The match is over, the adrenaline is still running and you do not want the night to end. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has nightlife options that range from massive entertainment complexes within walking distance of the stadiums to gritty live music districts 25 minutes away in Dallas. Whether you want to stay close or venture out, the evening does not have to stop when the final whistle blows.
Here is where to go.
Texas Live! is the first and most obvious option after any event in the Arlington Entertainment District. The 200,000-square-foot complex sits between Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, and it stays open late on event nights.
PBR Texas has live country music, a mechanical bull and a late-night crowd. Sports and Social Arlington has two floors of screens, craft beer and interactive games. Miller Tavern and Rangers Republic fill with post-game energy. Lockhart Smokehouse serves Central Texas barbecue if you worked up an appetite during the match.
On tournament match days, Texas Live! will be packed with fans from around the world. It is the highest-energy option within walking distance of both stadiums.
A bar and arcade in one, with more than 275 arcade games and a rotating cider menu. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, and it is a good change of pace from the sports bar scene.
A fan favorite in Arlington known for its “Irish Nachos” and live music. J. Gilligan’s runs stadium shuttles on event days, making it an easy option if you do not want to walk far.
High-quality tropical cocktails in a tiki bar setting. A smaller, more intimate option for visitors who want craft drinks instead of a crowded sports bar.
A local brewery in Downtown Arlington with craft beer and a community vibe. If you want to drink something local and skip the chains, this is a strong pick.
A long-standing dive bar with live music, pool and darts. Pearl’s has the kind of character that polished entertainment complexes do not replicate.
An open-air performance venue in Arlington that hosts free concerts throughout the year. Check the schedule to see if a show lines up with your visit.
A stand-up comedy club with touring national comedians and local acts. A different kind of night out if you want something beyond live music and bars.
Deep Ellum is the creative heart of Dallas nightlife, about 25 minutes east of Arlington. The neighborhood is packed with live music venues, craft breweries, cocktail bars and street art. The energy is gritty, loud and unpredictable in the best way.
Trees, The Bomb Factory (now The Factory in Deep Ellum) and Club Dada are established live music venues. Braindead Brewing and Deep Ellum Brewing Company pour local craft beer. The entire neighborhood comes alive on Friday and Saturday nights.
If you want the most authentic Dallas nightlife experience, Deep Ellum is it.
Uptown Dallas is the more polished nightlife district, with rooftop bars, cocktail lounges and upscale restaurants. Happiest Hour has a massive rooftop patio with multiple screens and skyline views. The Harwood District has bars and restaurants in a walkable, modern setting.
Hero, a 24,000-square-foot venue near the American Airlines Center, features a massive screen and high-energy atmosphere. Victory Park is convenient if you are staying in Dallas and want to watch highlights or catch another game after the match.
If you are up for a 30-minute drive west, the Fort Worth Stockyards offer a nightlife scene unlike anywhere else. Billy Bob’s Texas has live country music, indoor bull riding and a dance floor that fills up on weekends. The Stockyards area has honky tonks, saloons and bars along East Exchange Avenue that keep the western vibe going late into the night.
Cowtown Coliseum hosts the only year-round indoor rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. CT, if you want to pair nightlife with a true Texas experience.
Legacy Hall in Plano is a large food hall with an outdoor live music area called the Box Garden. It hosts viewing events and concerts and is worth the trip if you are staying north of Dallas.
Sidecar Social in Addison and Frisco is a high-energy spot with plenty of screens, interactive games and a late-night bar crowd.
If you are drinking, use a rideshare. Uber is available 24 hours a day across the DFW area. Post-event surge pricing is common around the Entertainment District; waiting 15 to 20 minutes after the crowds thin usually brings prices down.
If you are staying in the district, Texas Live! and the stadiums are all within walking distance of most Arlington Entertainment District hotels.
Texas Live! is within walking distance and stays open late on event nights. PBR Texas, Sports and Social Arlington and Lockhart Smokehouse are all inside the complex.
Deep Ellum in Dallas for rock, blues and indie. Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth for country music. PBR Texas at Texas Live! for a mix.
Deep Ellum is a popular nightlife district with regular foot traffic on weekend nights. Stick to the main streets, stay aware of your surroundings and use rideshare to get home.
A rideshare from the Entertainment District to Deep Ellum or Uptown Dallas takes about 25 minutes and costs $20 to $35.
Levitt Pavilion in Arlington hosts free outdoor concerts. Walking Deep Ellum and the Fort Worth Stockyards costs nothing, and the atmosphere itself is worth the trip.
Texas bars stop serving alcohol at 2:00 a.m. CT. Last call is typically around 1:30 a.m. CT.
