Bar News
New restaurant-bar coming to Dallas' Bishop Arts will take us around the world
A Dallas hospitality pro who has a hand in one bar in the Bishop Arts District is preparing to launch another nearby. Dan Bui, who co-owns Krio, the Asian-inspired Cajun restaurant and bar on 7th Street, is opening a new spot called Atlas, which will be located on the area's main strip at 408 N. Bishop Ave.
The building was previously home to Strut, an offshoot of an Austin clothing store that closed in 2019. Bui is currently making the space ready for food and beverage, and hopes to have it rolling by the end of the year.
An atlas is a collection of maps, which gives a hint to the bar's theme.
"The concept of Atlas is something that will showcase the world, in food, drinks, and music," Bui says. "We'll have food and drink from around the world."
For example: German soft pretzel bites with cheese dip, a charcuterie board, and a Cuban sandwich.
For the menu, Bui drew his inspiration from trips to Europe where he'd have late-night bites, and Mexico City, where he'd go for tacos.
For the drinks, he worked with famed bartender Jesse Powell, who helped Bui devise a cocktail menu for Krio and is doing the same for Atlas.
Bui most recently owned Sisu, the resort-style bar with pool in Uptown Dallas, and has worked on concepts such as Ghostbar and the original Social House in the West Village.
He and partner Connie Cheng opened Krio in June. Despite the current circumstances, it's doing great, which they attribute to the setting.
"Obviously, opening during the worst pandemic in history is not the ideal time to open a restaurant, but we love the Bishop Arts District," he says. "The neighborhood is so awesome, it has such a positive vibe, and the neighbors really support the businesses. That had a lot to do with why I wanted to expand in the area."