The 10 best sports bars in Dallas for every team's top fan

Beer Me

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Football, hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball — no matter which sport you support, it's way more fun to watch your favorite teams play when you're surrounded by other cheering fans.

But where to head for some cold drinks, hot food, and big sports action? In the spirit of CultureMap's newest signature event, The Tailgate, we're celebrating a season of sports with insider intel on all the ways you can enjoy it. (P.S. Tickets are on sale now).

Though by no means exhaustive, this list highlights sports bars in Dallas that are definitely worth your overtime.

Christies
This tried-and-true staple gave us a scare in 2020 when it shuttered its Uptown location after 30 years, but thankfully reopened the next year on Greenville Avenue. Now it boasts even more TVs and seating than before plus three full bars, specialty cocktails and wine on tap, games, and an Instagrammable rooftop.

Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar
New Orleans Saints superstar Drew Brees and his wife Brittany co-own this Baton Rouge-based chain, which features Louisiana cuisine and a full bar in a game-day atmosphere at Grandscape in The Colony. Come prepared for a menu that sports fried seafood platters, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps in addition to po'boys, fried oysters, gumbo, fried alligator, and boudin balls.

Moxie's Grill & Bar
Owned by Tom Gaglardi, proprietor of the Dallas Stars, this Canadian-based chain has three locations in North Texas: Uptown Dallas, Plano, and Southlake. Floor-to-ceiling windows subvert the typical cave-like atmosphere of a sports bar, as does the elevated American classics that populate the menu. But don't worry: There are still plenty of TVs and draft beer options.

Yogi's Sushi & Sports Bar
Craving something other than burgers or brats for game day? Try freshly made sushi at this Casa Linda Plaza joint, which is a collab between Dan Barbara, who founded Yogi's Home Plate sports bar in Lake Highlands, and Armando Ramirez, owner of Deep Sushi, the venerable sushi bar in Deep Ellum. TVs aren't confined to the bar area, but line the walls of the restaurant, giving everyone a great view.

PhD
Also known as Pour House Dallas, this Oak Cliff sports bar is equally known for its hangover brunch and covered patio, which provides great people-watching as concert-goers head next door to the Kessler Theater. A curated selection of local drafts complements the 26 TVs and friendly service.

ChopShop Victory Park
Conveniently located right next to the American Airlines Center, you have the option to either drop in for a pint before or after a game or post up in front of the Jumbrotron until the buzzer sounds. Ideal for when you want to feel a part of the action, but not actually cough up the dough for tickets.

Sidecar Social
This fun outdoor bar is from On Deck Concepts, founded by Brent Tipps, founder of BoomerJack’s sports bar. There are two: one in Addison and another set to open this fall at The Star in Frisco (which also happens to be the headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys). Frisco's massive 15,000-square-foot space will feature craft cocktails and bites, games, karaoke, live music, TVs, and an all-season patio.

Yard House
A massive circular bar dominates the middle of this Addison eatery, pouring 100-plus beers into "yards" (hence the name). Pull up a barstool or cozy up in a deep booth and watch the more than 20 TVs while ordering sophisticated appetizers and entrees from the gigantic menu.

Cedar Springs Tap House
It may look like your typical old-school sports bar, but remember that it's on Cedar Springs and therefore very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Food comes in baskets, beer is mostly domestic (and a lot Texas), and there's a different special each day. Time your Sunday football-watching with brunch for even more bang for your buck, or come stay late on Saturdays for the drag show.

Draft Sports Bar & Lounge
This hangout in the downtown Sheraton Dallas is 4,000 square feet of sports nirvana, with memorabilia and TVs galore. The only caveat is that it doesn't open until 5 pm, so save it for those night games.

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CultureMap's The Tailgate is happening October 13 at The Empire Room. Head here to buy Early Bird tickets while they last.

Photo by Brittany Baerwald

Score early bird tickets to CultureMap's new signature event, The Tailgate

Game On

In Texas, tailgating is more than just a get-together in a parking lot — it’s a lifestyle.

CultureMap is celebrating this autumnal season of sports with The Tailgate, an all-out party devoted to a favorite Texas pastime.

It all goes down on October 13 at The Empire Room in the Design District.

Expect chef-driven food, innovative beverages, game-day activities, live entertainment, and more at this signature event, which shows major love for all kinds of sports and the fans who cheer them on.

Along with a variety of other local restaurants, the following Tastemaker Award-winning restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for you to sample and vote for your favorite:

Carte Blanche, featuring 2022 Dallas Tastemaker Awards Pastry Chef of the Year winner Amy La Rue
Dusty Biscuit Beignets, 2022 Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant winner
Empire Baking, featuring 2021 Dallas Tastemaker Awards Hero award winner Meaders Ozarow
TLC Vegan Kitchen, 2021 Dallas Tastemaker Awards Best Ghost Kitchen winner

And your favorite athletes might just be there as well, shining a spotlight on the sports-related nonprofits they support and giving you the chance to pitch in and make a difference for the causes they champion.

You'll get to learn more about The Sandlot Children's Charity, Merging Vets and Players, and more nonprofit partners to be announced.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $60 for general admission and $99 for VIP.

All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets get you entry one hour early (6 pm) for first access to tastings, free valet, and a dedicated VIP bar, along with special games and ways to engage during the VIP hour.

Head here to buy your tickets now.

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The Tailgate is sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

Learn more about our event series happening in Austin, Dallas, and Houston this fall.

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Okla. favorite Hideaway Pizza tiptoes into Texas with first shop in Plano

Pizza News

A new pizza purveyor is coming to Texas where it will bravely enter the Dallas-Fort Worth market: Hideaway Pizza an Oklahoma-based chain serving pizza, craft beer, and cocktails, is making its DFW debut with a location in Plano, at 5410 SH-121.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in mid-October.

Based in Tulsa, Hideaway was founded in 1957 by Richard "The Big Kahuna" Dermer and his wife Marti in 1957 near the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater. They became known for making deliveries via a fleet of Volkswagen Beetles.

In 2006, the company was purchased by Brett Murphy and Darren Lister who've successfully retained the anti-chain irreverent spirit and laid-back atmosphere, with employees wearing tie-dye shirts. Their help-wanted ad, for example, says, "We're looking for Weirdoughs and Fungi's to join our team!"

There are now 23 locations across Oklahoma and Arkansas, and they recently made a list of the "10 Established Casual-Dining Restaurant Chains Consumers Love" by Nation's Restaurant News.

Expanding to North Texas made sense because the area has many OSU alumni as well as Oklahoma transpants. The owners also observed that many pizza concepts have moved to to-go only.

"The pizza casual dining space has been vacated by competitors chasing delivery and quick dining," Murphy said in a December 2022 interview. "Hideaway offers premium pizza and a fantastic dine-in experience you can’t find anywhere else."

For pizza, they have two crust options: thin and hand-tossed, slightly thicker and puffier. There are also two alternative crusts: GF and cauliflower.

Signature pies include 17 options, from chicken Florentine with alfredo sauce to the Capone, with sausage, pepperoni, Genoa salami, bacon, red onion, black olives, garlic, and their "Parmesan-herb shake."

There are sandwiches, pastas, salads, meatballs, and garlic cheese bread. Their fried mushrooms are a big customer favorite, and beer is served in frosty cold mugs. Their Sweetza cookies dessert are big boys baked in a six-inch pizza pan and topped with vanilla ice cream. They also have a full bar.

Following Plano, they'll open a location in McKinney at 2101 N. Hardin Blvd. in early 2024, and have Fort Worth penciled in next.

Famed Seattle piroshky bakery makes stop in Dallas on Texas-wide tour

Meat Pie News

A Seattle bakery is coming to Dallas for a special pop-up: Piroshky Piroshky Bakery, which specializes in handmade piroshki, AKA Russian hand pies, will stop in Dallas on a national tour.

The bakery will be at Outfit Brewing, 135 John W. Carpenter Fwy, on October 5 from 5-7 pm, with luscious offerings, both savory and sweet.

Piroshkis are small pies of Russian origin, made from an enriched yeast dough, with savory fillings like meat, vegetables, or cheese, the most traditional being meat and rice or potato and onion.

Piroshky Piroshky Bakery was founded in Seattle in 1992, and offer their pastries in all sorts of delectable fillings: from beef & cheese to cabbage & onion to vegan-friendly mushroom & potato. They make authentic pastries, as well.

Their piroshky are individually made from scratch and hand-formed into unique shapes that help differentiate the flavors and fillings inside.

The company has five locations across Seattle, and also sells their products online. Their original location at Seattle's Pike Place Market serves more than 20 varieties.

But they also make annual tours, just like a rock band, to bring their goods to towns across the U.S. They last came through Dallas in November 2022.

The tour features options such as:

Smoked salmon pate piroshky
Beef & onion piroshy
Impossible beef & onion piroshky
Ham, spinach, & cheese piroshky
Potato & cheese piroshky
Veggie chipotle piroshky
Chocolate cream hazelnut roll
Cinnamon cardamom braid
Pumpkin toffee braid
Caraway cheddar cheese stick
Poppyseed cinnamon roll

The full menu is online, and pre-ordering is required. The cutoff order date for Dallas is October 3 at 4 pm. There's a minimum of $50; individual items run between $5.25 to $7.25.

In addition to Dallas, they're also making three other stops in Texas:

Fort Worth at Martin House Brewing, 220 S Sylvania Ave. on October 4, from 5-7 pm. You must order by October 2; pre-order here.
Austin at Twin Creeks Park, 2303 Dervingham Drive, Cedar Park, on October 6, from 5-7 pm; pre-order here.
Houston at Elks Lodge, 10150 W Airport Blvd, Stafford, on October 7, from 5-7 pm; pre-order here.

Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas initiates action to save birds from dying

Bird News

Reunion Tower, the little ball on the Western edge of downtown Dallas, is famous for its sassy light shows illuminating the Dallas skyline. But in recent years, the building has followed a bird-friendly policy of dimming its lights, and that dimming is about to get underway.

From October 1 through October 21, Reunion Tower will observe the following lighting schedule:

Sundown to 11 pm: lower its lights
11 pm-6 am: go completely dark
6 am-sunrise back to dim

The building enacts these changes to protect birds that are migrating through Texas.

Dallas is on the path of the Central Migratory Flyway, which extends from the Northwest and heads diagonally southeast through Mexico.

Every fall and spring, nearly two billion birds travel through Texas. The bird migration is one of the largest on the planet, and takes place at night. Light attracts migrating birds, making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings and causing them to become disoriented and distracted.

Birds get pulled into urban areas, collide into buildings, and die. Volunteer surveys - in which people go out and count actual dead bodies - in cities such as Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Fort Worth, finds hundreds of dead birds every night. It adds up to nearly a billion birds killed in the U.S. each year.

Dallas-Fort Worth is the third most dangerous area in the U.S. for migratory birds to travel through; Chicago is No. 1, followed by Houston which is No. 2.

As this map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows, Dallas and Houston are both massively lit, representing major obstacles to the success and survival of the birds' migration.

Lights Out Texas was initiated as a statewide effort in Spring 2020 to protect birds from light pollution by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and BirdCast, with the essential support of founding Texas partners Houston Audubon, the Dallas Zoo, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

According to Audubon, the actual critical migration period through Dallas is September 6 through October 29. A glittery skyline is surely pretty, but downtown should just shut it down during those times.

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