New Dallas mega-concept combining food and games debuts in Addison

Restaurants attached to mega-entertainment venues have become a hot-hot trend, and now there's a new one opening in Addison. Called Sidecar Social, it'll open at 5100 Belt Line Rd. at the Village on the Parkway complex on the corner of Dallas North Tollway.

A release describes Sidecar Social as a 20,000-square foot "social lounge experience" from Brent Tipps, founder of the BoomerJack's sports-bar chain, that will open in August.

Tipps says in a statement that Sidecar Social — which is no relation to Punch Bowl Social, a similar concept from Denver with a similar name — fills the need for a place to hang out, relax, and connect with friends.

"Everything about Sidecar Social is designed around that," Tipps says. "From shareable plates to free games, we built a place you can bring a friend to and go from dinner and drinks to games and music — you feel like you don't want to leave."

The concept features interactive attractions geared for adults, in a modern industrial setting.

There's food made in a scratch kitchen, craft cocktails, free classic games, private karaoke, live music, and game-watching on 18-foot televisions and on a tree-shaded patio with flat screens.

Food and drink
The menu includes dishes such as adult mac 'n' cheese, grilled cauliflower steak, charred corn guacamole, smoked burnt end nachos, and wood-oven grilled flatbreads.

There are also "artisan salads," grilled kabobs, and sandwiches such as the Nashville hot, short rib French dip, and Akaushi ground beef burger with chimichurri sauce. Entrees include chicken & waffles, lemon dill salmon, and hanger steak.

Two main bars include one horseshoe bar and convivial lounge area off the main dining room with views of the kitchen and guests; and a giant, rectangular bar in the primary two-story "showroom," boasting three 18-foot televisions, two bocce courts, shuffleboard, and generous banquettes with views of the live music stage.

Cocktails include the Elderflower Paloma, the Strawberry Basil Bees Knees, and the Italian 76. Drink specials include $5 craft cocktails on Tuesdays, $5 martinis on Wednesdays, half-price wine and happy hour drinks from open until 6 pm on weekdays.

Entertainment
Free indoor games — "for grownups," they're super into emphasizing the idea that this is adult-driven — include a giant, eight-person foosball table, private ping-pong room, shuffleboard, bocce ball, pop-a-shot, corn hole, and darts.

Live entertainment acts will perform Thursdays-Saturdays on a remote, retractable platform, including acoustic acts, live dance bands, and DJs. Additional staging areas on the patio and main dining room will be available to host DJs and acoustic acts.

Local restaurant and live music industry veteran and General Manager Steve Richardson plans to bring the best acts from the regional music scene to Sidecar Social.

Atmosphere
Décor and atmosphere include high ceilings, an exhibition kitchen, wrought iron, brick, and "genuine handcrafted" wood accents, leaded-glass windows, modern wood and leather furnishings, and industrial lighting.

Private karaoke rooms will overlook the second floor alongside a lounge they describe as "sumptuous," with views of the music stage, dance floor, games, and bar.

To the right of the main entrance will be an elevated dog-friendly patio, with many trees preserved to provide shade. Weatherizing features have been added for humans and their pets.

Sidecar Social is working with Operation Kindness, the largest no-kill shelter in North Texas, as its charity partner, with regular events including fundraisers and adoptions. Proceeds from a doggie entrée bowl menu item for pets will benefit Operation Kindness.