Opening News

Elegant martini lounge Columbian Country Club readies for Dallas debut

Columbian Country Club

The day draws near for the opening of Columbian Country Club, an elegant martini and tequila lounge coming to East Dallas, at 3314 Ross Ave. #150.

According to a release, it'll open on December 22.

The concept was created and founded by hospitality veteran Brian Rutt, along with partners Justin Kallhoff and Jonathan Rosenberg. All three own Alice restaurant, the Pan-Asian concept one block down the street; Rosenberg is also founding partner of the White Unicorn Agency. And Juan Pablo Sanchez, well known from his stints at Georgie, Le Bilboquet, Up On Knox, and Lounge 31, is also a partner and will manage the club.

Rutt says the inspiration was the original Columbian Country Club, a historic Jewish country club on Main Street in downtown Dallas that closed in 2004 after 100 years. Though originally in downtown Dallas, it relocated to the North Dallas-Carrollton border in the '50s, with a 60,000 square-foot clubhouse, pool, and tennis facilities, thriving as a social and recreational country club known for its tremendous dining and social events.

"We wanted to pay homage to this exclusive social club," Rutt says. "It was a place that many Dallasites spent a lot of time while growing up. It was a special place for me and my family in particular."

They're going for the essence of New York City’s golden era with an old-world glamor, piano player, and martinis including:

The CC Martini - Grey Goose Or Sipsmith Gin, Lo-hi Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters
Espresso Martini - Tito’s Handmade, Luxardo Espresso, Licor 43, Cocoa Bitters
Apple Martini - Crop Vodka, Apple Schnapps and Lemon
Hanky Panky - Greenhouse Gin, Carpano Antica, Fernet
Vesper Martini
Dirty Martini

Other cocktails include a New York Sour “Mazel Tov” with Maker’s Mark, Luxardo, apple spice, Manischewitz float; and Señor Harvey Wallbanger with Dos Hombres Mezcal, Montenegro, Galliano, mango.

Columbian Country Club also features an extensive selection of champagne, red wine, and white wine, by the glass and by the bottle. Guests can also purchase their own bottle of any type of liquor to keep at the lounge on display in their storage case where a name plate will be added to their reserved space in the case.

A small menu of bites give a nod to the original Columbian Country Club including caviar, Cobb deviled eggs, Nonnie’s Doozie, a classic sandwich from the country club, and thinly sliced Parmesan Bagels.

The 2,500-square-foot space has seating for 100 and was designed by Wallace Johnson Studio (who also did Alice, Beverly’s, and Sachet). It features elegant carpet, dimmed lighting, plush seating, decor from the original country club, and photos of musical artists from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

They'll have a piano player Monday-Saturday and a DJ Thursday-Saturday, plus an old-school lit dance floor that's disguised but revealed during dancing times.

Rutt says they expect it to rival martini and tequila lounges in New York City.

"You can come here to enjoy crisp martinis whether you are on business or you want to enjoy a date-night and sip on drinks before or after dinner or even skip dinner to enjoy bites and cocktails here," he says. "We invite our guests to step into a world of sophistication, nostalgia and elegance unlike anything else in Dallas."

downtown openings

Charitable Event

Volunteers wanted for H-E-B's free holiday feast at Fair Park Dallas

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

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H-E-B and its family of brands, including Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, and Favor, will bring back the annual Feast of Sharing dinner this holiday season to both Dallas and Fort Worth.

The two events are as follows:

Dallas Feast of Sharing is on Thursday, November 20 from 3-7 pm at Centennial Hall in Fair Park
Fort Worth Feast of Sharing is on Wednesday, November 12 from 3-7 pm at Dickies Arena

Both events will feature a Texas-style holiday meal alongside a festive celebration complete with a kid’s zone, live entertainment, health and family services, Santa greetings, and more. Meals are FREE and open to the public (first come first serve).

Anticipate preparations to serve meals to 10,000+ people, music, family activities, wellness screenings, and visits from Santa.

Volunteers
The organizers are seeking 1,000 volunteers in each city to assist with serving meals, clearing tables, hosting, and supporting the kid’s zone area during the four-hour events. All businesses, civic organizations, churches and schools are encouraged to sign up at www.centralmarket.com/community.

“We couldn’t bring this event to life without the dedication of our volunteers,” said Mabrie Jackson, managing director of public affairs, H-E-B/Central Market. “The holidays are about giving and community, and this year we’re proud to make a meaningful difference by sharing a delicious holiday meal with more families.”

The event, which has been held in Dallas since 2006 and Fort Worth since 2011, typically serves 10,000-15,000 residents in each city. In addition, more than 40 social service agencies are on hand with representatives to provide information and resources.

Since 1989, Central Market’s parent company, H-E-B, has invited people to celebrate the holidays with food, music, and good cheer at its Feast of Sharing events. The free holiday feasts, which are held in more than 34 cities in Texas and Mexico, bring together family, friends, and neighbors, and provides H-E-B an opportunity to give thanks to its loyal customers, regularly serving more than 340,000 meals.

In the more than three decades H-E-B has held these celebrations, more than 375,000 volunteers have helped serve nearly four million meals. This initiative is a part of H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program, which works year-round to prevent hunger in the more than 300 communities H-E-B serves. Last year, H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program donated 33 million pounds of food to families in need. Since 1982, the year the program was founded, H-E-B has donated more than one billion pounds of food to 5,500 non-profit organizations in Texas and Mexico.

Dallas Feast of Sharing – 19th Annual Holiday Dinner. Thursday, November 20, 2025, 3-7 pm, Fair Park – Centennial Hall, 1001 Washington St.
Fort Worth Feast of Sharing – 13th Annual Holiday Dinner. Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 3-7 pm, Dickies Arena (Lower level – southeast side of arena)1911 Montgomery St.

charity h-e-b holidays