Dallas undoubtedly loves to eat and drink. The city’s full of social-media-ready bars and restaurants flaunting impeccable design and technique-driven menus that yield some truly photogenic dishes. But, you can score great food and a little something more in a new category of dining that’s turning heads: eatertainment. The immersive trend combines food, drink, and entertainment. Dallas bars are even getting in on the fun with beer and competition.
Whether you’re looking for classic arcade nostalgia, a game of pickleball, or to hang ten and ride some waves, Dallas has you covered. Put responsibility on the back burner, and let loose at these Dallas bars where play is part of the menu.
Velocity | Sim Racing Lounge
A chef-driven food and cocktail program pairs with a high-octane racing experience featuring 30 state-of-the-art racing simulators that transport gamers to well-known tracks around the world. Snack on crispy avocado tacos, coconut shrimp, flatbreads, or a slider tower (all great for sharing). Dig into large-format entrées such as fish and chips or steak frites. Sip your way through tequila or whiskey flights, or grab hold of a racing-themed craft cocktail like the classic Maserati Margarita with the option to go spicy. 9830 N. Central Expy., Ste. 400, Dallas, velocitysimlounge.com
Barcadia
Since 2008, Barcadia has been around to feed your inner child, so you can leave the adulting at the door. This grown-up playground feels like a 21-and-up Chuck E. Cheese with games like Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, Pac-Man, Skee-Ball, pool tables, and TVs galore. The late-night menu leans into elementary throwbacks: grilled cheese, pizza, cheeseburgers, quesadillas, and chicken nuggets. There are 24 beers on draft, including local labels, plus bottles and cans covering all the staples. The triple-threat cocktail menu stars a mule, a margarita, and a Smirnoff strawberry vodka-spiked Capri Sun. Come for Free Play Tuesday and save some dough. 1917 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, barcadiadtx.com
Victory Tap Sports Lounge
Head to West Plano Village for a sports bar loaded with televisions and two video walls to catch all the big games and athletic events. Jump into the action with a professional-grade Formula 1 racing simulator, outdoor bocce, cornhole, foosball, and shuffleboard. After working up an appetite, chow down on birria brisket tacos, Bloody Mary deviled eggs, or a massive Texas Burger with pepper-bacon jam and roasted jalapeño aioli. You’ll also find sushi, pizza, and sophisticated mains including miso cod and rigatoni alla vodka with crispy pancetta. 5973 W. Parker Rd., Plano, victorytaptexas.com
The Sandy Pickle
Outdoor pickleball courts, sand volleyball, and a golf simulator highlight the active options at this vibrant entertainment spot in the Village. To fully get in the spirit of the place, go full pickle with your drinks. Selections include a spicy pickle margarita and two kinds of picklebacks: one with traditional whiskey and the other with a White Claw. Food comes courtesy of visiting food trucks, but chances are high there’ll be some pickly stuff on their menus, too. 5683 Village Glen Dr., Dallas, playsandypickle.com
Over Under
Also at the Village, this dog-friendly sports bar offers guests shuffleboard, arcade games, billiards, plus views of the two sports fields for the apartment community. Scratch-made food includes all the usual suspects, including wings, nachos, burgers, loaded fries, and brick-oven pizzas. Pro tip: On Thursdays, it’s all-you-can-eat pizza for only $15. Craft cocktails and an extensive beer list round out the experience. 5625 Village Glen Dr., Ste. 170, Dallas, thevillagedallas.com
Sip’Stroke Lounge
This brand-new spot opened on August 1, adding to Plano’s eatertainment options with an immersive golf focus. Test your skill on more than 65 of the world’s top courses in the Full Swing simulator bay, or try for holes in one in the real world at the putt-putt course. Elevated bar food options include Prime Wagyu sliders, maple leaf duck breast, charred lemon calamari, cabernet braised short rib, and Calabrian butter shrimp. Try the house signature cocktail, the Mulligan, made with Elijah Craig bourbon, lemon, simple syrup, and mint. 5969 Dallas Pkwy., Plano, sipstroke.com
Cidercade
Cidercade pulls a crowd with its $12 all-day play pass, giving guests access to more than 200 video games. It’s family-friendly, but when the clock strikes 9 p.m., it is open to adults 18 and up only. Stop by for beer and a wide range of ciders, including fruity, sweet, dry, and tart options. Cidercade lets guests bring their own food or have it delivered, and most days, food trucks are parked on-site. Multiple locations, cidercade.com
Hendy’s on Henderson
This all-day hangout blends sophisticated charm with a dose of nostalgia and cheeky swagger. Vintage sports memorabilia adorns the walls, but the branded pool table steals the show when it comes to a little friendly challenge among friends. It’s a guaranteed good time with a menu crafted by chef Peja Krstic of Michelin-nodded Mot Hai Ba and Bishop Arts’ Pillar bistro. Come for the hot-honey-drizzled fried chicken sandwiches and spicy pickle margs, stay for the DJs spinning your favorite hits. 2401 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, hendysonhenderson.com
Electric Shuffle
This Deep Ellum bar gives a classic game a high-tech makeover. Play shuffleboard with modern upgrades: multiple game modes, an e-scorekeeper, and instant replays, all best enjoyed with a salted caramel espresso martini in hand. The best time to visit is weekend brunch. For $50, players get 90 minutes of shuffleboard, a bottle of bubbles per guest, and an all-inclusive spread featuring breakfast pizza, candied bacon, boneless wings, truffle parmesan fries, quesadillas, and more. 2615 Elm St., Dallas, electricshuffle.com
Free Play Dallas
Free Play Arcade has brought Dallas-Fort Worth an award-winning roster of well-maintained arcade games, and a daily rotation of craft beer and craveable sandwiches. There are four DFW locations in Richardson, Arlington, Denton, and at Trinity Groves in Dallas. It’s a masterclass in fun with a $12.89 entry fee that gets you unlimited access to more than 160 games. Tap into your inner Ninja Turtle with a variety of pizza options, plus a full bar. Multiple locations, freeplayinc.com
Mike’s Gemini Twin Lounge
Tucked in the Cedars neighborhood, Mike’s Gemini Twin nails everything a neighborhood bar should, right down to the dartboard and pool table. The dimly lit watering hole has no natural light, a roped-off stripper pole, and oversized U-shaped booths perfect for board games, cards, or dominoes. No visit to Mike’s is complete without a made-to-order beef glizzy (an all-beef hot dog). Pair it with a Mike’s Dirty Martini, laced with fresh-pressed olive juice and umami bitters, for the ultimate combo. 1906 S. Harwood St., Dallas, instagram.com
Puttery
After a long day of shopping at The Colony’s Grandscape, head to the Puttery for craft cocktails, comfort food, and indoor mini golf. Refuel with a truffle black pepper steak sandwich and the Tranquilizer, a tropical cocktail with rum, coconut, nutmeg, pineapple, and orange, before a game of indoor mini golf. The venue showcases four transportive, themed courses: rooftop, lodge, library, and illusion. 5762 Grandscape Blvd., Ste. 105, The Colony, puttery.com
At Fault
Join in on Dallas’ pickleball obsession at At Fault. This Farmers Branch pickleball restaurant stands out with five indoor courts—a major perk when considering the Texas heat. There are also four outdoor courts, two bars, and a budget-friendly menu from chef John Franke of Velvet Taco and Mexican Sugar. For the anti-pickballers, At Fault offers mini bowling, bocce ball, cornhole, giant Jenga, plus arcade and board games, too. 2330 Jett St., Farmers Branch, at-fault.com
Rodeo Cold
This East Dallas joint is a rowdy mashup of dive bar, honky-tonk, and self-proclaimed adult playground. The menu has character with nods to Texas, like the boozed-up Big Red and Dr. Pepper, a wagyu chili-soaked corn dog, and, for good gluttonous measure, a fried oatmeal creme pie. Tuesdays are trivia nights and Wednesdays are for karaoke. Meanwhile, Sundays are dedicated to Chicken Sh*t Bingo, where live chickens and their droppings determine a lucky winner. 3826 Ross Ave., Dallas, rodeo-cold.com
Stewart’s Croquet and Cocktails
Chef Tim Love’s Stewart’s Croquet and Cocktails is Texas’ first croquet bar. The country club-chic destination in Fort Worth drips with opulence, from the marble green-stone bar and tufted leather seating to the lawn dotted with red-and-white umbrellas for long, leisurely afternoons. Kick off a game of croquet with a platinum caviar bump, then indulge in a buttery lobster roll. The one-of-a-kind Stewart’s Famous Martini Cart delivers table-side martinis customized with your personalized blend of bitters. On weekends until 4 p.m., lobster rolls and martinis are half off. 4424 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, stewartscocktailclub.com
