping in for a bite and a sip and, expecting little, getting one’s socks knocked off. It is hard to quantify the feeling of good food, good drink and good chat in a warm and welcoming environment, but it is a feeling worth having time and again.

 

Chris and Melissa Fuller loved that feeling much that they decided to make a life out of it. The two had always enjoyed traveling together and stumbling upon just the right place to relax and enjoy the vibes. Now they have their own place to do just that.

 

 

“We wanted to create a place that we enjoy going to,” Chris said. “We love to travel and seek places like this out.”

 

The Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge, located in a welcoming downtown building on Texarkana’s Broad Street, is worth seeking out. Whether serving as a place to relax on the way to someplace else or establishing itself as a well-loved local stop, The Eagle offers a heaping helping of comfort to go along with a vibrant cocktail menu and assorted nibbles.

 

“The response from the Texarkana community has been incredible,” Melissa said. “Our community has shown us so much support and encouragement, and we’ve been truly humbled by the kind words and compliments about our space.”

 

Talk with the Fullers, and the key to The Eagle’s success becomes readily apparent — it may be a business, but it is also deeply personal. The idea sprouted after a year the Fullers would not wish upon anybody; both lost their fathers in 2022.

 

Aubrey Fuller and Bob Shirron were not men who let life pass them by. Aubrey, Chris’ father, enjoyed being outdoors, coaching his children and grandchildren in baseball when not on the golf course. Shirron, Melissa’s father, retired as a colonel after 30 years in the U.S. Army, where he served as a master paratrooper and combat engineer. Shirron also had a deep love for golf to go along with his passion for hunting, and both men enjoyed relaxing with a good drink.

 

 

Once Chris and Melissa decided they wanted to take the plunge into running a cocktail lounge, settling on a name did not take long.

 

“We came up with ‘The Eagle,’ which is a term used in golf,” Chris said.

 

The name is more than a personal nod to both their fathers. Both men’s abiding love for golf is honored in The Eagle’s amenities. Along with a full menu of cocktails and appetizers, The Eagle also features a full-on golf simulator that can be rented by the hour.

 

The whole thing is housed in a historic downtown building that went up during the late 1800s. It is the sort of centrally located spot that has become ever more rare with time, a building that used to serve as a dentist’s office, a clothing store and more iterations throughout the years.

 

“We knew we wanted to incorporate golf in our business,” Melissa said. “With the hot Arkansas summer temperatures, we decided to put a Foresight golf simulator in a private room in the back of our building. Customers can rent it by the hour. They can order a bite to eat and take their drinks back there while playing a round of golf on one of the 70 courses available.”

 

About those drinks: The Eagle has a full bar and a cocktail service that would put similar spots in bigger cities to shame. Along with a rotating cast of beer taps and a deep wine selection, The Eagle serves a menu of cocktails that easily fit both the season and the mood.

 

“While we specialize in bourbon and wine, The Eagle offers a full bar with something for everyone,” Chris said. “Our talented bartenders can craft just about anything you’re craving, whether it’s a classic favorite or something completely customized. We take pride in our extensive bourbon and wine collections, featuring selections for both the seasoned enthusiast and the curious newcomer.  We also have a classic cocktail menu, a specialty martini menu and a mocktail menu.”

 

Fittingly, The Eagle’s most popular cocktail is The Eagle, the Fullers’ take on an old-fashioned.

 

“We use Woodford Reserve bourbon, a large clear ice cube, which is stamped with our logo, and garnish it with an Amarena cherry and an orange slice,” Melissa said. “Consistency is key, so all of our staff makes it the same way. You can enjoy it the classic way, or we can smoke it for you.

 

 

“The espresso martini is our second-best seller, but you can’t go wrong with our classic cocktails named after Texarkana history, such as The McCartney Manhattan, The Broad Street Sour, The Union Station or the State Line Sazerac.”

 

Once that cocktail is ordered, patrons can imbibe and discuss while enjoying a charcuterie board, deviled eggs, a shrimp cocktail or toasted naan bread with pimento cheese for dipping, among other offerings. Sweet tooths are addressed with selections such as chocolate layer cake or a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.

 

With the weather turning cooler, The Eagle’s staff has spent its spare moments constructing a fall cocktail menu that offers fresh takes on classic autumn flavors.

 

“Our bartenders have been hard at work to create a fall cocktail menu that our customers will love,” Chris said. “They have created some specialty cocktails that make you think of autumn, such as the Cherry Vanilla Bing, a riff on the espresso martini, featuring cherry, vanilla and almond.

 

“The Pumpkin Buck is also coming soon, with apple jack, pumpkin soda, and garnished with candied ginger and nutmeg. The Clarified Caprese will be a unique addition to our fall cocktail menu, as well. It includes smoky mescal infused with tomato, galangal, lemongrass and ginger capped with mozzarella foam, basil and balsamic glaze.”

 

More than just a local haunt, The Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge got a jolt of statewide attention earlier this year, when it won two categories of AY About You’s “AY’s Best of 2026” reader’s poll — Best Texarkana Business and Best Happy Hour.

 

 

That notoriety aside, owners say the name of the game for The Eagle is its welcoming atmosphere and menu accessibility. Between the wide array of drinks and the offerings from the kitchen, there truly is something for everyone.

 

“We knew there was no other place we’d like to commit to than downtown Texarkana,” Melissa said. “We found what we think is the perfect building. We hope to offer a signature experience to both visitors and locals to enjoy and a place where friends and family can gather over a fine drink.”

 

SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR OCTOBER 2026 ISSUE OF AY MAGAZINE