Here's a look at the best new Dallas/Fort Worth restaurants, corporate event venues, hotels, conference centers, and private and party rooms to open for events this summer. These new and renovated Dallas/Fort Worth venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, conferences, meetings, weddings, business dinners, teambuilding activities, cocktail parties, and more.
Lakewood Brewing, a craft brewery in Garland, now has more space for events after a 14,000-square-foot expansion that included a new 2,000-square-foot, 70-seat taproom. The new space, which opened in April, holds about 340 for receptions. The facility also includes a conference room. A 4,000-square-foot beer garden is under construction and is expected to be ready for events later this summer.
Nasher Sculpture Center, which contains work from Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, and other artists, has expanded its event offerings this summer to offer wedding ceremonies in addition to other events in Nasher Hall. The hall holds 225 for receptions, seats 180 for banquets, or holds 225 for conferences. The garden holds 1,200 for receptions or seats 500. The center has other spaces available for events, including a terrace, private dining room, and café. Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events manages the spaces and provides catering.
One of Texas’ wine pioneers, the Bryan-based Messina Hof Winery opened an outpost with event space in Grapevine. The Messina Hof Grapevine Winery, part of the city’s urban wine trail, opened in December with a second floor dedicated to private events. Staff sommeliers can lead wine tastings or teambuliding events both at the winery and at off-site meetings and conferences. The winery offers light catering of charcuterie and sweets or allows outside catering. The space holds 100 people for receptions or seats 70 and can be divided. Events can also take place on a patio that overlooks Main Street.
Designed to resemble a refurbished farmhouse, CiboDivino Marketplace and Caffe opened this spring in Oak Cliff. The wine bar and market serves Italian fare as well as Italian and California wines and local beers. The space has a 4,400-square-foot interior plus a 2,200-square-foot wraparound patio and lawn space.
Normally used for public performances, the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre is available for private events this summer. Part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District, the theater’s Potter Rose Performance Hall holds 800 for receptions or seats 400. The Rem Koolhaas and REX/OMA-designed space can be shaped in thrust, proscenium, or flat-floor configurations. Wolfgang Puck Catering is managing bookings.
Braindead Brewing, which serves its own craft beer with a menu of American and Cuban dishes, opened in March in Deep Ellum. The stylish space, which features beer taps mounted on retro refrigerator door fronts and chalkboard signage, also has an expansive patio with picnic tables. The venue holds 175 inside and 150 on the patio, and full and partial buyouts are available during weekdays.
From the Apheleia Restaurant Group comes El Bolero, a regional Mexican restaurant that opened in the design district in May. Designed by hospitality design specialist Coevál Studio, which is a co-owner of the restaurant, the space features high ceilings, a bright color palette, and outdoor seating. The venue is available for buyout and seats 110 inside as well as offers semiprivate dining for 40 people. The patio seats 50 or holds 90 for receptions.
Le Taco Cantina, a “designer taco” restaurant with food prepared using fine-dining technique, replaced the former Scotch and Sausage restaurant in Oak Lawn in May. Under the same ownership, the space was remodeled with golden-hued butcher-block tables and a vibrant color scheme. The venue is available for buyout and seats 140 inside including at the bar and 65 outdoors or holds 150 indoors and 200 outdoors for receptions.
A second location of Bbbop Seoul Kitchen opened in April on Lowest Greenville Avenue. The Korean comfort food eatery is an evolved version of the original fast-casual location with elevated design and a menu that includes alcohol. The design features custom wood tables and industrial lighting made of stone bowls and kimchi jars. The menu features bibimbap, small plates , and entrées, as well as a beverage menu with Asian beers and cocktails made from the rice liquor soju.
Bringing its famed style of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Gino’s East opened in Arlington on May 4. The pizzeria serves familiar Italian favorites as well as Texas-inspired items such as deep-dish nachos and barbecue brisket sliders. The space seats 175 or holds 210 for receptions.
