10 New Venues in Dallas/Fort Worth for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events

JW Marriott Dallas Arts District opened its doors in July, adding 267 guest rooms and suites to the city’s inventory. In addition to three restaurants, the property showcases more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the 7,870-square-foot Harwood Ballroom and the 3,000-square-foot Flora Ballroom. Of particular note is the 3,555-square-foot Pearl Room, an all-white room meant to serve as a blank canvas for planners’ needs. Elsewhere on property, guests can enjoy an impressive pool roof deck with cabanas and sweeping views of downtown, as well as original multimedia artwork that celebrates the history and success of Dallas as a center for commerce and the arts.

The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth made its debut in November in the Cultural District. The property boasts 200 guest rooms and suites, all adorned with marble floors, local artwork, lounge seating, and workstations. Planners can utilize 10 event venues totaling more than 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, all of which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Standout locations include the 8,000-square-foot Courtyard with a climate-controlled tent, the Crescent Ballroom with capacity for 288 for banquets and 360 for cocktail receptions, and a 12-seat boardroom. For F&B needs, on-site restaurant Emilia’s specializes in Mediterranean cuisine; The Circle Bar in the lobby serves coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening; and the rooftop bar offers sweeping views of Fort Worth. The hotel also features Canyon Ranch Wellness Club fitness center, spa, and salon.

December will mark the opening of Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. The luxury resort blends local cowboy culture with a modern sensibility, offering 106 guest rooms and suites equipped with upscale amenities like expansive balconies, original artwork, and soaking tubs. For groups and gatherings, the hotel features seven distinct venues totaling more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, from the 4,255-square-foot ballroom with capacity for 530 guests theater style and 240 for seated banquets to an intimate 575-square-foot private dining room for as many as 35 guests. The property also features three dining and drinking outlets, the nature-inspired Ash spa and wellness sanctuary, and a tree-lined pool terrace.

September brought the opening of Culpepper Cattle Co. in the one-time home of the original Culpepper Steakhouse. The menu focuses on East Texas cuisine, Tex-Mex, USDA Prime steaks, and Texas-style cooking, with standout dishes like fried green tomatoes, smothered barbecue chicken, and a petit filet with fried lobster. While it still exudes historical charm, the space has been reimagined to include Mexican blankets on the walls, amber chandeliers, and museum-style decor. The 11,000-square-foot dining room seats 420, with room for as many as 450 additional guests on the 20,000-square-foot outdoor patio.

August brought the opening of two new complementary F&B concepts at Hôtel Swexan: Babou’s, a late-night lounge and nightclub, and Library at Babou’s, an adjacent intimate gathering spot with plush leather seating and book-lined walls. Both spaces offer creative signature cocktails, while Babou’s also serves elevated yet approachable bites like lobster steam buns and mini wagyu corn dogs. Set on the hotel’s lower level, the spaces span 1,668 square feet combined and can be reserved together for private events for as many as 115 guests.

Tequila Social, a lively Tex-Mex eatery and tequila garden, debuted in the Harwood District in July. Along with classic favorites like roasted street corn, carne asada tacos, and fajitas, the restaurant serves a wide variety of fruity margaritas and Mexican-inspired cocktails. Accessible directly from Katy Trail, the 10,000-square-foot venue seats 300 guests and is equipped with fun amenities like multiple 60-inch TV screens, a 200-seat dog-friendly patio, fire pits, and live music capabilities.

Housed in the historic one-time home of F.W. Woolworth Five and Dime Store, iconic restaurant and cocktail bar The Woolworth reopened in October after a major renovation and menu revamp. Set in the heart of Downtown Dallas, the 5,250-square-foot venue exudes a modern-industrial charm, with wood features and panoramic windows overlooking the action outside. The space includes a 750-square-foot library that seats 48, a 2,750-square-foot loft that seats 100, and a patio that can accommodate as many as 300 guests for cocktail receptions. The new menu includes standout dishes like coffee-rubbed lamb chops; veal saltimbocca; and a sumptuous pork belly that’s marinated, smoked, sous vide, and deep-fried. At the bar, guests can enjoy ingredient-driven cocktails with house-made bitters, simple syrups, and infused spirits.

For events that offer a dose of fun and nostalgia, Round Two opened in North Oak Cliff in July. The retro arcade and gaming venue features more than 50 arcade and console games, 20 board games, virtual reality stations, and more. Round Two includes a full-service cocktail bar and serves sandwiches and salads from local deli Edylicious.

Moxies in Dallas at the Crescent, the chain’s very first location, will unveil a renovation in November. The restaurant offers several spaces that can be reserved for private groups; the dining rooms can accommodate between 70 and 150 guests, the lounge seats 25, and the patio fits as many as 150. The menu features a wide range of internationally influenced crowd-pleasers like maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, miso ramen, and poutine.

Pearl opened its doors in September, serving a menu that takes a progressive approach to sushi. In addition to rolls, sashimi, and omakase, diners can enjoy hot dishes like Japanese fish and chips, filet of beef, and shrimp tempura. The design scheme features eye-catching details like gold-accented walls and a chandelier that resembles fish swimming in water.