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A Meow Wolf anti-guide to the countercultural establishments of Dallas, Texas!
There’s nothing like Dallas. Even with Austin and Houston just a few hours south, Dallas holds together the trifecta as the north star. But who are we? Austin is known for its live music, Houston has the best food in the world. What is Dallas known for? Our iconic skyline? The Cowboys? Our BBQ? That giant eyeball in the middle of downtown that more people should really know about? Yes, yes, yes, and oh yes.
How do you get to know a city? Like, really know it? Is it in the food, the music, the local haunts? Is it how the locals cook, how they dance, what art they create? Dallas is a city with a strong community and sense of self. So where do you go to get to know it?
This blob is about the community, and where the community sees itself. Not just touristy spots but places that feel like Dallas.
You get to know a city by experiencing it. You listen to its music, you eat its food, you talk to its people. So here’s where we are.
Let’s giddy? Yup.
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Disclaimer: Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex encompasses 11 counties, including the principal cities of: Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Denton, Grapevine, Richardson, and Frisco if we’re being funky. We have a total population of over 8.3 million Texans and our metroplex is larger than the state of New Jersey. If you ask anyone who is outside of Dallas proper where they’re from, they’ll probably just say “Dallas” out of convenience. This guide will cover mostly the Dallas proper side of things, but don’t worry, we’ll still bounce around.
Note: This guide is by one person. I hope it encourages you to dig deeper into the nooks and crannies of all that Dallas has to offer. It’s truly a city that never stops creating. You will find what you need here, if you look. So go look.
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Dallas is a city that loves to eat, and what better way to get to know a community than in their kitchen. Whether you want some good food or drinks with a friend, we’ve got you covered.
The best places are a little exclusive. chasen matcha bar is only open on the weekends from 9am-3pm and yes, there will be a line. Hosted in a small shop off Tyler St, you’re in and you’re out, quick. But the matcha is delicious and will stay on your taste buds all day.
There are two locations, in Oak Cliff and Uptown. Both are great, but the Oak Cliff location just has that immaculate neighborhood coffee spot vibe. Their seasonal menus slap and their peanut butter and jelly sandwich is to die for. Sorry to the baristas for having to make this child meal 300 times a day.
A great restaurant in East Dallas that changes their menu every week. Bouncing from cuisine to cuisine, the menu may change but delicious food is guaranteed.
Dallas’ premiere burger joint located in “old east Dallas”. The walls are lined with photos of historic Dallas hot spots. The burgers and milkshakes are killer but don’t miss out on the onion rings!
Burger Schmurger is a neighborhood burger bar in east Dallas by White Rock Lake. It has a 50s milkshake aesthetic that any influencer would caption with “I was born in the wrong time”. Truly some of the best burgers in the city and their house sauce kills.
Carrollton. Just all of Carrollton. The perfect city to spend an afternoon in. They have a plethora of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and boba spots. I personally would like to be buried under the Oh K Dog restaurant.
Our favorite neon-drenched cocktail bar. Perfect for a post-dinner drink with friends or a happy hour after a long week. The drinks are delicious, the space feels intimate, and you never know when a line dance will break out on the main floor as people wait to order at the bar.
Everything you need in a dive bar. The espresso martinis are tasty, the hot dogs alone win a James Beard in my heart.
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Another way to get to know a city? What its inhabitants listen to! Find out how the city moves and to what! If you’re looking for a live music show, Dallas is a host to numerous concert venues from huge arenas like the American Airlines Center to outdoor venues like the Dos Equis Pavilion to more intimate venues like The Echo Lounge. If you want to stand in a crowd or catch an intimate show, we have you covered.
The Echo Lounge is a music venue on the edge of downtown Dallas with a capacity of 1,000 attendees which means their venue supports smaller musicians (including local ones!) and intimate performances from bigger acts. On top of that, it’s a gorgeous space with top notch chicken tenders.
Three Links is the epitome of Dallas nightlife and a live music haven. Located in Deep Ellum, it’s the perfect place to catch a pop punk cover band, see a drag show, or just hang out at a really cool bar with really cool people.
Craving some delicious Cajun food and live R&B/soul music? The Free Man has the best gumbo in the city as well as live performances every day from local musicians. Nothing beats po’ boys and Jodeci.
It’ll Do is a dance club that features house music on Saturdays and a goth club on Sundays (appropriately named “The Church”). It’s also one of the best clubs to catch live DJs like The Blessed Madonna, Tokimonsta, and Sultan Shepard. There’s quite nothing like being surrounded by people bumping house music in a dimly lit club at 1am.
Voted “Best Dance Party” by D Magazine, Ladylove is a record lounge in Bishop Arts with delicious drinks and live DJs almost every night. They have great themed nights like R&B Tuesdays, Indie Sleaze Night, and Wamono Nights. It’s where you’ll find Dallas moving every night of the week.
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Are you not entertained? You will be. Aside from eating and shopping and viiiiibing, Dallas has a lot to keep yourself entertained with.
I know. Not exactly counterculture. Is loving movies and the communal theatergoing experience not counterculture? Counter a culture that wants us to stay home, separated from our people? Alamo Drafthouse is a great movie theater chain but also has incredible movie parties. Where else can you participate in a rowdy screening of Cats (2019) with other people yelling at the screen to release the b******e cut.
Dallas Contemporary brings some of the best contemporary artists to Dallas including past exhibitions from Yoshitomo Nara, Patrick Martinez, Eduardo Sarabia, and Natalie Wadlington. They also host local events like zine festivals!
Dallas’ new media art gallery and studio. They host screenings, immersive concerts, and have workshops too! It’s a wonderful place to see and learn new media art, creative coding, all the goods.
It’s a bookstore bar with great books, great drinks but we’re not here to talk about that. Wild Detectives is a community hotspot for artists to network, collab, and show off a little bit. WD hosts artist talks, lively play readings, and bingo! You see their events, their posts on social media and you see Dallas.
Yes this counts! Entertainment shouldn’t just be where you spend money! Walk under Dallas’ bridges while looking upon our alluring skyline. Read a book, have a picnic, fly a kite, longboard, have a long phone call with a friend. There are also concrete cows around the park to join you in your relaxation.
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Shopping can be a way to get to know a community as well! Dallas turns its shops into cultural hubs for locals to gather, exchange ideas, and see what’s going on elsewhere in the world.
An antique store in Oak Cliff. Here you’ll find the coolest jewelry and furniture from your favorite local artisans! A must-experience for maximalists.
A very cool vintage clothing store with antiques, oddities, and secondhand cowboy boots! It’s great to meander in and trust me, you’ll find your next wardrobe obsession here.
An independent magazine store in Oak Cliff! Find the latest Sight & Sound, Frieze, Popeye, and more. You can spend hours flipping through the pages, immersing yourself in the worlds of design, fashion, and visual art.
A cozy neighborhood bookstore for readers of all ages. Book genres range in fiction and nonfiction, with classics and new releases! They also have author talks and great tote bags. It’s a nice spot to check out local authors and chat with the staff about the books that should be shaping your mind this month.
Shutterbugs, you’re never left out here with Dallas’s burgeoning photography scene! One of the best stores is the Denton Camera Exchange where you can find new and used film cameras and accessories. Don’s Photo Equipment is another great place to shop for gear. It’s owned by a father and son duo who will always give you the best conversation as you buy some good ole Portra 400.
North Park is an incredible mall filled with luxury brands and the mall brands you’ve come to know, love, and can’t live without (I’m talking about Spencer’s and Bath & Body Works). There’s also a trusty AMC! But you should really go for the beautiful display of fine art works throughout the mall. As you shop for your new shoes or replenish your skincare products, you’ll pass by pieces by Anthony Gormley, KAWS, Andy Warhol, and Mark di Suvero to name a few. Dallas loves art and you’re reminded every step you take.
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