Beverage News

Taco Bell to debut its Live Más Café beverage concept in Dallas

Gotta love the lavender at Live Mas Cafe

Taco Bell

Taco Bell is about to debut a beverage-centric concept in Dallas: Called Live Más Café, it's a store-within-a-store located at the Taco Bell at 5506 E Mockingbird Ln., where it will celebrate a grand opening on November 6.

Inspired by Gen Z’s love for customizable drinks, the cafe will offer 30 beverages: from Churro Chillers and specialty coffees to Refrescas and Dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast Dream Sodas — made by expertly trained “Bellristas” who handcraft the specialty drinks on the spot as part of the elevated in-restaurant atmosphere.

Taco Bell's Refrescas are a line of fruity flavored drinks and teas such as the Dragonfruit Strawberry drink made with dragonfruit and mixed berry flavors, freeze-dried strawberry pieces, and green tea. The full beverage menu spans from refreshing sips to energizing boosts to "frozen escapes."

The concept and menu are reminiscent of CosMc's, the beverage spinoff launched in 2024 by McDonald's, which also tested here in Dallas. Alas, as of May 2025, McDonald's had already shut it down.

Live Mas Cafe drinksTaco Bell

But Taco Bell says its beverage investment is as much about pushing the boundaries of the guest experience as it is about menu innovation, with a vision to make its beverages as iconic as its food.

“We’re seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle, whether it’s for energy or a sweet treat throughout the day,” says Taco Bell’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews in a statement. “So, we’re making big investments to become the ultimate beverage stop where our fans can expect to see the same bold, unexpected creativity in their cups as they do on their plates.”

The Live Más Café in Dallas will mark the first expansion outside of Taco Bell's home state of California, where it tested its first location in summer 2025 in Chula Vista, and where it has since opened locations in Irvine, San Diego, and Los Angeles County. Their plan is to open 30-odd locations across southern California and Texas, including more locations in Dallas, as well as locations in Houston, which will open. on November 20.

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Henderson Avenue News

Dallas bar High Fives will close on Henderson Avenue after 10 years

High Fives/Facebook

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A nightlife staple on Dallas' Henderson Avenue is closing: High Fives, the bar located at 1804 McMillan Ave., will close in early January, after more than 10 years.

According to a release, the actual closing date will be tied to the Texas Tech Red Raiders' game schedule in January.

"To all our neighbors, the Red Raider faithful, and everyone who has made High Fives their home—we are saying goodbye by raising our hands high for one last High Five," says owner Phil Schanbaum. "This establishment was built on community, spirited rivalry, and countless memories. We are deeply thankful to every single patron and, especially, to all of our incredible staff who were the heart and soul of this place."

High Fives opened in mid-2015, part of the portfolio of This & That Hospitality, the company Schanbaum founded with partner Brandon Hays, next door to its sibling bar The Whippersnapper (which was rebranded into a concept called Boogies in October 2025.)

Schanbaum says that they're unsure of what will go in the High Fives space after it closes — but that the closure "paves the way for the ongoing evolution of Henderson Avenue."

The property is owned by Acadia Realty, the New York-based company that is partnered with Dallas development firm Ignite-Rebees on a 161,000-square-foot, creative, mixed-use development currently underway on Henderson Avenue between Glencoe Street and McMillan Avenue at the eastern end of Henderson Avenue.

High Fives' closure is part of that plan to transform the quarter-mile stretch into a walkable destination featuring restaurants, retail, and office space.

"To Henderson Avenue, we look forward to further expansion and to making this street even better. We are excited for the neighborhood's renaissance, which will bring new experiences, retail, and dining concepts to the area," Schanbaum says.

Moving target
The actual closing date will depend on the outcome of the season for Texas Tech's football team the Red Raiders.

"The final chapter for High Fives will be written alongside the almighty Texas Tech Red Raiders. The bar's ultimate closure is tied directly to the team's success," the release says.

The next game day is on January 1, when doors open at 10 am.

If the Red Raiders advance past the game on January 1, High Fives will remain open for subsequent Texas Tech game days until the team's run ends. Meanwhile hours in December will be Thursdays & Fridays from 8 pm-2 am, and Saturdays: from 2 pm– 2 am.