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. But, a new category of dining is 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, Dallas has you covered. Put responsibility on the backburner, and let loose at these Dallas bars where play is part of the menu.
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 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, and occasionally, food trucks are parked on site. 2777 Irving Blvd. #200, Dallas, cidercade.com
Hendy’s on Henderson
Hendy’s on Henderson is Knox Henderson’s cool newcomer. This all-day hang blends sophisticated charm with a dose of nostalgia and cheeky swagger. Vintage sports memorabilia line the walls, but the pink, branded pool table steals the show. It’s a guaranteed good time with a menu crafted by chef Peja Kristic 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 two-fers. 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: four game modes, an e-score keeper, 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, and an all-inclusive spread featuring breakfast pizza, candied bacon, boneless wings, truffle parmesan fries, beignets, and more. 2615 Elm St., Dallas, electricshuffle.com
Barcadia
Barcadia is for your inner child, so 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, PacMan, 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 lables, 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. 1917 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, barcadiadtx.com
GoodSurf Beach Club
Goodsurf Beach Club is the ultimate summer destination. Catch waves on the German-engineered Citywave surf machine, with 30- or 60-minute sessions available. Alternatively, pickleball fans can choose from one of four courts. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dive into a menu by Nick Badovinus, the chef and owner behind Town Hearth, Montlake Cut, and Brass Ram. The social hub also has a stacked lineup of events, including wave-side yoga, cold plunges, coffee, and DJs. 317 S. Second Ave., Dallas, goodsurf.co
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. 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
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 five Texas locations, with the first having opened in Richardson. The most recent addition is Free Play Dallas, which opened in 2023 near Trinity Groves. It’s a masterclass in fun with a $12.89 entry free that gets you unlimited access to more than 160 games. Tap into your inner Ninja Turtle with a curveball pepperoni and marshmallow pizza combo. 3015 Gulden Ln., Dallas, 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 dart board 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 dominos. No visit to Mike’s is complete without a made-to-order beef glizzy. Pair it with Mike’s Dirty Martini, laced with fresh-pressed olive juice and umami bitters, for the ultimate combo. 1906 S. Harwood St., Dallas
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 Brach 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, arcade and board games too. 2330 Jett St., Farmers Branch, at-fault.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 opulence, with a marbled green stone bar, tufted leather seating, and a 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. 4424 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, stewartscocktailclub.com
